We’re starting the new term by getting to know Matthew Baker from 2nd Lliw Valley Scouts. Matthew has achieved every single Beaver and Cub Activity Badge and we wanted to find out more! Over to you Matthew…
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I have been a part of Gowerton 2nd Lliw Valley beavers and cubs and now in their scout group. I am 11 years old. I live in Gowerton in Swansea. I am autistic so I struggle to speak to new people and do new things but in scouting I feel really safe and comfortable and the leaders have helped me to take part in everything. I find it difficult to complete work at school but I love working towards the scouting badges and getting the badges when everything is completed.
 How long have you been involved in Scouts, and what made you join?
I have been in scouts for nearly 5 years. I joined after going out pottery painting with my friend Sam and he was photographing his pottery for a badge and he started telling me about all the activities they do at beavers and I thought it sounded really fun. My mum said I could put my name down and give it a try. I was really nervous for my first couple of weeks but my beaver leaders Kim and Saran played loads of fun games and did lots of different things and I said to my mum that I definitely wanted to be invested and start getting the badges as they looked cool.
That’s great – Well done to your friend Sam! You achieved every single Beaver and Cub Activity Badge. We think that’s epic! What made you want to complete them all?
When I first started I saw people with badges on their arm and I thought that I really wanted some of them. I also had the scratch off poster of beaver badges and I really wanted to be able to scratch every one off so mum said I’d have to earn them to do that. I also really liked the badge giving nights and wanted to see how many I could fit on my arm. It got really full. They were also really fun to do and that made me want to keep going to see if I could get them all. I then got the cub sticker badge recording book and wanted to see how many of them I could get to stick on. There were quite a few badges that were things I was already doing like looking after my pet fish or book reading or playing cricket for the physical recreation and then some that just sounded really fun like the horse riding, science experiments and the water activities.
Wow, amazing! Which badge was your favourite, and why?
My favourite badges were the cub experiment badge because we made volcanos and one of the cubs made it explode so big that it hit the roof and made a splodge on the roof which became known as the Danny splodge.
My other favourite was the outdoor skills badge because I went on camps and spent my first ever nights away from home without my family. We did lots of fun things like cooking, duck race, hiking, pizza making, looked at the moon through a telescope and had one camp that was super wet and muddy.
 There must have been some difficult activities – Which badge did you find the most challenging, and how did you overcome it?
My most challenging badge was the skater badge. I really struggle with balance so I tried roller skating but I couldn’t stand up, and then I tried scootering but I couldn’t do it on 2 wheels so then I went to skate ability who help people who are autistic to learn to skateboard. The instructors were really good and did it all really slowly so I could learn to balance and turn. After a lot of weeks I could get round the room. Then a few months later I went to the local skatepark and the people helped me to learn to do some ramps and to turn the board by standing on the back and using my body to spin it round. It was definitely the hardest and longest badge for me.
 What did it feel like when you realised you’d completed every Activity Badge and earned your Chief Scout’s Silver Award?
I was really surprised when I got my Chief Scout Silver because Akela kept it a secret and got my mum to come to the scout hall for a presentation when someone else was being invested. I got it at the same time as my friend.I really wanted to get it after getting my bronze in beavers. Now I really want to work towards the gold and when Paul my leader asked who wanted to work on the gold I put my hand straight in the air. I was very proud when I completed every activity badge and a bit surprised that id actually managed to do it.
Nice one Akela! Is there a moment or memory from all the activities you’ve taken part in that you’ll never forget?
Water fight night at cubs on the last day of term. Akela, Bagheera and Kaa do a water fight every year on the last night of cubs and it’s super fun. We all got soaked and I had to try and walk in Welly boots that were full of water and I always fell over. Then Kaa and Bagheera would soak you with water squirters and we’d all laugh a lot. Akela even got an ice-cream van to come and we had huge ice-creams!
When is the next water fight? We’ll come along! Just kidding! What skills do you think being a part of scouting in Wales has helped you develop?
I have learnt that when things feel hard and I want to give up, I have to remember that there is always more fun to be had. I learnt that on cub camp when I wanted to go home because it was really wet and muddy but I knew Akela had fun things planned and I’m really glad I stayed. It was really useful for my school residential and other things I’ve tried to do.
I also learnt how to build and light a fire.
I have worked on team work and being able to be a leader. I found it hard to get my sixer stripes because Akela needed me to be more confident and lead but she helped me to do it and I was really proud to get my sixer stripes.
 What would you say to another Beaver or Cub who wants to challenge themselves?
Never give up and keep trying. Even when you feel like you can’t do it the leaders will help you find a way.
You never know what you will enjoy if you don’t give it a try. You might find something you love. I now love horse riding from trying to get the cub badge.
Thanks Matthew, we’ve really enjoyed hearing all about your brilliant badges – Is there anything else you’d like people to know about your Scouting journey or what this achievement means to you?
I am really happy to have gained all the badges but Akela reminded me that scouting is about the friendships, teamwork and having fun and doing your best and moving into scouts the badges get harder but it will be a big adventure. I am looking forward to challenging myself to try to get the gold award.
The leaders are awesome and they make every night fun and you try loads of cool things and they help everyone. I was scared to give it a try 5 years ago but now I look forward to every week and seeing what we will be doing. I have tried loads of fun things through scouting like science experiments, pumpkin carving and cooking and been on some really fun trips like golfing, rock climbing, canoeing and camping and the All Wales Cub fun day.
