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Summer is Finally Here!

It’s the lazy days of summer, right?  Wrong!  Summer is the best time to get out and Scout and there’s so much going on that it’s going to be one jammed-packed season!  We’re right in the middle of the Great 8 Challenge and there’s still four more weeks of fun to go! 

This edition of the Woggle has a little bit of everything – great summer programming tips and ideas; tick and Lyme disease resources for staying safe on the trail; more fantastic Scouter sessions throughout the month and even a cool little campfire Scouting tradition you can start with your Section or family this summer. 

And don’t forget, we’d love to hear from you and get your ideas for the next edition.  Make sure to drop us a line and complete the quick poll to let us know how we’re doing.

Feature

Tick Season is Here — Are You Ready?

To help youth and families in Canada be prepared on the trail this summer, Scouts Canada has teamed up with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to raise awareness of tick and Lyme disease.

Ticks can be found throughout Canada, but are particularly prevalent in the eastern regions, mainly Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.  Identifying ticks, removing them and understanding tick bites and their association with Lyme disease are all important factors to enjoying the great outdoors safely this summer.  

 

Did you know:

Lyme disease, is named after the town of Lyme, Connecticut.  In the early 1970s adults and children in the area were suffering from puzzling health issues, including swollen knees, skin rashes, headaches, paralysis and severe chronic fatigue.  Labelling this new affliction Lyme disease in mid 1970s, it was only in 1981 did the connection between deer ticks and the disease become apparent.  Researchers discovered that the ticks were carrying a bacterium called spirochete (Borrelia burgdorferi) which was causing the disease. 

 

Did you know:

There are two types of ticks in Canada that can carry Lyme disease:

  • The blacklegged tick (or deer tick, Ixodes scapularis) in southeastern and south-central regions of Canada  (Image 1)
  • Western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus) in British Columbia. (Image 2)

Image 1

Image 2

What are the early symptoms of Lyme disease?

Early signs and symptoms of Lyme disease may include: 

  • Rash, sometimes shaped like a bull's eye
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Headache
  • Fatigue 
  • Muscle and joing aches
  • Swollen lymph nodes

Consult your health care provider right away if you develop symptoms of Lyme disease after being bitten by a tick or if you visited a known ‘at risk’ area for Lyme disease. The earlier a diagnosis is made, the greater the chance of a successful treatment. 

If you saved the tick that bit you, bring it to your medical appointment. Tell your doctor: 

  • How long you estimate that the tick was attached to you
  • Where you were when you were bitten by the tick

Here are just some ways to help prevent tick bites this summer:

  • Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and pants to spot ticks more easily
  • Tuck your shirt into your pants, and pull your socks over your pant legs
  • Use bug spray containing DEET or Icaridin on your skin and clothing (always follow the directions on the label)
  • Walk on cleared paths or walkways
  • Do a daily full-body check for ticks on yourself and your children, especially in the hair, under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs and around the waist

Scouts Canada and PHAC have developed a comprehensive program designed to help Scouting youth and their families understand more about ticks and Lyme disease, including:

 

  • Recognizing ticks and the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease
  • Increasing awareness around climate change and how this can affect tick populations and tick migration
  • Connecting ticks and Lyme disease to the Earth & Science Personal Achievement Badges (PAB) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
  • Providing additional resources for further learning, bite prevention and safety tips
  • Enjoying the outdoors safely this summer!

Learn more about tick and Lyme disease by checking out these great resources. 

 

For even more information on ticks and Lyme disease, visit PHAC’s website at http://www.canada.ca/Lymedisease

Scouters can find a Tick and Lyme disease module on the David Heustis Learning Center and can learn in-depth information on ticks, Lyme disease and prevention.  

What's New

Calling all popcorn lovers!

The Scout Popcorn campaign is in full swing.  If your Group hasn’t registered, don’t worry it’s not too late.  Head over to the Scout Popcorn page and find all the information and resources you need to start fundraising today.  And remember, Scout Popcorn is nut-free, gluten-free, and a product of Canada. Plus, each bag raises funds for your local Scouts. So, what’s not to love? Buy Scout Popcorn and help fund adventures for your local Scouts!

More Information

ScoutCon Spring 2021 Continues!

Don’t forget, ScoutCon sessions continue all season long.  From May to mid-June Scouter-focused sessions on everything from STEM Activity ideas, to specialized Skills Nights and of course Scouter Mug-Ups are planned every week.  To see a list of all the events, head to the National Calendar, but in the mean time here are few worth exploring: 

Scouters who have attended virtual webinars throughout Spring into Adventure ScoutCon can now pre-order their ScoutCon Crest at scoutshop.ca 

*Pre-order deadline is Sunday, May 30th at 11:59 pm PT. 

Mental Health Resources

Do you have youth in your section that are struggling with their mental health or challenging behaviours? Do you need some help on how to handle this? What resources and strategies can you use? 

Learning Outcomes: 

  • Increased understanding 
  • Change perception and approach when working with that “difficult” youth 
  • Practical, concrete techniques/strategies for managing groups of diverse and active youth 
  • Knowledge of support and resources that are available 

For more information visit the ScoutCon Portal on the David Huestis Learning Center on MyScouts.ca. 

Join the Dealing with Challenging Behaviour Webinar on June 8th at 8 pm EST. 

 

World Scout Moot 2022 — Ireland

It may be over a year away, but we all need something to look forward to.  Make sure to spread the word to Rovers in your section about next year’s World Scout Moot.

Join the Canadian Contingent in Ireland for the from July 18-28, 2022 in Dublin, Ireland. It’s going to be 10 days of pure awesomeness! Check out the website for more information!

 

More Info

Family Adventure Camp — 2021

Scouts Canada is thrilled to be launching a new pilot-program this summer that will allow family bubbles to enjoy three of Scouts Canada’s amazing camp properties. Our Scouting families have expressed their strong connection to summer camps and working with provincial and municipal authorities, we are proud to be delivering this exciting new camping experience the whole family can enjoy.  The three properties taking part in this new adventure include:

  • Camp Opemikon — Maberly, ON
  • Camp Samac — Oshawa, ON
  • Woodland Trails Camp — Whitchurch-Stouffville, ON

 

Find out More

Program: Summer

Summer is a great time to get outside! It’s a fantastic way to get your youth to stay engaged in the program and want to continue on in September.

It doesn’t have to be weekly meetings it could be once per month or more!

Try meeting for a picnic in the park, have a beach day, meet at the spray park, plan a hike or mini Olympics Day. Staying connected is the most important.

What a better way to really enjoy warm weather and great fun with friends. Take advantage of all that Summer offers.

Here are some great activities that you can try with your sections.

Spring Season Icon

Top 6 Summer Tips!

  • SUN! Remember sunscreen- make sure that it is applied to all exposed skin. It should be reapplied regularly throughout the day.
  • BUGS! Bugs love Summer too! Make sure to carry and use bug spray. Keep those bugs off!
  • TICKS! Know how to remove ticks if you live in an area that they are endemic. Check out our Scouter tip and Ticks you Off
  • HEAD! Remember you still need to protect your head even in Summer, Use those bike helmets, street hockey helmets.
  • H2O! Stay hydrated. It is easy y to get dehydrated in the sun, make sure to drink lots of water and know the signs of heat stroke.
  • LEAVE NO TRACE! Camping is a great way to get out with your family or section (depending of Provincial Guidelines) in the Summer. Always be aware of wild animals. We are sharing their home so remember to Leave No Trace.

The Value of Incident Reporting

3 Quick Case Studies + Tips

There is strength in Scouts Canada's Safety Incident Report numbers. Beyond liability coverage and ensuring that policies and procedures were followed, there are valuable lessons learned when reviewing incidents. Incident reports are crucial in identifying injury trends. The information that Scouters provide in the review process is critical to learning from incidents and helping us be better prepared to prevent similar incidents in the future. 

Cuts remain the most frequent injury according to recent incident reports. Here are three case studies that demonstrate how incident report improves safety. 


Case Study #1

A Troop was enjoying a day of fun-filled adventures outdoors. The day’s activities included working on the Scouts’ axe skills (to obtain axe and knife permits) a break for lunch, and then a scavenger hunt. After the organized axe skill activity and lunch, the youth spread out to complete a scavenger hunt, taking their axes along with them. During the scavenger hunt, away from the close supervision of Scouters, one Scout removed his axe from its sheath and swung at a log. He missed the log and the blade of the axe hit his knee, causing a wound. Scouters administered first aid, but it was determined that the youth needed to be transported to the nearby hospital, where he received three stitches to close the wound


Scouter Dave's Tip for Success in Safety

Dave is an active Scouts Canada member and contributes to the volunteer Incident Review Team. He reviewed this incident and suggested, "Scouters should consider storing hatchets and knives from Scouts while playing games. This is particularly true if the Scouts have not obtained their axe & knife permit, or if the Scouts have not demonstrated a consistent level of maturity and self-discipline. These tools could be stored in day packs or at a main camp site."

Case Study #2

Before a whittling activity, a Troop held a safety moment prior to starting. As the activity was underway, Scouters circulated the space to provide guidance and ensure safe use of the knives. A first-year Scout received a minor cut to his thumb.


Scouter Mike's Tip for Success in Safety

After the incident, Scouter Mike and the Group included some great insight in the review of the incident. "Many are so eager to earn their knife permits even if they don't have their own knife, that they want to borrow someone else's, or use a knife that might not be entirely appropriate. Borrowing someone else's knife won't show us they know how to use their knife. Many times they won't know how to properly close someone else's knife since they are not used to it. [In our Pack], if a Cub Scout gets a new knife, they need to re-earn their knife permit with their new knife."

Case Study #3

During a knife safety session, Cubs were practicing their skills by whittling sticks. A youth who was newly developing their knife skills, sustained a cut to their finger. 


Scouter Tony, Nora, and Richard's Tip for Success in Safety

Pack Scouters Richard, Tony and Nora reviewed the incident and shared their findings with Safe Scouting. They suggest, "Help youth who are developing their knife skills to avoid knots in the wooden material either by breaking the part of the stick with the knot off, or to whittle the knot down for them before the activity. Knives should also be sharp to make whittling easier and safer."

Around the Campfire

A Scout Tradition: Campfire Ashes

Want to be part of a Scouting tradition? Make a container to carry campfire ashes and start carrying your campfire ashes from one fire to another — each time you add ashes to a campfire, you’re adding your own memories into the fire. 

Campfire ashes are a Scouting tradition that dates back years — maybe even to Lord Baden-Powell himself! Scouts collect cooled campfire ashes the morning after a campfire – they then store them in a small container like a film canister or pill bottle and saved them until their next campfire. Then, when their next campfire is burning, they’ll add their ashes – by adding their ashes, they connect their current campfire to their last one, and to any campfires whose ashes were added to the last one. 

You can make your own campfire ash container using a old film canister, pill bottle or another small container with a secure lid. Decorate your container using beads, stickers or anything else that will make it unique to you. Next time you’re at camp, collect cool ashes from a campfire (if your campfire is in the evening, you should wait until the next morning to be safe). Add your ashes to any future campfires you attend, and don’t forget to collect cool ashes afterwards! 

The Individual, Tiny and Homemade BBQ Grill

Spring has sprung… so what does that mean? It’s time to get grilling and make delicious meals for your adventures!

As a first step, grab some of your favourite foods that you love on the BBQ. Hamburgers? Veggie Dogs? Corn on the cob? Pineapple rings? Next, build your own miniature (and disposable) BBQ grill to practice your grilling skills and make your grilled favourites! 

To build your mini-BBQ, you’ll need:

  • 2 aluminum bread pans
  • A wire clothes hanger
  • A sheet of sandpaper
  • A pair of pliers
  • 3 small binder clips
  • A pocketknife or multi-tool – with supervision from an adult!
  • Small metal shovel or spade – for hot coals
  • Fire gloves/protection
  • Tongs – to flip your grilled foods! 

You can use hot coals from your campfire by scooping them from the bottom of a lit (controlled) fire and transferring them to your mini-BBQ. If you’re not around the campfire, your mini-BBQ should also hold 3 charcoal briquettes.

Before adding your coals, make sure it is on a heat resistant surface (like a brick or rock). Once the coals are hot, you're ready to grill. You might think your BBQ is small, but it still gets extremely hot. Stay safe and enjoy!

Check out this Homemade Tiny BBQ Grill video for step-by-step instructions!

Calendar Icon

Mark your Calendars

May — Tick and Lyme Disease Awareness Month

May 17The Senate Series

May 21 — World Day of Cultural Diversity

May 23-30 — National Paddling Week

May 30-June 5 — Safe Kids Week

June — Pride Month

June 3 — World Bicycle Day

June 5 — Trails Day

June 5 — World Environment Day

June 21 — National Indigenous Peoples Day

July 1 — Canada Day!

August 1 — National Mountain Climbing Day

August 1 — Necker Day 

August 12 — International Youth Day

#ScoutsDoStuff

#ScoutsDoStuff: the Great 8 Challenge, #SurviveWithLes EDITION! 

We’re a little bummed to be seeing snow in the Summer Edition of the Woggle, but this video by the Saskatchewan Service Corps Group Rovers is too good not to share!  They’re really getting into the Great 8 Challenge, but is that really Saskatchewan..?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/saskscouting/

 




Tag @scoutscanada in your #ScoutsDoStuff pics for your chance to be featured in our next edition of The Woggle

Fundraising Round-Up

The second year of Scouts Seeds was an amazing success!  Over 320 Groups/Sections participated, selling over $217,000 worth of products.  Groups profits totaled $69,606 with the NOLB program also receiving over $29,000.

 

Top 5 Group Sales

Group Amount
1st Ridgetown Scouts $4425
Temiskaming Shores Scouts $4345
15th Sudbury $3380
Saskatchewan Service Corps $2995
1st Barrhead Scouts $2415

Top 5 Youth

Youth, Group Amount
Aubri, Cali and Blake — 1st Napanee Valley $1500
Ryan — Saskatchewan Service Corps $1185
Harley — 1st Parrsboro Scouts $785
Jaelen — 4-13th Whitby $555
Raiden — 68th Toronto Scouts $505

Coming up in the Next Edition of The Woggle

Are you having fun participating in the Great 8 Challenge?

We’ve got another fantastic, interactive and youth-led challenge coming this fall. More details coming soon!


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