Scouting life Summer 2013

PM 40064684 VOLUME 43, ISSUE 3

Chief Scout. Camping. Scouters knife.

©2013 Mattel. All Rights Reserved.

WE’RE MAKING A PIT-STOP NEAR YOU

VISIT WWW.HOTWHEELS.CA FOR MORE INFORMATION

TRY OUT THE LATEST HOT WHEELS® TOYS, INCLUDING THE AWESOME NEW SPINSHOTZ ™!

WE’RE MAKING A PIT-STOP NEAR YOU

TRY OUT THE LATEST HOT WHEELS® TOYS, INCLUDING THE AWESOME NEW SPINSHOTZ ™!

VISIT WWW.HOTWHEELS.CA FOR MORE INFORMATION

™

ScoutingLife.ca Summer 2013 1

18

Scouting Life Magazine is produced for Scouts Canada three times a year by Moongate Publishing Inc. 120 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 1100, Toronto, ON M4P 1E2 416-930-1664 • www.moongate.ca

Scouting Life Magazine addresses timely topics about leadership in Scouting. Editorial contributions are made on a voluntary basis. Unsolicited submissions welcome.

Advertising policy: Advertisement of a product or service does not indicate endorsement by the publishers. The publishers do not assume any responsibility by warranty or otherwise with respect to products advertised.

Publisher Yolanda Thornton Editor James MorrisContributing Editor Ted Morris Advertising Sales Manager Madeleine HagueGraphic Design Egg Design

SCOUTS CANADA EDITORIAL BOARD

Andrew Price Chief Commissioner and Chair of the Board of GovernorsMichael McKay Executive Commissioner and CEOSteve Kent Past Chief Commissioner, Contingent Leader 23rd World Scout Jamboree 2015Doug Reid Deputy National Commissioner, Program ServicesNorm Williams Deputy National Commissioner, Organizational DevelopmentMegan Bingley Leader, 35/37 Toronto Scouting GroupAlex Killby Council Youth Commissioner, Tri-Shores Council

CONTENTS

SUMMER 2013 VOLUME 43 ISSUE 3

03.132620

2 Commissioner’s corner: a welcoming word from the guy at the top. Message du commissaire : mot de bienvenue du commissaire en chef.

4 Adventure and achievement: engaging the interests of the youth in our program.

6 Program Revitalization: an update on the Canadian Path. Revitalisation du programme : des nouvelles du

sentier canadien.

10 The Scouters Knife: a camping tool that can make a big impression.

12 Our New Chief Scout: Terry Grant, television’s Original Mantracker takes up the mantle.

Notre nouveau Chef scout : Terry Grant, le tout premier Mantracker, prend la relève.

14 Youth Leadership: a word from our National Youth Commissioner Le leadership chez les jeunes : mot de notre commissaire nationale à la jeunesse.

16 Faith: teaching without preaching.

18 Beavers at Camp: Leaders answer a Facebook question.

20 Cub Camp: a song and a point of view.

22 Safety: our Executive Commissioner and CEO weighs in. La sécurité : mot de notre commissaire général et

directeur général.

25 Engaging Youth: Michael Burdo talks about curing the homesick camper.

26 1812: the Scout Brigade of Fort George.

28 Peter Pan: a checklist for youth.30 Fire: a matchless approach.

32 Volunteers: accounting for our hours of service. Bénévoles : la réelle valeur de nos heures de bénévolat.

34 Planning: be ready for the fall means making good use of the summer. Planification : profitez de l’été pour vous préparer pour l’automne.

37 STEM Activity: throwing eggs across the room.

Mailing house Poste Destination, St. Laurent, QCPublications mail agreement No. 40787580Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:1345 Baseline Road, Suite 100Ottawa, ON K2C 0A7Phone: 613-224-5131 Fax: 613-224-4571E-mail: [email protected] Website Scouts.ca

YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION:

Registered members of Scouts Canada: $13.56 (includes HST)Non-members: $13.56 (includes HST)Outside Canada: $27 (U.S.); $37 (Other foreign)Single copy: $3.00

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities.

Scouting Life is printed on recyclable paper.ISSN 0711-5377

2 ScoutingLife.ca Summer 2013

Scouting – a year-round adventure

COMMISSIONER’S CORNER • MESSAGE DU COMMISSAIREANDREW PRICE

Le scoutisme, une aventure qui dure toute l’année!

Friends in Scouting:

It is that time of year when the days are getting longer, and the warm weather makes it so appealing to venture outdoors. As I was meandering through a local Calgary park with my Cub the other night, I couldn’t help but think about the tremendous opportunities we have for

outdoor adventures in Canada. From sea kayaking, sailing and caving on the coasts, to canoeing in lake country to hiking and climbing in the Rockies.

The outdoors has always been an integral part of the Scout

method. Some of the most compelling memories and firsts we

provide for youth in our programs occur at camps and in the

great outdoors. Who isn’t excited the first time that they light a

fire with one match, or sleep outdoors under the stars? Leading a

skit at campfire, solo portaging a canoe, reaching the summit of a

mountain, or roasting the perfect golden-brown marshmallow – or

one that is torched beyond all recognition. Harnessing the power

of the outdoors is critical to our ongoing relevance as an educa-

tional movement: while the specific hard skills we may impart

are important, the real value comes from the sense of accom-

plishment, self-confidence, and opportunity for continuous

learning. Nature has a knack of teaching us something new on

each encounter.

This all leads me to a call to action: let’s take advantage of

those long, warm summer days to share the marvels of Canada

with more youth! It’s so much more comfortable and safe to

Chers amis du scoutisme,

C’est le retour du temps de l’année où les journées rallongent et où le beau temps nous incite à sortir dehors. Alors que je flânais avec mes scouts louveteaux dans un parc de Calgary l’autre soir, je pensais à toutes les merveilleuses possibilités d’aventures de

plein air qui s’offrent à nous au Canada : le kayak de mer, la voile et l’exploration de cavernes sur les côtes, les expéditions de canot sur les lacs, la randonnée pédestre et l’escalade dans les Rocheuses.

Le plein air a toujours fait partie intégrante de la méthode scoute.

Certaines des premières expériences et certains des souvenirs les plus

marquants de nos scouts proviennent des camps et des aventures de

plein air. Qui ne se souvient pas de la première fois où il a allumé un

feu avec une seule allumette ou de la première fois où il a dormi à la

belle étoile? Raconter sa première histoire autour d’un feu de camp,

faire un portage de canot seul, atteindre le sommet d’une montagne et

faire dorer une guimauve à la perfection, ou encore la faire cramer.

Nous devons absolument tirer avantage de la richesse du plein air si

nous souhaitons conserver notre pertinence comme mouvement

éducatif. Bien que les compétences spécialisées que nous transmettons

soient importantes, la valeur réelle du scoutisme provient du sentiment

d’accomplissement ressenti, de la confiance en soi acquise et de la

possibilité de formation continue. La nature a le don de nous enseigner

quelque chose de nouveau à chaque nouvelle rencontre.

Ceci m’amène donc à lancer un appel à l’action : profitons de ces

belles et longues journées d’été pour partager les merveilles du Canada


perform a canoe-over-canoe rescue when the sun is shining and

the water is a few degrees above freezing. Pausing to take in the

view from a mountaintop is more moving in the absence of sleet,

fog and rain. I encourage you to brainstorm fun and challenging

activities to do with the youth in your Section, and to make

something happen this summer. It’s a simple way to ensure

Scouts return for another year in September – support them as

they create fun memories this summer, and they’ll be inspired to

stay and make more memories in the fall.

While putting your plans in place, I would also like to encour-

age you to consider safety. Do you have the right people with the

right skills and the right equipment? Scouts Canada has some

great tools and guidelines to help you plan safe and exciting

activities – the Outdoor Activity Guide, Safety Checklist, and Safety

Plan to name a few. These and other resources are available online

at scouts.ca. Here are a few other simple tips to ensure that you get

the most out of your adventures:

• Make sure that everyone knows your plans ahead of time,

including parents and your Group Commissioner.

• Be aware of any food/insect allergies of group members

and be ready to deal with them.

• Review fire restrictions in the area you will be visiting

before you leave. Ensure that fires are only lit in appropriate

areas and properly extinguished.

• Make use of the buddy system.

• Make plans for appropriate food storage so as to not

attract wildlife.

• Take time to learn about any poisonous plants, insects,

reptiles that may inhabit the area you are visiting.

• Remember sun safety: Slip on a shirt, Slap on a hat,

and Slop on the sunscreen.

A large number of my greatest Scouting memories took place

at summer camp, on the trail and in a canoe. Why not share the

joys of these activities with more youth in Scouting? Let’s take

advantage and enjoy the best time of the year to be outside. Let’s

show both our youth and their parents that summer adventure

also starts with Scouts!

Yours in Scouting:

Andrew Price

Chief Commissioner and Chair of the Board of Governors

avec plus de jeunes! Il est tellement plus agréable et sécuritaire de

pratiquer un sauvetage en canot lorsque le soleil brille et que l’eau est

chaude. La vue au sommet d’une montagne est bien plus

époustouflante lorsqu’il n’y a pas de grésil, de brouillard ou de pluie. Je

vous encourage à faire un remue-méninge avec votre section sur les

activités amusantes et stimulantes que vous voulez faire cet été. C’est

une façon simple de s’assurer que les scouts reviennent pour une autre

année en septembre. S’ils ont de bons souvenirs de cet été, ils voudront

revenir à l’automne pour continuer de s’amuser.

Lors de la planification de vos activités, je vous rappelle de ne pas

oublier de penser à la sécurité. Demandez-vous si vous avez « les

bonnes personnes avec les bonnes compétences et le bon équipement »?

Scouts Canada a de bons outils pour vous aider à planifier des activités

amusantes et sécuritaires : le formulaire d’activités de plein air, la liste

de vérification et le plan de sécurité pour ne nommer que ceux-là. Vous

trouverez ces ressources et bien d’autres en ligne au scouts.ca/fr. Voici

quelques simples conseils pour vous assurer de profiter au maximum

de vos activités :

• Assurez-vous que tout le monde connait votre plan à l’avance,

incluant les parents et votre commissaire de groupe.

• Soyez informé de toutes allergies alimentaires ou aux insectes des

membres de votre groupe et sachez comment réagir.

• Vérifiez les restrictions en matière de feu dans la région où vous

allez avant de partir. Assurez-vous de faire des feux dans les endroits

désignés seulement et de bien les éteindre.

• Ayez recours au système d’amis (deux par deux).

• Planifiez un système de conservation des aliments adéquat pour ne

pas attirer les animaux sauvages.

• Prenez le temps de vous informer sur les plantes vénéneuses et les

reptiles et les insectes venimeux qui pourraient se trouver dans la

région où vous allez.

• N’oubliez pas de vous protéger contre le soleil : mettez un gilet, un

chapeau et de la crème solaire.

La majorité de mes meilleurs souvenirs scouts proviennent de

camps d’été, de randonnées pédestres et en canot. Pourquoi ne pas

partager ce plaisir avec un plus grand nombre de scouts? Profitons au

maximum du plus beau temps de l’année et allons jouer dehors.

Montrons aux jeunes et aux parents que les aventures d’été

commencent aussi avec les Scouts!

Salutations scoutes,

Andrew Price

Commissaire en chef et président du conseil des gouverneurs


GOING FURTHER THAN THE BADGES

As Scouters, we like to hold up the

possibility of a badge to motivate our Cub

Scouts and Scouts. We encourage them

to look through their book and seek new

rewards for their sleeves. Badges offer a

sense of accomplishment. The youth wear

them with pride. For many they represent

a culmination of much hard work. Having

completed a series of requirements, they

can feel like superstars.

But is the giving of badges perhaps

a short-term thrill – like a sugar rush?

While our badges are simple to earn and

available in multiple flavours, should

earning them be what the Scouting

program is about? Maybe there’s a way to

take the program to the next level.

For a long time, we have been huge

advocates of youth engagements. Because

capturing interest is important. It has

helped us to develop a program geared

more to what youth are interested in. If a

Scout, for example, told me that he skis

every weekend and has leveled-up in his

skills, would directing him to a badge be

the best way to tap his enthusiasm? Why

not also challenge him to go beyond the

badge? Ask them to prepare a ski trip for

the troop, work with those interested to

build an activity weekend related to skiing?

Then he could propose the plan to the

troop, and see who would like to go. Then,

even if only a handful attend, it would still

be an event that he had planned and led –

outdoors, on a hill and having fun.

Youth contribution is an important

step that leaders often fail include in their

planning. But giving a sense of ownership

to our Beavers, Cubs and Scouts will lead to

better results. We simply have to guide the

process – help with planning and support.

This can happen at each Section level.

Beaver Scouts, for instance, like to share their

experience and what they know with others.

Encouraging them to do so is great validation,

and important for their personal growth.

Input and feedback are both important. Make

sure after a trip or activity, that they have

a chance to tell their tale, talk about what

worked and what they need to think about the

next time they plan such a trip. And heck, if

some badges were earned on the way, present

them as part of the review.

The personal journey is a very

important part of our revitalized program.

What will our youth talk about at the end

of ski trip in the schoolyard the next day,

The trip or the badge? We all know the

trip will be on their mind. That sense of

accomplishment and true pursuit of what

they love to do will echo for a much longer

time than a badge.

The new educational methods

coming through our efforts in program

revitalization will support many initiatives

throughout the personal journey. The

proposed SPICES aim to build strong

youth and help define and shape our

programming. The goal as an overall

program that places more emphasis on the

development and memory of experiences

than the collecting of badges to be paraded

on uniformed sleeves.

Badges will be part of the revitalized

program – but not its driving force.

Instead, we need to leverage youths’

ideas and bring them to the Section

to drive the program further. Let’s not

limit our activities to the badges or their

requirements. Let’s push the experience

of Scouting to the full potential of what

the youth can do.

The Program Revitalization Team

has been working hard to make

badges relevant, but to also make the

requirements a result of conversation,

mentorship, and the planning of actions

Adventure and Achievement

PROGRAM

By Marc ChamberlandDirector of Programming Development


that create individual challenges designed

by the youth.

Scouting’s educational approach

clearly is characterized by the following

key elements:

1 It adopts a holistic approach to

a young person’s education.

Each young person is a complex

individual whose physical,

intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual

identity is formed through interaction

and relationships between him or her

self and others. Scouting addresses the

development of the whole person through

learning opportunities in all of these

dimensions.

2 It seeks to achieve its educational

purpose on the basis of an

educational proposal. Scouting

offers a specific educational

proposal: it contributes to the

development of a young person’s full

potential on the basis of a number of

ideals or values, in accordance with a

clearly defined educational method – the

Scout Method. Scouting is fully successful

when our members enter adult life with

an outlook that reflects the values of the

Movement.

3 It plays a complementary role

to other educational agents.

Scouting makes a different kind

of contribution to the physical,

intellectual, emotional, social and

spiritual development of young people

than is made by school, family, friends,

the media, religious institutions or other

influencers. For example, in the area of

intellectual development, many agents

focus on the acquisition of knowledge.

Scouting – through the effective use of the

Scout Method – emphasizes creativity and

resourcefulness.

4 It recognizes that it can only make

a contribution to the education of

young people. Scouting is only

one of many influences on a young

person’s life. Inasmuch as Scouting’s

educational approach seeks to help a

young person develop responsibility for

his or her own development, it also seeks

to help the young person develop the inner

resources – and desire – to continue to

realize his or her potential as an individual

and as an active and constructive

stakeholder in the world after leaving the

Movement.

Notice we didn't talk about earning

badges. Rather, the program we envision is

about personal growth and the meeting of

individual potential.

So next time one of your youth steps

up and tells you about a personal interest,

don't let the badge be the focus of the

experience. Make it about the journey.

Engage him or her on the basis of the

expressed interest and work together to

create an adventure to remember. Because

while it’s good to have an end to

a journey, it’s the journey that counts in

the end.


Have you heard about the work of the Program Revitalization Team? For the past number of months a group of volunteers and youth have been reviewing our current Section programs to determine the need and desire to upgrade our program offerings. The following segments will hopefully give you an overview of some of the work that has been done.

ONLINE

Check out the progress of the project by visiting our website. This

site is just the beginning of our efforts to share progress and

collect feedback and ideas from all members of Scouting in

Canada. We wanted to create something that was easy to follow

and gave a taste of what we do well. These few pages are only the

beginning! There is much more to come by this summer. Our

Section teams have some great content to add, and these new

pages will focus on each of our sections – highlighting the

personal journey that our youth will experience. We will also

continue to update the timetable and schedule of roadshow

events to keep you all informed of local opportunities to review

our progress and provide feedback to the leaders of this project.

Be sure to check it out at Scouts.ca/canadianpath.

ADVENTURE SKILLS

We now have gathered an amazing team of experienced, highly

motivated adventurers who answered the call to help us develop

this new element of our youth program. The team has been

divided into different categories of skill sets, and is working on the

knowledge skills needed to address a variety of levels within each

adventure category. In weeks to come, more of the requirements

will be posted online for you to review – and to see where you

stand in your adventure skills. You can get a sneak peek on our

Canadian Path website under the Journey sign.

Avez-vous entendu parler du travail effectué par l’équipe de revitalisation du programme? Depuis plusieurs mois, un groupe formé de bénévoles et de jeunes travaille à la révision de nos programmes de section pour déterminer les besoins concernant la mise à jour de nos programmes. Le présent article vous donnera un aperçu du travail accompli jusqu’à maintenant.

EN LIGNE!

Suivez la progression du projet en visitant notre site web. Ce site n’est

que le début de nos efforts pour partager le progrès réalisé et pour

obtenir les commentaires et les idées de tous les membres scouts du

Canada. Nous voulions créer quelque chose qui était facile à suivre pour

donner le ton de ce que nous faisons. Ces quelques pages ne sont que le

début, car grâce à nos équipes de section, nous aurons beaucoup de bon

contenu à ajouter cet été. Ces nouvelles pages seront axées sur chacune

de nos sections et souligneront le parcours personnel que nos jeunes

emprunteront. De plus, nous mettrons régulièrement à jour l’échéancier

et les dates des présentations sur le site pour nous assurer que vous ayez

la chance de venir rencontrer les responsables de ce projet et d’émettre

vos commentaires.

Consultez-le au scouts.ca/sentiercanadien.

BADGES D’AVENTURES

Nous avons maintenant formé une équipe extraordinaire d’aventuriers

expérimentés et extrêmement motivés pour nous aider à élaborer ce

nouvel élément de notre programme jeunesse. L’équipe a été divisée en

différentes catégories selon les compétences des membres, et ces

derniers travaillent à déterminer les connaissances et les compétences

requises pour atteindre chaque niveau de chaque catégorie d’aventure.

Dans les semaines à venir, de plus en plus d’exigences seront affichées

en ligne pour que vous puissiez les consulter et déterminer votre niveau

dans les différentes catégories. Vous aurez un aperçu des badges

CANADIAN PATH UPDATE DES NOUVELLES DU SENTIER CANADIEN

PROGRAM

PROGRAM REVITALIZATIONby/par Doug ReidDeputy National Commissioner - Program Services Sous-commissaire national des services aux bénévoles


d’aventures sur le site internet du sentier canadien sous le panneau

« L’aventure ».

MODE DE VIE SAIN ET ACTIF

Un des nouveaux thèmes que nous intégrerons dans notre programme

porte sur les saines habitudes de vie. Pas de panique, le bacon ne sera

pas interdit pour autant. Cependant, notre objectif est de renforcer nos

programmes et d’inciter les jeunes à opter pour un mode de vie plus sain

et actif. Un nouveau sous-comité a été formé pour créer de nouveaux

outils et pour s’assurer que nous répondons aux besoins des jeunes et

des animateurs d’aujourd’hui. Nous créerons des outils pour vous donner

un coup de main avec la planification des menus, l’élaboration d’activités

créatrices et la préparation de nos merveilleux programmes afin d’aider

les membres à utiliser ces concepts de façon régulière dans nos

programmes. Notre objectif est de nous assurer que nos programmes

sont bien équilibrés et encore plus sains.

METTRE L’ACCENT SUR LES ACTIVITÉS DE LIAISON

ET LA TRANSITION

Vous voulez poursuivre votre route après avoir été un Keeo ou un Kim.

Les activités de liaison doivent s’effectuer régulièrement dans le cadre

d’activités significatives que vous trouverez dans les cartes d’aventures

ou dans le cadre d’activités de groupe, de secteur ou de conseil. Nous

encouragerons les sections à faire en sorte que les activités de liaison

avec les autres sections constituent un élément important des rôles de

leadership occupés par les jeunes.

Par exemple : les scouts louveteaux qui en sont à leur deuxième année

agiront comme mentor pour les louveteaux qui en sont à leur première

année. Cette responsabilité fera partie du développement de leur capacité

de leadership. Ils seront aussi les ambassadeurs des scouts castors. Dans

leur rôle, ils choisiront et créeront des activités de liaison que les meutes

et les colonies feront ensemble. Ils agiront comme assistant pour les

colonies et travailleront avec les animateurs des scouts castors pour parti-

ciper de façon utile au programme de ces derniers.

Les activités de liaison ne doivent pas être seulement faites avec les

sections connexes, mais avec les autres sections aussi. Les scouts castors

adorent lorsque les scouts et les scouts aventuriers leur rendent visite.

Nos programmes de leadership comme FLEX et FAST sont excellents pour

encourager nos plus vieilles sections à « jouer » avec les autres sections.

Notre nouveau programme STIM offrira de belles occasions à nos jeunes

d’organiser des rencontres très amusantes.

AVENTURE

Plusieurs sections accéderont à un endroit spécial sur la carte d’aventure

de leur section grâce à des parchemins, à des invitations spéciales ou à

des chapitres dans leurs livres qui les aideront à comprendre la prochaine

étape de leur parcours scout. Ces étapes font partie de leur aventure et

les jeunes devraient être aussi impliqués que les animateurs dans le

processus.

ACTIVE AND HEALTHY

One of the important themes that we are imbedding in our

program is healthy and active living practices. Don’t panic, bacon

is still great to have with a meal. However, our goal is to strengthen

our programs and give the incentive and knowledge to do things

with a more healthy and active conscience. A new subcommittee

has been formed to create material to make sure we meet and

fulfill the needs of our youth and Scouters of today. Great tools

for menu planning, creative activities, and how to prepare for

some of our amazing programs will be created to help our

members introduce these concepts as a regular element of our

programs. Our goal is to make sure that we balance our fun and

amazing program with a healthier overall outlook.

DEFINING LINKING AND TRANSITION

Looking to go further than just a Keeo and a Kim, Linking is an

ongoing process that will include meaningful activities in designed

adventure cards and through Group, area and Council events. We

will be encouraging Sections to ensure the task of linking with

other Sections is a key element of the youth leadership role.

For example, Cub Scouts in their second year will act as

mentors for the first year Cubs. This will be seen as a part of their

leadership development. They will also become ambassadors to

the Beaver Scouts. In this role, they will choose and create linking

activities which the Pack and Colony will take on together. They

will act as helpers to the Colony and work with the Beaver

scouters to participate in a useful way in the Beaver program.

The linking activities should not only be done with the

bookend Sections. Sections should link with even younger or

older sections. Beavers love it when Scouts and Venturers visit.

Our leadership programs like FLEX and FAST are amazing segues

to getting our older sections to “play” with the other sections.

Our new STEM activities (Science, Technology, Engineering and

Math) will also feature some great opportunities to have our

youth host some fun meetings.

JOURNEY

Many sections will unlock a special place in their Section journey

map through scrolls, special invitations or chapters in their

books to understand the next step in their Scouting journey.

This is part of their journey, and should be evident to the youth

and the scouters.

SCHEDULING

Planning is key for linking activities and moving up. Timing is

everything. As a group you should schedule your events and work

with your section youth to decide great key moments to help and

participate with other sections. We can create key moments to

share and support the transition for the sections. We will be

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 SUITE À LA PAGE PAGE 8


encouraging everyone to present the future path of upcoming

events and activities. For example:

Fall (September–December)• Group linking (holiday baskets, Halloween party, hikes,

pumpkin carving and carolling)

Winter (January–March)• Activities in Sections (BP week, tobogganing party, skating night)

Spring (April–June)• Earth Day events, park cleanups, Moving up ceremonies, older

sections meetings. Presentation of future and upcoming

events. Pre-registration.

Summer (July and August)• Pool parties, bike nights, BBQs, Jamborees and summer camps.

There is more to come! Our dedicated team of now over 100

youth and volunteers has been working on developing a truly

amazing program. This will be something that we can all be proud

of and we want to make it accessible to all Scouters and our youth.

Be sure to return to our Canadian path site because it will be

updated regularly, as more exciting stuff comes in from our

amazing teams.

PLANIFICATION

La planification est essentielle pour les activités de liaison et pour les

cérémonies de passage, et vous devez absolument vous y prendre

d’avance. Vous devriez faire votre calendrier avec les jeunes de votre

section pour décider des moments où vous rencontrerez ou aiderez

d’autres sections. Nous pouvons créer de précieux moments pour aider

la transition vers d’autres sections. Nous encouragerons donc toutes les

sections à partager leur horaire avec les jeunes afin qu’ils soient aussi au

courant des activités et des évènements à venir.

Automne (septembre-décembre)

• Activités de liaison de groupe : paniers des fêtes, fête d’Halloween,

randonnées pédestres, sculpture de citrouilles et chants de Noël.

Hiver (janvier-mars)

• Activités de section : semaine de B-P., fête de glissade et soirée de

patinage.

Printemps (avril-juin)

• Activités du Jour de la Terre, nettoyage de parcs, cérémonies de

passage, participation à des rencontres de sections plus âgées.

Présentation des événements à venir et préinscription.

Été (juillet et août)

• Fêtes de piscine, soirées de vélo, BBQ, Jamborees et camps d’été.

Et ce n’est qu’un début! Notre équipe dévouée qui compte

maintenant plus d’une centaine de jeunes et de bénévoles travaille à

l’élaboration d’un programme vraiment formidable. Nous pourrons

être réellement fiers du travail accompli et nous voulons rendre ce

programme accessible pour tous les animateurs et tous les jeunes.

N’oubliez pas de consulter le site du sentier canadien puisqu’il sera

régulièrement mis à jour au fur et à mesure que nos équipes continuent

d’élaborer du contenu.

DES NOUVELLES DU SENTIER CANADIEN SUITE DE LA PAGE 9

CANADIAN PATH UPDATE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

The Crest PeopleEmbroidered event emblemsDistrict & Provincial emblems

Camp badges & Uniform crests

Highest in quality-Lowest in pricesBest service from coast to coast

b&s emblem limited5-225 Industrial Parkway South

Aurora, Ontario(Toronto) Canada L4G 3V5

Telephone: (905)841-1213 Fax: (905)773-77451-800-387-5708

Email: [email protected] Web: www.bsemblem.com

NOW OFFERING WOVEN & SUBLIMATED EMBLEMS

ScoutingLife.ca Spring 2013 9

Ask us about our Friendship Camp July 6-20 Renseignez-vous sur notre camp de l’amitié du 6 au 20 juillet

TWO GREAT CAMPS TO CHOOSE FROM!CHOIX DE DEUX SUPERBES CAMPS!

CAMP TAMARACOUTA• Ages 11-16 / 11 à 16 ans• Four season camp with high adventure programs / camp quatre saisons et grandes aventures • Reserve as a group or individually / réservation individuelle ou en groupe www.tamaracouta.com 1.866.438.4096

CAMP JACKSON DODDS• Ages 8-10 / 8 à 10 ans• Theme-based outdoor fun / divertissements thématiques en plein air• Water sports, crafts, hiking/pioneering, etc. / sports nautiques, artisanat, randonnée pédestre/exploration, etc. www.jacksondodds.com 1.866.438.4096

• Co-ed / mixtes• Special needs accomodated / adaptation aux besoins spéciaux• Located in the heart of the Laurentians / situés au coeur des Laurentides

~ An Exiting Camping Adventure ~

at JUNGLE CAT WORLDFun and educational

Wildlife Show - meet some

amazing Creatures

Night Time Guided Tour

through Cat World Zoo

Evening Meal & Snacks

Heated Bunkhouse

Accomodations

Meets Requirements for

World Scout Environment Badge

3667 Concession Rd. 6 Orono, Ont. 905-983-5016

[email protected]

45 minutes east of Toronto

NIGHT SAFARI

Www.junglecatworld.com


WHAT A DIFFERENCE A KNIFE MAKES

W hen I was a Cub Scout, I remember

being completely impressed with

our Kaa’s belt knife. It was a big

Russell with an oblong blade that

dropped down from the rosewood

handle in a combination of shapes that just

seemed so cool! But beyond the look of the

thing, the Leader who owned it made good

use of it too. That’s where I got my idea of a

camp knife as a vital camping tool.

As I cast my memory back to those early

impressions I realized that the confidence

and skills that we Leaders bring into the

woods can make a lasting impression on

the youth in our care.

Thus motivated, I set out to find the right

knife for my needs as a Troop Scouter – and

boy did I luck out! Another Leader in my

Group had told me about a craftsman who

made knives and worked leather up in

cottage country – not too far from the

Haliburton Scout Reserve. I got in touch

with him and set up a meeting.

Now the main difference between me

and my memories of Kaa is that, while he

simply wore and used his knife, I have a

tendency to take it out and show it off. It

may wreck some of the mystique, but I just

can’t seem to help myself. Here are some

knives that have struck my fancy and come

in handy over the years...

FEATURE

By James Morris

HandmadeThese three beautiful knives were handmade by Robin Simpson,

a craftsman in Haliburton Ontario. Scandinavian Knife: Finnish

steel blade, antique moose antler and hickory handle. Sailing

Knife: Scottish steel blade, walnut handle. Bush Knife: Carbon

steel blade, carved antler handle.

[email protected] • songofthewoods.com

Scandinavian Knife

Sailing Knife

Bush Knife


Asking on the Scouts Canada Facebook Page for other thoughts on Scouters’ knives, B. Jody Lotzkar, Group Commissioner and Scoutmaster with the 5th West Vancouver Scout Group, shared the following:

“My dad was our Cubmaster and Scoutmaster. He was an imposing, athletic figure at 6'4" and wore his

traditional campaign hat and uniform well. He always had a rather unique knife hanging on his belt. A

simple all leather sheath with almost no adornment and a straight steel-bladed knife with a distinctive red

wooden handle. The sheath dangled loosely from his belt and the knife was held in only by the precision of

its fit to the sheath.

At the 1975 World Jamboree in Lillihammer, Norway, we got the chance to make our own knives. We

were issued red wood handles, steel blanks, plastic sheaths and instructions to put them all together. Here

was a smaller, cheaper version of my dad's special knife being given out at the Jamboree! What a shock. It

was the first time that I had ever seen a knife at all similar to my dad's knife and they just handed it to me!

I was very pleased and used that knife for the rest of my youth Scout career. In the decades since it has

unfortunately disappeared.

Upon returning to Scouting all these years later, I wanted to find a knife that would be for me as my

dad's special knife was to him. I did a bit of research on the internet and discovered that my dad's knife

was a famous Swedish knife made by a company called Mora.

A little more research led me to another Swedish company called Fallkniven. Not wanting to simply ape

my dad's choice, I decided to buy a Fallkniven S1 knife with the classic Swedish style leather sheath (plus a

second modern plastic sheath for use in wet environments). I wear this knife in its loose dangling plain

leather sheath at all standing type camps.

When I bought my S1, I also received a small Fallkniven U2 locking blade pocket knife. As it turned out,

that small pocket knife became the knife that goes everywhere with me. The regal S1 is now reserved for

outings where weight is not a factor.

My dad has since passed away. Yet something so simple as the memory of his red wood handled knife

hanging loosely from the belt around his lanky frame can still transport me back to a golden time in this

Scout's youth.”

Russell Belt Knife Rudolph Grohmann and Deane H. Russell designed this award-

winning Canadian Belt Knife in 1957. It is manufactured by

Grohmann Knives Ltd. in Pictou, Nova Scotia.

Available through the Scoutshop. grohmannknives.com

Swedish FireKnifeThe Swedish FireKnife is a collaboration between Light My Fire

and Mora of Sweden. Mora has made top-notch knives for

120 years.

Available through various retailers. lightmyfire.com

Bush Knife


A s a Leader in Scouting, you’ve no doubt heard that Scouts Canada recently announced a major shift in who we will turn to as our Chief Scout.

Although the position has traditionally been held by the Governor General of Canada, things have now officially changed, with the GG now fulfilling the more ceremonial role of “Patron Scout” and the Chief Scout’s role will become more active. And so, amid some fitting fanfare at a Victoria press event in April, Terry Grant was introduced as the uniformed head of Scouting in Canada.

Grant is best known as the star of the hit reality series, Man-

tracker, where he demonstrated the almost-lost art of tracking. A

25-year veteran of the Foothills Search and Rescue Team, he is an

expert in utilizing clues such as footprints, probable path and other

signs of human presence. As Chief Scout, he will represent Scouts

Canada nationally and internationally, attend events and interact

with youth, parents and leaders.

MEET TERRY OUR NEW CHIEF SCOUT!

Tall in the saddle and leading by example.

VOICI TERRY NOTRE NOUVEAU CHEF SCOUT!

Bien en selle, il montre l’exemple.

C omme membre scout, vous avez certainement entendu parler de l’importante annonce que Scouts Canada a récemment faite concernant le

rôle de Chef scout. Bien que ce rôle ait été occupé traditionnellement par le gouverneur général du Canada, les choses ont maintenant officiellement changé, puisque le GG occupera désormais un rôle plus cérémonial, celui de Président d’honneur scout, et que le rôle de Chef scout deviendra un rôle plus actif. C’est ainsi que, lors d’une conférence de presse à Victoria en avril dernier, Terry Grant a été présenté en grande pompe comme porte-parole actif du scoutisme au Canada.

Grant est connu principalement comme étant la vedette de

l’émission de téléréalité très populaire, Mantracker, dans laquelle il

mettait en pratique l’art presque perdu du trappage. Grant est un

vétéran qui possède plus de 25 ans d’expérience au sein de l’équipe

de recherche et de sauvetage Foothills. Il est aussi un expert dans


l’utilisation d’indices tels que les empreintes, les pistes et autres signes

de la présence humaine. Comme Chef scout, il représentera Scouts

Canada sur la scène nationale et internationale, assistera à des

évènements et interagira avec les jeunes, les parents et les animateurs.

Mais qui est vraiment Terry Grant? Et pourquoi est-il le meilleur

candidat pour occuper ce rôle?

Tout d’abord, il adhère à l’esprit de la méthode scoute. Il croit à

la capacité du scoutisme d’aider les jeunes Canadiens à devenir des

personnes solides et de bons citoyens. Il croit aux avantages des

compétences dans le domaine du plein air. Et finalement, il croit

beaucoup en l’honneur personnel et vit selon ses croyances.

En parlant avec Grant, on constate rapidement qu’il a commencé

à développer sa confiance en lui et ses nombreuses compétences

personnelles durant son enfance. Il fait un lien direct avec les

expériences vécues par les jeunes, les apprentissages tirés de ces

dernières et la force de caractère qui en découle.

Il parle de sa relation avec son grand père comme étant l’élément qui

l’a inspiré dans son cheminement personnel. Grant a passé une grande

partie de son enfance à observer la

relation entre son grand-père et sa

communauté. « Les gens savaient

qu’ils pouvaient compter sur lui »,

affirme-t-il. « Il tenait toujours

parole. »

Aujourd’hui, le code d’honneur

personnel de Grant, qui selon lui e

st vrai pour tous les cowboys, est

« qu’il n’a qu’une parole ». « Les

gens ont besoin de savoir qu’ils

peuvent compter sur toi et que

tu tiendras parole ». Il voit le

scoutisme comme étant une

excellente façon de transmettre ce

genre de messages aux jeunes dans

le cadre des divers programmes.

Il croit que le leadership

s’enseigne par l’exemple, en se

mettant toujours dans la peau

de la personne qui apprend quelque

chose de nouveau. « On doit

toujours se demander comment

on se sentirait si on était dans les

souliers de l’autre », confie-t-il. Il

insiste aussi sur le fait qu’il apprécie la façon dont le scoutisme permet

aux jeunes de s’épanouir selon leurs propres conditions.

Comme Chef scout, il espère que les gens s’inspireront de son

approche « d’apprentissage par la pratique », sans négliger l’aspect

de la sécurité. Pour lui, le secret pour apprendre c’est la discipline, la

patience et une volonté soutenue de réussir.

But who is Terry Grant, really? And what makes him so much

the right guy to hold the title?

Well for starters, he espouses the spirit of the Scout method.

He believes in the power of Scouting to help young Canadians

grow to become strong individuals and good citizens. He believes

in the benefits of skills in adventure. He believes in the meaning

of personal honour. And he lives according to his beliefs.

Talking with Grant, it quickly becomes apparent that his self-

confidence and broad range of personal skills found their roots in

his childhood. And that he sees a direct relationship between

the experiences of youth, the learning that results from those

experiences and the depth of character that develops as a result.

He recounts his relationship with his grandfather as his

inspiration in his personal path. Grant spent much of his

childhood observing the relationship between him and the

community in which he lived. “People knew they could count

on him,” he says. “And he was as good as his word.”

Now Grant’s personal code – which he says is true of all

cowboys – is that your word is

your bond. “People need to

know that they can count on you

to do what you say you will do.”

He sees Scouting as an excellent

way to pass this and other

messages to youth through the

various levels of the program.

His take on leadership is

very much the “by example”

approach – always with a

thought towards what it is like to

be learning something for the

first time. “You have to remem-

ber what it is like to be in the

other person’s position,” he says.

He also makes it clear that he

appreciates the way Scouting

encourages youth to develop

on their own terms.

As Chief Scout he hopes

people will learn from his

“do-it-to-learn-it” approach, in

balance with a strong emphasis

on safety. For him, the key to

learning is diligence, patience and a sustained interest in “getting it.”

How does he feel about the appointment? He’s honoured. And

he’s looking forward to meeting youth and volunteers in Scouting

and getting to know as many of us as possible.

WHAT DOES OUR CHIEF SCOUT TAKE WITH HIM WHEN HE HEADS OUT FOR THE BUSH?Terry Grant has a practical

approach to woodcraft. “If

you’re in the mountains,”

he says, “you probably

don’t need a canoe.” So he

takes only what he is likely

to need:

• A fire starter

• A tarp

• An axe

• A good knife

• Proper clothing

• A map and compass

QU’APPORTE NOTRE CHEF SCOUT LORSQU’IL PART À L’AVENTURE?Terry Grant adopte une

approche pratique en ce

qui concerne les techniques

de plein air. « Si vous êtes

en montagne, vous n’avez

probablement pas besoin d’un

canot », affirme-t-il. Il apporte

donc le strict nécessaire :

• Un allume-feu

• Une bâche

• Une hache

• Un bon couteau

• Des vêtements adéquats

• Une carte et un compas


Meaningful Youth Leadership: Your influence starts with your Section.

Le leadership chez les jeunes : tout commence avec votre section.

Today, I’d like you to stop and reflect on your Scouting

year that just passed. Take a moment to remember the

good times (like that great canoe trip), and even the

not-so-great ones (like that camp where you forgot to

buy the groceries). Think about what you achieved. Did you have

youth who made big personal strides? Did you have youth

members who really stepped up to the plate when given respon-

sibility? Did you have some who needed a little

support to be successful? Chances are, the

answer to all of those questions is yes. I

firmly believe that Scouting produces the

young leaders of today, not tomorrow.

Our youth are the present, not the

future – and what you do as a Section

Leader lays the firm foundation for

their success on this path. In Scout-

ing we believe in learning by doing.

It’s futile to teach young people the

theories of leadership skills if we’re not

going to let them put those skills into

practice. So take that moment again and

think back… did your Beaver Scouts help

choose any of their yearly activities? Did your Cub

Scouts have an active Sixer’s council? Was there a

regular Court of Honour in your Scout Section? Did your

Venturer Scout section have an executive?

Looking more broadly, what impact have you had on the

Movement over the past year? Have you helped our young

members understand the important role that careful planning

and safety play in all their Scouting activities – whether it’s a

white water canoe trip or a weekly meeting? Have you had the

time to talk with your Beavers, Cubs and Scouts about the

Aujourd’hui, j’aimerais que vous preniez un moment pour

repenser à l’année de scoutisme qui vient de se terminer.

Prenez un instant pour vous rappeler les bons moments

(votre inoubliable expédition de canot), et même les

moins bons moments (la fois où vous avez oublié l’épicerie pour le

camp). Pensez à ce que vous avez accompli. Vos jeunes ont-ils évolué?

Vos jeunes ont-ils été d’attaque lorsque vous leur avez confié des

responsabilités? Certains de vos jeunes ont-ils eu besoin de

plus de soutien pour y arriver? Vous répondrez

sûrement « oui » à toutes ces questions.

Je crois fermement que le scoutisme crée

les jeunes leaders d’aujourd’hui et de

demain. Nos jeunes sont le présent, et

l’avenir, et ce que vous faites comme

animateur jette les bases pour leur succès

dans le monde. Dans le mouvement scout,

nous croyons qu’il n’y a rien de mieux que

l’apprentissage par la pratique. À quoi bon

parler du leadership si nous ne les laissons

pas mettre en pratique les compétences

enseignées?

Réfléchissez à nouveau… vos scouts castors vous

ont-ils aidé à choisir certaines de leurs activités pendant

l’année? Le conseil sizenier de vos scouts louveteaux a-t-il été

actif? Y avait-il une cour d’honneur dans votre section scoute? Vos

scouts aventuriers avaient-ils un président?

Quel impact avez-vous eu sur le mouvement cette année? Avez-

vous parlé à vos jeunes de l’importance d’une bonne planification et de

bonnes mesures de sécurité dans leurs activités scoutes, qu’il s’agisse

d’une expédition de canot en eaux vives ou d’une rencontre

hebdomadaire? Avez-vous eu le temps de parler à vos scouts castors,

vos scouts louveteaux et vos scouts au sujet des aventures stimulantes


exciting adventures their Scouting future has in store for them,

and helped keep them motivated to challenge themselves to

reach the next level?

Youth Leadership and our influence on Scouting in Canada

start with meaningful youth involvement at the Section level.

Take some time this summer to reflect on how you can improve

opportunities for meaningful youth involvement in your section

next year. Need help or advice on making this happen? Area and

Council Youth Commissioners are fantastic resources that are

there to support you! (See my e-mail address below if you need

help finding them!) As National Youth Commissioner, I’m excited

to have the opportunity to help us work towards being an

organization where every young person has meaningful input

into their own program and has every opportunity we can

possibly give them to grow and thrive as young leaders.

Please feel free to reach out to me! Send me an e-mail at

[email protected]

See you at CJ!

Kaylee Galipeau

National Youth Commissioner &

Chair of the National Youth Network

que leur avenir scout leur réserve? Les avez-vous aidés à rester motivés

afin de relever des défis et de passer à l’étape suivante de leur parcours?

Le leadership chez les jeunes et notre influence sur le scoutisme au

Canada commencent par une importante participation des jeunes au

sein de leurs sections. Prenez le temps cet été de réfléchir sur la façon

dont vous pourriez favoriser davantage la participation active des jeunes

dans votre section l’an prochain. Vous avez besoin d’aide ou de conseils

pour ce faire? Les commissaires à la jeunesse de conseil et de secteurs

sont de fantastiques conseillers qui sont là pour vous aider! (Vous

trouverez mon adresse courriel ci-dessous si vous avez besoin d’aide

pour les trouver!)

Comme commissaire à la jeunesse nationale, j’ai très hâte de

continuer d’aider Scouts Canada à être une organisation où chaque

jeune membre peut contribuer de façon importante à son programme

et où chaque jeune membre a toutes les occasions possibles de

développer le leader en lui.

N’hésitez pas à communiquer avec moi! Envoyez-moi un courriel à

[email protected].

Au plaisir de vous voir au Jamboree!

Kaylee Galipeau

Commissaire à la jeunesse nationale et

présidente du réseau national des jeunes

“Youth Involvement is not part of the program,

it is the program.” Chief Commissioner Andrew Price

addressing the Scouts Canada National

Service Team in April 2013

« La participation active des jeunes ne constitue pas un élément du programme, c’est

l’essence du programme » Le commissaire en chef Andrew Price lors

d’une réunion avec l’équipe nationale de

services de Scouts Canada en avril 2013.


TEACHING WITHOUT PREACHING

The mission of Scouting – to build a better world where people are self-fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in society – includes an impetus to assist youth in establishing a value system based upon spiritual, social and personal principles as expressed in the Scouting Promise and Law.

Our principles, the foundation of our fundamental beliefs,

include a stated duty to God, to others and to self.

Throughout Scouting the importance of faith is clearly

stated. But in a faith-based organization that places spiritual-

ity above doctrine, talking with youth about God can be a

challenge. And while some Groups are built on shared beliefs,

others are made up of a mix of religiosity.

The program encourages its members to pursue knowledge

of faith through the Religion in Life Emblem, the Spirituality

Emblem and other badges, but it also encourages Leaders to

include spirituality within the active culture of their Groups.

Ensuring a universal approach to spirituality, however, can be

daunting to volunteers with varying levels of comfort or

confidence in the area.

Here are two tools that can help.

FEATURE

By James Morris


1. THE GOLDERN RULEThe Golden Rule, or ethic of reciprocity, is

a maxim that essentially states that one

should treat others as one would like

others to treat oneself, or that one should

not treat others in ways that one would not

like to be treated. The history and philoso-

phy of the rule is a rich playground for

people who like to focus on such things,

but for the purposes of Scouting, knowing

and understanding two things about it are

very helpful. One is that it is probably the

best and most complete behavioural guide

in existence, and the second is that nearly

every religion in the world has some

expression of the rule as a central tenet.

Use the following chart as a teaching

tool – it provides an excellent jumping off

point for discussions about what people

around the world believe, and it includes

consideration of the group’s thoughts on

self, others and God.

STOPPING BY WOODS ON A SNOWY EVENING

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound's the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

ROBERT FROST

CHRISTIANITYDo unto others as you would have others do

unto you.

CONFUCIANISMDo not do to others what you would not

like yourself.

TAOISMRegard your neighbor’s gain as your gain, and your neighbor’s loss as

your own loss.

JUDAISMWhat is hateful to you,

do not do to your fellowman.

ISLAMNo one of you is a

believer until he desires for his brother that which he

desires for himself.

BUDDHISMHurt not others in ways that you yourself would

find hurtful.

HINDUISMThis is the sum of duty; do naught unto others

that you would not have them do unto you.

THE GOLDEN

RULE

2. A POEMRobert Frost’s Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening is a perfect subject for a Scouts

Own. It refers to the beauty and allure of a place unspoiled by human presence – the

draw of the woods that inspires so many within the Scouting movement to head out into

nature. A greater context for understanding the poem emerges when you consider that

the owner of the Wood referred to in the opening line is God, and His house in the village

is a church. The statement “He will not see me stopping here” is ironic, considering God’s

omnipotence.

The horse is a conveyance over which the speaker has control. How he directs it

represents his choices. To stop the horse and regard the woods is to take a moment to

contemplate God’s greatness, He being the Creator of the woods and all. But as Scouting

teaches, we owe duties to God, self and others. Balancing them means we must recognize

our obligations. The “miles to go” to which the speaker refers is the path of his life, the

“promises” are his duties and the “sleep” is the sleep of death.

Now, a Scout’s Own does not need to become a sermon, or a lesson in poetics – but

this piece can be an excellent jumping-off point for conversations about the benefits of

considering that there may be more to camping than pitching a tent. You just have to stop

and think about it.


COLONY

PAULINE FENTON: I don’t see a problem

with taking Beavers camping at all. But it

depends on the kids in your Group. Our

brown and blue tails would not enjoy

staying alone in tents. When we have our

Beaver sleepovers we have at least 2-3 kids

out of our 9 that get scared and want a

parent. Our whitetails on the other hand,

we have 3, would be perfectly fine and will

be staying overnight in tents at the end of

May with our Cub Pack.

RICK GRUCHY: Bring on the Adventure! I

am in full support of getting Beaver Scouts

out in tents. As we move forward with

Program Revitalization and the Adventure

Skills Program, I hope that there will be a

lot more Beavers “under canvas.”

JACKIE VANDAELE: I take our Beavers

camping in tents at least 2 times a year.

They love it! Have even slept in covered

wagons.

THOMAS MCKECHNIE: Our Colony used

to require parents to come to camp but had

to stop that once we hit near 40 kids and

didn’t have a building big enough to

accommodate everyone. Now we tell parents

that they are welcome but not required.

CARM GALATI: In my experience, it’s not

the Beavers that are the concern, it’s many

parents who don’t like to go.

MARK RUDDICK: Bring on the adventure.

(In warmer months) As a Cub Leader it is

great when Beavers swim up who have tent

camping experience. It makes my fall

camps go way better. We usually invite

white tails to Cub camp in June.

SCOUTER JASON: Too young for tents??!!

Not a chance! You need to be conscious of

the weather though of course seeing as

their little bodies lose heat a lot faster than

ours do. My own children have been tent

camping since they were babies. I agree

with others who have posted that the

parents will be the biggest challenge, NOT

the youth.

JULIE BREWER DUNN: In our group,

Beavers sleep in their own tents . As per

BP&P the parents must attend an outdoor

camp. We have all parents sleep in their

own tents. But it really boils down to, YES

to sleeping in tents

SHERRIE SCHREIBER-GOSCHE: I

remember a looong time ago we took the

Beavers to a couple of Jamboree type

events that were entirely in tents for the

weekend. With the regular ratio of adults/

youth. We had ZERO problems, and

amazing camp experiences. I also remem-

ber more recently doing a “family” Beaver

camp, where the parents stayed in tents

with their own Beavers. I’ve never had

such a disastrous camp! I had one dad who

came with a motorhome full of beer, I had

another dad that decided he didn’t do

camp food, and was grilling steaks for

himself and was giving his son pop and

Too soon to camp?Here’s a question we posted on Facebook and some of the responses we got. Overall, way to go, Beaver Leaders!

Hey Beaver Scout Leaders!

Any thoughts on Beavers and Camping? Too

young for tents? Or bring on the adventure?

What are your thoughts and experiences?


other treats all weekend that the other kids

didn’t get. After that camp, all family

camps became accommodations with the

group and meals with the Group.

BARB FARQUHAR: We start each year

with an indoor camp at our church

complete with tents and campfire to get

the youth used to sleeping in tents with the

added security of being inside a familiar

building. Next we go to our local camp

which the kids are also familiar with. At

year end, we all go on a specially planned

camp which includes all family members,

parents, siblings, grandparents, whichever

the youth wants to bring to the camp.

We try to make it as family oriented as

possible, and show our youth that Scouting

is an extension of their families. We

include all our parents in the planning and

choices of where to go, and have had no

problems with getting them involved with

setting up/tearing down camps, food prep,

cooking, etc.

TERRY KEINNA MCCLELLAND: I was a

Scouter from 1987-2000 in Vancouver, our

Beavers slept in tents right along with all

the other sections and loved it. We had

over 20 Beavers, 25 Cubs and 30 Scouts in

our group, and it was all due to a great

program. Camping, you bet.

DENNIS AYLEN: 2nd Langley mavericks

Beaver Colony is going camping in tents

this weekend!! Ponder park!!!! Hiking,

crafts, games.

NORMA THOMPSON: We take the

Beavers twice a year for a two night

sleepover (thank you BP&P definitions)

at the local scout camp. We sleep in cabins

so we don’t require parents to attend

anymore, though we typically will have

brown tail parents come (especially for a

first-time camp).

MARK RUDDICK: Beavers are some of the

most enthusiastic youth members we

have. We should take the time to encour-

age them to get outdoors and kindle a

life-long passion. At this age it is easy to get

them excited! A good Beaver program is

the foundation of a good Group.

TRACY FORSYTH: Family tent camping

the children are allowed to sleep with their

own parents they cant sleep with an

unrelated adult alone. The reason for

family camping is their parent is there with

them to help with late night latrine trips

and other things that they would experi-

ence in a tent camping experience that

they wouldn’t in a sleepover event. Kids

can sleep together with their own parents.

You wouldn’t want a Beaver wandering

around a dark campsite to find a latrine or

the tent their parent was sleeping in to

accompany them.

RON BOYD: Ours tent every year. per

BP&P family camping. they have a great

time! Good way to initiate them, and this

year we got them without parents into a

cabin for a sleep-over camp step by step!

CASEY-FAYE M SWANSON: I was just part

of a FAST camp and Wood badge 1 that

had a pair of Beavers present. One slept in

a tin tent with mom and brother for two

nights and the other was in a normal tent.

The wee guys had a geocaching program

and were fine for the weekend.

Join in the conversation on the Scouts Canada Official Facebook

Page, where Scouting enthusiasts from across the country share

their thoughts and ideas, opinions, questions, resources and

experience. Look for it on Facebook, and let your voice be heard.


When I first got to Cub Camp Akela said to me:“Put your stuff over by that tree.”

On the 2nd hour of Cub Camp Akela said to me:“This is your tent, and...”

On the 3rd hour of Cub Camp Akela said to me:“When did it get dark?”

On the 4th hour of Cub Camp Akela said to me:“Where did you come from?”

On the 5th hour of Cub Camp Akela said to me:“It’s time for bed.”

On the 6th hour of Cub Camp Akela said to me:“Please turn your lights out.”

On the 7th hour of Cub Camp Akela said to me:“What the heck’s so funny?”

On the 8th hour of Cub Camp Akela said to me:“Stop all your laughing.”

On the 9th hour of Cub Camp Akela said to me:“Be very quiet.”

On the 10th hour of Cub Camp Akela said to me:“Pretend you’re sleeping.”

On the 11th hour of Cub Camp Akela said to me:“If you want to live.”

On the 12th hour of Cub Camp Akela said to me:“Was that a bear?”

PACK

THE 12 HOURS OF CUB CAMP

SUNG TO THE TUNE OF “THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS”LYRICS BY JAMES MORRIS


PACK

By Lisa Murphy

WWhen I first started as a Cub Scout Leader,

the Akela of our Pack had a great tool that

he pulled out at the start of every camp. It

wasn’t an axe or a knife or a special

fire-lighting doohickey. It was a simple rule

that he shared with the Pack early and

repeated to them often. He called it “the

First Rule of Cub Camp.”

The rule states that the number one job

for every camper is to do his or her best to

make sure that every other camper has a

good time.

The Cubs would look perplexed the first

time they heard it, but then Akela would

explain it to them on the basis of simple

math.

“If everybody looks after only them-

selves, how many people at Camp are

trying to make you happy?”

The answer can only be “One.”

“Now, how many people are at this

particular camp?”

Let’s say the answer is “Twenty-two.”

“So if there are twenty-two people here,

and everyone is looking out for everyone

else, how many people can you count on

to try to make you happy?”

“Twenty-one.”

“Now what’s better?” he would ask.

“Twenty-one people making you happy, or

just yourself?”

For the rest of camp, all he had to do to

end an argument or correct a behaviour

was ask two simple questions – “What’s the

First Rule of Cub Camp?” and “Are you

following it?”

Now after some years as a Scouter I’ve

joined our Area Service Team. Among my

advice to Leaders will be to learn it, to

teach it and to live it. Because isn’t it a

great summary of what the Scouting spirit

is all about?

“For the strength of the Pack is the WolfAnd the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.”

- Rudyard Kipling

THE FIRST RULE OF CUB CAMP


SAFE SCOUTINGOUR COLLECTIVE GOAL, OUR COLLECTIVE DUTY

LE SCOUTISME EN TOUTE SÉCURITÉ NOTRE OBJECTIF COLLECTIF, NOTRE DEVOIR COLLECTIF

I’ve had the pleasure to be with Scouts Canada for a year now and I must say it is a fascinating organization. I enjoy working with Scouters from across the country and I’m very proud to be

associated with them. As a volunteer with the 17th Ottawa Troop, my own experience has benefitted tremendously form the skills and knowledge of the wonderful people I’ve met. They define the term “professional volunteer,” and are among the extraordinary men and women who have been screened, trained and are working as volunteers with Scouts Canada.

I have tremendous admiration for our volunteer Leaders, and I recognize the time and effort that is required to ensure that each and every Scouter is following all of our policies and procedures as they relate to child and youth safety screening and training. That said, as we begin gearing up for a new Scouting year, I want to reinforce the need for each of us to remain vigilant towards ensuring that every volunteer who is on the floor and working with youth has met all of the mandatory requirements.

As a volunteer Leader myself, I’ve had first-hand exposure to the challenges that my fellow Scouters might encounter as they work through their screening and training: uncertainty around the requirements, difficulty of accessing the training and delays in the PRC/VSS process - something that many of our volunteers have experienced. Regardless of the reason, people who have not completed every mandatory requirement cannot be active with the youth. Period. It is inconsistent with the values of Scouting, and each of us need to take responsibility for making sure this is observed.

Compliance with Scouts Canada policies and procedures is critical for a number of reasons:1. We have learned through our history that bad things and

accidents happen when we least expect it. Youth are harmed, and so are volunteers. We must be fully prepared for these incidents and be able to show that we took all the necessary steps to mitigate the risks including our own screening and training requirements.

2. Our policies and procedures, designed to project our youth, are only effective if they are all used together. We can’t prevent every incident but we can enhance our screening and training, which dramatically reduces the risk of bad things happening.

3. Volunteers need to support each other, check and validate that the policies are being followed and need to be ever mindful of the 2-leader rule.

J ’ai le privilège de travailler pour Scouts Canada depuis maintenant un an, et je dois dire que c’est une organisation fascinante. J’aime travailler avec les membres de partout au Canada et je suis très fier

de pouvoir m’associer à eux. Comme bénévole de la 17e troupe d’Ottawa, j’ai personnellement beaucoup appris des connaissances et des compétences des personnes que j’ai rencontrées. Ces dernières donnent un sens aux termes « bénévoles professionnels », et elles font partie des 18 000 femmes et hommes remarquables qui ont effectué toutes les étapes de la présélection et de la formation, et qui travaillent comme bénévoles chez Scouts Canada.

J’ai beaucoup d’admiration pour nos animateurs bénévoles, et je suis conscient du temps qu’ils consacrent et des efforts qu’ils déploient pour s’assurer que chaque membre respecte nos politiques et procédures relativement à la formation et à la présélection en matière de sécurité des enfants et des jeunes. Ceci dit, alors que nous nous préparons pour une nouvelle année de scoutisme, je tiens à réaffirmer la nécessité pour chacun d’entre nous de rester vigilant afin de nous assurer que chaque bénévole sur le terrain qui travaille avec les jeunes satisfait aux exigences obligatoires.

Étant moi même animateur bénévole, j’ai pu observer directement les défis auxquels ont fait face mes compagnons scouts pour suivre leur formation et effectuer la présélection : l’ignorance des exigences, la difficulté à accéder à la formation et les délais dans le processus de VDP/VAPV ont causé des soucis à bon nombre de nos bénévoles. Peu importe les raisons, les personnes qui ne répondent pas à chacune des exigences obligatoires en matière de présélection et de formation ne peuvent pas côtoyer les jeunes. Point à la ligne. Cette façon de faire ne correspond pas aux valeurs du scoutisme et nous sommes tous responsables de nous assurer que ces mesures sont respectées.

Le respect des politiques et des procédures de Scouts Canada est essentiel pour plusieurs raisons : 1. Nous avons appris par notre histoire que des situations malheureuses et

des accidents surviennent quand nous nous y attendons le moins, et que des jeunes et des bénévoles sont touchés par ces évènements. Nous devons être bien préparés pour ces incidents et être en mesure de démontrer que nous avons pris toutes les mesures possibles pour atténuer les risques incluant votre propre présélection et votre formation.

2. Nos politiques et procédures conçues pour protéger nos jeunes sont efficaces seulement si elles sont toutes conjointement mises en œuvre. Nous ne pouvons pas prévenir tous les incidents, mais nous pouvons améliorer notre processus de présélection et notre formation pour diminuer grandement les risques que de telles situations se reproduisent.

3. Les bénévoles doivent se soutenir les uns les autres et s’assurer que les politiques sont respectées et que la règle des deux animateurs est suivie en tout temps.

SAFETY


We must ensure that child and youth safety is our first priority. We also have to ensure we run quality programs. Our selection and training programs, our policies and procedures, are designed to ensure we have the high-quality volunteer Leaders we need. Our Volunteer Support Strategy is aimed at helping these wonderful people do great things with the youth.

There is no doubt that enforcing the screening and training requirements takes effort. Scouts Canada relies on the dedication and professionalism of all our volunteers and staff in this regard. In this I seek your help.

In your Sections, verify that you and all the Scouters working with you are properly screened, trained and are listed in myscouts.ca as fully compliant ahead of the new Scouting year. Take any courses you are missing and contact the Help Centre if you have technical difficulties. Help each other and be aware.

Group Commissioners pay particular attention to your applicants and assist them with any compliance issues. Ensure the people who are not accepted as volunteers and are not active in myscouts.ca and are not working with youth.

We are finishing our first year after the policy changes in 2012. Continued focus on implementing those changes is required. I again call on all of you to work toward full compliance across the organization. Tens of thousands of fully-screened and trained volunteers show that it’s achievable. In the next Scouting Year, we can continue to ensure that the safety of the youth in our care is our top priority and show it by ensuring that only screened and trained people are accepted as volunteers and are working with our youth. This needs to be our commitment and your efforts are deeply appreciated – they will prepare us for another wonderful year of Scouting adventures.

Yours in Scouting,

Michael McKayExecutive Commissioner & CEO

Nous devons nous assurer que la sécurité des enfants et des jeunes demeure notre priorité. Nous devons aussi nous assurer de mettre en œuvre des programmes de qualité. Nos politiques et nos procédures, notre présélection et nos formations sont conçues pour nous permettre d’avoir les bénévoles hautement compétents dont nous avons besoin. Notre stratégie de soutien aux bénévoles a été créée pour aider nos merveilleux bénévoles à accomplir de grandes choses avec les jeunes.

Il ne fait aucun doute que le renforcement des exigences en matière de présélection et de formation exige davantage d’efforts. Scouts Canada se fie sur le dévouement et le professionnalisme de ses bénévoles et de ses employés à cet égard, et c’est pourquoi je vous demande de nous aider.

Dans vos sections, assurez-vous que les bénévoles qui travaillent avec les enfants répondent aux exigences en matière de présélection et de formation et que leur statut de membre est « actif » dans myscouts avant le début de l’année de scoutisme. Suivez les formations qu’il vous manque et communiquez avec le centre d’assistance si vous avez des problèmes techniques. Aidez-vous les uns les autres et soyez vigilants.

Les commissaires de groupe doivent porter une attention particulière à leurs candidats et les aider avec tous problèmes relatifs aux exigences. Assurez-vous que les personnes qui ne sont pas acceptées comme bénévoles, ne sont pas « actives » dans myscouts.ca et ne côtoient pas les jeunes.

Nous terminons notre première année depuis les changements apportés à la politique en 2012, et nous devons nous concentrer sur la mise en œuvre de ces changements. Je vous demande une fois de plus de nous aider à travailler pour atteindre une conformité complète. Nous avons des dizaines de milliers de bénévoles qui nous ont prouvé qu’il est possible d’être conforme aux exigences en matière de présélection et de formation. Pour la prochaine année de scoutisme, nous pouvons tous démontrer que la sécurité des enfants des jeunes qui nous sont confiés est notre principale priorité en nous assurant que seules les personnes qui suivent les étapes liées à la présélection et à la formation peuvent être bénévoles et travailler avec nos jeunes. Nous devons tous prendre part à ce processus et vos efforts sont grandement appréciés pour nous préparer à une autre belle année de scoutisme.

Salutations scoutes,

Michael McKayCommissaire général et directeur général

Badge and award information management made easy!

Designed for Scouters by a Troop Scouter, ScoutsTracker lets you manage and maintain your Sections’ attendance, badge and award progress and related events from your desktop … or even from the palm of your hand.

More effective program planning, badge box inventory management and cost tracking, automated calculation of requirements completion and dynamic information sharing with leaders, youth and parents are just a few of the valuable features.

ARE YOU USING

To find out more about this exciting new web app, visit www.scoutstracker.ca.


COLUMN

For most youth in Scouting, the great

outdoors and camping with friends is a

highlight. It's an exciting aspect of our

program that begins with their first

overnight trip. We should remember

though that for many of our members, any

camp could also be their inaugural

departure from home – his or her first night

without parents. The experience may then

be filled not only with a mixture of excite-

ment and enthusiasm, but also significant

apprehension, anxiety and fear of the

unknown.

A Leader may well ask how the event

can be handled in a manner that offers

support and encouragement while

minimizing potential homesickness.

Several helpful techniques may be used to

facilitate such a positive goal. However, be

aware that many children experience some

level of homesickness when they attend

their first overnight camp. The critical

concern is to recognize that this is natural,

and that our endeavours should involve

easing the child's challenge with the

adventure.

Here are some steps to follow in the

preparation process:

1 Encourage parents to include their

children in all the tasks required to

prepare for camp. These could

include going to the store to buy a sleeping

bag, packing for the outing and others.

Having a degree of control over the process

will help provide the child with a feeling of

empowerment.

2 Openly discuss the possibility of

feeling homesick on the first time

away from home. Explain that it is

natural and, with the help of the youth,

come up with an action plan to deal and

cope. The youth can pair up with a good

buddy, take part in a fun activity, bring a

stuffed animal as a “bed buddy”, bring a

picture of a pet or find some other coping

mechanism.

3 As a Leader be sure to project an

enthusiastic and confident attitude

about the youth's ability to achieve

success at this first stab at independence.

4 Parents should be advised not to

declare that the child will be missed or

that they will feel sad to not have

them at home.

5 A sleepover at a friend's house

can be suggested as a practice

run.

6 Parents can be encouraged to include

a couple of short, upbeat notes in

their children’s bag.

7 Talk beforehand about common

concerns. Such worries as bedtime,

swimming in a lake where creatures

live, animals in the woods and the dark at

night are all natural preoccupations for the

youth who have never camped in the big

outdoors before.

8 Discourage parents from ending a

camp early for their children. Rather,

encourage them to have faith that

their children will learn and grow form the

experience.

9 Avoid over-reacting to negative

comments. Very often the “I hate

camp” comment is made at a

downtime or a moment of sadness that can

usually be quickly diverted. Look for a

pleasurable activity and keep a high energy

pace in the camp routine.

10 At all times, all youth should feel

invited to talk with their leader

about their feelings.

CURING THE HOMESICK CAMPER

ENGAGING YOUTHby Michael Burdo B.A.,

B.S.W. – Youth and Family Counsellor



THE WORLD’S LARGEST CAP-GUN FIGHT.

The Scout Brigade of Fort

George is a true example

of a great idea that’s

gotten even better over

time. It offers a truly

amazing experience for

all who participate – and many who do,

come back year after year.

What is it? An annual historic military

re-enactment on the grounds of historic

Fort George in the Town of Niagara-on-

the-Lake. It includes thousands of Scouts

from Canada and the US, programming for

Cub Scouts and a ton of fun for everyone

who wants to step into the boots of a

British or US soldier from the years

between 1812 and 1814.

There’s history. There’s adventure.

There’s an opportunity to learn, while

having a blast.

The event was started by a group of

Scouters from the Greater Toronto Council

who had been involved in a similar event

at Fort York in downtown Toronto. They

relocated it to Fort George in1984 with less

than 250 participants. Running every year

since on the third full weekend of Septem-

ber, the organizers are expecting approxi-

mately 3200 attendees this year – with over

700 coming from the Boy Scouts of

America. National Commissioner Andrew

Price will be in attendance as the honorary

camp chief.

Participating Groups will be assigned to

a company and regiment. They will make

replica uniforms of the Royal Newfound-

land Regiment, the 49th Regiment of Foot,

the 8th Kings Regiment, the Royal Artillery

Regiment, the 6th US Regiment, or the

Canadian Regiment of Fencible Infantry –

all of whom participated in the War of 1812

on the Niagara Frontier.

The Scout and Venture Program

includes drill and training programs, tours

of Ft. George, a parade and free time in the

town, a number of mock battles, an

evening rock concert, badge trading,

outdoor movies, as well as on-site shops

selling period items. The Cub Scout

program has many of the same elements,

but also a themed set of smaller group

activities. Cubs don’t participate in the

mock battles, giving them something to

look forward to when they get into Scouts.

Groups can start small and build their

uniforms over a number of years. It makes

a great addition to a Group’s annual

program.

There is also an offer of service program

for those that would like to support site

services, first aid and security functions.

With events across the country marking the bicentennial of the War of 1812, the Scout Brigade of Fort George is building to celebrate the anniversary of its conclusion, marking the start of 200 years of peace between Canada and the United States in 2014.

CONTACT INFORMATIONRegistration for 2013 opens June 1 and

runs until August 15.

Visit us online at: sbfg.ca

Facebook: facebook.com/thesbfg

Twitter: @ScoutBrigade

Youtube: ScoutBrigade

FEATURE


My Peter Pan List

FEATURE

By Bill Mahaffy 11th Courtney, Silver Falls

Have you seen The Bucket List? In it two men create a list of things they want to do before they

“kick the bucket.” Their lists include exciting adventures, altruistic acts and hilarious hijinks.

When it came out a lot of people started creating their own bucket lists. For members of the

Scouting Movement, I think there is an even more important list – the Peter Pan List.

Play in the mud

Feed the ducks

Find the North Star

Fish off the end of a dock

Go camping

Learn to ride a bike

Enjoy a campfire story

Paddle a canoe

Ride a bicycle

Ride a horse

Ride in a small boat with an outboard motor

See a firefly

See a fireworks display

Roast marshmallows

Skip a stone

Swim in a lake

Build a snow-fort

Build a snowman

Go skating

Go sliding

Peter Pan declared that he would never

grow up – but real children do just that and

all too quickly! As Leaders, we recognize

the need for kids to do kids’ things.

Think about the kinds of activities that

you took part in as a child. How did they

shape your life and help you to develop

your self-image? Those activities taught us

to be independent. They taught us how the

world around us works. They taught us

things about ourselves. How often do

children today get to experience those

activities?

My Peter Pan list includes what I see as

activities that teach independence and

bring youth closer to nature. What would

you put on your list? And how can you help

your Scouting youth to tick as many boxes

as possible?


COOL STUFFHERE’S A TERRIFIC IDEA FROM A SCOUTING MOTHER

WHO SAW A NEED AT THE GROUP LEVEL.

Be honest – as a Leader, do you not get tired of Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts and

Scouts who come to the meetings without the things they’re supposed to have

with them? Like shoes? Or their Section book? And when you get to the part of

the meeting where the neckers come off, do they get left in a confusing pile?

Well, here’s a set of good quality, Section-specific tote bags that look to us to

be just what Akela, Hawkeye or Scouter Bob called for.

Available to Groups in sets of 20 at $12 each, they are the kind of thing that

Sections can ask their parents to cover at the first meetings in September and

have their kids be sure to remember every week.

Check them out at smartgoodlooking.com

Make snow angels

Build something out of lumber

Go to a museum

Have a sleep-over

Play fetch with a dog

Ride a bus

Ride a train

See a parade

Cook a simple meal

See a star-filled sky away from city lights

Talk to a grandparent or other older person to learn a little bit about life when they were young.

Watch a meteor shower


PREPARE YOUR FUELS.Collect kindling and the wood you will be

burning before you try to light anything. At

camp, challenge the youth not just to collect

firewood, but to assemble the right

combination of fuels to get the fire lit and to

keep it going. They can divide themselves

into sub-groups dedicated to tinder, kindling

and larger pieces for longer burning.

START WITH TINDER.Tinder is is made from materials that catch

a spark readily, or to which a coal can be

added and blown into a flame. It can be

found readily in the woods, but it is always

handy to have a supply on hand as part of

a standard fire lighting kit. A variety of

materials work well, a common favourite

being dryer lint. A one to two inch length of

jute twine works great for several reasons –

first and foremost is that it lights readily, but

it also travels well. As twine it’s compact and

easy to keep at hand. When unwound, it

creates an amazing nest of highly

combustible tinder.

Stoking the primal desire that comes from going old-school.

The recipe for fire has three ingredients – fuel, heat and oxygen. Building a fire is all about putting the ingredients together in a way that meets your needs. It is the introduction of heat to fuel and oxygen in the right combination.

Most fires start small – like with a spark applied to delicate fuel, not too tightly wadded up. Small fires create enough sustained heat to light larger bits of fuel, which light more fuel as it is added. Controlling the fire then becomes a matter of choosing how much you add to it, and how often.

FIRE, WITHOUT MATCHFEATURE


APPLY HEAT.Probably the most reliable fire-starting heat

source is a Swedish fire stick. The Scout Shop

sells “The Magic Striker Fire Starter” but the

most trusted brand, talked about by

bushcraft experts and survivalists on the

Internet, is made by a Swedish company

called “Light My Fire.” You can count on a fire

stick to throw a spark in pretty much any

conditions. Successfully starting a fire is then

all about prepping your fuel.

ADD SOME SMALL, RESIN-RICH FUEL.Tinder burns pretty quickly, so if you don’t

add some more substantial fuel, you will

lose your fire. Two good choices here are

fatwood and cedar. Fatwood is impregnated

with resin, very hard and rot-resistant. You

can cull it from the stumps or taproots of

cut or fallen pine trees. It is also available

commercially through Canadian Tire and

other sources. For those who prep-ahead,

a six-inch piece of cedar lumber will split

easily with an axe or hatchet, or even a

good camp knife.

ADD KINDLING AND LARGER FUEL.Not every fire needs to be built up to a blazing

inferno. You should plan out how much fuel

you will need based on how big you want the

fire to be and how long you will want it to last.

Cooking a quick meal for one or two campers

can be done with just scraps of wood, but if

you’re looking for a blazing centrepiece for a

Troop or Pack campfire, you will need to have

plenty of logs for stoking the flames over an

evening. Remember though, it’s always nice to

watch a fire die down – and to plan the singing

and sketches to go with the glow.

1

4

3

2

5

6 THE FIRE KIT1 Fire stick

2 Fire stick striker

3 Jute pieces

4 Unwound jute, wrapped around a

fatwood splinter

5 Fatwood splinters

6 Cedar, cut into various sizes


Recently, a friend posted a link to a job

opportunity for a hiking instructor at a

local municipality at between $21-25 per

hour, plus benefits. The posting got me

thinking – how would we put a dollar

figure on the amount of work Leaders in

Scouting contribute, on an annual basis, at

a comparable market rate?

The actual requirements in the job description were not too far off

what most Scout leaders contribute, the only differences being a

small bus driver’s licence and an advanced wilderness first aid

certification. Now with MedVents kicking into high gear, a lot of

our Volunteers will have this soon. Otherwise, the ability to purify

water, navigate on trails and generally ensure group cohesion are

skills our volunteers engage in with youth on a weekly basis. We

can add to that all the admin work our Scouters take on – like

registration and extensive program planning – which I assume is

not a requirement of the job as posted.

Taking a look at my Scout Troop’s calendar, we’re doing a lot

of the same things that the job posting was for. We take our Youth

on hikes, we teach them to cook, we take them camping in a wide

range of environments and we provide them with a lot of

opportunities they don’t get anywhere else. I don’t know of too

many other groups that go lightweight backpacking, kayaking

and geocaching on a regular basis.

So, to quantify it: based on some fairly broad assumptions, I

wouldn’t be surprised if the total time our volunteers put in is

higher than the numbers I have worked out:

• An average of 2 hours a week in regular meetings, plus half an

hour or so of prep for a weekly meeting = 80 hrs/year

Récemment, un ami a affiché un lien vers

une offre d’emploi de guide de randonnées

pédestres dont le salaire était de 21 à 25 $

de l’heure, plus les avantages sociaux. Je

me suis alors demandé quel genre de

salaire les bénévoles recevraient pour leur

travail chaque année à un taux horaire

comparable.

Les exigences dans la description d’emploi étaient assez semblables à ce

que la plupart des animateurs font, la seule différence étant un permis

de conduire pour les petits autobus et une certification avancée en

secourisme en milieu sauvage. Dans le cadre du programme des scouts

aventuriers médicaux, plusieurs de nos bénévoles obtiendront bientôt

ces certifications. De plus, nos bénévoles sont capables de purifier de

l’eau et de guider leur groupe lors de randonnées, et effectuent ces

activités régulièrement avec leurs jeunes. Nous devons aussi ajouter tout

le travail administratif accompli par les bénévoles, les inscriptions et la

planification en détails du programme, qui je suppose, ne fait pas partie

des exigences dans cette offre d’emploi.

En regardant le calendrier de ma troupe scoute, je me suis rendu

compte que nous faisons beaucoup d’activités en lien avec cette offre

d’emploi. Nous faisons des randonnées pédestres avec nos jeunes, nous

leur apprenons à cuisiner, nous les amenons camper dans différents

milieux et nous leur faisons vivre des expériences uniques. Je ne connais

pas beaucoup d’autres groupes qui vont régulièrement faire des

excursions, du kayak et de la géocachette.

Voici un aperçu des heures de bénévolat effectuées chaque année. Je ne

serai pas surpris que nos bénévoles donnent plus d’heures de leur temps

que les chiffres que j’avance :

• Moyenne de deux heures par semaine pour les rencontres et d’une

FEATURE

By /ParAndrew Wallwork

THE REAL VALUE OF VOLUNTEERS.LA RÉELLE VALEUR DES BÉNÉVOLES.


• An average of 1 camp every 2 months and 24 hours/weekend

of working time, minimum, per camp = 144 hours/year

• Program preparation, training and other activities, based on

an estimate = 40 hours/year

The total comes out to 264 hours per year.

If we work to put a dollar figure on these hours, at the rate the

city is paying for a comparable position, of $21/hour, we would

be looking at $5500+ per year per volunteer.

Multiply that by the 5 very active volunteers I have in my

Troop Section, we get over $27,000.

Across my Group, including all leaders it would add up to

$97,000.

Across the country, it would add up to millions of dollars of

volunteer labour – each and every year.

And let’s remember that, while our volunteers work for the

love of Scouting, many actually take money from their own

pockets. Gear needed to safely deliver the program comes at a

price. The personal gear you need to deliver program certainly

costs a fair chunk of change. Jamboree and camp fees ($400+ per

week for volunteers) are also there.

Most importantly, our volunteers simply donate their most

precious asset – their time.

The point here is to put things into perspective – the numbers

are eye-opening, and point to just how valuable our volunteers

are. Without them, Scouting simply would not happen.

There’s a reason there is a huge “Thanks” button on Scouts.ca

at the moment. With what our volunteers do, it needs to be

pressed – frequently!

heure et demie pour la préparation de ces dernières = 80 heures

par année

• Moyenne d’un camp chaque deux mois et d’un minimum de 24 heures

par camp = 144 heures par année

• réparation du programme, formation et autres activités = 40 heures

par année

Le total d’élève à 264 heures par année.

Si nous essayions de mettre un prix sur ce nombre d’heures en utilisant

le taux horaire que la ville donne pour un poste semblable, soit 21 $ de

l’heure, le montant s’élèverait à environ 5,500 $ par année par bénévole.

Multipliez ce chiffre par cinq pour les cinq bénévoles dynamiques de

ma section, et nous recevrions plus de 27,000 $.

Dans mon groupe, incluant tous les animateurs, cette somme

s’élèverait à 97,000 $.

Dans tout le pays, cette somme équivaudrait à des millions de dollars

en travail bénévole, chaque année.

Et n’oublions pas que bien que nos bénévoles donnent de leur temps

pour leur amour du scoutisme, beaucoup d’entre eux sortent aussi de

l’argent de leurs poches. L’équipement nécessaire pour assurer des

programmes sécuritaires a un prix, et l’équipement personnel nécessaire

pour mettre en œuvre un programme coûte une somme considérable.

N’oublions pas non plus les frais de Jamboree et de camp pour les

bénévoles (400 $ par semaine pour les bénévoles).

Mais n’oublions surtout pas que nos bénévoles nous donnent ce qu’ils

ont de plus précieux, leur temps.

Mon objectif est de mettre les choses en perspective. Ces chiffres sont

révélateurs et nous montrent à quel point nos bénévoles sont précieux.

Sans eux, le scoutisme ne serait tout simplement pas possible.

C’est pour cette raison qu’il existe un bouton « Merci » sur le site scouts.ca.

Nous devons cliquer aussi souvent que possible sur ce bouton pour

souligner le merveilleux travail de nos bénévoles!


PLANNING FOR THE FALL

very year of Scouting brings

with it a balance of things

that will be as they were

before – as every Group has

its ways of approaching its

yearly program – and those

which will be new and

different. This includes

innovations in addressing

the programming – like new

ideas for activities and outings. But it also

includes the inevitable new mix of Leaders

in some Sections. As some of the youth

progress through the Sections, some parent

Leaders will progress with them. So each

Section will have its share of new Balloos

and Bagheeras, Ringtails and Rusties and

Scouters Bob, Judy or Jim.

In each case, the new Leaders will be

faced with the need to learn the culture of

the Section with which they may not be

familiar. For those coming into Beaver

Scouts for the first time, or who may be

coming into one of the other Sections

without having volunteered before, the first

requirement is to make sure that they feel

comfortable in their uniforms, as a repre-

sentative of the Scouting way. Which is not

always easy – on one hand Scouting culture

has a lot of specific touch points, and on the

other, the whole notion of “Leadership”

carries some daunting expectations.

That’s where training comes in. And

again, the summer offers an excellent

opportunity for new Leaders to take on

training. Of course we all know that Scouts

Canada has strict expectations in this

regard. Scouters should not be on the floor

with the youth until they have undertaken

the required training. On the bright side,

the modules are highly accessible, not

overly time-consuming and pretty

manageable in general. Training might be

seen by some as kind of a pain in the neck,

but really, it offers the benefit of a solid

grounding for all Leaders in Scouting.

As well, the summer is a good time to

ensure the police record checks are in

place and that the Leadership team is

properly screened, as well as trained.

But these are the well-understood

requirements that Scouts Canada regularly

communicates to all Leaders. So the point

here is really just one of timing. We’ve all

had the experience of a Scouting year that

starts in the fall in a state of disarray. New

Leaders looking a little perplexed, the

youth excited to be back but perhaps

lacking a bit of direction, parents wander-

ing in with forms and cheques and overall

a sense that the program will get underway

properly in the coming weeks.

So the other opportunity to recognize as

we head into the summer, is that now is the

time for program planning. We know how

the Leadership team is structured. We

know that the meetings will be starting in

September. So how about taking a bit of

time with the team, after the scheduled

Section meetings have ended, to plan for

the coming year?

Some groups meet over coffee. Some

meet over the Internet. The important thing

is to take the time to start the discussion

and make the plans. Certainly the rare quiet

times at camp can offer an opportunity for

the Leaders to share ideas about the coming

year. But it is easy to lose track of the

insights and decisions arrived at under the

stars or by the fire. There should be a

conscious decision to look at the year

ahead. To get things on the calendar. To

look at the program and decide which

activities might most appeal to the youth.

Again, Scouts Canada strongly encour-

ages Leaders to include the youth in

planning. So the first step may be to come

up with a list of questions or suggestions

for the section, and a plan to start this

Scouting year with a youth-inclusive

planning session. The Leadership team

can plan out the broad strokes and have a

good idea what the section should aim to

achieve. This will give the youth a frame-

work for contribution, and will ensure the

alignment of planned activities with

overall goals.

ONE BIG ADVANTAGE SPRING REGISTRATION IS THAT IT OPENS THE

SUMMER UP AS A TIME FOR PLANNING FOR ANOTHER GREAT SCOUTING

YEAR. WITH A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE CROSS-SECTION OF

YOUTH WHO WILL BE IN EACH SECTION, AND (JUST AS IMPORTANTLY)

WHICH LEADERS WILL BE IN PLACE FOR THOSE SECTIONS, SUMMER DOES

NOT HAVE TO BE SEEN AS IDLE TIME.


L’IMPORTANCE DE LA PLANIFICATION

UN DES GRANDS AVANTAGES DE L’INSCRIPTION DU PRINTEMPS EST

QU’ELLE NOUS DONNE TOUT L’ÉTÉ POUR PLANIFIER UNE AUTRE

FORMIDABLE ANNÉE DE SCOUTISME. SI NOUS CONNAISSONS D’AVANCE

LE NOMBRE DE JEUNES ET D’ANIMATEURS DANS CHAQUE SECTION,

NOUS POUVONS DÉJÀ COMMENCER À PLANIFIER ET L’ÉTÉ N’A PAS À ÊTRE

CONSIDÉRÉ COMME UN TEMPS MORT.

haque nouvelle année

apporte son lot de

surprises, certaines

choses demeurent,

chaque groupe a sa

propre façon de

planifier son pro-

gramme annuel, et

d’autres changent, par

exemple de nouvelles

idées d’activités et de sorties sont intégrées au

programme. Il y aura inévitablement des

animateurs qui changeront de sections pour

suivre leurs enfants, et chaque section aura son

lot de Baloos, de Bagheeras, d’Akela, de Pierre,

Jean et Jacques.

Dans tous les cas, les animateurs devront

en apprendre davantage sur la culture de la

section qu’ils ne connaissent peut être pas

beaucoup. Pour ceux qui se joignent aux scouts

castors pour la première fois, ou pour les

nouveaux bénévoles, la première étape consiste

à s’assurer qu’ils se sentent à l’aise dans leurs

uniformes comme représentants du

mouvement scout. Ce n’est pas toujours

évident, puisque d’un côté la culture du

scoutisme comporte de nombreux éléments

concrets et de l’autre, le leadership est une

notion plutôt abstraite et parfois effrayante.

C’est là où la formation entre en compte.

Une fois de plus, l’été est la saison idéale pour

que les nouveaux animateurs suivent leur

formation, et nous savons tous que Scouts

Canada a des attentes très élevées en la

matière. Les membres ne peuvent pas côtoyer

les jeunes avant d’avoir effectué la formation

requise. Mais rassurez-vous, les modules de

formation sont très accessibles, assez courts et

ils se font bien. Certains voient peut-être la

formation comme un désagrément, mais cette

dernière offre réellement une base solide à

tous les animateurs.

L’été c’est aussi un bon moment pour

s’assurer que toutes les vérifications des

dossiers de police sont à jour, que tous les

bénévoles de l’équipe répondent aux exigences

en matière de sélection et qu’ils sont formés.

Mais vous connaissez bien ces exigences

puisque vous recevez régulièrement des

messages de Scouts Canada à ce sujet.

L’objectif de cet article est de vous rappeler

qu’un bon emploi du temps est essentiel. Nous

avons tous déjà vécu un début d’année de

scoutisme un peu chaotique. Les nouveaux

animateurs qui sont un peu perplexes, les

jeunes qui sont tout excités d’être de retour,

mais qui manquent d’encadrement, les parents

qui arrivent avec des formulaires et des

chèques, et le sentiment que le programme

commencera réellement dans quelques

semaines.

L’été est donc le moment idéal pour

entreprendre la planification du programme.

Nous savons à quoi ressemble l’équipe

d’animateurs. Nous savons que les rencontres

commencent en septembre. Alors, pourquoi ne

pas passer du temps avec l’équipe

d’animateurs après que les rencontres de

l’année aient pris fin pour planifier l’année

suivante?

Certains groupes vont prendre un café, et

d’autres vont se rencontrer par Internet.

L’important c’est de prendre le temps de

commencer à discuter et à planifier. Les rares

temps morts au camp peuvent certainement

servir de moment pour partager des idées pour

l’année suivante, mais il est facile d’oublier les

décisions prises autour d’un feu de camp sous

les étoiles. Vous devriez tous vous mettre

d’accord pour entamer la planification de

l’année suivante. Vous devriez ensuite inscrire

les activités dans un calendrier et regarder le

programme pour déterminer les activités les

plus attrayantes pour les jeunes.

N’oubliez pas d’encourager vos jeunes à

participer activement à la planification. La

première étape consiste donc à faire une liste de

questions et de suggestions pour votre section

et à faire un plan pour l’année de scoutisme

avec une session de planification auquel les

jeunes prendront part. Cette façon de faire

permet aux jeunes de prendre part au processus

tout en assurant la pertinence des activités

prévues avec les objectifs généraux.



THE CHALLENGETeams will throw an egg the distance of the

length of their meeting room. The task is to

devise a way to protect it, and to keep it

from breaking.

Each Six or Patrol has to research and

consider various ways to package the egg to

survive impact. They must then implement

the design and have it ready for testing at an

assigned Pack or Troop meeting.

THE CRITERIAThis is a contest. Points are scored on the

following criteria:

• Whether or not the egg survives.

Although this is the first point, it is not

necessarily the most important. It is

possible for a team to win with a broken

egg. Keep reading!

• Research and scientific consideration.

What ideas were considered and

rejected, and on what basis?

• The elegance of the solution.

In engineering, how nice something

looks is of close secondary importance

to how well it works. Points are awarded

on the basis of how attractive, simple or

ingenious the solution is.

• Group participation.

Each team is also evaluated on the role

that each team member played in

arriving at the solution. This is not

about anyone working on their own – it

is about working together as a team.

TO WINTeams will have to:

• Think. Taking the time to really

consider as many solutions as possible.

• Research. They can’t expect to come up

with the best solution on the basis of

one person’s work.

• Share ideas. Everyone in the team is

expected to contribute ideas. Only one

will be selected. Team members will

need to listen to each other to decide

which is the best solution.

• Make the actual egg protection

system. Ideas are not enough. Teams

are expected to collect the materials

and implement the chosen solution.

PROGRAM

A STEM ACTIVITY:

The Existential Egg-Chucking Challenge


CANADIANS IN CROATIAIn July of 2012, six Venturer Scouts and two Advisors from

the 11th Toronto Venturer Scout Company traveled to

Croatia to be hosted for two weeks by The Poseidon Scout

Group from the city of Split. Together they joined 4 other

Scout Groups from other parts of Croatia for a 14 day camp

at the beautiful Plitvice National Park.

Over the stay, the Canadian Venturers participated fully

into the local program – eating and cooking Croatian meals,

sleeping in traditional Croatian military tents, attempting to

learn basic Croatian, and most of all, experiencing Croatian

culture. In addition to the national park, their host was also

kind enough to bring them on two sightseeing tours to the

cities of Zagreb and Split.

It was very sad for them to leave, as friendships had been

struck up, and life-long memories were beingmade. But

plans are in place for the Poseidon Group to visit Toronto in

the summer of 2014.

COMPANY


Date post:	18-Mar-2016
Category:	Documents
Upload:	moongate-publishing-inc
View:	218 times
Download:	1 times

Scouting life Summer 2013

Documents