SCENES

Scouts Canada and SCENES

SCENES (Scout Centres of Excellence for Nature and Environment) provide an opportunity for Scouts to visit natural areas, engage in environmental education programs and experience first-hand environmental management in practice.

SCENES centres are operated and managed according to the highest environmental standards and are committed to protecting ecosystems and minimizing their environmental impact. They also provide hands-on educational activities for youth and training opportunities for leaders, enabling all to engage with nature and become empowered to make their own personal commitment to the environment.

SCENES is a network of locations throughout the world where Scouts can experience the three fundamental roles of Nature and the Environment in Scouting:

Education through Nature and the Environment
Learning about Nature and the Environment
Action for Nature and the Environment

Contact Us

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us.
The Canadian SCENES team can be reached by email at: scenes@scouts.ca.

The Worldwide Network

SCENES is a World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) initiative. There are currently 14 SCENES centres worldwide, in such diverse places at Costa Rica, Africa and the Swiss alps!

As a member of the Worldwide Network, Canada has played a role in the shaping of SCENES policies and in helping camps in other countries achieve accreditation. Canada has participated, and will continue to participate, in conferences where member countries of the Network share best practices and shape the future of camp environmental programming and management.

To read the Scenes charter and to learn about other SCENES centres, visit the SCENES web site.

Attawandaron Scout Reserve

Accredited in late 2014, Attawandaron Scout Reserve is Scouts Canada’s third SCENES Centre, which consists of 77 ha. (190 acres) of Oak Savanna forest and sand dune geology, which has become rare in North America. As a result, it contains a significant number of species at risk, designated by both the Ontario and Canadian Governments. Attawandaron is protecting the rare natural habitat, undertaking conservation measures where required and at the same time providing enriched outdoor and camping experiences for all Scouting ages, spring, summer, fall and winter.

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Haliburton Scout Reserve

Accredited in mid 2015, Haliburton Scout Reserve (HSR) is the fourth accredited SCENES Centre, which serves as Canada’s largest Scout camp, located in The Haliburton Highlands in Central Ontario. With one fifth (1/5) of the property, 1100ac (500ha), being water, the package of forest, 13 lakes and ponds, 13 sections of rivers and streams, 15 marshes, and 3 beaver ponds in varying stages of succession, provides wilderness homes for a large assortment of animals, fish, birds, insects, and a significant variety of trees, shrubs, and plants.

Blue Springs Scout Reserve

Accredited in 2005 and re-certified in 2008 and 2013, the Blue Springs Scout Reserve is Canada’s first SCENES centre, and one of the first worldwide.

Popular programs include: World Scout Environment Camps (where participants can earn the World Environmental Award and practice Leave No Trace camping), Eco-Spirit Hike (at the end of a hike, youth are asked to take an imaginative journey into the past where Spirit characters tell the story of how their lives intertwine with the natural), Spring Things & Flap Jacks (youth experience firsthand how trees are tapped for maple syrup and get to “HEAR” via stethoscopes the sap running through the trees, followed by a breakfast of Flap Jacks and syrup), Earth Hour Campfire, JOTT (Jamboree on the Trail) and Hammock Camp (where Scouts learn about very light weight camping, so as to minimize their impact on Nature).

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Camp Nemo

Accredited in 2008, Camp Nemo is the second Canadian SCENES centre and home to the Hencher Interpretive Centre for Outdoor Program (HICOP), a combination of nature, visitor and program centre. The Centre is staffed, on weekends, with trained youth and adult interpreters. It provides program opportunities for youth to earn relevant badges and awards and training for adult leaders. It is filled with displays and activities, centered on nature and environmental themes. It also provides activities such as guided interpretive hikes, bird box monitoring, environment monitoring, challenges, crafts and games.

Becoming a SCENES Centre

Interested in getting your camp accredited as a SCENES centre and joining the network? See the Canadian requirements for full details. After reviewing the requirements, contact us. We have a team of dedicated volunteers who will gladly share their experience and know how and help you achieve this important international accreditation.

Canadian SCENES Team

Marty Albert

Naturalist & Manager – HICOP

Mount Nemo Scout Camp, Battlefields Council — Hamilton, ON

Marty joined Scouts Canada as a leader in 1996. Outside of Scouting, Marty has served as a Maple Syrup Interpreter at the Arboretum at the University of Guelph and as the manager of the Nature Centre at Terra Cotta Conservation Area. While working with Environment Canada’s Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network Coordinating Office, he designed programs linking the Scouts Canada badge programs and Nature Watch Citizen Science Monitoring Protocols.

Marty presently serves as the lead Interpretive Naturalist and manager at the Hencher Interpretive Centre for Outdoor Program at Mount Nemo Scout Camp and continues to create and deliver new programs and activities connecting the natural sciences and the Scouts Canada badge program.

hencherguy@gmail.com

Christian Neilsen

Council Youth Commissioner

Saskatchewan, Regina, SK

Christian Nielsen currently enrolled as an engineering student at the University of Saskatchewan and has spent his formative years as a Cub Scout, Scout and as a Venturer Scout with groups within the Saskatchewan Council. Having served as an Activity Leader, a Scouter in Training, and as Area Youth Commissioner for Wascappelle Area he bring a wealth of knowledge to the committee. He currently is in his second year as Council Youth Commissioner for Saskatchewan Council and has spent many hours working with the national and provincial scouting youth networks, including time organizing and facilitating leadership training geared toward Scouts and Venturers. Recently Christian was awarded the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal.

saskcyc@scouts.ca

Stéphane Hogue

Deputy National Commissioner Camping

Hudson, QC

Stéphane Hogue, is a technical writer, photographer and explorer that never seems to spend enough time outdoors. His favourite places are the Canadian Rockies and the deserts of Utah. He loves organizing camps and activities, and one of his greatest joys is watching kids have fun. As a youth member of Scouts Canada, he earned his Chief Scout’s Award. As an adult member, he is a Scout leader. Stéphane lives in Hudson, Québec, with Scouter Karen and Scout Kyle.

stephanehogue@hotmail.com

John Edwards

DCC-Camps for Central Escarpment Council

Burlington, ON

John Edwards is retired from a career in Marketing with Nortel Networks. In Scouting, he has served as a Section Leader, Service Team, Trainer, District Commissioner, Council Commissioner and Treasurer, Provincial Council for Ontario. Contributions to Ontario Council included service as a Director and President of the Ontario Incorporated Body. John worked to accredit Blue Springs Scout Reserve as Scouts Canada’s fist WOSM- SCENES Centre. He continues to serve as a Deputy Council Commissioner – Camps, Central Escarpment Council and member of the National Property Committee.

jedwards@scouts.ca

Joseph Pepin

DCC-Properties for Quebec

Montreal, QC

Bio Coming

Alex Killby

Ottawa, ON

Alex Killby began Scouting in London Ontario with frequent weekend camps to Scouts Canada’s nearby Camp Sylvan, and has been in love with the Scout Camp experience ever since. Having worked closely with the programming team during his time at Kandersteg International Scout Centre (SCENES), Alex has gained a true appreciation for the unique programming potential at each camp brought on by an opportunity to learn about, protect, and engage youth with the local ecosystem. Alex is excited to be a member of the Scouts Canada SCENES Committee, and looks forward to the important task of realizing the ecological potential of each of our beautiful camps across Canada.

Gennesse Walker-Scace

Assistant National Youth Commissioner for Central Canada

Ottawa, ON

Gennesse Walker-Scace is currently the Assistant National Youth Commissioner for Central Canada. She has been a member of Scouts Canada since 2003, when she joined the 1st Victoria Harbour Cub Pack. Adventures in Scouting have played a monumental role in her life throughout grade school as a member of the Wye Marsh Scouts, Venturer Scouts and 4th Midland Company. The Wye Marsh is an education and wildlife rehabilitation centre and while in the Scouting group Gennesse worked learned about environmental stewardship while teaching members of the public about conservation. In secondary school she earned a Specialist High Skills Major in the environment, building upon her already strong sense of stewardship.

Upon graduation from secondary school the skills she learned in Scouting inspired her to enroll in Carleton University’s interdisciplinary Public Affairs and Policy Management degree program where she is learning how to write public policy for a changing Canadian landscape.

Now living in Ottawa, Gennesse is treasurer of the Rideau Area River Crew and is a Beaver Leader with a local colony. Her role as Assistant National Youth Commissioner provides her the pleasure to meet young-people from across Ontario and Quebec to capture their energy and ideas to further the scouting movement in Canada. She has enjoyed many memorable weekends at Mount Nemo Scout Camp, and is looking forward to applying her knowledge of Scouting and environmental education as a member of the SCENES Committee.

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Scouts Canada Charity Number: 107761694RR0028

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