Boy in ‘ extremely rare’ feat
A CUB Scout has collected every badge available – and has so many that they do not fit on his uniform.
Ten- year- old Kyle Deans, a member of Johnstone 2nd ( Fordbank) in Johnstone, has been described as a natural leader.
On June 20, the pupil at Fordbank Primary School was awarded the Chief Scout Silver Award, the last badge needed for his impressive collection of 57.
This haul includes all seven Challenge Badges, 10 Staged Badges, the Scottish Cub Thistle Badge, a Joining In Badge, and all 37 activity badges, demonstrating a range of skills from Animal Carer to Martial Arts and World Faiths.
Kyle said: “I am very proud to have achieved all my Cub badges over the last three years.
“It was actually much easier than when I earned my Beaver ones, because that was done through the Covid lockdown.
“My favourite part has been working on my equestrian badge and my time on the water badge. I love paddleboarding and kayaking.”
Alison Kennedy, Fordbank
Cub leader, said: “We are so proud of Kyle.
“To achieve every single badge is a superb achievement but it tells you exactly what kind of young person Kyle is.
“He is also very encouraging to other Cubs. We were at a high ropes course and one of our other Cubs was nervous to go down the zip line. Kyle, from a significant distance, started chanting the Cubs name – within seconds the whole pack was chanting along with him.
“Our nervous Cub managed to overcome their fear much to the delight and celebration of the pack.”
Kyle, a senior “sixer” at Fordbank, also advises and supports other sixers with their leadership development and has taken it upon himself to raise funds for the Scout group.
He generated £ 95 at a gala by running his own activity and sold handmade paracord keychains and bracelets at Christmas fairs. Alison added: “Kyle has been horse- riding, stand- up paddle boarding and kayaking as part of his badgework.
“All these activities were open to him through Cubs, and he has had a ball doing them all.”
Ian Hunter, lead volunteer for scouting in the west, which covers Renfrewshire, said: “What an incredible young man Kyle is.
“It is extremely rare for someone to gain every single badge and shows just how dedicated he is to learning new skills and doing his best.
“It’s a fantastic achievement.”