Lockers Park School celebrates a decade of Scouting

Lockers Park (Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead) is celebrating a decade of Scouting at the school. Officially known as the 7^th Hemel Hempstead (Lockers Park) Scout Group, the private group – open only to members of the school – was originally set up in 2011 with a Cub pack, growing from strength-to-strength over the years to now include a Scout troop and a Beaver colony.

Lockers Park is one of the few schools across the country that has its very own Scout group and typically 40% of the pupils embrace Scouting at the school. The past decade has seen the group enjoy all kinds of exciting opportunities that are designed to help boost self-confidence as well as encourage pupils to develop leadership and citizenship skills along the way.

Highlights from the past decade have included pupils making their promise to Scouting 12m above the ground at the XC High Ropes Course, meeting Bear Grylls, volunteering at the local DENS Food Bank in Hemel Hempstead and joining 140 scouts from across Hemel to visit the European home of Scouting in Switzerland – Kanderstag International Scout Centre – as part of a 12-day trip. While COVID-19 has scuppered recent face-to-face gatherings, the group has continued to meet online with its usual energy. Virtual sessions have included sleep-ins and sleep-outs, den-building and cooking challenges… Campfire Chocolate Banana or Armpit Fudge anyone?

Jan Maddern, Lockers Park’s Scout Leader says: “Scouting introduces children to a world of fun and opportunity, inspiring and helping each to do their best and become role models for others. The camaraderie within a Scout group really is second to none! Being a Scout Leader at Lockers Park for the past ten years has been a real privilege, working alongside the school’s teaching body and parents to build a fantastic, inspiring community. It has been a decade of adventure and I cannot wait to see what the next ten years bring.”

Chris Wilson, Lockers Park Headmaster observes: “Being a member of our Scout group at this particular time has been a real help to pupils, who have been cut off from socialising with their peers in the usual way. With the worst of the pandemic hopefully over, we are looking to safely resume our hugely successful Scouting activities onsite along with other popular extra-curricular pursuits including chess and skiing. I am sure the children simply cannot wait!”

Lockers Park is a leading boys’ school with a Pre-Prep for ages 4-7 and Prep School for ages 7-13. The school is situated in the heart of Hertfordshire and holds an excellent academic reputation, priding itself on preparing pupils for the country’s top public and independent senior schools.