Local Cub Scout Paiton James received her Grey Wolf Award at a special presentation ceremony held at the Centenary-Gympie Scout Den on Saturday 18 March. The highest award for a Cub Scout to achieve, Paiton’s goal was to earn the Grey Wolf since joining the cub section after her eighth birthday.
The guest list included fellow Scouts, Cubs, Joeys and Leaders from Centenary-Gympie, plus Gympie District and Suncoast Region Leaders, and members of Paiton’s family. Gympie Mayor Glen Hartwig also attended and was presented with a special “Scouting Supporter” scarf by Paiton. All three Scout Groups in the Gympie Region very much appreciate the grant funding from the GRC which has assisted with on-going building and maintenance projects.
Prerequisites for the award include components such as Outdoor Adventure Skills, Special Interest Projects, leading an Adventurous Journey, completing the Cub Leadership Course and Personal Reflection. While some components are compulsory, others are chosen by the individual Cub Scout to reflect their interests and areas where they would like to further their knowledge.
Paiton completed up to Level 3 in Core Outdoor Adventure Skills including bushcraft, bushwalking and bamping and skills in abseiling, cycling, aquatics and canoeing. Paiton completed six Special Interest projects covering areas of arts and literature, personal development and the environment. She made her own recycled paper then created a fully bound book. Paiton was in the choir for “Creative Generations – State Schools on Stage 2022” and played the violin at the Gympie Eisteddfod. She was a member of a team working on an environmental project to learn more about native flora and fauna.
For her Adventurous Journey, she organised and led a hike from Cedar Grove Campground at Amamoor. Paiton became a Sixer and attended Cub Leadership training where she acquired skills to help lead her patrol and other scouting members. She is a member of the Cub Unit Council and assists in planning programs for the Cubs.
Cub Scouts regularly participate in camps and excursions – some with their own pack and some as part of a larger group. She attended the 2021 Region Cub Camp in Gympie, the 2022 Region Cub Camp at Lake Dunethin, District Cub Camp at Borumba Deer Park, abseiling at Aldershot, hiking in the local area, indoor rock climbing, air activities in Brisbane including a flight in a small plane and many other adventures.
Scouts are part of many local community events including ANZAC Day, Clean Up Australia, Little Kids Day Out and the Gympie Show. Paiton keenly joins in the many and various activities along with her unit and thoroughly enjoys her time in the Cub Scout section. She thanked her section leaders Colleen “Chil” Gosden, Siobhan “Sahi” Wilson & Dominic “Keego” Kerneke, for their support and guidance and hopes that in achieving this Grey Wolf Award she inspires fellow youth members to follow in her footsteps to reach their goal. For more photos and information please visit the Centenary Gympie Scouts Facebook page.
