Scouting boring and for nerds? In-te-gen-part! Building rafts and tying knots? Yes, too! But it's also cooking, crafts, theater and adventures during summer camp. Whether you're 5 or 43, whether you belong to the Cubs, Beavers, Scouts, Explorers, the Rover Scouts or the Tribe, scouting is challenging for everyone. But beware: once infected with the scouting virus? Then you won't get rid of it anymore!
We are visiting Sven Rutten, secretary of Scouting Gregor Brokamp in Kerkrade. A proud secretary, because "his" association, with 137 members, is one of the larger associations in the region and has the most youth members: 94 children. "Scouting is easily accessible," Sven explains the popularity of scouting. "Every week the boys and girls get varied activities that challenge them, that contribute to their personal development. Working together, caring for each other and showing respect to yourself, to each other and to the world around you. Helping each other and feeling safe to push your limits a little bit. These are important values within scouting and of great value for the rest of your life.
In scouting, everyone is equal and it is not about getting good grades. We ask something different of the children as in school. With us, everyone gets a chance to show their qualities and therefore get the recognition every child deserves. Maybe spelling is not your best subject, but you can cook the stars in our kitchen. Is math not your thing? Then check out the beautiful decor you painted for our colorful evening! Each child has unique talents and qualities. They come to the fore here, giving each child that oh-so-important self-esteem. In scouting, everyone is equal.
The 'principle of equality' is underlined once more by the 'scout outfit': the outfit that every scout wears. A play shirt in which you can romp around, that can get dirty and that says: 'you belong to the club, you are one of us'. We find it important that scouting is accessible to every child. For that reason, we keep the costs as low as possible. Still, for some families it is difficult to miss the amount for the uniform, tie, badges and membership fees. In those cases, we appeal to Stichting Leergeld Parkstad.
Stichting Leergeld Parkstad literally opens the door to scouting, but also to personal growth, to discovering talents, to respect and understanding for anyone, rich, poor, white, black, yellow, green, red, fat or thin. Memories are made and friendships are formed for life. No gold can pay for that. Every child deserves that."