American dream trip on horizon for Innes
In the latest instalment of the Our People series, Mark Pirie speaks to East Kilbride scouts member Innes Reilly
It’sthefirsttimeI’vebeentoabiginternationalcamp.
Innes Reilly is set to go on the trip of a lifetime after success with the scouts.
The 15-year-old East Kilbride Explorer Scout Unit member has been picked to travel to the World Scout Jamboree in West Virginia, United States in July 2019.
The Calderwood teenager became involved with the scouts from a young age.
“My family have always had a connection to the scouts,” he told the News.
“My grandpa was in the scouts and became a scout leader – so it’s been a family thing that has carried through the generations.
“I’ve been in the scouts since I was five and I’ve also been in the beavers. I’ve just kept it going.
“To get to this point has been a great achievement. My family is really proud.”
Innes has enjoyed a number of special moments – including a visit to the south of France last summer.
“We camped in a wee site and slept under the stars,” he revealed. “That was pretty cool.
“I’ve met scouts from different parts of Scotland as well.
“We have an event called ‘Sub Zero’ which is different scout groups from across Scotland coming together for activities. It’s quite chilled out and a good atmosphere.
“It’s interesting to get to meet these people from all different walks of life.”
Innes is currently in the middle of National 5 exams and will be moving on to his Highers next year – so his trip to the US will be welcome after all that hard work.
The Calderglen High School pupil says music is his favourite subject and he plays the guitar and bass.
“Through school I got into them,” he continued. “A guy came in to school to talk about guitar and said we could go to lessons. In the end I was the only one that went!”
Next year he will travel to the 11-day camp with 36 others from the Glasgow-based Clyde region group – but Innes will be the only one travelling from East Kilbride.
After the camp, he will stay on with other scouts and he can’t wait to live his American dream.
“It’s the first time I’ve been to a big international camp like this,” Innes admitted.
“It’s a high adventure site, so I’ll be taking part in a lot of high adrenaline activities like skateboarding, mountain biking, BMXing and zip lining but there is also a cultural side to it.
“There is a day where everyone gets to show off their culture and you get to go around and see the different groups.”
Ahead of jetting off, Innes is in full fundraising mode to help with the costs of the trip.
He has already organised a coffee morning and has a car wash this Sunday at Co-operative funeral care in the Village.
“It all helps and it’s great to have the community backing you,” he said.