THE dedication of Beaver Scouts has paid off after they spent two years working towards a Bronze Chief Scout’s Award — the highest accolade they can achieve.

The six Beavers from St Joseph’s Beaver Scout Colony completed six challenges to achieve the award, complete with a certificate signed by British adventurer Bear Grylls.

Kate Wilcock, aged seven, made history by becoming the first girl at the colony in Anderton to receive the accolade. Each Beaver completed creative, fitness, friend-ship, global, outdoor and promises challenges.

Harvey Knowles, aged seven, William Balmer, aged seven, Luke Balmer, aged eight, Joseph Marzolini, aged seven, and James Thompson, aged seven, all from the group which meets at St Joseph’s Church hall in Bolton Road, Anderton, also achieved the prestigious award.

The requirements of the award demanded the Beavers do four different challenges for each of the six categories.

Sarah Moore, Beaver leader, said: “The award runs over two years and if the Beavers don’t attend most weeks they can’t get it. The award has been a huge amount of work for the Beavers, they have done a lot of hard work.

“I think Kate’s achievement will encourage other girls to join and make lots of friends.

“Working towards the award teaches them to be friends with everybody by being outgoing.

“We put them out of their comfort zones, where they learn what they can and can’t do.

“I have seen the Beavers change so much since they started working towards the award. They came in quiet and are now more confident.”

She said challenges included camping, canoeing, baking, learning about China, visiting Bolton Mountain Rescue Team to learn about the volunteers’ work and listening to a talk from a police officer.

Kate said: “I am proud to be the first girl at St Joseph’s Beaver Scout Colony to get the Chief Scout’s Bronze Award.

“I enjoyed going camping the most as I had been with my family, but it was nice to do it with my friends. I liked canoeing — it was hard but I enjoyed it.”

William said: “I liked camping best because I got to eat sweets late at night and sleep outside in a tent.”