Our newest Chief Scout, the eleventh to hold the role going back to 1907, took part in a handover at Scout Park in North East London where he spent time in Cub Scouts as a child surrounded by Scouts from across the UK.
Part of that esteemed number included three Scouts from Hampshire, who took part in activities including climbing, archery and 'backwoods' cooking to mark the occasion. They ended their evening with witnessing the new Chief Scout make his Scout promise around a campfire and speaking of his excitement for this new journey.
Dwayne, the first Black Briton to reach the North Pole, takes the baton of Chief Scout from Bear Grylls, who has been in the role for 15 years since 2009 and marking the second longest tenure of any Chief Scout after the founder Robert Baden-Powell. Dwayne was chosen for his excellent values, commitment, and outstanding leadership qualities.
Lucky enough to witness another milestone is Scouting's history were three Scouts from Hampshire, who did their best to represent the thousands of young people from across Hampshire who learn skills for life each week.
Libby Roy, Explorer Scout aged 17, was one of the three and has been an active member of 3rd Farnborough Scout Group for 8 years. As well as being part of Hampshire's Explorer Ambassador Team (HEAT), she has shown outstanding dedication and enthusiasm in her Scouting journey and recently completed an Explorer Belt expedition to Denmark with other Scouts from Hampshire. She said:
"Dwayne is honestly so genuine and such a nice person. His passion for Scouting really shines through his actions, and he is just a kind and very genuine person.
"He’s really expressed his thanks to all volunteers today, and from his personal experience really understand the benefits of Scouting, and wants to pass this on to the whole Scout movement.
"I’m very excited to see what his next steps are, and I think he’s going to be an amazing Chief Scout. It was such an honour to meet him today."
Libby Roy, Explorer Scout
Charlie Prior-Turner, a 17 year-old Explorer Scout from Spitfire Explorer Unit in Blackwater Valley, also enjoyed the day. He said:
"It was such an honour to be a part of such a historic moment. It is crazy to think I was personally there at the new Chief Scout handover. I am already such a big fan of Dwayne and really inspired by his vision for the future – and this night has made me even more excited to continue my own journey in Scouting.
"Tonight was really special and bonding with all the other Scouts and making friends from across the country has made it even better”
Charlie Prior-Turner, Explorer Scout
Chloé Knott, a Scout Network member and volunteer in Hawk District covering Havant and Waterlooville, said:
"The whole event has been an incredible opportunity. Dwayne is such a lovely person and his passion really shows. The love he has for all the young people is truly heart-warming, he always has a moment for you.
"I believe he is going to make an amazing Chief Scout."
Chloé Knott, volunteer and Scout Network member
Accompanying them was Mike Baxter, Hampshire Scout's lead volunteer for Top Awards and Explorer Scouts, who has helped each young person earn their awards and seen them become well-rounded members of their community.
The lead volunteer for Scouts in the UK, Carl Hankinson, offered congratulations and warm welcome to Dwayne in his role:
“I’m so excited to welcome Dwayne Fields as Chief Scout. A committed Scout Ambassador since 2017, Dwayne has visited hundreds of Scout groups, events and camps across the UK and internationally.
He champions the sense of belonging Scouts gives young people. He is able to reach across generations, to further expand reach across all communities”
Carl Hankinson, UK Lead Volunteer
‘My volunteer leaders believed in me as a young person and taught me to believe in myself. They showed me I could do anything I put my mind to and others would help me along the way.
Now I want a new generation to learn the skills, friendship and belonging I felt when I needed them most. I want to show that the outdoors is a place for us all to be at our best, that Scouts is a family and truly open to all.’
Dwayne Fields, Chief Scout
Scouts gave Dwayne a great start in life. Born in Jamaica, Dwayne came to the UK at the age of 6. Growing up in inner city London, without access to nature, Scouts offered Dwayne new horizons. He first joined the Scout movement as a Cub Scout and being a part of his local pack gave him friendships, skills and belief in himself, as well as hope for the future.
Through his determination and support from his Scout leaders, he set himself on a path to being on top of the world as the first Black Briton to reach the North Pole in 2013. On his return, he was invited to Buckingham Palace by none other than the Queen, joining other polar explorers and adventurers at a reception to mark the centenary of Scott’s expedition to the South Pole.
He has gone on to a successful career in adventure and TV, presenting shows on the BBC, Channel 5, Disney+ and National Geographic. As well as being an adventurer, explorer and naturalist, he's also got freedom of the City of London and been a 'Get Outside' ambassador for the Ordnance Survey and Woodland Trust.
He's no stranger to the Scouts, and has been a Scout Ambassador since 2017, working alongside the likes of Tim Peake, Ellie Simmonds, Warwick Davis and Anita Rani. In that time, he's met thousands of Scouts, supported the Jamboree in Korea last year, and encouraged new adults to volunteer so more young people can learn skills for life at Scouts.
He is passionate about encouraging people from all backgrounds to explore nature, support their communities and be the best they can be. A key part of Dwayne’s mission will be to attract new volunteers, especially in communities new to Scouts so we can welcome more young people. He’ll be visiting these areas, encouraging and inspiring teams to grow the movement.
Can you be a role model like Dwayne? Volunteer with the Scouts and help young people learn skills for life. Find out how good for you it can be at scouts.org.uk/volunteer.
Find out more about our new Chief Scout on the Scouts website.
Text: Steven Osborn with thanks to Dwayne, the UK Scouts team and our Hampshire Scouts.
