I started with Silver award when I was about 14 years old at my convent school.
My favourite part of the scheme was the expedition element when a group of us embarked on a bike ride around Suffolk churches and staying overnight at Blaxhall YH.
Our Gold award was overseen by a youth leader because the school we attended for 6th form didn't run the award scheme.
The expedition was in Derbyshire before mobile phones and we had to be totally self reliant with no contact with supervising adults unless we had an emergency.
Our Community service was fulfilled by volunteering with the local hospital radio, which is where a few years later, whilst still volunteering, I met my husband, now of 40 years and decided I would like a career in the NHS, which I had.

Whilst in Derbyshire a group of us doing our Gold award and a few other friends who were on an altrnative walk agreed to meet up again when we were 40. We did and have been meeting up frequently ever since.

Participating in the scheme not only gave me a love of and reverence for the great outdoors but a husband, career and life long friendships.