Letter from the NK3
Friends in Scouting,
As we look excitedly towards 2022–2023, we can credit the building blocks we all worked together to put in place in 2021–2022 for the renewed interest in Scouting we are seeing. We are immensely proud of all of you — the volunteers, employees, and most of all our youth members. This past year, we grew our membership by over 53% despite continued uncertainty regarding the pandemic. This means over 15,000 kids are benefiting from the Scouting movement for the very first time. We saw pockets of innovation where Groups finding new ways to allow youth to discover their passion through fun, outdoor adventures.
Andrew Price
Executive Commissioner and CEO
Justin Chenier
National Youth Commissioner
Stephen Loney
National Commissioner
Youth Members
Volunteers
Employees
Total Membership
Our Mission
To help develop well-rounded youth, better prepared for success in the world.
Our Vision
Canadian youth making a meaningful contribution to creating a better world.
Engaging more people in Scouts Canada's Mission
In 2021-2022, Scouts Canada launched a new strategic plan that aims to engage more people in Scouts Canada's Mission in different ways. A working group of Board members, staff and volunteers conducted an internal and external analysis to identify areas we can best contribute to communities across Canada. The plan was also informed by consultations with members.
We found that we have a great opportunity to deliver the mission in new ways and enhance our impact on the well-being of youth. The societal consequences of the pandemic have disproportionately impacted young people. The mental health of youth is in decline, with over 70% of children and youth reporting mental health symptoms.1 Youth were 62% less active outdoors at the height of the pandemic.2 School closures have resulted in low connectedness with peers and attainment of educational milestones and have had behavioural impacts.3
Families are overwhelmed, looking for ways to support their kids as they adjust to the post-pandemic world. They would like to see their kids outdoors more, interacting with friends and benefiting from nature. We are the best equipped to meet the needs of children and youth. When the pandemic hit, we kept on Scouting, providing our members with the ability to have fun outdoor experiences with their friends. We demonstrated that we are agile, adaptable, and committed to delivering the program. By centering around youth and leveraging our Scouting community, we can create a movement of happier, healthier youth that contributes to a better world.
Scouts Canada's Strategic Plan aims to do this by 2024 through four strategic pillars.
1,3 Sick Kids hospital
2 partcipACTION
The Four Strategic Pillars
The Strategic Plan is divided into 4 Pillars, each with its own focus, goals and initiatives. More information on each Pillar can be found in the Strategic Plan Overview document.
Strengthen Core Scouting Program
Deliver strong core Scouting programs through improved program quality and enhanced volunteer experience.
Engage Canadians in New Ways
Identify meaningful new ways to engage Canadians while leveraging brand attributes and core competencies.
Be Inclusive and pursue Indigenous Reconciliation
Identify opportunities to create a more inclusive organization and engage Indigenous communities in an authentic Reconciliation journey.
Unlock the Value of our Assets
Pursue strategies to unlock the value of properties in non-traditional ways.
Scouter Tim and Scouter Dave
Pillar 1: Strengthening Core Scouting program
We have focused on three main themes: program quality and outdoor adventures, and making it easier to volunteer. We've already developed program tools such as the Youth Challenges and the Grizzly Den that help support new and existing Scouters to deliver the type of programming that youth and parents are expecting from Scouts Canada. With the ability to return to outdoor events, we have begun delivering Scouter development days, “Scout-Cons” in many councils, to foster program knowledge within our volunteers. We have also begun work with Kotter to identify how to mobilize our committed team of over 12,000 on key behaviours and actions that will unlock the potential of Scouts to deliver on our mission. We look forward to working with our volunteers to pilot programs that will further this work throughout the next year.
Pillar 2: Engaging Canadians in New Ways
For this pillar, the National Service Centre has reorganized its internal structure to build a team that will begin market research and support this work. We are in the process of hiring a new Executive direct that will lead our Pillar 2 progress. In the meantime, Scouts Canada has been progressing the work by expanding its awareness across the country. In the spring and summer of 2022, Scouts Canada launched two very successful PR campaigns that expanded our reach and awareness into new markets with innovative surveys. Additionally, we saw tremendous success operating Summer Camp programs for over 2,000 youth. This work is laying the groundwork for reaching new markets.
Scouter Ashfaque
Kaelem Moniz
Pillar 3: Be Inclusive and Pursue Indigenous Reconciliation
In 2022 we have been building the framework to launch this work in 2023. We have hired the third party to audit our programming and make recommendations on how we can create a more inclusive Scouting movement. The results of the audit will be shared in 2023. In addition, we have on-boarded an Advisory Committee to help us shape our actions as they relate to Reconciliation, and we have developed a partnership with Raven Reads to continue our individual and Group level reflection on what it means to be an ally as it relates to Indigenous communities and other communities on our journey towards a more inclusive Scouts Canada movement.
Pillar 4: Unlocking Assets
This Pillar aims to leverage underused property assets to support the core of Scouts Canada's Mission. This can be accomplished by finding creative alternatives to selling properties and instead looking to generate revenue (through leasing, partnership, etc.) in new ways.
This year we kicked off our first pilots, aimed at testing some of the key strategies, including an application to rezone our National Office in Ottawa and the launch of three Expressions of Interest campaigns for underused camps in Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta. All the pilots have garnered a lot of interest in partnering with Scouts Canada.
Justin Chenier, National Youth Commissioner
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
Authentic Journey; Before Destination.
Scouts Canada is continuing to commit to living up to its values by being a diverse and inclusive organization that is welcoming to all Canadians.
YOUTH LEADERSHIP
Cultivating Canada's Next Generation of Leaders.
Scouting offers youth character-building qualities with youth leadership being one area where Scouts excel. Whether it's supporting frontline workers, organizing a fooddrive or supporting their own adventures, Scouts are leaders in our communities now and in the future.
OUTDOORS AND ADVENTURES
This is where Scouting thrives.
This year was all about getting outside and back to nature. The outdoors is where Scouting thrives; around the campfire, on the trail, in the backcountry or even in the local park. It was all about getting out to Scout.
SCOUTING COMMUNITY
A Community of Connection.
Scouts continue to demonstrate a remarkable ability to adapt to change. This year Scouts reunited again after a tough few years; reconnecting and making new friends, sharing stories, and getting back to “normal Scouting.” The Scouting Community this year focused and united like never before in unique challenges and favourite adventures.
SUPPORTING SCOUTING
Enabling Canada's Next Generation of Leaders!
Scouting is not just supported by great volunteers. Youth and their adventures are supported through the No One Left Behind program, national fundraising campaigns, and innovative group resources. Scouting would also not be possible without the support and generosity of our donors and partners.