My goal as Chief Scout is for every young person that wants to be involved in Scouting to be able to take part. But in order to make this happen we need even more adult volunteers to keep up with the demand. So my aim is to encourage even more adults to volunteer alongside me and join in that Scouting adventure.

Bear Grylls brought his seven-year-old son Jesse, who has joined the Scouts as a Beaver, to Northumberland yesterday. Bear Grylls joined the Scouts when he was eight.

Bear Grylls will participate in activities, including sailing, rock climbing, canoe polo, and a canal boat expedition along Salterhebble Basin, through the Salterhebble Locks– one of the shortest locks on UK inland waterway system.

Where Is Bear Grylls Right Now?

Follow Bear Grylls, and the weekend activites on Flickr and Twitter. For photos, visit Bear Grylls takes to the air to visit 10,000 Scouts. For news, check UKScouting or search for #bearinthenortheast on Twitter.

For more information on UK Scouts visit: www.scouts.org.uk

MAD 2009 is an annual event of UK's Essex Scouts, which was held from June 26, to June 29, at Kingston Ridge, Basildon.

Advertised events included:

• Fencing
• Themed parties
• Sports
• Crafts

Typical scouting stuff, right? The only difference, in this year's gathering was:

New for 09 – onsite bar !!

However, since everyone was over 18, it should not be a big deal, right?

Not according to Daily Mail, which used photos, published on Facebook to exaggerate the activities, and vilify the Scouts. Beer, cross-dressing and racy dating games for Scouts! What would Baden-Powell say? might sell a few newspapers for the British tabloid, but I consider it a vile aspersion on Scouting.

Big deal! They played co-ed Twister, as they emulated the 60's.

Stand Up For Scouting

Tell the Daily Mail how you feel about their ruthless reporting, with a comment. Check out the official photos to get a balanced, and completely different view of the weekend's activities.

I hope Chief Scout Bear Grylls leaves a comment too!