Dwayne Fields, an explorer and presenter who became the first black Briton to reach the North Pole, has been appointed as the new chief scout in the UK. Fields, who has presented programmes for National Geographic, Disney+, and Channel 5, takes over the role from adventurer Bear Grylls, who served in the position since 2009.
Fields, whose family migrated to the UK when he was a child, regards the Scouts as his family and said he hoped to use his post to demonstrate that they were a “family for absolutely anyone”. He further expressed concern about the erosion of traditional outdoor skills and said he hoped to see greater membership of the group under his tenure.
Born in Jamaica, Fields’ scouting journey started in Palmers Green, in north London, when he was seven years old. Speaking about his appointment as the chief scout, Fields said, “There are a lot of groups and communities who still think that maybe scouting isn’t for them, and I’m hoping that they’ll look at me and say, ‘Well, actually, I have something in common with that guy – he grew up where I grew up, he looks like me. If scouting is for him, it’s for me as well.'”
Fields has made it his mission to encourage young inner-city teenagers to venture into the countryside, believing that it is essential to broaden their horizons, unlock their potential, and develop skills that would profoundly alter their outlook on life. He sees the experience of living out in the wilderness and away from peer pressure as pivotal in cultivating teamwork and other crucial life skills.
For more than a century, the Scouts has been inspiring young people to be of service to their community and develop core skills that will enable them to be future leaders. With over 500,000 members across the United Kingdom, the Scouts ranks as one of the country’s largest youth organizations. Fields takes charge of the chief scout title as the 11th person to hold the position. He is appointed for a five-year term but can extend his tenure if desired
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