Jessica Hill wears a Scouts and Guides of French Polynesia shirt
Jessica Hill has become the first Cambridge Scout Group member to earn the highest award in the scout section in a decade.
Cambridge scout leader Sam Hill “Weka”, right, shares a joke with his daughter Jess, fellow Scout Lia Whyte and new recruit Cleo Smith, left. Photo: Chris Gardner
The 13-year-old received the Chief Scout’s Rimu Award.
Cambridge based Kirikiriroa and St Peter’s Scout Group member Tristan Wang also earned the Chief Scout’s Rimu Award alongside three other scouts from his group.
Jessica, who is about to attend Cambridge High School, completed the award after asking for support from facilitators of the annual Waikato Scouts Aotearoa Sandford Leadership Training Course, held at Epworth Retreat and Recreation Centre in 2024.
She had to progress in any of nine adventure skills such as boating, camping, emergency skills, tramping and water safety.
She also completed four Better World projects, contributing to the community in the areas of conservation, kai, and sustainability, and 25 community engagement hours over at least six months.
Her biggest challenge was planning and carrying out a three-day journey, choosing to tramp through Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park with three other scouts supported by two Kaiarahi or adult leaders.
Jessica Hill, 13, says she feels capable of so much more after achieving a top Scouting award. Photo: Chris Gardner
