OUTDOORS &
ADVENTURE

Scouting has always been about the outdoors,
and this year more than ever, Scouts embraced
that love. Scouts were adventurous and creative
in finding new ways to enjoy the outdoors while
staying apart and being safe.

GET OUT AND SCOUT

Getting back outdoors and connecting with nature is what Scouts do best.
Whether it’s canoeing across a serene lake, hiking a rugged trail or ziplining
through the tree-tops, you never know what new adventure awaits.

Great 8 Challenge

The Great 8 Challenge was rolled out in the spring of 2021 and was an opportunity to come together as a community,
from coast-to-coast, and to reinvigorate participation in Scouting, particularly as much of the country was re-entering
lock-downs due to the third wave.

The success of the eight-week challenge was unprecedented. Over 59,000 unique youth adventures were enjoyed with
over 60% of groups across Canada participating. It was truly a coast-to-coast phenomenon.

Supported by Les Stroud, aka Survivorman and his new book, Wild Outside, the Great 8 Challenge focused on fun and
engaging ways for both Scouters and youth to keep Scouting safely while also having tons of fun. From learning first  
aid and wayfinding to cooking with foraged ingredients, the themed adventures were something that kids looked  
forward to each week.

McGrath of 1st Fogo Harbour Lions group in Newfoundland

“Our Beavers and Cubs have been so excited about the challenges because we’re doing something different and they know they’re in a challenge with the rest of Canada,” Paula McGrath of 1st Fogo Harbour Lions group in Newfoundland.

1st Ridgetown Beavers attending a Great 8 Challenge session

“Thank you for putting together the Great 8 challenge… It is a huge help to the Scouters, some of whom have found meeting prep difficult in the COVID era.  Much appreciated, it's doing great by the kids - please know that every Scouter in 1st Ridgetown is extremely grateful.” Ed Stephens, 1st Ridgetown Beavers, Blenheim, ON

Week 1 Far Out Feast – 4th GFW Scouts

Tarp Troubles - 4th Burnaby Southwest Beavers

Week 2 Tarp Troubles - 4th Burnaby Southwest Beavers

The 392 Thornhill Muslim Scouts are walking a trail and enjoying the beautiful fall colours.

Week 3 Moose on the Loose - 1st Imperial Beavers

Week 4 Wayfinder Whiz- 116th NepeanEagles

Week 4 Wayfinder Whiz- 116th NepeanEagles

Week 5 Disaster Master – 1st Southfield

Week 5 Disaster Master – 1st Southfield

1st Lakeshore Ridge Venturer Company are shown climbing obstacles and challenges among the trees.

Week 6 Plant Pursuit – 1st Haney Scouts

Week 7 H2 Oh No! - 201 Endeavour

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Week 8 SOS Success – 10th Welland

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
BY THE NUMBERS

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YOUTH ADVENTURES

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BEAVER SCOUT ADVENTURES

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CUB
ADVENTURES

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SCOUT
ADVENTURES

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VENTURER SCOUT ADVENTURES

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ROVER SCOUT ADVENTURES

Beaver Scouts posing for the camera putting on a mask.

BEAVER ADVENTURES
-76th Burnaby Beavers

It’s easy to forget how big a deal the small things can be. The 76th
Burnaby’s day camp this summer at Camp McLean in Langley, BC,
were a reminder of that. At one end of the camp the Cub Pack spent
their day making paracord woggles, hiking, roasting marshmallows,
learning archery, practicing carving and trading in camp dollars for
prizes. At the other end the Beaver Colony found real beaver
markings on the local trees, learned to sew their badges, made an
A-Frame table, and roasted some marshmallows. At the end of the
day camp, one Beaver happily exclaimed, “This is the Best. Day.
Of. My. Life!”

36th Ottawa Cubs

CUB ADVENTURES
-36th Ottawa Cubs

Over the winter, Scouts from the 36th Ottawa Cubs put out a challenge to other Cub groups to get outside and clock some kilometers. Their challenge was to do one of the following: hike 50km, snow-shoe 50km, ski cross-country 100km, skate 75km or bike 200km by the end of March. Eleven other Cub groups joined the challenge and collectively they hiked 469km, skied 176kms and skated 142km! Way to get out and Scout!

1st Uxbridge Scouts

SCOUTS ADVENTURES
-1st Uxbridge Scouts

Even a pandemic can’t keep the Scouts from 1st Uxbridge from getting outside and Scouting! From hikes to fire permits, urban orienteering, stove and lantern permits, biking and tree-top trekking, the Scouts did it all!

1st Hastings Venturers

VENTURERS AND ROVER ADVENTURES
– 1st Hastings Venturers

1st Hastings Scouting had more than half of its youth members
participate in all of the Great 8 weekly challenges. This was
truly a challenge for some as they had to complete the
challenges on their own as the group was hosting
virtual meetings during this time. After some limitations
were removed, our Venturer Scouts were able to link
with 3 other groups to be able to go camping once
again. Not only did they get to camp, they also got
to go on a white-water rafting adventure which was
a first-time experience for them.

FAMILY ADVENTURE CAMP
@ SCOUT PROPERTIES

Scouts Canada was excited to launch it's first ever Family Adventure Camp at three properties this summer.
Due to pandemic restrictions in many provinces, traditional sleep-away camps for youth were suspended,
but instead of letting the properties sit idle, the Properties team leapt into action formulating a pilot
-project aimed at inviting family bubbles to camp at three of Scout Canada’s Properties. With a grant
from Canada Summer Jobs, over 50 staff were hired and programs were developed to let families
experience all the fun that Scouts Canada properties have to offer.

Camp samac

Camp Samac

Woodland Trails

Woodland Trails

Camp Opemikon

Camp Opemikon

The camp is excellent! Facility is good, staff is SUPER friendly, and the programs are engaging.Our kids (all Scouts) enjoyed the day very much and learned new skills. Also, the cost is extremely affordable, which makes the camp accessible to all Scouts in Canada. This is wonderful.” - Happy Camper Parent
We are still enroute home from camp, but wanted to reach out to thank you and the staff for an amazing time. We could not have asked for a better time away than we had this week. The cabin was what we expected from a Scout camp cabin and the activities were well thought out and COVID safe. The true shining stars are the people – there was not a single staff member who did not go above and beyond to make our week the best possible!” - Happy Camper Parent

SCOUT PROPERTIES

In other parts of the country, 25 Scouts Canada properties were able to open for day activities at some
point throughout the 2020-2021 Scouting year. Our youth and Scouters were eager to get back to
being outdoors and visiting Scout Properties to take part in hikes, campfires and other Scoutcraft.

Youth partcipated in summer LIT/CIT programs

0%

felt the property was well
prepared and equipped to
accommodate new COVID
safety protocols

The troop had a good day. They really enjoyed the ability to get out and do as much of camp like activities as possible. We are thankful that a place was open for us to use and explore during these trying times.”
The crew were INCREDIBLE. They were VERY friendly, super helpful, and were very accommodating. It made the visit extremely pleasant. Our Scouts were very, very happy to be back outdoors doing camp-like activities - we spent the whole day there!”
Camps

A NEW VISION FOR CAMPS

Building from the survey results collected in the summer of 2020, a series of Section-specific Focus Groups were facilitated in the fall and winter of 2020-21. These workshops sought to gain a better understanding of Sections’ unique needs, while also validating some of the key survey findings.

The combined insights from both engagements painted a clear picture that youth and Scouters across all Sections are looking for more support from our camps, both on and off our properties. Ultimately, members are looking for the support and tools they need to have the adventures they want:

  • Newer Scouters require more support to facilitate outdoor adventures than more experienced Scouters – across all Sections
  • Sections want more support for their Scouting adventures – specifically in facilitating the Outdoor Adventure Skills – both in their community and at camp
  • Sections want convenient access to Program Experts (lifeguards, climbing instructors, etc.) at a reasonable cost
  • For Colony/Pack, there’s no location that’s too close to home – closer the better – but atmosphere and ‘feeling’ like you’re in nature are key
  • Older Sections want backcountry camping support that is catered to their Section’s current level of confidence in the backcountry

These insights will help to guide Scouts Canada’s decision making around camps over the coming years, as we look to better support Sections’ outdoor adventures.