Scouts Canada, the country’s leading youth organization, offers challenging programs for boys, girls and youth age 5-26 in thousands of individual groups in most cities and towns across Canada.
Scholarships
2012 Winners
Inspiring voices of young Scouts Canada Scholarship recipients
The following youth were selected based on their outstanding performance and achievements in the area of community involvement, Scouting involvement, academic performance, and their written essay. Demonstrating excellence in all areas in which they were evaluated, these youth will surely be among our dynamic leaders of tomorrow. Below are some excerpts from their essays.
Kaylee Galipeau (Edmonton)
Saying that Scouting has had a profound impact on my life is an understatement. Since the age of five, Scouting has been my safe place to grow, learn and discover who I am. Scouting values are present in all aspects of my life and I reap the benefits daily in the form of happiness, success and self-fulfillment. I’m incredibly grateful for what Scouting has given me.
Tina Hong (Richmond)
Scouting first showed me to share; then it transformed me to do my best; it has now evolved to being prepared. It has now grown to challenge, as the demanding leadership roles strengthen me to become a fearless and confident individual.
Jelaina Holroyd (Regina)
Scouting is an important part of my life as it has taught me valuable life lessons and led me to meet many new and interesting people. Through all of my various roles within Scouting I have learnt many important skills including leadership qualities, responsibility, optimism and patience.
Marissa West (Dartmouth)
Scouting is where I feel most at home and completely free to be myself; this feeling alone is invaluable. The value of Scouting in my life is enormous from the support it has given me, the unforgettable people it has introduced me to, and the many amazing opportunities I would not otherwise have had.
Chris Arsenault (Fredricton)
Finishing up my thirteenth year in the Scouting movement, I truly have nothing but fond memories of my time with Scouts Canada. Through these years in Scouting, I’ve become a confident, competent and well-rounded young man. There have been no better teachers in my life than Scouters.
Craig Hilborn (Guelph)
Naturally being an introvert, I keep to myself and stay within my own personal boundaries. [This changed] when I was introduced to Scouting. Soon friends and opportunities arose from the values instilled by the Scouting movement. I became a Medical Unit Volunteer, an editor of Canada’s largest student run journal, and am now a Scouter in training to allow others to learn what I learned.
Janice Leung (Richmond)
Scouting allowed me to create close friendships with other Scout members and leaders. It opened me up to possibilities that I had never considered before. Without Scouting, I would never have become the energetic and adventurous girl that I am today.
Patricia Smith (Kanata)
Scouting for me has been an endless stream of opportunities. Through Scouting I have had many new experiences, which otherwise, I would not have had. I got to go on trips to new places such as, Utah and Arizona in 2009 and Nunavut in 2012. Scouting has given me the opportunity to develop my leadership and group skills…and to me that means a lot.
Evelyn Lam (Scarborough)
Scouting has encouraged me to strive towards my full physical, social, intellectual and spiritual potential. Scouting has played an essential part in defining my moral views and character as a passionate and responsible individual.
Billy Yearington (Kanata)
Ever since I was a child, Scouting has been very important to me. It has provided me with the leadership opportunities to develop into a capable and respectful individual. Most importantly, Scouting has provided a basis of principles that I incorporate into my everyday life; being thoughtful, kind, and considerate, helping others, respecting myself, my family, and my friends.
William Graydon (Toronto)
[I have learned everything in Scouting] from social interaction, to outdoor skills, to oxygen administration. Scouting has been instrumental in shaping who I am today and I have every intention of continuing to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.
Sarah Klynkramer (Burlington)
I have grown up in a Scouting family, and I have met most of my closest friends in the program. My love and respect for people has grown greatly because of the work that we do together within Scouting. I would not be the person I am today if I had not had the Scouting experience.
Brad Schmermund (Edmonton)
To me Scouting has single-handedly shaped the person I am today. Through Scouting I have been able to travel across Canada, meet the King of Sweden, and have dinner with some of the most influential people in the world. Scouting has opened opportunities for me not just in Scouting; now as Council Youth Commissioner, I am helping youth gain the same invaluable experiences that I was given.
Geri Weir (Richmond)
Since joining Scouting, I went from a shy eleven year old to a loud, proud and skilled seventeen year old. [I have learnt many new skills, some I may not even be aware I possess] I am proud to be a Scout and to know what I know. The confidence, memories and friendships that I have gained shall follow me for the rest of my life.
Jessica Marcaulay (Calgary)
Scouting has provided me with real world experience that no classroom could have provided. Scouting not only provided me with the opportunity to travel, but has helped me to become a more well-rounded individual. I am a better person for having been involved in Scouting and I have benefitted substantially from the most important lesson of all – the value of giving back.
Evan Shelast (Calgary)
Scouting has taught me many things, but some of the most prominent ones are friendship, the value of [working together]…and that some things can be challenging, like climbing a mountain, but if you push yourself as hard as you can, you can do anything you believe in. Once you reach that summit, you will forever be grateful for not giving up.
