Welcoming Laura Kirk, our new Programme Team Lead
I have been involved in Scouting since switching from Guides (way back then, girls couldn’t be Scouts) to become a Young Leader with the Cub section of 3rd Collier Row, this was the Group I stayed with until to moving to Norfolk 18 months ago. Whilst always supporting 3CR I also held the roles of District Cub Leader, ADC Cubs, ACC Cubs, DCC Development, DCC Programme and not forgetting GSL & Assistant Unit Leader for the 23rd World Scout Jamboree. I am a strong believer that Programme is the key to us encouraging new members and keeping those members – including adults. If we are delivering a fun and exciting Programme, safely, that is what Scouting is all about. I was very lucky to hold the ADC Cubs role during the Year of Adventure, followed by the Centenary year – we celebrated hard with an event each month – we started the Centenary Year with taking over the Museum of Childhood for a night at the museum. I’m known for having fairly crazy ideas, that somehow seem to work out…. 350 Cubs travelled by tube, completed activities, had a ‘campfire’ (it was electric) and ‘slept’ (very little sleeping happened) and were sent home with a piece of birthday cake – those Cubs are now aged between 16 & 18, I still have random teenagers approach me to tell me it was a highlight of their time in Cubs, and I hope we can help Young People to make amazing memories during their adventures with Scouts.
During my time as an Adult Volunteer, I have completed my Gold Duke of Edinburgh & Queen Scout Awards and being lucky enough to be based in London this gave me the opportunity to take part in a number of additional activities – my highlight being part of a welcoming team for a Buckingham Palace Garden Party – if you get to visit, please try the ice cream!
I am also a Non-uniformed Volunteer with the Army Cadet Force and used the courses they ran during the COVID lockdowns, meaning I am now qualified Duke of Edinburgh Exped Supervisor & Assessor and also previously held the Greater London North East role of Duke of Edinburgh sign-offs.
Away from Scouting, I am training to be an Accountant, working through my ACCA exams, and working in the Finance Team for a Norwich based insurance company; and am also a Ballroom & Latin dancer, yes – 1 day hiking boots & mud, the following dancing shoes and sparkles….. 2 worlds colliding.
I am based in Lyng, and actually live within the Norfolk Lakes outdoor activity centre, where my husband is Head of Centre – if you’d like to have a look around, let me know (sadly, I can’t offer discounts for use of the centre, but I can let you know ways to make a visit as cheap as possible, if that’s on your wish list)
I look forward to meeting you all and delivering the best Scouting Programme we are able to.
Laura Kirk
Programme Team Lead, Norfolk Scouts
Group Lead Volunteer, 2nd Dereham (Toftwood) Scout Group