Today, the Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine was visiting the Scouts’ headquarters at Gilwell Park in Essex to learn more about the organisation’s new pilot scheme to bring Scouting skills for Life to younger children. The visit to Gilwell Park also marked the site’s 100th anniversary.
In 2012 that Duchess volunteered with scouts when she was living in Wales during the first couple years of her marriage. Gertsroyals on twitter noted an interesting fact that the patronage of the UK Scouts is usually held by the Monarch. Duke of Kent is the current president of the scouts. May be in future we will see Duchess taking over the Duke of Kent as the President.
In November 2018, the Scouts announced 20 pilots in England to exploring the potential of providing Scouting to children between the ages of four and six. Research has shown that the first five years of a child’s life are more pivotal for development, and for future health and happiness than any other single moment in their lifetime. Learn more about Pilots here. The visit was directly in line with Duchess’ life long project of early year intervention. In the past year, Duchess has focused her public role on young kids and how early year intervention can ensure their bright future.
What a child experiences during its earliest years shape the development of the brain and influences interactions at school, work and in society. The new pilot will see Scouts test its exciting programme of activities – which currently reaches 473,000 young people between the ages of 6 and 25 in the UK – to younger children, equipping them with the life skills and values of teamwork, leadership and resilience.
2019 also marks the 100th anniversary of Gilwell Park, a site recognised internationally as the home of Scouting. Located on the edge of Epping Forest, it is a Scout campsite dating back to 1754, training and adventure centre, and home to the organisation’s UK headquarters.
Each year, the Park welcomes thousands of Scouts, schools and youth groups to develop their character skills, including taking the initiative and tenacity; employability skills such as leadership, teamwork and problem solving; and practical skills like cooking and first aid.
It is a well-known fact that Duchess is a nature lover and spends lots of time outside with her three children. Today, she met with kids who are part of the pilot scheme to explore the potential of providing Scouting to children, aged four and five, equipping them with the life skills and values of teamwork, leadership and resilience.
Established in 1907 by Robert Baden-Powell Scouting currently reaches 473,000 young people between the ages of six and 25 in the UK. The pilot scheme for children aged four and five is working to narrow opportunity gaps between disadvantaged young people and their peers and aid their onwards progress into the wider world.
The Duchess joined a number of sessions with young children including activities to improve communication and teamwork, such as balloon rockets, the alphabet game and sailing boats.
A group of Scouts aged 14 to 18 also showed Catherine, who her self was a brownie along with her sister Pippa during her childhood, a number of Gilwell Park’s iconic features, including the famous Gilwell Oak, named UK Tree of the Year in 2017.
Sporty Duchess was not afraid of getting dirty as she joined kids at the Gilwell Park. Kids painted her hand during activity.
We got a very cute shot of Duchess when she joined a little in a den built against a tree and said, “It’s very waterproof, isn’t it?”
The den looked similar to the ‘rustic den’ featured in the Duchess’ Chelsea Flower Show garden design that will be on display this year. From People Magzine,
She got inside a den that had just been built by the Beavers, the youngest scouts. They’d tested whether it was water proof “three trials were dry, one was wet! We are very proud that it was three quarters there,” says, Frankii Newbury , the early year’s pilot project leader says. “She got straight in there with one of our Beavers and checked it out. It was wonderful and the scouts absolutely loved her. The highlight was the Duchess, smack bang in the middle of it all, getting in a den — braver woman than I am.”
Duchess stood for a group photograph with staff and children.
Before leaving, The Duchess planted an oak sapling to mark the 100th anniversary of Gilwell Park.
During the visit, Duchess met with parents and trainers of kids participating in the pilot scheme. A beautiful shot of exciting kids holding flags to wave Catherine goodbye.
For the day, as expected Duchess chose a casual and stylish look.
She was wearing Barbour Ladies Waxed ‘Defence’ Jacket that she has in her closet for a long time. This feminine fit military-inspired olive field jacket features front pocket styling and a waxed cotton exterior and side buttons. Recently Duchess wore the jacket during Robinhood Primary School visit in November 2017.
It looks like Catherine might be wearing J. Crew Mockneck sweater in supersoft yarn seen in January 2019 during the visit to King Henry’s Walk Community Garden. The Marino wool sweater with a mock neck and fitted silhouette is available on an official online store for $79.50 in 12 different shades.
Duchess paired the sweater with Zara Body Curving Jeggings that is another element of the extensive wardrobe.
Catherine wore her See by Chloe Leather-Trimmed Suede Ankle Boots that she debuted in January 2019 during the visit to King Henry’s Walk Community Garden.
Duchess was also wearing her UK Scouting Scarf tied with a friendship knot.
Catherine finished her look with a new pair of earrings. She was wearing simple hoop earrings that are still unidentified.
