Scouts Explore Surveying Careers with Malcolm Hughes Field Session

Following their visit last year to the Malcolm Hughes Warrington office, local Scouts (1st Davenham) had the chance to experience surveying in action at their own Scout field, Peckmill Woods.

Led by Managing Director Stuart Gilling, the interactive session introduced the Scouts to a range of surveying tools and techniques. Wearing hard hats and high-vis jackets, the young participants worked together to mark out the footprint of their planned new Scout hut. Applying real-world surveying skills and putting mathematical theory into practice.

“Cooperation was a key skill used as they created a building plan using tools and measurements,” said the Scout Leader. “Many of the group had never considered surveying as a career, so it was a great opportunity to learn about something completely new while reinforcing what they learn at school.”

The session brought surveying to life in a way that resonated with the Scouts and their families alike. One parent reported that their son came home eager to share everything he had learned. A rare level of enthusiasm compared to the usual one-word answer! Another highlight came when one of the youngest Scouts was nominated as “lead surveyor” for the evening. He proudly donned the Malcolm Hughes gear and earned the title of “Top Surveyor” for his engagement and enthusiasm.

Youth Engagement

For Malcolm Hughes as an organisation, the session reflects an ongoing commitment to youth engagement and raising awareness of geospatial careers. “These experiences are more than just educational,” said Stuart Gilling. “They help young people connect classroom learning to real-world applications, and hopefully open minds to careers they may not have previously considered.”

The Scouts themselves agreed. As one participant put it: “It was amazing once we’d measured the space the new hall will fill, I could imagine it a bit more.”

With overwhelmingly positive feedback from both Scouts and parents, the session stands as a valuable example of how industry and community organisations can collaborate to inspire future talent. Read the full case study here.

If you have a youth group that you would like to introduce to surveying, get in touch with our team. We can put together a learning experience that suits their age, level, and abilities. At Malcolm Hughes, we believe that sparking curiosity can be the first step toward building a career and that genuine, hands-on experiences can leave a lasting mark.