By Jordan Davis
Staff at the 2013 National Jamboree's reenactment of Brownsea Island were shocked when they heard the man portraying Lord Robert Baden Powell announce his granddaughter's arrival.
Gill Clay, escorted throughout the Summit Bechtel Reserve by two Arrowmen, surprised the group with a visit and eagerly answered the staff's questions about how they could better portray her grandfather, his accent, and his vision.
Wherever she went, Clay had a tremendous impact on those she interacted with.
"Throughout the day, I had to remind myself that I was walking with someone who knew and met Lord Baden Powell," said Timothy Hellaby, an Arrowman who escorted Clay through the jamboree. "Her grandfather was the reason I was there, wearing the Scout uniform."
Hellaby, a member of Santee Lodge, and Theron Schescke, of Wah-Sha-She Lodge, were selected to guide Clay as part of their duties on the OA Service Corps. Hellaby wasn't planning on the duty but his friend gave him the opportunity after watching Hellaby interact with Clay the day before.
"I didn't know who she was, but we began talking about her country, how her trip to the Summit was, and how she was liking the United States," Hellaby said. "She was a great companion."
Reunited the next day, the two ventured to Brownsea Island, the twelve point flagpoles, the Sustainability Treehouse and the CONSOL Energy Bridge - a landmark at the SBR. Throughout the tour, Hellaby also played the role of photographer, snapping photos of the many Scouts thrilled to see a descendant of Scouting's founder.
Clay surprised Hellaby at their next stop, the zip line.
"I never would have guessed how much of a natural talent this lady had for zip lining," he said. "Without blinking an eye she rode the lines like a pro - all the while I was just freaking out."
The next day, Schescke was assigned as Clay's guide. He escorted Clay to interviews with the Jamboree Press and to a "Meet the Man" event. Then they returned to Brownsea Island.
As the Lord Baden Powell reenactor greeted Clay he announced her presence to the staff. "Gentlemen, allow me to introduce my granddaughter, Ms. Gill Clay," he said.
Clay responded with a smile. "My grandfather was just telling me that you were on your way to visit me," she said. The staff could hardly help but bounce in and out of character as they talked, asking for tips and her thoughts about what Baden Powell would have thought. Clay replied she thought he would have loved it.
They returned to the ropes course where Clay jumped off a wall, fittingly called "The Leap of Faith," without hesitation. After the adventure, they parted ways.
The experience was meaningful for both OA guides and highlights some of the benefits of Scouting and the jamboree.
"Ms. Clay was the embodiment of the spirit of Scouting," Schescke said. "She was kind and willing to take her time to be with Scouts. If I was ever asked to make a list of people who inspired me, Ms. Gill would be near the top of that list, if not in the number one slot."
Corrections and Amplications:
An earlier version of this article incorrectly spelled Timothy Hellaby's lodge name. The correct spelling is Santee Lodge.