Her grandfather and her father were Scout leaders and her grandmother was a keen Guider.

Now Shirley heads a Beaver Scout group in Knutsford and like her relatives is sharing some of life's most important qualities.

"We try to help a child develop trust and self respect," said Shirley, of Rockford Lodge, Knutsford.

"I developed a lot of confidence through the Guides and I want to pass that on."

Shirley was taken to her first Scout camp by her dad when she was nine months old.

She was a Brownie and a Guide and still takes great pride in her grandfather's badges collected from the moment he joined the Scouts in 1909.

For Shirley, one of the first female Venture Scouts, the job of assisting children in reaching their potential starts young with the oldest Beaver Scout only eight.

"We put together a mixture of ages, abilities and characters and they learn to respect each other through being in teams and playing games," said Shirley, 37.

"If there is one who isn't able to do something then they learn to rally round and help that person."

The young boys who grow up through the movement now are probably no different to those who started in 1908.

Baden-Powell's book Aids To Scouting was snapped up by excited teenagers and there was enough interest to demand that an organisation be set up.

Since then millions of children have taken the Law and Promise and leaders across the country have tried to instill trust, respect and faith into their followers.

Aspects of Scouting have changed with new badges being introduced to cater for a modern age with computers.

But the ethos behind how they are earned has stayed the same.

Knutsford District Commissioner Dave Metcalf developed his leadership skills early in life through being Scout.

On one of his earliest camps he came across a young boy sat alone, crying in a field.

The lost soul was away from his parents for the first time and was homesick.

No doubt many of the other lads had passed the him by, but Dave stopped and helped him out.

"He was a young lad just like myself and it reminded me of how I felt on my first camp," he said.

"I just told him that I knew how he was feeling and that seemed to make him feel better."

His ability to relate to others problems is something he now tries to pass on to youngsters in 1999.

He learned through a summer job at a YMCA, in Cumbria, that there were different ways to deal with different people.

As an 18-year-old team leader he worked with childen from some tough city areas nothing like his home town of Knutsford.

Often money was stolen and it was Dave's job to tackle the offender and try to have the cash returned.

"I had to learn to talk to these lads and be on their level," said Dave.

"You had to listen to them to understand why they had done it and often it was a lack of self respect that was the problem."

Back in Knutsford Dave brings his talents to the Scout groups where he hopes to develop the character of the boys.

He has used various ways to encourage team work and trust.

One technique is to put an expert canoeist with a novice and see how they get on in the middle of a river together.

It is usually an experience both learn from.

"It teaches them respect and trust for each other," said Dave.

"If one of them is then inspired to go on to help others through being a teacher or youth worker then Scouting has served its purpose with that person."

Over the years the Scouts have put their skills into action many times.

This summer they rescued two men who got into trouble on Tatton Mere and on other occasions they have made moutain rescues.

Dave believes the those in charge of the groups should lead by example and the younger members of learn from their more experienced colleagues.

"Hopefully they learn how to lead in a thoughtful manner," he said.

"We encourage them to think about other people and remind them they are part of a greater family."

From the Lodges of the Beavers to the Sixes of the Cubs the Movement has a structure of progressive training which eases them into the spirit of things.

To an outsider there might not be much to learn from sitting round a camp fire, but to a Scout leader it is part of the training.

"When they are at home they can turn on the television and watch any channel, but when they are sat round the camp fire with 20 other lads they have got decide together what song to sing," said Dave.

Youngsters are encouraged to work in groups from an early age.

Those with natural leadership qualities tend to emerge by the time they reach the Scouts as the more thoughtful children.

Dave also highlights confidence gained through experience as an important factor in any leader.

Through working together they develop a respect for each others strengths and weaknesses.

"On a rock climbing trip for example they don't laugh because one of the others is afraid of heights," said Dave.

Cubs and Scouts earn an athletic badge, but it won't only go to the boy who has the most sporting talent.

One of the criteria for the badges is to throw a cricket ball 100 metres, but they realise that hard work is just as important as natural ability.

"If a Scout goes away and tries his best he will get the badge even if he can't throw the ball far enough," said Dave.

The Scout movement offers a great deal to the less academic children who get involved as well.

Proof of sporting and practical dedication are also available through a determination to earn the badges, but Dave believes the Scouts also set Knutsford's children up with confidence and faith in other people.

"They learn to be there for one another when it matters," he said.

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