Scout Talk

B7

By Paul Murray

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The Scouts Canada mission statement says, "to contribute to the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential as individuals, as responsible citizens, and as members of their local, national, and international communities, through the application of our Principles and Practices."

How is this achieved? By giving the youth registered in the Scouts Canada youth sections as many opportunities to experience and take part in events and activities as possible.

In today's fast paced society, one would think that our youth have seen and experienced all there is to experience.

Travel has no longer has any boundaries, as many parents regularly take their children to Moncton or Saint John to take part in activities. With text messaging and cell phones, we are in constant communication with each other. This is why it is so foreign when a child expresses amazement at things we take for granted.

A Sussex-area Cub pack recently spent a weekend camping at a Scouts Canada facility on the western shore of Prince Edward Island. Many of the Cubs had never been out of New Brunswick, or traveled over the Confederation Bridge. Many youth who have been on group fishing trips had never fished before. The trip last summer to the jamboree in Quebec was indeed a grand experience for several scouts. Many youth have experienced overnight camping for the first time while in scouting. Canoeing, archery, snow shoeing and skeet shooting are all activities that the youth in Scouts Canada programs will have a chance to take part in.

Taking part in community events such as the Remembrance Day ceremonies, clean up days, and local festivities and parades, are important in helping our youth take pride in our local communities. Connecting with outside groups, like Ducks Unlimited, Fundy Model Forest, and Department of Natural Resources, helps the youth learn about nature and the environment. Other activities, like attending weekly meetings, keeping the uniform neat, earning badges, keeping attendance records, and learning first aid are as important as the outdoor part of the program.

It is always a challenge to the leaders to keep coming up with new ideas to keep the scouting youth interested in the programs, and keep them coming back for more. These experiences, coupled with what the youth learn while involved in other activities, will help shape the into well rounded complete adults.

Lloyd Keirstead's three-year term as area commissioner for Fundy East Area is over and Lloyd has accepted a position on the New Brunswick Council as deputy council commissioner for youth.

Lloyd has been responsible for the growth of many of the groups in the area, holding parent meetings and training new leaders. But Lloyd is having a problem recruiting a replacement as area commissioner. If anyone is interested in this position, contact him at 433-5326.