14-year-old Australian Scout creates World Scouting's Android app

According to some analysts, the Android platform currently leads the mobile phone market, accounting for approximately 60 percent of all smartphone shipments in the first half of 2012. Over half a million actual users are setting up a new Android phone or tablet for use each day. From today, every one of those users can keep up with what is happening in World Scouting by installing the new SCOUTS app for Android directly from the Google Play app store. And just like World Scouting’s SCOUTS app for iPhone, it's completely free!

When the SCOUTS app for iPhone was launched in 2011, developers willing to volunteer and develop a similar application for the Android were invited to contact World Scouting. What makes the new Android application remarkable is that it has been completely designed by a 14 year-old Scout Patrol/Team Leader, Phillip Nickl, of the Seal Patrol in the 1st Port Macquarie Sea Scouts in New South Wales, Australia, and he doesn't even own his own Android phone yet!

However, one would be quite wrong to think that Phillip spends all of his spare time coding at his computer - far from it! Phillip is an active member of the Scout Youth Councils of both the North Coast Region State and New South Wales showing his commitment to Scouting. He is also part of the New South Wales Youth Environment Team and the Australian National Geocaching Team. Little wonder then that he has recently achieved Scouts Australia's highest award for the Scout age section, the Australian Scout Medallion.

And what is his favourite activity? "Geocaching!" replies Phillip, without a moment's hesitation. Geocaching is a free real-world outdoor treasure hunting game where players try to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, using a smartphone or Global Positioning System (GPS) and can then share their experiences online.

To install the free SCOUTS for Android application visit the Google Play store and search for SCOUTS or simply click here!