Scouts show their political know-how (From Swindon Advertiser)

Scouts show their political know-how

11:10pm Friday 2nd November 2012 in News By Chantelle Rees, News Editor

SCOUTS in the town got the chance to test their brainpower during a head-to-head quiz in Parliament.

The 18th Swindon Scout group teamed up with South Swindon MP Robert Buckland to compete against other Scouts and MPs from across the country in a quiz hosted by Going For Gold’s Henry Kelly on Wednesday.

The event, which tests their knowledge of politics and current affairs, was organised to launch a new curriculum which aims to help Scouts become engaged citizens who are able to play their part in the democratic process. Talk This Way, the new teaching pack launched at the event, will be given to all Scout leaders and aims to educate young people about what goes on inside Parliament. It is hoped that learning about democracy could soon become as important in Scouting as campfires and adventure.

The winning team were the Scouts from 1st Stanway.

Robert Buckland, who is supporting the new venture, said the event was a success.

“It was great fun to take part in the event with the 18th Swindon Scouts,” he said.

“Henry Kelly was a tough but fair quizmaster and, although we didn’t win, the Scouts put in a very good performance.”

Scout Edward Sewell, of South Swindon, said he enjoyed the event.

“The quiz was so much fun – I learnt lots of new things about parliament and it was great to spend time with Robert Buckland,” he said.

“I can’t wait to do the activities from Talk This Way with my group, especially debating.”

Talk This Way, created in partnership with Parliament’s Education Service, builds on activities such as the successful Scouts’ Question Time and the Scouts’ Speak Up events at this year’s party conferences, to get young people talking to politicians and to develop the important relationships between Scouts and their local MPs.

Phil Clarke, a Scout leader from South Swindon, said he hoped the new curriculum would prove useful in helping Scouts to become more aware of politics.

He said: “I’m looking forward to using Talk This Way with my Scout group. “Events like Scout Community Week show us how much our young people want to get involved in their communities and be active citizens. “This new resource will help them to understand and engage with politics.”