Bermuda may be a small island but it is full of unsung heroes — inspirational residents who are making a real difference in their communities and improving the lives of others, without expecting any recognition or praise. In our regular feature, we celebrate the incredible achievements of the ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things.

For Linda Tailford, scouting is in her blood.

The Sandys resident has been involved with the Bermuda Scout Association since her son became a cub scout 40 years ago.

Ms Tailford, or “Mrs T” as she is fondly known to her scouts, is hoping to encourage other volunteers to embark on their own scouting adventure.

“Scouting is in my blood,” said the mother of one. “It’s not an easy thing to give up and I don’t intend to.

“Everybody has something to give — once you get into it and you realise you’re enjoying it, all you have to do is volunteer and enjoy the fun.

“I’m over 65 but the young people keep me young in spirit, so I’m ready to go out camping with them, join in all the fun, go tracking with them.”

Through scouting, Ms Tailford has been able to travel to places she would never have visited otherwise, met people from all over the world and had many adventures.

During the summer she travelled to Japan with six Bermuda scouts to attend the 23rd World Scout Jamboree, which involved 34,000 scouts and leaders coming together for three weeks.

“There were thousands of people from around the world,” Ms Tailford said. “I met so many leaders and scouts from different countries, learnt some additional scouting skills, camped in a tent for three weeks on the ground — it was a big experience.”

Scouting is Ms Tailford’s passion, although she does a lot of other volunteer work — she has sat on the executive boards of the Bermuda Diabetes Association and Special Olympics Bermuda, sells tags whenever she can and volunteers with the Bermuda Historical Society.

In April, she was one of two Bermudians awarded the silver acorn for long service by the UK scouting headquarters at the annual St George’s Day Service at Windsor Castle, England.

She was accompanied by her partner, David Fisher, who has also been involved with scouting his whole life.

While she described the experience as “a real privilege”, nothing is more rewarding for Ms Tailford than when her scouts come back to her as adults and thank her.

“When they’re young they don’t think much about it, but when they get older they appreciate how much they enjoyed it,” she said. “Now I have boys of parents that were in the cub pack.”

Ms Tailford said scouting “definitely shapes their personalities and teaches them teamwork and life skills, which are very important today”.

“Old-fashioned values of the imagination, creativity and life skills are basic things we all need and you don’t necessarily get all that from a computer gadget,” she said. “You get it from communicating with your fellow man, your friends and scout friends — you learn from each other.

“Boys are boys. Generally speaking they are looking for adventure and fun, and scouting definitely gives them that.

“As you get older, it is amazing how many successful men in the world have been scouts.”

Ms Tailford started volunteering as a scout leader with the 19th Bermuda Cub Scouts when her son was about 6 and she still attends the meetings every Friday. She has been the secretary of the Bermuda Scouting Association since 2012. Being qualified in first aid, she also accompanies the 19th Bermuda Cub Scouts on their annual one-week camping trip to Hen Island, a tradition dating back to 1959, where the boys learn how to pitch tents, track, read maps, cook on campfires and many other life skills.

Ms Tailford said there were about 150 scouts in Bermuda, spread over four to five cub scout groups and two scout groups — there were about 900 in the 1980s, she added.

While there is still a waiting list for the 19th Bermuda Cub Scouts, Ms Tailford said that one of the reasons for the decline was a lack of volunteers.

“We’re encouraging people who were in scouting, who have finished college and are back in Bermuda, single or married, to return to the Scout Association and we will work with you and help you set up groups throughout the Island,” she said.

Previous experience is not a prerequisite.

“Everyone has a talent in their life I am sure they can contribute in some way,” she said. “We really need volunteers, men and women.

Ms Tailford hopes scouting will be given a boost through a new explorers group, which will take in the scouts who are 15 and older and is inviting girls, too.

“It’s a very adventurous programme,” she said. “You learn life skills surrounding the ocean — sailing, swimming, abseiling, life-saving. There will be camping, community service — these things can be used if you’re in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.”

For more information or to volunteer, contact Ms Tailford on 505-1948.

• Do you know an Unsung Hero who deserves recognition? Call Lisa on 278-0137 or e-mail lsimpson@royalgazette.com