“Come and give it a go”: Luton Scout leader on building confidence outside the classroom

Keelan Pannell started with St Joseph’s Scouts as a child, joining the Beavers’ section.

He said: “I’ve been there since I was six, and then never left. It got me out of my comfort zone… I never thought I’d be doing this now. It has taught me skills over the years, it helped me a lot, like getting my apprenticeship.”

The 29-year-old progressed through to Cubs, then Scouts, and eventually became his section leader at 14. Then, he took over as Scout leader at 18.

Squirrels, from four to six years old, are the youngest section in the group, and spend their sessions getting creative, learning basic first aid, and going on outdoor adventures.

Beavers, the next age bracket, enjoy games, crafts, singing, activities outside – including trips and sleepovers.

Next, aged between eight and 10-and-a-half years old, are the Cubs. This section gets to go on more camps and holidays, all while learning new skills.

And finally, Scouts, for the eldest children. Each troop spends time preparing for their camps, and learn how to read maps, cook on campfires, and administer first aid. Rock climbing, kayaking, photography and axe throwing are some of the experiences of typical Scouts.

Keelan explained: “Throughout the year, we will be putting our tents up, project management and putting it into practice skills for camps, or helping out the Cubs as well… trying to get them to, hopefully, when they leave Scouts, that they come back as a young leader. It’s about going back to basics.”

Going on camping trips was a highlight for Keelan, and his time with Scouts became a way for him to learn communication skills, build his confidence, and get hands-on experience.

Since taking over, Keelan has seen the group change and lose members. But said that the pandemic was a turning point: “Once they went back to school… that’s when parents noticed [children] spend too much time on technology and were trying to get them out and about meeting different people.

“Covid, in a way, benefited us in scouting, as we were trying to grow it again.”

To future-proof St Joseph’s Scouts and its legacy, the group raised more than £50,000 to revamp their hut, including adding a new roof, rewiring and new lighting.

But they are also looking for businesses in the town to help with donating prizes for their raffles, with any money to go towards modernising the hut further.

Keelan said: “We’ve had a range of things over the years, from services and vouchers, to some companies giving things like water bottles and Easter eggs.”

Since the group is all volunteer-run, the only fee for families to pay goes back into the Scouts to cover running costs. Currently, a yearly membership for weekly sessions is £145.

Keelan explained: “We give a two-week free trial… Most people who come for the trial, then they stay. Each session is about £3. The more people that join, the cheaper it gets, so then it’s opening more doors to the whole community.”

And to make sure the group lives on, Keelan is looking to get children of all backgrounds involved, and hopefully, bring them on as future leaders.

He said: “We are open to everyone. We’re trying to grow the young leaders, so that’s the future generation of the group.”

Whether they are interested in getting their children to socialise outside their school bubbles, or try something new, Keelan encouraged families to make the most of the two-week free trial: “Come and give it a go. That’s the main point, they are learning skills for life that they don’t get through school.”

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