Photos by Alamin Pirani
Guess What Canada...Over 400 Scouting youth from BC participated in the Closing Ceremonies! Here's what they thought:
“Being a participant from Scouts Canada in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Closing Ceremonies has definitely been an exciting experience. Many of my friends take interest and envy me for this opportunity to participate in the Closing Ceremonies. Without Scouting, I probably wouldn't be aware of this opportunity to be involved in the Olympics. After all, it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience! As a Scout, there are many skills and characteristics that we have developed through the process of earning badges, which may have helped us in preparation of the Vancouver 2010 Closing Ceremonies. Punctuality, responsibility, helpfulness, enthusiasm, leadership, and discipline are all significant factors in terms of putting together a great performance. I thought my experience in Scouting certainly helped me enhance those qualities and put them into use for the Closing Ceremonies."
- Crystal Wang, 1st Sea Dragons Sea Company, Vancouver, BC
" It feels great to be part of the Vancouver Closing Ceremony. I am proud of myself! Yes, Scouts taught me to be more responsible for what I am supposed to do for the performance. Scouts also taught me to listen well and respect the choreographer."
- Crystal Lam, 99th East Vancouver Venturer Company, Vancouver, BC
"In one word, amazing. To be picked by the Ceremonies people to participate in this once in a life time event is just simply amazing. Scouting has given me opportunities and adventures that would not have been regularly available to me. My leaders have encouraged me to step outside of the box and beyond my comfort zone. With my advisors' enthusiasm and support, I stepped outside my comfort zone by performing in a crowd of 1200 screaming and bouncing peers to a live audience of 60,000 and millions watching on TV."
- Zach Dallas, 6th Peace Arch Venturer Company, Surrey BC
"Being a part of the Closing Ceremony to me is a privilege that not many other people have. It makes me feel happy that I joined scouts in the first place. Being a Scout prepared me to be disciplined and listen attentively to the person in charge."
- Tobias Chau, 99th East Vancouver Scout Group, Vancouver, BC
"Performing in the Closing Ceremonies feels exhilarating because it is a once in a lifetime opportunity! It did prepare me for the great commitment that I have followed through with."
- Thomas Dolynuk, 21st South Surrey Company, Surrey, BC
“It makes me feel really special and really fortunate to be part of Scouts because without it, I would not be getting such amazing opportunities such as this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Being with so many Scouts, I had a lot of friends there and saw many of my other friends from different groups that I had not seen in a long time and to share this experience with them was exciting.
- Noorshan Nanji, age 17, 13th Burnaby Ismaili Venturer Company.
Being a part of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games has been amazing!! Knowing that only 1200 youth, of which 400 were Scouts, were chosen, made me feel extremely special and proud to be there. We were a part of a once in a lifetime opportunity that was given to us through our involvement in Scouting. Along with these great experiences/opportunities Scouting has helped me become a leader, achieve many other skills and overcome barriers that have made me mature and look at the world from a different perspective. Without Scouting, and the friendships I have made , my life would be really different. So to be in the Olympic Ceremonies, waiting to go on the stage, excitement in our bones, thrill in the air, was almost too much to handle. I have created great memories that will stay with me forever.
- Jamil Devsi, 13th Burnaby Ismaili Venturer Company
Canadian Alpine Team
“It’s a dream come true for our athletes to compete against the best in the world at an Olympic Winter Games on home soil. We sincerely appreciate that Scouts Canada is cheering us on in Whistler. The athletes of the Canadian Alpine Team wish each of you the best of luck in pursuit of your own goals and dreams.”
Canadian Figure Skating Team
"Thanks for all the support from everyone in Scouts Canada! Just as you challenge yourselves to do your very best as Scouts, so we strive to do the very best we can as athletes. We are proud to be representing Canada, and hope you all enjoy watching the figure skating events."
Canadian Snowboard Team
“Thanks to all Scouts for the support you have in us! We share a common goal in reaching excellence in all of what we do. Our path to the 2010 Games has not been easy at all times, and when challenged, just like you, we have come out stronger at every opportunity. Seize the moment, pursue the dream, and especially enjoy life as it comes.”
On the Road to the Olympics - Scouts Canada Members carry the Flame
The Olympic Flame inspired many Scouting members, both young and old, to take part and carry the Flame across Canada. Here are just a few of their stories. Send your story to smuehlherr@scouts.ca to be included.
The Winter Olympics and Scouting
Scout-Guide Week & the Olympics
New Brunswick takes part
New Brunswick Beaver Plaque
Ottawa Torchbearer Experience
Promoting Scouting Ideals in Kanata
Excitement in Arnprior Ontario
1st Blackburn Beavers Hold the Torch
Torch Excitement for St. Catharines Group
Sudbury Scouting Torch Run
Shilo MB Winter Camp
Four Minutes in Calgary
Calgary Olympic Flame Ceremony Video
Jivin' in Lethbridge
Kitsumkalum BC First Nations Torch Run
1st Gibson Scouts, BC, were There
Sharing the Experience at Whistler and Beyond