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Welcome to Scout Scene! Scouts Canada’s National quarterly newsletter. In each edition, we’ll share updates on fundraising, national initiatives and highlight some of the great partnerships that help support Scouting youth across this great country. 

Creating Next Level Adventures Across Ontario!

Grizzly Den Bear LogoOver the next year, Groups and Sections from across Ontario will be taking their Scouting adventures to the next level, thanks to the generous support of Hydro One and the new Grizzly Den program. This one-year program offers Scouting youth in Ontario the chance to level-up their Scouting adventures with extra funding, elevating the outdoor Scouting spirit to new heights. 

Launched in the spring of 2022, the Grizzly Den allowed Groups and Sections to dream big — and really up their Scouting game.  Youth in all Councils in Ontario had the opportunity to apply to the Grizzly Den where they would ‘pitch’ their planned adventures to the ‘Grizzlies’ — a group of seasoned Scouters, including Chief Scout Les Stroud — for the opportunity to receive extra funding for their adventure. Hydro One’s generous support of $220,000 in funding, meant groups from all across the province had the chance to receive a portion of funding for their planned adventure.

The response to the program was overwhelming! Close to one hundred Scouting groups from across the province submitted applications and pitched their adventure ideas! And there was no shortage of fantastic ideas! Groups took the ‘dream big’ concept to heart and wowed the Grizzlies with all kinds of fantastic adventure ideas. 

The judging wrapped up at the beginning of June, with over 70 Sections/Groups across Ontario receiving funding for their planned adventure. That translates to over 1,200 youth getting to experience new, amazing and memorable adventures through Scouting. 

So, what kind of adventures do Groups have planned? Well, here are just some of the amazing adventures that the Grizzly Den program will be funding this year:

  • 15th Fort William Scouts — Northern Ontario ice climbing adventure.
  • 57th Catherine Scouts — 4 day back-country canoe/kayak trip in North Frontenac.
  • 27th Guelph Beavers — visiting the dinosaurs at the ROM and an overnight ‘camp’ at Ripley’s Aquarium.
  • 35th Tecumseh Cubs — a 20KM paddling trip on the Thames River in Ontario.
  • 1st Drummond Venturers — mountain adventure in Banff National Park.

For the full list of funding recipients check out the Grizzly Den page. And be sure to follow Scouts Canada on social media as we’ll be highlighting some of the great Grizzly Den adventures over the next year! 

Scouts Participate in Climate Change Discussion with Canadian Prime Minister and Chilean President

On June 6th high school students along with 15 Venturer and Rover Scouts were invited to participate in a discussion on the environment, climate change, leadership, democracy and gender equality with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Chilean President Gabriel Boric at the Museum of Nature in Ottawa. It was an exciting opportunity for all the youth involved who were able to ask their questions about climate change plans and initiatives directly to these world leaders.

Questions ranged from: Is Canada doing enough with our current climate plan, to what environmental initiatives within Chile have worked well. For the attending Venturer and Rover Scouts, it was a unique and memorable experience and connects directly to the Citizenship component of the Canadian Path and the program’s emphasis on environment stewardship! 

Inclusion + Reconciliation Journey

A core part of our commitment to Inclusion, anti-racism, and Reconciliation involves close evaluation of our Scouting history and current practices to understand where and how we can make Scouting truly inclusive. By addressing our own system and structure, we create a better environment for inclusion and diversity to thrive for all. 

As we build awareness and acknowledgement of our history, we are grateful to our Reconciliation Advisors, who have started to provide insight and guidance for our Scouting community, and local and personal pathways of Reconciliation.

We are excited for the opportunity to genuinely recognize Indigenous History Month and hear from Scouts Canada’s newly assembled Indigenous Reconciliation Steering Committee.  Given where Scouts Canada is in its Reconciliation journey and relationship with First Nations, Inuit and Métis (FNIM) communities, here are some great ways you can start to make a difference.  Read the full Guidance from our Reconciliation Advisors, including additional resources.

Scouts Canada team with Raven Reads

We are also excited to be teaming up with Raven Reads to provide curated resources for our Sections across the country. This is an amazing opportunity to support Indigenous-led businesses and authors! Learn more about this new partnership and about the Raven Reads program.

Scouts Canada Scholarships — Deadline Extended

The deadline to apply for a Scouts Canada Scholarship has been extended to July 1, 2022. The Scholarship Program is a stepping-stone toward evolving the lives of today’s youth into the well-rounded, motivated adults of tomorrow. Scholarships are awarded to Scouting youth who have demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities, and a desire to create a better world.

To learn more about scholarships — visit the Scouts Canada Scholarship page. Good luck! 

Summer Day Camps — Openings Still Available!

Scouts Canada is excited to once again be offering Summer Day Camps at three of Scouts Canada properties: Woodland Trails (ON)Camp Samac (ON) and Camp McLean (BC). Day programs generally start the first week of July and wrap up the last week of August — but be sure to check out each camp’s webpage for exact details as weeks are selling out fast!

Also, Woodland Trails is offering Family Weekend Camp — getaway with your family and experience the fun of camping at a Scouts Canada property. All the details are online. 

Have you heard of Hipcamp?

Looking for new and unique outdoor camping experiences? Have you heard of Hipcamp? Founded in 2013, Hipcamp is the most comprehensive resource for unique outdoor stays — everything from tent camping, RV parks, cabins, treehouses and even glamping! Scouts Canada and Hipcamp are teaming up for some exciting fall camping options for Sections across the country, but in the meantime, be sure to check out Hipcamp for some truly unique outdoor camping experiences this summer.  

Hipcamp Logo

Scouts Canada & Chilly Moose: Supporting Sustainability

Scouts Canada & Chilly Moose are teaming up for sustainability and taking a stand for our planet.  As part of Scouts Canada’s Scouts for Sustainability initiative, this partnership is encouraging Scouting Sections across the country to incorporate Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into their weekly programming. 

What are Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?  The SDGs are part of the United Nation’s shared blueprint for peace and prosperity and are comprised of 17 key areas of action for all countries to strive towards.  Some of the SDGS include: #6 Clean Water and Sanitation#11 Sustainable Communities and #13 Climate Action.  In 2020 Scouts Canada launched its Scouts for Sustainability Program with a goal of incorporating more SDGs into to regular weekly programming.  The SDGs tie in well with the Canadian Path and empower youth to make a difference by encouraging adventures with an impact! 

As part of this partnership with Chilly Moose, Groups who participate are encouraged to submit their activities on the Take Action page which helps to show the impact Scouting groups are having across Canada!  Groups and Sections have the chance to win amazing, high-quality Chilly Moose prizes along with the chance to win one of three grand prizes of $1200 worth of quality Chilly Moose gear.

So, whether it’s a shore clean up (SDG #14), building bee hotels (SDG #15) or supporting a food drive (SDG #2) it’s all about working together to create a better world and build a brighter future for us all.

 

Fill Up on Scout Coffee & Support a Great Cause

Are you a flavoured-iced-coffee-in-the-summer type of person or do you enjoy a warm cup of delicious coffee in the morning year-round?

No matter how you like your coffee this time of year, fill up on some seriously good Scout Coffee — whether you are spending time at a cottage, hitting the open road or simply relaxing in your backyard.

Remember, 5% of all Scout Coffee sales will directly support our No One Left Behind program.

Buy Scout Coffee

Scouts Seeds By the Numbers

Pumpkins, tomatoes, beans, carrots and more – gardens throughout Canada will soon be sprouting their bounty, all in support of great Scouting adventures. This was the third year for the Scouts Seeds fundraiser and it was another great success!

  • Campaign Dates: February 1 to March 31, 2022
  • 291 Groups/Sections participated
  • Over $24K went directly to participating groups
  • The No One Left Behind fund received $14K
  • Over 600 trees will be planted as part of our partnership with Make It Sow, our Scouts Seed supplier.

Registration Change for World Scout Jamboree in South Korea 2023

Thinking about going to the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea? Due to changes from the World Jamboree Organizing Committee from South Korea, we are having to push up our registration date to SEPTEMBER 15, 2022, much earlier than we were expecting.

Anyone wanting to register after September 15 will be put on a waiting list. One of two things may happen. If there are withdrawals, youth will substitute for youth and ISTs for ISTs. If South Korea has additional openings, we will add the wait listed youth or IST. Priority will be given to youth. There will be some late fees involved and we will explain this on the website along with the requirement for catch up/balloon payments. For more information, visit our FAQ page on our website at https://www.scouts.ca/wj23/faq.html or visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CanadaWJ2023

Don’t miss out and register today! 

 

REGISTER HERE

Consider a Legacy Gift

Creating a legacy gift as part of will planning is a generous and thoughtful way to provide a lasting impact.  Your legacy gift could help Scouts Canada create more exciting opportunities and new programs to help youth discover their true potential. 

 

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Corporate Partnership

When you partner with Scouts Canada you demonstrate to Canadians, your community and your customers a commitment to youth, families and the future of Canada.  Impact over 75K households across Canada, directly connect with over 56K Canadian youth with a proven media reach of over 30 million impressions annually. 

 

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