Lewis says Scouts are big help in lockdown
Scouts help others and make a difference in their own communities and beyond.
And young Lewis Manzie (11) has been a shining example of positivity during these challenging coronavirus times.
The Viewlands Primary School pupil, a proud member of the 74th Perthshire Scout Group, has continued to work hard on achieving his badges at home.
Lewis, who is autistic, has also been taking part and encouraging others to get involved in the Camp at Home programme which has run throughout the month of April.
That involved building a den at home or pitching a tent in the garden and sleeping in that shelter of choice.
Participants were encouraged to share a creative photo, video or blog about their experience and Lewis, a big Star Wars fan, has been praised for his hard work.
“We have been putting up a tent in our back garden which has been really fun,” said Lewis. “It takes your mind off what is happening right now.
“It’s really quite fun to sleep in the tent because you feel like you are actually back at Scouts.
“The Scouts give you lots of new skills. There are a lot of new skills that I have learnt - and I wouldn’t have been able to put up a tent myself if it wasn’t for Scouts.”
Mum Lyn said she wanted to highlight the benefits of continuing the Scout movement from home and is mightily proud of Lewis.
She told the PA: “Lewis, particularly with his autism, was finding it quite overwhelming - the continual talking of negative things.
“He wanted to try and focus on positive stories and ways to help promote people’s wellbeing during this time, particularly young people.
“Lewis has been able to make videos and presentations both for his school to get them involved and for the 74th Perthshire Group Facebook page.
“He has been encouraging other people to get involved and it has been part of his community impact badge and also his media badge.
“This has managed to get all of his direct family involved, his siblings and his parents.
“But it has also given him a sense of community, being part of the 74th Perthshire Group and including Viewlands Primary in that too.
“Lewis has also been doing craft badges and a lot can be linked to what they have been doing at school.
“At school he was doing a lot of topic work on the rainforests, which tied in with world badges and environment badges.
“Another thing Lewis loves is Star Wars and he enjoys making videos and films. He was able to do that towards his hobbies badge.”
The 74th Perthshire Group, which normally meets at the Moncrieffe Hall, is not holding meetings at present due to the COVID-19 situation.
But Lewis will be continuing to lead by example from home across the coming weeks.
“Once he gets focused into doing something he can maintain that focus, which is super,” Lyn added.
“He was getting a lot of positive feedback from his Scout leader which was encouraging him to do more. Also, just getting more badges was an incentive.
“I think he wants to be the next Bear Grylls - or the next grand Scout leader!”