SCOUTING,
ALONG the PATH
By Scouter Mark Palmer
BRING
on the ADVENTURE
2006-2007 promises to be a year, never again equaled
in the history of the Scouting, for this year marks the
Centenary of the founding of Scouting globally. The eminent
and honourable Sir Robert Stephenson Smythe Baden-Powell
began the movement in 1907 in the United Kingdom.
Baden Powell, a career military man, had the
insight to be aware of the reality of the usefulness of
young men in military situations and in peacetime. During
much of BP's career, Great Britain was often in conflict
in the Colonies and it was in South Africa during the Boar
war that BP made use of village boys to run messages and
errands, light hundreds of night time campfires to fool
the enemy, send signals with mirrors and etc.
He formed boys into small patrols which
fostered leadership and camaraderie by learning to coexist
peacefully among themselves and the wildlife in their midst.
Respect for the environment was paramount. There was no
better example to follow than that BP himself. For environmental
purists, this was arguably, the beginning of eco-camping
albeit, without the technology and creature comforts we
employ today. BP found that boys working within these small
groups built character, leadership and taught them essential
survival skills.
Space
and broad reader interest limit me to a very brief dissertation
of the history of Scouting. Those wishing to delve deeper
into the above, there are several books written about and
by Baden Powell. Check the local library or the website
for Scouts Canada, www.scouts.ca.
A personal recommendation is; "Scouting for Boys" by the
old Scout himself. Initially it was written as a handbook
for the first scouts and while the text is dated and societal
attitudes have changed over ten decades it is, nonetheless
easy to read, pragmatic and humorous. I believe it to be
worth the price for the excellent hand drawn illustrations,
many of which are caricatures done by BP who was somewhat
of an artist and which served him well during his tour of
duty as an intelligent officer in the Mediterranean area.
This
book, as well as other Scouting books and items such as
uniforms and T shirts can be purchased through Scout Shops
in Sudbury sudburyshop@scouts.ca
(Orders are shipped the same day) or in Winnipeg at 395
Stafford St. winnipegshop@scouts.ca
These shops also stock camping equipment, craft items, Misty
Mountain clothes, neat socks for Beavers and Cubs, toques,
and other Christmas gift ideas.
Bring on the Adventure is the current Scouting's
marketing slogan and we work hard to keep the program exciting
and adventurous. Talk with the youth that are already members
of Beavers, Cubs or a Scout troop. Find out about the winter
sleepovers, outside, in February or the cars that are made
and raced out of blocks of wood, or the ice fishing around
Scout Island or the silly songs that Beavers sing.
Scouting is, and has been for many years,
open to youth of both genders. So there are girl Beavers,
Cubs and Scouts and female leadership at all levels. For
example Scouter Kelly Naaykens will be the primary Troop
Leader this Scouting year. She brings vast experience, enthusiasm,
dedication and discipline to the 3rd. Kenora Troop.
I personally invite and encourage everyone
to drop by our display at the Mass Registration Nights this
year. This is an opportunity to learn more about Scouts
Canada, meet some of the current members, learn about our
leadership program and if you wish, register your child.
For those who are renewing your child's registration, please
drop by.
Together, Let's "Bring on the Adventure".
Yours in Scouting,
Mark
