Youth Leadership: Overview

Youth-led is one of the Four Elements of the Canadian Path program.

Our Scouting journey on the Canadian Path begins with Youth-led, one of the Four Elements of the program.

Through Youth-led programming, young people gain leadership skills by leading their peers on meaningful adventures. In addition to our Youth-led approach on The Canadian Path, Scouting offers opportunities across Canada for youth to gain real-world experience in leading roles that involve decision-making on the Area, Council and National level. Through such roles, youth can further develop their resumes and skillsets, further preparing them for success in the world.

Tooltip: The Canadian Path program is the way Scouting is done in Canada, offering youth aged 5 to 26 an opportunity to experience new things, have more adventures and develop into confident and capable individuals, better prepared for success in the world.

Annabelle first joined Scouts Canada at the age of six as a Beaver Scout in Nova Scotia.

National Youth Network

The National Youth Network represents the best and brightest Scouts Canada youth leaders from across the country. Consisting of each Council Youth Commissioner, three Assistant National Youth Commissioners and chaired by the National Youth Commissioner.

Together, the National Youth Network:

Ensures meaningful youth involvement in all Scouts Canada decisions

Provides direction in all areas of youth programming

Facilitates coordination with council youth networks

Encourages youth to take on leadership roles at all levels of the organization

Learn more about the Network

Meet Youth Representatives

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As Scouts, the program leads us on our journey to become the best we can be. And with a focus on Youth-led planning and adventures, we are limited only by the boundaries of our imagination. It is a fun, hands-on learning experience where you can discover your potential in a safe, adventurous and inclusive way.

Kaelem Moniz, Scouting Youth

Scouting has taught my son so many skills and given him opportunities to try so many great adventures! I’d highly recommend the program to any parent who is looking for a value-packed, fun, challenging and diverse program where they can participate with their child.

Kathleen Lehman, Scouting Parent

My greatest Scouting memories are all coupled with first experiences. Sleeping in a tent for the first time, my first campfire, participating in two Canadian Jamborees; the first one allowing me to travel on a plane, alone, for the first time. All these experiences are things that I cherish and enjoy sharing because they are components of Scouting that have become amazing memories that will last a lifetime, but have also made me a confident and well-rounded person.

Kaitlyn Patterson, Rover Scout

Community service is a key aspect of our programming. It not only helps the community, but teaches youth how to make contributions to society as youth and adults. Maintaining a bee farm, organizing food drives and crafting Christmas cards has made an impact on the very grateful residents that the youth help.

Susan Rad, Scouter, the 4th Cranbrook Group

The most important skills I have learned through Scouts are the skills that have helped shape me as an individual. Scouts has taught me how to be a confident and patient person, how to talk to strangers and speak at public events. It challenged me to push myself to my limits. It gave me the courage to travel 1,400 km away from home to go to CJ’17 at the age of 10, and to fundraise all the money I needed for the journey. It also challenged me to hike 28 km in the Rideau Challenge as a first year Scout.

Quinn McPherson, Scout

I thank Scouters for my experience. I owe them so much for helping me to grow as a person. Scouting makes you aware of others. Teaching about the environment and community, Scouting stops you from focusing on yourself as much, and you become more thankful and willing to give back and help. It’s good for kids to learn that—I know it was good for me.

Rebecca Cairns, 1st Porcupine Plain A Venturer Company

Scouting is so amazing because it brings people from a variety of backgrounds and interests together to do the things they enjoy. It also makes me feel like I am where I belong. When I am anywhere else, I feel invisible and like nobody can see me, but when I’m at Scouting events or meetings I feel included and not invisible. I have made many fantastic friends in Scouting.

Cadence J., Scouts Canada Youth Spokesperson & Scout

Scouting has given me many opportunities and skills that are helping me to prepare for a life of success, including skills in camping, public speaking, writing, confidence and many, many more. Most recently, the experiences I gained from Scouting helped me successfully achieve a position within the RCMP’s 2018-2019 National Youth Advisory Committee (NYAC). I would not be the girl I am now without my nine years in Scouting, and without my NYAC experience.

Ana-Alexandra M., Scouts Canada Youth Spokesperson & Scout

Now that I have been in Scouts for a few years, I have learned to always be prepared, and that has influenced my ability to be prepared in life, not just the outdoors. Scouts has taught me helpful things that I will continue to use in the future. It has made a huge and extremely positive impact on my life.

Brooke C., Scouts Canada Youth Spokesperson & Scout

View Testimonials

Youth Spokesperson Program

Since 2010, the Scouts Canada Youth Spokesperson Program has been allowing youth members to have firsthand experiences in media relations, public speaking, communications, graphic design and video production. Youth that participate in the program are offered a unique experience within Scouting that allows them to act as advocates for Scouting and other Scouting youth within their community.

Learn More

Youth Leadership Training

Developing Well-Rounded Young Leaders, Better Prepared For Success in the World

The new Youth Leadership Training courses follow the practices, principles and resources of The Canadian Path including Trail Cards, which give the program flexibility and help youth to Plan, Do and Review adventures they choose as a team. Youth Leadership Training represents the exciting evolution of FAST, FLEX and FOCUS, and an opportunity for Scouts Canada to better fulfill its Mission of developing well-rounded youth, better prepared for success in the world.

Learn More