Thurso woman among last to receive Queen's Scout Award

A young Thurso woman has been awarded with the top award in Scouting – and one of the last to receive the Queen's Scout Award.

Anja Johnston completed the challenging list of requirements to earn the badge alongside her Gold Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award.

Anja, a leader with 2nd Thurso Scouts, had to complete 18 nights away, take part in two community projects, two international projects and two projects exploring values. There is also a physical, skill and voluntary project for either six, 12 or 18 months, a five-day residential with people you do not know and an expedition which is made up of a three-day, two-night practice and a four-day, three-night qualifier.

Scouts have between the ages of 16 and 25 to complete all the elements of the award.

Anja, who has since turned 26, said: "For me, my award was made up of international experiences in Iceland and Germany, being a Scout leader with 2nd Thurso Scouts, learning how to sew and cross-stitch, and playing rugby with the Caithness Krakens.

"After the pandemic and then an injury in December 2021, I had completely given up with my award as I believed it had become unachievable, but a chance meeting with a DofE leader in June 2022 ended up with me signed up for an adapted expedition that used dual modes of transport.

"Through this I was able to successfully complete my expedition in the Cairngorms through walking, cycling and spending some time on the water as well as being able to use the skills I have developed through Scouting to help others on the expedition develop their navigation skills and putting my first aid skills to the test when a member of the group had a medical incident.

"The connections I developed on the expedition also set up my residential experience where I spent five days volunteering at Loch Morlich Watersports Centre. After the five days, I was successfully able to size up a person for a wetsuit and buoyancy aid as they walked in the door, give safety briefings for paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing and rowing, assist in rescues when people got into difficulty, while also having some fun myself – in particular paddleboarding, where I spent one quiet afternoon paddling around Loch Morlich.

"My Queen's Scout Award has been a challenge but I am delighted to finally be awarded the top award in Scouting in front of my scouts. I hope that it inspires them and shows them that absolutely anything is possible when you put your mind to it."

Anja chose to receive the Queen's Scout Award – which has now been renamed the King's Scout Award – because she had completed most of her award while the queen was still alive.

Gary Stronach, the district commissioner for Caithness and Sutherland, said: "The Queen's (King's) Scout Award is the ultimate award available to young people in Scouting and whilst individuals effectively have nine years to complete all the elements from their 16th birthday, it has been a remarkable achievement for Anja to compete hers between the hiatus in face-to-face activities starting in March 2020 due to Covid and her unfortunate rugby injury in December 2021.

"That she has done so is an indication of her perseverance and dedication and she is an example for all scouts."

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