WIREDGOV

The Scouts and Girl Guides today got a new recruit working for his volunteering badge when Minister of State for Food, Farming and Environment, Jim Fitzpatrick MP visited the Scout Jamboree.

Scouts and Girl Guides are at the Scout Jamboree at the Windsor Great Park this week and were taking part in the campaign which aims to encourage families and people of all ages to get out and about in the countryside by taking part in volunteering projects which help the environment. Defra’s Muck In4Life stand at the Scout Jamboree, which is organised by scouting organisation WINGS09, will have lots of fun activities for everyone to enjoy throughout the event, from building a bird feeder  to making a promise in the promise book where you can pledge your action to help the environment.

As well as building bird boxes and visiting the Muck In4Life stand at the Scout Jamboree, Jim Fitzpatrick was also shown around the grounds and met with Scouts, Guides and other young adults to discuss green issues and saw environmental and conservation awards being handed out to those young people who have done particularly good work for the environment.

Jim Fitzpatrick said:

“It has been a great experience to come and visit the Scout Jamboree today and I am extremely encouraged by what I see with the younger generation all wanting to do their bit to help the environment. Having spoken to the children on today’s visit I have seen first-hand all the benefits for getting involved with Muck In4Life, such as improving your health and the wider environment and being able to make new friends along the way.”

Hubert Remillard, a 17 year old Explorer Scout from Bracknell said:

“Its people like me and my friends who want to help the planet and look after it, because it’s where we’re going to grow up. Getting involved in a volunteering project means you can come and do your bit to help the environment, and its fun doing something different outside and getting new friends at the same time. I’ve been in scouts for a few years and a key part of what we do is about being considerate of the environment, both on global issues and on much more local things in our own communities.”

The volunteering organisations signed up to the campaign include the National Trust, RSPB and the Wildlife Trust amongst others and activities volunteers can take part in include anything from  clearing out pond weed, picking up litter, to counting bats or birds or even building a dry stone wall.

As well as taking part in volunteering to help the environment those who are getting involved are encouraged to pick up a camera and capture the fun and enjoyment that comes from volunteering by entering into the Conservation Volunteering Photographer of the Year competition. The winner receives high street vouchers and will have their photographs displayed at Kew Gardens.

Notes to editors

1. WINGS2009 is an international camp open to any member of  the Scouts, Girl Scouts or GirlGuiding whose national Organisation is a member of either the World Organisation of Scout Movements (WOSM) or of the World Association of  Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS).
2. The event is open to all members who are aged 10 or more on 1 August 2009 and runs from 1 – 8 August in Great Windsor Park, Berkshire, SL4 2BD.
3. To find out about conservation volunteering near you, please go to www.direct.gov.uk/muckin4life
4. For a list of stakeholders supporting MuckIn4Life see link - http://muckin4life.direct.gov.uk/partners.aspx
5. Entries to the Kew International Garden Photographer of the Year competition (www.igpoty.com) and the competition is open until November 2009.  Shortlisted entries will be announced around Christmas time and the winning photos will be announced in spring 2010. The winning photos will form part of the open air exhibition, showing in outdoor venues around the country, starting with Kew in the spring of next year.

 

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