New Chief Scout announced

Bear Grylls

18th May 2009 - The Scout Association is delighted to today announce Bear Grylls is the tenth and youngest Chief Scout of the United Kingdom and Overseas Territories. Scouting has adventure at its core and Bear is one of the UK's great outdoor adventurers; he is also a strong supporter of young people as seen via his work with international children's charity, Global Angels. As Chief Scout, a position he will hold for five years, Bear will be the volunteer Leader of the largest co-educational youth Movement in the country: Scouting has around half a million Members including some 90,000 adult Leaders.

During his term, Bear aims to inspire more and more adults to volunteer for Scouting and is committed to reinforcing Scouting's role as the place to offer adventure based activities to young people. Bear's commitment to massively increasing the number of adult Leaders in the Scout Movement comes at a time when waiting lists to join Scout Groups across the UK remain at an all-time high.

Bear was appointed yesterday by The Council of the Scout Movement at a special meeting in London. In the role of Chief Scout, Bear is tasked with promoting the policies and benefits of Scouting, and encouraging new adults to join the Movement.

Previously, as one of the youngest ever climbers to reach the summit of Mt. Everest, Bear is now the youngest person ever to become Chief Scout. He will be invested at a handover ceremony with outgoing Chief Scout Peter Duncan later in the year.

Newly appointed Chief Scout Bear Grylls said:
"I feel hugely honoured to be asked to take up this role as Chief Scout - it really is a dream come true. I have always loved helping young people live their dreams and to taste real adventure… as well as getting caked in mud! I also hope I can use this post to encourage masses of adults in the UK to volunteer as leaders. The young people in this country need them like never before, and we have more people wanting to join than there are places available. But by volunteering, adults can actively make a difference to young people's lives in their community, and there is no better way to be part of an adventure and have loads of fun, than with the Scouts."
"The Scout Movement is a world-wide force for good and at heart it says that young people have the right to an adventure. And I for one am so proud to be part of that."

Outgoing Chief Scout Peter Duncan said:
"I have gained enormously from my experience as volunteer Chief Scout over the past five years. I have particularly connected to the grass roots and have enjoyed seeing the adventurous and environmental awareness aspects of scouting increase during my time as leader. I have learnt so much being part of a large organisation, honing the skills of presentation, thinking on my feet and discovering how to communicate an inspirational message for young people. As a working actor I think Bear Grylls is the most brilliant piece of recasting I have ever been involved in. I wish him great success."

Bear, aged 34, was previous a Cub Scout and Scout. He is married with three young boys. He is an Explorer, television presenter and author with a number of television programmes including Born Survivor with Bear Grylls, Escape to the Legion, Mission Everest, and Man vs Wild with Bear Grylls.

He has also written a series of books including Facing Up, The Kid Who Climbed Everest, Facing the Frozen Ocean, Born Survivor, Bear Grylls' Great Outdoor Adventures, Mission Survival: Gold of the Gods, Mission Survival: Way of the Wolf, Mission Survival: Sands of the Scorpion.

Amongst his notable achievemnts - Served for three years as a soldier with 21 SAS Regiment. Became one of the youngest ever climbers to reach the summit of Everest in 1998. Scaled Mt Ama Dablam in the Himalaya, a peak once described by Sir Edmund Hillary as 'unclimbable'. Crossed the Atlantic Arctic Ocean in an open rigid inflatable boat, a feat for which he was awarded the rank of Honorary Lieutenant-Commander in the Royal Navy. Has lead numerous expeditions worldwide, including soaring above the height of Everest in a powered paraglider, raising over $2.5million for children's charities.

For more from Gilwell abour Bear click here