Jamboree Memories. Two Scouter Rule. Couched Scouts.
SCOUTING LIFE OUR A RES
CE FOR LEADE R
FALL 2013
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VOLUME 44, ISSUE 1
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FALL 2013
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VOLUME 44 ISSUE 1
CONTENTS
17
3 Editor’s Note: starting a conversation.
25 Two Scouter Rule: it’s simply a matter of safety.
Mot du rédacteur en chef : appel à la participation.
La règle des deux animateurs : une question de sécurité.
4 Commissioner’s Corner: some helpful thoughts for the fall. Mot du commissaire en chef : conseils pratiques pour l’automne.
6
28
28 White Tail Tale: a campfire story, written by a Scout for Beavers.
30 Group Activities: ideas from the 66th Windsor and Facebook
I Promise: putting meaning behind the words.
8 Leadership Challenge: an authoritative word on authority.
33 Scouter’s 5: how a pencil is more than just a pencil.
Défi du leadership : des conseils qui font autorité.
34 Leading Reading: a little Kipling can bring a lot to your Pack
12 Sofa Surfing: flat out fun on the Prairies.
36 International: Venturer Scouts venture to Croatia
14
38 Engaging Youth: Michael Burdo’s word on effective
Citizen Engagement: when Scouting meets Government. Participation des citoyens : les scouts et le gouvernement.
17 Jamboree Memories: a fond look back (pull it out and save it!)
leadership.
40 Scouter’s Album: We asked, you submitted. Now send us more!
Scouting Life Magazine is produced for Scouts Canada three times a year by Moongate Publishing Inc. 120 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 1100, Toronto, ON M4P 1E2 416-930-1664 • www.moongate.ca Scouting Life Magazine addresses timely topics about leadership in Scouting. Editorial contributions are made on a voluntary basis. Unsolicited submissions welcome. Advertising policy: Advertisement of a product or service does not indicate endorsement by the publishers. The publishers do not assume any responsibility by warranty or otherwise with respect to products advertised.
SCOUTS CANADA EDITORIAL BOARD Andrew Price, Chief Commissioner and Chair of the Board of Governors Kaylee Galipeau, National Youth Commissioner and Chair of the National Youth Network Steve Kent, Past Chief Commissioner, Contingent Leader 23rd World Scout Jamboree 2015 Doug Reid, Deputy National Commissioner, Program Services Doug Wakabayashi, Deputy National Commissioner - Communications Clément Belanger, Group Commissioner & Akela, 1st Hull John Petitti, Executive Director, Marketing & Communications
Publisher Yolanda Thornton Editor James Morris Contributing Editor Ted Morris Advertising Sales Manager Madeleine Hague Graphic Design Egg Design Mailing house Poste Destination, St. Laurent, QC Publications mail agreement No. 40787580 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: 1345 Baseline Road, Suite 100 Ottawa, ON K2C 0A7 Phone: 613-224-5131 Fax: 613-224-4571 E-mail: scoutinglife@scouts.ca Website Scouts.ca
YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION: Registered members of Scouts Canada: $13.56 (includes HST) Non-members: $13.56 (includes HST) Outside Canada: $27 (U.S.); $37 (Other foreign) Single copy: $3.00
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities. Scouting Life is printed on recyclable paper. ISSN 0711-5377
ScoutingLife.ca Fall 2013
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ScoutingLife.ca Fall 2013
EDITOR’S NOTE
OPENING THE CONVERSATION
F
or those of you who have been receiving Scouting Life for a while, you may have noticed that the way it looks and reads has been changing for just over a year now.
Since starting as editor, I have tried to put my experience
as an active Scouter to use in the development of articles that aim to do three things: First, to speak to leadership issues. Leadership in Scouting is what we all have in common. The primary goal of the magazine is
MOT DU RÉDACTEUR EN CHEF :
APPEL À LA PARTICIPATION
C
eux d’entre vous qui reçoivent Scouting Life depuis un certain temps déjà ont peut-être remarqué que l’apparence et le contenu du magazine sont en évolution continue depuis plus d’un an maintenant. Depuis mes débuts comme rédacteur en chef pour Scouting Life, j’ai essayé de mettre mon expérience comme membre actif en pratique dans la création des articles de trois façons : Premièrement, en parlant de leadership. Le leadership est un des
to act as a resource to Leaders, in their efforts to deliver a quality
aspects centraux du scoutisme. L’objectif principal du magazine est
Scouting program to youth in their communities.
d’aider les animateurs à offrir des programmes de qualité aux jeunes de
Second, to be a conduit of information from Scouts Canada to those of you from coast to coast who volunteer your time to make
leur communauté. Deuxièmement, en servant de source d’information entre Scouts
good on the promise of Scouting. There are ongoing changes
Canada et ses membres qui donnent de leur temps d’un océan à l’autre
within Scouting culture, and the magazine should be a valued
pour accomplir la mission scoute. Le mouvement scout est en constante
means for sharing information.
évolution, et le magazine se doit d’être un outil efficace pour partager
And third, to share examples of Scouting at its best. There are an infinite number of personal approaches, individual
l’information, les politiques et bien plus encore. Troisièmement, en partageant des exemples réels de scoutisme. Il
accomplishments or noteworthy moments in Canada’s Scouting
existe une infinité d’expériences et de réalisations personnelles ou de
community, and we aim to share them.
moments spéciaux qui ont lieu dans les communautés scoutes du
In this issue and going forward we’re aiming to be more connected to Scouting as it works in meeting halls and church
Canada et qui valent la peine d’être partagés dans le magazine. Dans ce numéro et à l’avenir, nous visons plutôt à adopter une
basements. We’ll still be keeping you informed on Safety and
approche axée davantage sur les activités de scoutisme de tous les jours
Program Development, but we are shifting the emphasis.
comme elles se déroulent dans les salles de rencontre et les sous-sols
In order for it to work, though, we need your photos and stories. So I’m asking you to get in touch with me at scoutinglife@scouts.ca to tell me about yourselves and your
d’églises. Nous vous tiendrons tout de même informer au sujet des programmes et de la sécurité, mais sans mettre l’accent sur ces formalités. Afin que notre nouvelle approche fonctionne, nous avons besoin de vos
groups. The only caveat is that we need good, high resolution
photos et de vos histoires. Je vous demande donc de communiquer avec
photographs of youth and leaders in action, and that the article
moi pour me parler de vous et de vos groupes à scoutinglife@scouts.ca.
ideas address leadership issues or best practices.
Notez bien, toutefois, que nous avons besoin de bonnes photos en haute
I’m looking forward to hearing from Scouters at every level in
résolution de vos jeunes et de vous en action, et que vos idées d’articles
the coming months. Let’s start the conversation now!
doivent être en lien avec le leadership ou les pratiques exemplaires.
James Morris
les prochains mois. Commençons nos échanges dès maintenant!
J’ai très hâte de lire les courriels des membres de partout au pays dans
Editor, Scouting Life Magazine James Morris Rédacteur en chef du magazine Scouting Life ScoutingLife.ca Fall 2013
3
COMMISSIONER’S CORNER • MESSAGE DU COMMISSAIRE ANDREW PRICE
Building the experience
Forger l’expérience
A
L
Friends in Scouting: utumn is upon us – the air is getting crisper, and the leaves are turning colour. As a life-long Scout, this is one of my favourite seasons. I’ve been fortunate enough to experience outdoor adventures in almost every province across this great country. I love the beauty that fall brings to Canada’s outdoors, and I am always excited by the beginning of another year of great Scouting.
Chers amis du scoutisme, ’ automne est de nouveau à nos portes, la température se refroidit et les feuilles ont changé de couleur. J’aime la beauté des paysages canadiens à cette période et je suis toujours ravie de commencer une nouvelle année de scoutisme.
Jeunes Notre équipe d’animateurs a travaillé fort afin de faire participer les
Youth
scouts louveteaux dans leur choix d’aventures. Nous les avons encoura-
Our team of Scouters has been busy enabling the Cub Scouts to
gés à réfléchir à ce qu’ils voulaient accomplir pendant leur année de
choose their own adventures. Encouraging them to think about
scoutisme, nous leur avons appris à se préparer pour leurs sorties et nous
what they want to accomplish during their Scouting year, teaching
avons mis l’accent sur l’apprentissage par la pratique. Avec la venue de
them to prepare themselves for weekend outings, and helping them
l’hiver, nous encouragerons nos scouts louveteaux à relever de plus
to learn by doing. As the fall turns to winter, we’ll be encouraging the
grands défis encore dans le cadre de leurs activités.
Cub Scouts to take on even more challenging activities. One of the best ways to keep energy levels high is to bring new
Une des meilleures façons de maintenir le niveau d’énergie à son maximum est d’accueillir de nouveaux membres dans le groupe. Les
members into the group. New members bring new perspectives
nouveaux membres amènent de nouvelles perspectives, et certaines de
– some of our greatest ideas for meetings, visits and camps have
nos meilleures idées viennent d’ailleurs de nos pattes tendres! De plus,
come from our tenderpads! Growing our section also makes it
l’agrandissement de notre section rend l’aventure plus excitante pour
more exciting for returning members: there are new faces and
nos anciens membres, puisqu’il y a de nouveaux visages, de nouveaux
names to learn, new skills in the Group and new friends to make.
talents et de nouvelles amitiés à nouer au sein de la meute.
Scouters
Animateurs
Fall is about building a strong team of Scouters, a team where
L’automne nous permet de bâtir une solide équipe d’animateurs.
everyone contributes and feels supported. The Scouters I volun-
C’est-à-dire une équipe dans laquelle tout le monde participe et se sent
teer with are all talented individuals with varied skills, knowledge
soutenu. Les animateurs avec qui je fais du bénévolat sont talentueux et
and interests. When we collaborate, each Scouter can leverage his
possèdent des compétences, des connaissances et des intérêts variés.
or her strengths to deliver safe, cohesive, and varied programming.
Lorsque nous collaborons, chaque membre met à contribution ses forces
Our leadership teams often change in the fall, so I always try to
pour mettre en œuvre des programmes sécuritaires, uniformes et variés.
take some time getting to know each of my fellow Scouters on a
Notre équipe d’animateurs change souvent à l’automne, je prends donc
personal level. The more we know and trust each other, the better
toujours le temps d’apprendre à connaître personnellement chacun de
we become at delivering exciting programs throughout the year.
mes compagnons. Mieux nous apprenons à nous connaitre et à nous
Fall is also a time when I am reminded of the ‘Plan, Do, Review’ cycle that Scouters use when conducting programs. Reviewing previous activities gives us ideas for improvement,
faire confiance, mieux nous mettrons en œuvre des programmes stimulants pendant l’année. L’automne c’est aussi l’occasion où je me rappelle de l’importance
and planning ahead means that we won’t be struggling to meet
du processus de « planification, action, révision » que nous utilisons
our quality program standards.
pendant l’année. La révision des activités antérieures nous permet de
4
ScoutingLife.ca Fall 2013
Parents
nous améliorer, et une bonne planification nous permet de respecter
Whether new or returning, parents always have a number of
plus facilement les normes de programme en matière de qualité.
questions: what will you be doing this year? Will it be both fun and safe? And how much fundraising will they be responsible for?
Parents
Parents are a critical part of the Scouting team. Fall is a great time
Les parents, qu’ils soient nouveaux ou non, ont toujours de nombreuses
to connect with parents, encouraging them to better understand
questions. Les parents font partie intégrante de « l’équipe » de scoutisme,
our activities and our mission. I can’t count the number of times a
et l’automne est un moment idéal pour établir des liens avec ces
personal connection with parents has helped us to access new
derniers afin de leur faire mieux comprendre nos activités et notre
activities, locate fantastic guests for our meetings or resulted in
mission. Je ne peux plus compter le nombre de fois où un lien avec un
welcoming a new Scouter. When orienting parents to Scouting, I
parent nous a ouvert des portes. Lorsque vous initiez les parents au
would recommend you check out our new guide which can be
scoutisme, je vous recommande de consulter notre nouveau guide que
found with other program resources on scouts.ca.
vous trouverez parmi les ressources de programme au scouts.ca.
Parents are particularly interested in the safety of their
Les parents sont particulièrement intéressés à la sécurité de leur
children. I encourage you to take the time to help them under-
enfant. Je vous encourage donc à prendre le temps de les aider à
stand the processes we have in place to keep all of our members
comprendre les processus que nous avons mis en place pour assurer la
safe. Once they know what we do to provide safe Scouting for
sécurité de nos membres. Une fois que les parents savent ce que nous
their youth, they are even more supportive.
faisons pour offrir un environnement sûr à leurs jeunes, ils sont encore plus coopératifs.
More When I review what we’ve achieved as an organization over the
Plus d’information
past year, I am incredibly impressed. The excitement of CJ ’13,
Lorsque je regarde ce que nous avons accompli comme organisation au
welcoming our new Chief Scout, and the incredible contributions
cours de la dernière année, je suis incroyablement impressionné.
our Youth Spokespeople have made to key events are just a few of
L’excitation du JC 2013, la nomination de notre nouveau Chef scout et
the successes that have helped us build momentum. I am firmly
la contribution incroyable de nos porte parole-jeunesse lors
convinced that we are ideally positioned to share adventurous
d’évènements importants sont seulement quelques exemples de nos
Scouting experiences with more Canadian youth, experiences
réalisations qui nous ont permis de poursuivre sur notre lancée. Je suis
that will better prepare them for success in the world. The level of
fermement convaincu que c’est le temps plus que jamais de partager
commitment I have observed among Scouters is definitely our
des expériences scoutes uniques avec davantage de jeunes Canadiens,
Movement’s greatest asset: I am confident that it will enable us to
des expériences qui les prépareront à la réussite dans le monde. Le
grow our membership during this Scouting year and for many
niveau d’engagement que j’ai pu observer chez les membres est
more to come.
certainement le principal atout de notre organisation. Je suis certain
Over the past few years, we have worked hard to ensure that more youth are able to benefit from Scouting. I speak for the
que cet atout nous permettra d’accroître notre nombre de membres cette année et pour les années à venir.
Board and National Leadership Team when I say that we all share
Au cours des dernières années, nous avons travaillé fort afin de nous
the same goal – we are One Scouts Canada, seeking to offer great,
assurer que plus de jeunes tirent avantage de l’expérience du scoutisme.
safe Scouting adventures to more young Canadians. We are One
Je parle au nom du conseil et de l’équipe nationale de leadership
Scouts Canada – Growing Together.
lorsque je dis que nous partageons tous le même objectif : Scouts Canada est une organisation unie qui tend à offrir de belles aventures
Yours in Scouting:
scoutes en toute sécurité à plus de jeunes Canadiens. Salutations scoutes,
Andrew Price Chief Commissioner and Chair of the Board of Governors aprice@scouts.ca
Andrew Price Commissaire en chef et président du conseil des gouverneurs aprice@scouts.ca
ScoutingLife.ca Fall 2013
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I Promise to Do My Best A closer look at what we are asking our members to do. By James Morris
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ScoutingLife.ca Fall 2013
t every meeting in Scouting we ask the youth in our care to repeat a promise. The requirement starts simply enough in Beaver Scouts – to love God and help take care of the world – and becomes more complex through Cub Scouts and into Scouts. The difference makes sense, as it would be unreasonable to hold a five-year-old to the same standards as a youth of fourteen.
But that’s the point. As Leaders in
Again in Scouts, the details of the
communicating with them early in the
Scouting it is our job to encourage the
promise are broader and more
Scouting year and helping them to
youth in our Sections to live up to that
demanding. The fact that it starts with “On
understand a couple of key points.
promise. That’s why it is so important to
my honour ” is significant in itself, as most
bring it into our leadership approach as a
Scout-aged youth are not called upon to
organization that is designed to bring
tool for helping them to embrace the ideals
even consider their honour in any other
particular benefit into their lives. Getting
of the organization. It is an all-too- common
circumstances. The connection of the
those benefits comes quickest and best
experience of Scouting that the members
promise to the Scout Law is significant as
when the youth are encouraged to think of
treat it as just one of the many activities
well, as it includes a very complete
themselves in terms of their membership in
that their parents shepherd them to on a
behavioural guideline.
Scouting. The second is that the promise can
The first is that Scouting is a values-based
weekly basis. But if we are to fully deliver
The very notion of making a promise
the benefits of Scouting to them, we will
about how you intend to behave from day
children’s day-to-day lives. When the
help them not just to repeat the promises,
to day is at the heart of the character-
promise to help take care of the world
but to live up to them.
building promise of the Scouting
includes thinking about how we treat our
Movement. Scouts share a set of values
friends, how we take care of our toys, what
a dialogue with the youth (appropriately
that is reflected in the promises of the
we do with our garbage and other
for their age) about what it means to
Sections. This concept marks the
considerations, being a Beaver Scout
promise something. Because a promise
difference between Scouting and other
becomes a daily thing. The parents can use
should go far beyond the speaking of
activities. Because the youth who embrace
the promise as a reminder when addressing
words. It addresses behaviour and
the promises go on to think of themselves
everyday behaviours.
intentionality. So Beavers need to know
as Scouts, rather than as kids who go
two things as they repeat their promise
to Scouts.
A good first step is to start and maintain
from week to week: that being a Beaver
Ask the adults in your life if they had any
and should be brought to bear on their
Parents should work in communication with Scouters. They should be given an understanding of the program and its
means trying your best to keep it, and that
involvement with Scouting. The ones who
goals, and they should be kept informed as
loving God and taking care of the world
had the best experiences will remember
to their children’s progress.
can become a part of many, many parts of
the values they learned with as much clarity
their day.
as the activities they enjoyed. They will
along as they age. It includes a set of
There is a path that young people walk
Similarly, the Cub Scout promise is
remember their Leaders with an aura
changing capabilities in their sense of self
reinforced by the Grand Howl. Doing your
of respect – having seen those values
and other. By the time a youth is old
best is the most repeated aspect of a Cub
epitomized in their bearing and demeanour.
enough to enter Venturer Scouts, he or she
culture. But with age comes complexity,
There is another aspect to delivering a
should have the personal bearing not to
and in Cubs the promise includes
full understanding of the promises and
need an adult Leader to say what needs to
adherence to the Law. So that’s something
how to live up to them that a lot of Leaders
be done or to guide personal behaviour.
else to review with the Pack, or in Sixes.
miss out on. It helps on several levels to
But that development doesn’t just happen.
bring parents into the equation. How? By
It requires guidance and help.
ScoutingLife.ca Fall 2013
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TROOP By /Par James Morris
THE LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE LE DÉFI DU LEADERSHIP Whether you are absolutely new to
Que vous soyez nouveau dans le
Scouting or have been wearing the
mouvement scout ou que vous portiez
shirt and necker for years, if you take
l’uniforme et le foulard depuis des
three steps back and look at the goals
années, si vous réfléchissez quelques
of the movement you’ll recognize
minutes aux objectifs du mouvement,
that leadership should be foremost in
vous constaterez que le leadership
your understanding of your role as an
occupe une place centrale dans votre
adult volunteer. Active consideration
rôle comme adulte bénévole. À bien y
of leadership fits into two parts –
penser, vous mettez en pratique deux
the leadership you provide and the
types de leadership, le leadership dont
leadership you teach. Both are vital,
vous faites preuve et le leadership
and the relationship between the two
que vous enseignez. Ces deux sortes
becomes particularly important at
de leadership sont essentielles, et
the Troop level.
la relation entre les deux devient particulièrement importante au niveau de la troupe.
8
ScoutingLife.ca Fall 2013
IN THE BEST CASE, ADULT AUTHORITY SHOULD BE PRESENT, UNDERSTOOD AND ONLY VERY OCCASIONALLY USED. DANS LE MEILLEUR DES SCÉNARIOS, L’AUTORITÉ ADULTE DEVRAIT ÊTRE PRÉSENTE, COMPRISE ET UTILISÉE À L’OCCASION SEULEMENT.
As the youth in our care progress through the Movement, they
Tandis que les jeunes que nous côtoyons progressent dans le
change and grow. Beaver Scouts need more supervision and
mouvement, ils grandissent et évoluent. Les scouts castors ont
direction than Cubs. Cub Scouts learn to take on responsibility
besoin davantage de supervision et d’encadrement que les scouts
as they move towards joining the Troop. But new Scouts are still
louveteaux. Les scouts louveteaux apprennent à devenir de plus en
essentially Cubs, until they learn that what is expected of them
plus responsables alors qu’ils se préparent à joindre la troupe. Au début,
now is different than before.
les nouveaux scouts dans la troupe sont essentiellement encore des
The fundamental differences between the programs provide the basis for learning moments, and the new Scout should be able to see that the culture of a Troop is actually quite different
scouts louveteaux jusqu’à ce qu’ils apprennent que les attentes envers eux ont changé. Les différences fondamentales entre les programmes sont des
than that of the Pack. One major point should be that the adult
occasions d’apprentissage, et les nouveaux scouts devraient être
Leaders are much less involved in the maintenance of order.
capables d’observer par eux-mêmes que la culture de la troupe est en
That there are older Scouts who offer guidance and direction.
fait très différente de celle de la meute. Une des différentes majeures
That these older Scouts, their Patrol Leaders, have a stake in the
devrait être que les animateurs gèrent beaucoup moins le maintien de
running of the program. That they seem dedicated to helping the
l’ordre et que les scouts plus âgés offrent de l’aide et du soutien. Ces
Troop Leaders to accomplish what’s on the agenda.
scouts plus âgés, les chefs de patrouilles, ont un rôle à jouer dans la
Ensuring this hierarchy in the Troop leads to a natural flow of interest that grows with the individual Scouts and continues to the Venturer Scout level. Because Scouts who learn leadership
mise en œuvre du programme. Ils doivent aider les animateurs de la troupe à accomplir ce qui est prévu à l’horaire. Il est important de faire en sorte que la hiérarchie dans la troupe
and responsibility and use that learning as a context for taking on
soit naturelle et qu’elle évolue avec chaque scout jusque dans leur
the challenges of the Scouting Program will be ready to work on
compagnie de scouts aventuriers. Les scouts qui apprendront à faire
their own – with just the support of advisors – when they move
preuve de leadership et à être responsables, et qui se serviront de cet
up to the next section.
apprentissage pour relever des défis, seront capables d’évoluer seuls
All of this might seem unworkable when facing a roomful of over-exuberant youth who are intent on their own amusement.
dans les autres sections à l’aide du soutien des conseillers. Cette approche peut vous sembler bien difficile lorsque vous vous
You’ve all seen it. The wrestling. The poking. The ignored calls for
retrouvez en avant d’un groupe de jeunes excités qui veulent s’amuser.
attention and quiet. Because the natural dynamic among Scout-
Tous les animateurs se sont déjà retrouvés dans cette situation. Les
aged youth is pandemonium. And too often the first tool in the kit
bousculades, le chamaillage, les rappels à l’ordre et au silence ignorés
for getting past that challenge is dictatorial authority. That’s when
font partie de la dynamique naturelle des jeunes d’âge scout. Trop
we become the angry adults yelling at them to be quiet, to stop
souvent, le moyen utilisé pour relever ce défi est de faire preuve
what they are doing and to do what we say.
d’autorité dictatoriale. C’est à ce moment que nous devenons ces
The truth is that we have that authority by virtue of social convention. But not all kids bend to it. And overusing it leads to an oppressive environment where less learning and fun happen.
adultes bougons qui s’emportent et crient pour que les jeunes se taisent et qu’ils écoutent ce que nous avons à leur dire. La vérité c’est que nous avons de l’autorité grâce aux conventions
In the best case, adult authority should be present, understood
sociales auxquelles tous les enfants ne se plient pas. Une autorité
and only very occasionally used. The better way is to formulate
excessive crée un environnement oppressant moins propice à
agreement as to expected behaviours within the Troop, to create
l’apprentissage et au plaisir. Dans le meilleur des scénarios, l’autorité
ScoutingLife.ca Fall 2013
9
routines where the Scouts know that fun activities are balanced
adulte devrait être présente, comprise et utilisée à l’occasion seulement.
with times of heads-down learning and to engage the Patrol
L’approche plus réaliste consiste à formuler une entente concernant les
Leaders and their Assistants in the running of the program.
comportements acceptables au sein de la troupe pour créer une routine
It starts with a spirit of mentorship. Assign a Leader to be the
où les scouts savent que les activités amusantes sont aussi suivies de
PL advisor. Have that Leader lay out some clear expectations of
période d’apprentissage. Faites aussi participer les chefs de patrouilles
them and their patrols. One example is to have them be ready at
et leurs assistants au déroulement des activités.
every meeting to explain any absences. “Judy’s not here because
Tout commence avec un esprit de mentorat. Assignez un animateur
she had a hockey game.” Setting that requirement means that
comme conseiller des chefs de la patrouille. Demandez à cet animateur
the Patrol Leader is responsible for his or her patrol. It requires a
d’établir des attentes claires pour les chefs de patrouille et les autres
weekly phone call to remind the patrol members of the meeting
jeunes. Par exemple, vous pourriez leur demander de nommer à
and to ensure their participation. And getting the call from the
chaque rencontre la raison des absences. « Judith n’est pas là parce
Patrol Leader will create an understanding within the individual
qu’elle avait un match de hockey ». Cette règle rend le chef de la
Scouts that they have a relationship.
patrouille responsable de cette dernière. Il doit communiquer avec les
As much as possible, communication between the Troop
membres de sa patrouille chaque semaine pour s’assurer de leur
and the Scouts should be passed through the PLs. The more
présence. Cet appel téléphonique permettra aussi de développer une
they are seen to do the work, the more the patrols will gel into
relation entre le scout et le chef de patrouille.
functioning units. Patrol challenges will encourage the Scouts to work together. And if one patrol consistently outperforms another, the members can be moved around to create balance. One concept to communicate is that the decision to come to the meetings or the camps should not be thought of in terms of self. Each Patrol member should understand that he or she plays
Autant que possible, la communication entre la troupe et les scouts devrait passer par les chefs de patrouille. Plus les chefs de patrouille font un bon travail, plus les patrouilles deviendront efficaces. Les patrouilles encourageront les scouts à travailler ensemble. Si une patrouille fonctionne constamment mieux qu’une autre, les membres peuvent être échangés de patrouilles pour créer un équilibre. Mentionnez à vos jeunes que la décision de venir ou pas à une
a role in contributing to the success of the group. So Scouting
rencontre ou un camp ne devrait pas se faire de façon individuelle.
becomes less a consideration of “what I get out of it” and more
Chaque membre de la patrouille devrait comprendre qu’il joue un rôle
along the lines of “I can’t let my team down.”
important au sein de cette dernière et qu’il contribue au succès du
Here’s another example. The scouting challenge is to know how to tie and use five different knots. Some youth will be
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groupe. Ainsi, les membres du groupe penseront moins de façon individualiste et se diront qu’ils ne peuvent pas laisser tomber leur équipe.
motivated by the fact that learning them means meeting a badge
Voici un autre exemple : un des défis des scouts est de savoir
requirement. Others will like the idea of the stuff you can can do
comment faire cinq nœuds. Certains jeunes seront motivés par le fait
with ropes when you know what you’re doing. Others will have
de recevoir des badges pour leur accomplissement. D’autres seront
no interest at all. One approach is to show the whole Troop how
excités à l’idée de pouvoir mettre en pratique ces nœuds, et d’autres
to tie the knots, then ask them to work individually. Another is to
ne seront pas du tout intéressés par cette activité. Vous pourriez utiliser
have the Patrol Leaders take on the responsibility of ensuring that
la première approche et montrer à toute la troupe comment faire les
their whole Patrol knows all the knots. Then create a challenge. It
nœuds puis leur demander de travailler individuellement. Ou encore,
could be a relay race. It could be a problem solving challenge at
vous pourriez demander aux chefs de patrouille de s’assurer que toute
camp. Either way, the goal is to challenge the sub-groups to build
la troupe connait tous les nœuds. Vous pourriez ensuite organiser un
the skill in order to meet a requirement. And the context is fun.
défi, par exemple une course de relais ou encore un défi de résolution
Now the knot tying activity includes leadership, teamwork, skills
de problèmes lors d’un camp. L’important est de stimuler le groupe
development and – most important – memorability.
pour aider les scouts à assimiler ces connaissances tout en s’amusant.
One note to add to this is that institutional memory kicks
Ainsi, l’activité de nœuds encourage le leadership, le travail d’équipe,
in with successful activities. The Pioneer Scout who enjoys the
le développement de compétences, mais surtout elle est mémorable
relationship with a Patrol Leader through a series of activities will
pour les scouts.
make use of the experience when it becomes his or her time to
Souvenez-vous que les activités amusantes et bien organisées
lead. It’s the “Oh! I love this stuff!” that makes it fun to teach the
favorisent l’apprentissage. Plus les chefs de patrouilles seront actifs et
next group of newbies.
impliqués, plus les autres jeunes seront motivés à mettre en pratique
The best Scouting memories come from the things you
les connaissances apprises lors des activités lorsque viendra leur tour
learn through the experiences you enjoyed. The patrol system
de diriger. Vous prendrez goût à enseigner aux nouveaux jeunes si vous
empowers youth to be good leaders and good followers. And it
obtenez des « Oh, j’adore cette activité! »
provides the best framework for including youth in the planning and implementation of the program.
Les meilleurs souvenirs scouts proviennent des expériences mémorables que nous vivons. Le fonctionnement de la patrouille encourage les jeunes à être de bons leaders et de bons élèves et offre un cadre qui favorise la participation des jeunes à la planification et à la mise en œuvre de leur programme.
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FEATURE
SOFA SURFING MAINSTREET SCOUTING IN SASKATCHEWAN By Ted Morris
Like moving furniture? Scouts in Saskatchewan have honed it to a fine art form in the six years of the Yorkton Couch Rally. The concept is simple. Scrounge a disposable couch. Recruit a
The couches cannot have wheels attached. Dollies, carts
team of three to seven. Designate a photographer. Use the map
and wagon are permitted as no team wants to hand carry a
provided by the local Troop. Push, pull, drag or ride the furniture
couch for half a day. The rolling aids have to be removed for the
to one of the thirty-seven marked sites. Take a picture as proof of
official photos.
the visit, then remount and press onwards to as many more sites as possible between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. It isn’t a race. Having fun is the prime objective; that and making Scouting visible. Neckerchiefs are mandatory and some teams elect to participate in full uniform. The event was started six years ago by Bryan Mierau of the 8th Zion group in Yorkton. The first year saw five local teams, but its
Local residents are no longer surprised. In fact, they are often invited to “have a seat” and they pose for pictures with the Scouts. During breaks, the Scouts down tools in front of fast food outlets and convenience stores and take their ease and refreshments in padded comfort. Donors of the couches usually don’t want them returned.
popularity has more than doubled that number, attracting
Bryan says they usually end up left out to disappear overnight.
Scouts, Venturer Scouts and Rover Scouts from nearby Melville,
They are still usable pieces of furniture. There was a flood in the
Regina, Estevan, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw and Vonda.
Yorkton region three years ago, and half a dozen of the couches
Out-of-towners sack out in the Yorkton Scout House on the Friday evening. Last year they crammed in thirty, with Bryan hosting an overflow of twenty visitors in his house. This year the organizers are trying for a school gym as a dormitory.
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ended up in new homes.
Over the years, Scouts in Yorkton have taken the spirit of Scouting to some unusual places, through pleasant and challenging conditions and connected with a huge variety of people. And every year the common denominator is a public exhibition of youth in Scouting as they meet a challenge and have fun..
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CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT/ PARTICIPATION DES CITOYENS
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS APPRENEZ À CONNAÎTRE VOS REPRÉSENTANTS ÉLUS One of the greatest aspects of our Canadian political system is the ability to engage with our elected officials, whether at the federal, provincial, or municipal level, we should take full advantage of this great opportunity! Un des plus grands avantages de notre système politique au Canada est le fait que nous puissions communiquer activement avec nos représentants élus à l’échelle municipale, provinciale et fédérale. Et nous devrions profiter pleinement de cette chance!
O
ur Scouting members play leadership roles within their communities, whether through a food drive, painting a community centre, or helping out at a shelter, Scouting youth are always looking for opportunities to make
their communities a better place. Why not showcase what
N
os membres scouts font preuve de leadership dans leurs communautés : qu’il s’agisse d’organiser des collectes d’aliments, de peindre des centres communautaires ou d’aider dans des refuges, les jeunes scouts cherchent toujours à améliorer la qualité
de vie dans leurs communautés. Pourquoi ne pas montrer ce que nous
we do in Scouting to our elected officials and to the rest of
faisons dans le mouvement scout à nos représentants élus et au reste
Canada?
du Canada?
Contact your local Member of Parliament (federal), MPP/
Communiquez avec votre député fédéral, votre député provincial ou
MLA/MNA/MHA (provincial), or city councillor's office (munici-
votre conseiller municipal pour prendre un rendez-vous afin d’apprendre
pal) and make an appointment to meet him/her, get to know
à le connaître et pour lui parler des activités et des évènements
them, and let them know of the great activities and events
intéressants organisés par votre groupe local. Les représentants élus se
happening with your local Group. Elected officials are always
font toujours un plaisir d’assister aux évènements de leur région.
keen on attending events in their local area. Why not invite your
Pourquoi ne pas inviter votre représentant élu à votre prochaine activité
elected representative to your next Group activity or meeting?
ou rencontre de groupe?
We want to build relationships and share the great work that
Nous voulons établir des relations avec les gouvernements et les
Scouts Canada does throughout the country, engaging with your
citoyens et parler du bon travail que Scouts Canada accomplit dans
elected representatives is a great way for youth to learn about the
tout le pays. De plus, grâce à la relation établie avec les représentants
parliamentary process and participate in meetings with Canada’s
élus, les jeunes pourront en apprendre sur le processus parlementaire et
decision makers.
participer à des rencontres avec les décideurs canadiens.
Do you have Scouts who are working on their Chief Scout
Essayez-vous d’obtenir votre prix du Chef scout? Une des exigences
Awards? They'll need to obtain their Pathfinder Scout require-
consiste justement à rencontrer un membre du gouvernement local et
ments first, which include meeting with a member of local
à discuter avec lui de ses responsabilités.
government and discussing their responsibilities. Are you trying to obtain your Queen’s Venturer Award? You’ll
Essayez-vous d’obtenir votre prix de la reine des scouts aventuriers? Vous devrez tout d’abord obtenir votre distinction sociale, culturelle et
need to obtain your Social, Cultural and Spiritual Award first, one
spirituelle et l’une des exigences consiste à faire des recherches sur la
of the requirements is to investigate the structure and services of
structure et les services de votre municipalité ou sur une partie du
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your municipality or some part of the provincial or federal
gouvernement provincial ou fédéral. Assistez à des rencontres dans la
government. Attend meetings where possible.
mesure du possible.
What to discuss at your meeting with your elected
Voici certaines suggestions pour vos rencontres avec vos
representative:
représentants élus :
• Get to know your elected representatives. Ask him/her if they
• Apprenez à connaître vos représentants élus. Demandez-leur s’ils ont
had any involvement in Scouting growing up? • Inform him/her of the great activities and events happening in your local Group
fait partie des scouts dans leur jeunesse. • Informez-les sur les activités et les évènements intéressants organisés par votre groupe local.
• Invite him/her to your next local group event
• Invitez-les à votre prochain évènement local de groupe.
• Inquire into any upcoming legislation or debates which may
• Informez-vous au sujet des législations (lois) à venir qui pourraient
involve what we do in Scouting.
concerner le mouvement scout.
At Scouts Canada, a lot of our programming aligns with relevant government ministries and governmental departments which you might not be aware of, some examples include: Saviez-vous que chez Scouts Canada plusieurs de nos programmes correspondent aux mandats de certains ministères gouvernementaux? En voici quelques exemples : GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT/ MINISTÈRES
WHAT WE DO IN SCOUTING
CE QUE NOUS FAISONS CHEZ SCOUTS CANADA
ENVIRONMENT ENVIRONNEMENT
• Scoutrees • Shoreline Cleanups • Climate Change Action Program • Leave No Trace Program
• Arbrescouts • Nettoyages des rives • Programme d’action sur les changements climatiques • Programme « Sans trace »
HEALTH/SPORT SANTÉ ET SPORTS
• Camping • Healthy active living • Access to sport and recreation programming activities • Outdoor activities as part of regular Scouts programming • Injury prevention training
• • • •
VETERANS AFFAIRS ANCIENS COMBATTANTS
• W orking with the Royal Canadian Legion for Remembrance Day activities • Remembrance Trails on Scouts Canada properties where youth can learn about Canada’s involvement during the two World Wars while hiking • Remembrance themed programming
• C ollaboration avec la Légion royale canadienne pour les activités du jour du Souvenir • Les sentiers du Souvenir, situés sur les propriétés de Scouts Canada, permettent aux jeunes d’en apprendre sur le rôle joué par le Canada pendant les deux Guerres mondiales pendant leurs randonnées. • Programmes thématiques sur le souvenir
FOREIGN AFFAIRS AFFAIRES ÉTRANGÈRES
• SCOUTSabroad program • International Brotherhood projects
• Programme SCOUTSinternational • Projets communautaires internationaux
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SCIENCE ET TECHNOLOGIE
• S TEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) program permitting scouts to participate in exciting, hands-on programming in fields such as chemistry, environmental science, math and robotics
• L e programme STIM (science, technologie, ingénierie, mathématiques) permet aux scouts de participer à des activités pratiques stimulantes dans des domaines comme la chimie, les sciences environnementales, les maths et la robotique.
Camping Mode de vie sain et actif Accès à des activités sportives et récréatives Activités extérieures régulières dans le programme scout • Formation sur la prévention des blessures
INFORMATION ON ANY OF THE ABOVE PROGRAMS CAN BE FOUND ON SCOUTS.CA OR BY CALLING 1.888.855.3336. VOUS TROUVEREZ DE L’INFORMATION SUPPLÉMENTAIRE SUR LES PROGRAMMES CI‑DESSUS AU SCOUTS.CA OU EN APPELLANT AU 1‑888‑855‑3336. ScoutingLife.ca Fall 2013
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WASN’T THAT A TIME! WHEN 6,500 CAMPERS GET TOGETHER, THE RESULT IS A WEEK OF FUN ACTIVITIES, MEETING NEW FRIENDS AND FEELING THE STRENGTH OF SCOUTING ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
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GETTING INTO IT For some it followed a quick drive from not too far away, but for most of the massive collection of campers arrival at Sylvan Lake followed a trek across a significant part of the country. They came by plane and by bus, and they all faced the same challenge – get the gear down the hill and make themselves comfortable in what would become their temporary home for the upcoming, fun-filled week.
GROUP DYNAMICS Gathering together at the Central Stage, there was enthused and boisterous representation from every region in the country – plus some from places beyond our borders. The group spirit at the opening ceremony flew higher than the flags raised proudly on their masts. ScoutingLife.ca Fall 2013
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THE SUM WAS FUN!
What made the Jamboree such a success? Everybody! From the Troops that came from across the country to the amazing team of volunteers who set up and ran the activities. It was a group effort from which the whole group got so much more than their individual part.
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OPENING CEREMONY NON-STOP ACTION With such a huge variety of activities, how could the days have flown by any slower? Scouts climbed high, got wet, got dirty, challenged their dexterity, ran, dodged, toured‌ and had a chance to enjoy themselves to the max. The final result? Our bet is a set of memories, held warmly by individuals from coast to coast, of the best of what Scouting is all about.
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JOIN US IN JAPAN! If you thought camping with and meeting Scouts from across Canada was a blast, it’s time to start your plans to enjoy that amazing experience on a world scale! Every Scout has the chance to attend just one World Jamboree, and in 2015 the Canadian Contingent will be heading to Hong Kong and Japan for a once-in-alifetime experience with international Scouting spirit. As Leaders, it is time to put the opportunity before parents and youth, so anyone with an interest can start making their plans. Online registration is available now at scouts.ca/japan2015 The Canadian Contingent team is working as hard as possible to make the Jamboree accessible to as many as possible, but participating in a World Jamboree requires a lot of fundraising in advance. Any Scout born between July 28, 1997 and July 27, 2001 is eligible. They can attend with others from the same Scout Group or as part of a larger Area or Council group. We will find a Patrol and a place for everyone. And we need volunteers to be part of the International Service Team, too. The cost to participate is $5,995 per person. This includes a fantastic Pre-Jamboree Camp in Hong Kong from July 24 to July 28, 2015 and 11 days of exciting Jamboree programming from July 28 to Aug 8. A home hospitality experience (staying with a Japanese Scouting family) following the Jamboree is also available, and is an opportunity not to be missed. Scouts who register with pre-authorized payment by December 15, 2013 will receive a $250 discount. So, join us in Hong Kong and Japan in 2015 and journey into tomorrow. Further information and updates are being added all the time, including tips and suggestions for fundraising. Visit scouts.ca/japan2105 for more details and to register today.
@WJ2015CANADA
FACEBOOK.COM/23WSJ
?
QUESTIONS?: JAPAN2015@SCOUTS.CA
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SAFETY
SOME RULES WERE NOT MEANT TO BE BROKEN CERTAINES RÈGLES NE DEVRAIENT JAMAIS ÊTRE ENFREINTES. The golden rule in safety is very simple – precaution reduces risk.
La règle d’or en matière de sécurité est très simple : la prudence réduit les risques.
There are any number of ways you can prove this to be true, but
Il est facile de prouver la véracité de cet énoncé à l’aide de divers
let’s take driving as an example. There is nobody who will tell you
exemples, mais prenons celui de la conduite automobile. Personne ne
that being a careful driver is enough to ensure that you won’t ever
vous dira qu’être un conducteur automobile prudent vous assurera de
be in an accident. Because you never know what the other guy is
ne jamais être impliqué dans un accident, puisque la conduite des autres
going to do. You don’t know what the weather will be. You simply
conducteurs est imprévisible et la température aussi. Vous ne pouvez
cannot control all the factors that contribute to the risk of operat-
tout simplement pas contrôler tous les facteurs de risque de la conduite
ing an automobile.
automobile.
But with attention, training and insurance, driving becomes
Toutefois, avec de la concentration, de la formation et des assurances,
an approachable activity that fits effortlessly into our lives. The
la conduite automobile devient une activité envisageable qui fait partie
danger lurks, but it is mitigated by reasonable steps. And when
de notre quotidien. Le danger est toujours là, mais il est atténué par
accidents do happen, the first question is fault. More often than
des mesures raisonnables. Et lorsque des accidents ont lieu, la première question soulevée est celle de la responsabilité, puisque la plupart du
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IN SCOUTING, THE STAKES ARE SIMPLY TOO HIGH TO ALLOW BAD THINGS TO HAPPEN. NO ONE CAN AFFORD TO BE THE LEADER WHO WAS LOOKING THE OTHER WAY WHEN THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED. AND THAT IS WHY WE HAVE THE TWO LEADER RULE. DANS LE MOUVEMENT SCOUT, L’ENJEU EST TROP IMPORTANT POUR LAISSER DES ACCIDENTS SE PRODUIRE. PERSONNE NE PEUT SE PERMETTRE D’ÊTRE L’ANIMATEUR QUI REGARDAIT DE L’AUTRE CÔTÉ LORSQUE L’ACCIDENT A EU LIEU, ET C’EST POURQUOI NOUS AVONS LA RÈGLE DES DEUX ANIMATEURS.
not, a car only collides with something else when someone was
temps les accidents sont causés par une personne qui a enfreint une
disregarding the basic rules of safety.
règle de sécurité de base.
In Scouting, the stakes are simply too high to allow bad things
Dans le mouvement scout, l’enjeu est trop important pour laisser
to happen. No one can afford to be the Leader who was looking
des accidents se produire. Personne ne peut se permettre d’être
the other way when the accident happened. And that is why we
l’animateur qui regardait de l’autre côté lorsque l’accident a eu lieu, et
have the Two Scouter Rule.
c’est pourquoi nous avons la règle des deux animateurs.
It’s not always easy to implement. It draws on resources and
Il n’est pas toujours facile de respecter ce règlement puisqu’il
can create difficulties in the smooth running of a meeting or a
requiert un certain nombre de bénévoles en tout temps lors des
camp. And sometime it makes the Youth look at us like we’re
rencontres et des camps. Et parfois, même les jeunes nous regardent
nuts. But it works. And that’s the best reason to fully commit to it.
en pensant que l’on est complètement dingo. Mais ce règlement
There was a time when nobody really thought much about
fonctionne, et c’est la meilleure raison pour le respecter.
using seat belts. Then somebody suggested that the widespread
À une certaine époque, personne ne portait la ceinture de sécurité.
use of these silly things would save a significant number of lives.
Puis, quelqu’un a affirmé que le port de la ceinture de sécurité pourrait
Soon it became law to wear one. Then the idea of not needing
sauver un nombre considérable de vies. Bientôt, le port de cette
them became unthinkable – even in the back seat. And guess
dernière devenait obligatoire sous peine d’amende. Peu de temps après,
what? With seat belts, fewer people are killed or injured in auto
il était impensable de ne pas porter de ceinture de sécurité, même sur
accidents – just like the smart guys suggested at the beginning.
le siège arrière. Et devinez quoi! Avec la ceinture de sécurité, moins de
But the difference isn’t that seat belts save lives. It’s that
gens perdent la vie et sont blessés lors d’accident, tout comme l’avait
people have to make and live up to the commitment to fasten them. Whenever they are in a moving car. The Two Scouter Rule works when it is followed. And just as in a car accident, when things go wrong in Scouting you can guess that somebody may have been letting the rules slip.
affirmé cette personne au départ. Cependant, pour que la ceinture de sécurité sauve des vies, les gens doivent tous s’engager à toujours boucler leur ceinture lorsqu’ils montent à bord d’une automobile. Dans le même ordre d’idée, la règle des deux animateurs fonctionne lorsque tout le monde la respecte. Et comme lors d’un accident routier, si les choses tournent mal lors d’une activité scoute, c’est qu’un règlement n’a pas été respecté.
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ScoutingLife.ca Fall 2013
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SEND US YOUR STORIES AND PHOTOS! Stories about your leadership ideas and experiences. Pictures of youth in action. Contact the Editor directly at scoutinglife@scouts.ca
ScoutingLife.ca Fall 2013
27
COLONY
A CAMPFIRE STORY FOR WHITE TAIL BEAVER CUBS
The Cub in the Bear Cave
By Luca Morris
Once upon a time, there was a very curious wolf cub... 28
ScoutingLife.ca Summer 2013
One day, while his mother was out
with fear at the thought of being so far
getting food, he noticed a dark cave over a
from home. “No, I can’t give up now!” he
hill. He decided to investigate.
said. “I’ll show everyone in the forest that
In his boredom, he forgot all the stories about the fearsome bear that lived in the
I’m the bravest!” So he continued. When he finally made it to the cave, he
woods. He forgot about the razor sharp
noticed two shining things in it. More
teeth, the gnarled claws and the bulging
curious than ever, he walked into the cave.
eyes that belonged to the fearsome beast.
When he got in, he made his way closer to
As the cub made his way across the hill,
the shining objects. Still curious, he
he looked back and realized just how far
continued further into the cave, not
he was from home. It was much farther
noticing how dark it had become. Little did
than he thought. He was suddenly filled
he know, the shining objects were actually
the eyes of the bear, staring at his next
Finally, after much jumping and
meal! Without warning, the huge menace
disturbance, the cub was all worn out. Just
jumped out, and the cub didn’t even
as he was catching his breath, the bear’s
have time to shout before the bear ate
stomach started growling. The growling got
him whole.
louder, and louder, and louder more! It had
Now it was very dark. The cub could barely see. What he did see was the inside of the bear’s stomach – and when he realized where he was, he was beside himself with upset and regret. “Why was I so stupid?” he cried. “How could I ever believe that I could take that bear?” His teardrops pooled on the floor of the
He forgot about the razor sharp teeth, the gnarled claws and the bulging eyes that belonged to the fearsome beast.
bear’s belly. After a while, a deep rumbling began.
gotten to the point where the cub thought he was experiencing an earthquake! Then, all at once, the bear let loose an unbelievable burp that shot the cub up and out of its mouth. The wolf cub hit the ground running. He ran as fast as his legs could carry him, all the way back to his den, where his mother was waiting for him. “Where were
He began to work on his plan immedi-
you? What happened? Are you all right?”
Then, the cub heard a deep burp and he
ately. He jumped and hit, tickled and
was thrown up towards the opening of the
scratched. At one point, he even started to
she asked.
bear’s mouth. “Hey, that was funny,” he
climb on the bear’s ribs! The bear resisted,
said, wiping away tears from his face. “Wait
and tried to discombobulate the cub by
a minute, if I upset his stomach, I’ll come
jumping up and down and rolling around.
Luca Morris is a Pioneer Scout with the
out of his mouth!”
The cub actually enjoyed it! This was all
101st Toronto Group. He wrote this story for
great fun for him!
White Tail Beavers as they look forward to
“Oh Mom, I’m fine.” he answered. “I just had a little adventure, that’s all.”
swimming up to Cubs.
ScoutingLife.ca Summer 2013
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GOT BUGS?
66TH WINDSOR SAYS: “GET A BAT HOUSE!”
E
ach year, the 66th Windsor Scouting Group in Ontario conducts two all-
section family camps, one in the fall and one in the spring. The camps are multi-purpose – first to encourage the younger Section members to interact with the older youth (linking to entice long-term retention) and secondly to engage the Group on at least one project that gives back to the community. In spring of 2013, using materials generously donated by Rona of Windsor, the Group built a large quantity of bat
getting hands-on experience in every step of construction. Each house was branded with the 66th
houses from scratch. The houses were
logo which today can be seen at various
earmarked for use by Essex County
locations throughout the Windsor/Essex
regional farms and wineries and some City
region. The youth not only learned new
of Windsor locations for mosquito and
skills from doing their community projects
insect control.
and working in teams but also enjoyed a
The houses also make for an interesting
sense of pride upon completion of each
and complementary addition to certain
project. Observing the fruits of their labour
structures (like a barn or roof peak). The
every time they revisit a project site or spot
youth worked in teams of Beaver Scouts,
one in the community continues to give
Cubs and Scouts, with each member
added enjoyment to all involved.
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ASKED AND ANSWERED… WE ASKED ON FACEBOOK: WHAT IS THE BEST ACTIVITY YOUR GROUP HAS TAKEN ON?
Jim Lien: 85th Old Mill (Toronto) Venturers did the CN Tower climb, raising close to $1,000 for United Way.
Carm Galati: For Scouts it is the knife building. It's fun, teaches them some woodworking and they have a keepsake forever. For our Group, our annual Oakville Santa Claus parade float. The entire Group gets involved and we design and build a completely new float every year. 1st Trafalgar Group has been in the parade the longest out of any other group in Oakville. We've even won some awards!
Sebastienne VanWill Moran: I would say a range of things, from my previous Group’s all-sections camp which was called Friendship Camp - and involved each Section inviting another Group to join us (Beavers invited another Colony, Cubs invited another Pack etc.), to our most successful CJ fundraiser which was a spaghetti dinner, dessert auction and silent auction, where we had so much fun, and the attendees had so much fun, that we were ASKED to make it an annual event!
Kevin Ryan: Food Drives for the local food bank, Doing an evening of Christmas carols at a local seniors home, Various projects at local camps.
Eric Davison: I second the knife building, if you have a Leader with access to a shop. Plenty of camps need work done on them somewhere if you’re looking for something a bit bigger and want to teach them some construction skills. We made a camp out of rebuilding a fence.
Ron Boyd: Our Group participates in the Great Canadian Shoreline Clean Up each fall. It's a great project to get the entire Group, Leaders, youth and families outside, helping the community and environment and gets us great exposure too! And it's a ton of fun! Our Venturer Company started the project many years ago and for the past 7 or 8 years or so it's become a full group initiative. Highly recommend it!
Join in the conversation on the Scouts Canada Official Facebook Page, where Scouting enthusiasts from across the country share their thoughts and ideas, opinions, questions, resources and experience. Look for it on Facebook, and let your voice be heard. ScoutingLife.ca Fall 2013
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ScotiaJamb 2015 ADVENTURE, WILDERNESS AND FELLOWSHIP in Scouting await you at SJ in Nova Scotia. So mark July 11-16, 2015, in your calendar. Come experience our theme of Scout Olympics, including wilderness camping, canoeing, sea kayaking, zipline, and climbing wall. For information contact Herb Ripley at hripley@ns.aliantzinc.ca or Thomas Oickle at oickletm@gmail.com
Those interested in Offer of Service, contact oos-staffing@scotiajamb.ca
What are you doing July 2015?
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
AVIS DE L’ASSEMBLÉE ANNUELLE
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of the Corporation of Scouts Canada will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2013 at 2:00 pm MT at the Calgary Marriott Downtown Hotel, 110 9th Ave SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 5A6 for the purpose of: 1 Receipt and consideration of reports including the Corporation’s annual report; 2 Receipt and consideration of the financial statements and the auditor’s report thereon for the preceding year; 3 Election of Honorary Officers and Honorary Members; 4 Recommendation to the Patron Scout of an individual to fill the position of Chief Commissioner, and this recommendation may take place up to one year in advance; 5 Appointment of Officers and election of Members of the Board (except for the CEO, who is appointed by the Board, and the Chief Commissioner, who is appointed by the Patron Scout); 6 Appointment of an auditor; 7 Consideration of any matter placed before it by the Chief Commissioner on behalf of the Board; 8 Selection of three (3) Voting Members to serve on the Nominating Committee for the ensuing year; 9 Consideration of any resolution(s) introduced by the Voting Members in accordance with Article III i., and the recommendation(s) of the Board relating thereto: and 10 Such other business as may come before the meeting and which the Members under applicable law are authorized to transact.
Avis est donné que l’assemblée générale annuelle de l’organisation de Scouts Canada se tiendra le samedi 16 novembre 2013 à 14 h, HNR, à l’hôtel Marriott du centre ville de Calgary situé au 110 9th Ave SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 5A6, aux fins suivantes : 1 Réception et examen de rapports, notamment du rapport annuel de l’organisation. 2 Réception et examen de l’état financier des opérations nationales et du rapport du vérificateur à ce sujet de l’année précédente. 3 Élection des officiers honoraires et des membres honoraires. 4 Recommandation au Chef scout d’une personne pour pourvoir le poste de commissaire en chef. La recommandation peut être effectuée jusqu’à un an d’avance. 5 Nomination des officiers et élection des membres du conseil (sauf pour le directeur général qui est nommé par le conseil, et le commissaire en chef qui est nommé par le Chef scout). 6 Nomination d’un vérificateur. 7 Examen de toute question soulevée par le commissaire en chef au nom du conseil. 8 Sélection de trois (3) membres votants pour siéger au comité des candidatures pour l’année suivante. 9 Examen de toute résolution présentée par les membres votants en vertu de l’article III i., et de toute recommandation du conseil à cet égard. 10 Examen de toute autre question soulevée devant l’assemblée dont les membres, en vertu de la loi pertinente, sont autorisés à le faire.
Members and Honorary Members of the Corporation are entitled to a notice of the Annual Meeting of the Corporation and Voting Members are entitled to vote thereat.
Les membres et les membres honoraires de l’organisation ont droit à un préavis de l’assemblée générale de l’organisation et les membres votants ont le droit de voter à cette assemblée.
This meeting is being held in conjunction with other sessions and workshops.
Cette assemblée est tenue de pair avec d’autres séances et ateliers.
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EVERYONE MAKES MISTAKES.
WHEN YOU STICK TO IT, YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS COLLECTED BY LISA MURPHY
HURT FEELINGS (YOUR OWN AND OTHERS’) WILL HEAL WITH CARE AND TIME.
The most innocuous objects in your life can give you pause for thought, if you take the time to think a little differently...
BE FLEXIBLE, AS THINGS MAY NOT ALWAYS GO THE WAY YOU WANT THEM TO. ALSO, BE PREPARED TO STRETCH YOUR CAPABILITIES.
PICK OUT THE GOOD QUALITIES IN OTHERS, AND HOPE THAT THEY SEE THE GOOD QUALITIES IN YOU. EVERYONE NEEDS A DAILY REMINDER THAT HE OR SHE IS LOVED.
TAKE SOME TIME EVERY DAY TO RELAX AND REFLECT.
LIST YOUR BLESSINGS EVERY DAY
SCOUTER'S 5
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PACK
DEEPER READING THE JUNGLE BOOK CAN PROVIDE MUCH MORE TO THE CULTURE OF YOUR PACK THAN A JUST LIST OF NAMES. by James Morris
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W
hen Baden Powell envisioned a
The original text includes clear roles
junior branch of Scouting, he
for the various characters. Balloo and
asked his friend Rudyard Kipling
Bagheera both speak for Mowgli at the
for permission to use the
Council Rock. In doing so, they take
anthropomorphic morality tales
responsibility for his place in the Pack
Thinking of beautiful things we know;
of The Jungle Book as a teaching
which leads to their roles as teachers and
Dreaming of deeds that we mean to do,
framework. Now, close to a hundred years
mentors to Mowgli. Leaders who take the
later, the resulting structure still holds up.
time to read the book will get a better
All complete in a minute or two –
But how long has it been since you turned
sense of what their names are supposed
to the source material?
to teach the Cubs in their Pack.
The names we use in Cubbing – most
Beyond the names, there are a myriad
Here we sit in a branchy row.
Something noble and grand and good, Won by merely wishing we could. Now we’re going to – never mind,
commonly Akela, Balloo and Bagheera,
of lessons to be gleaned from the text –
but also many others from the Mowgli
without much in the way of literary
stories and the other tales and poems in
analysis required. The story of the Bandar-
The Jungle Book – all come from a source
Log, for instance, provides a terrific lesson
From the Road-Song
that provides a rich vein of meaning that
on the importance of following the guiding
we can and should communicate to the
principles of Scouting. In the book, the
of the Bandhar-Log
members of our Packs.
monkey tribe kidnaps Mowgli. Full of
Brother thy tail hangs down behind!
By Rudyard Kipling
mischief but unable to sustain focus on their purpose, they soon lose Mowgli back
Beyond the names, there are a myriad of lessons to be gleaned from the text – without much in the way of literary analysis required.
to Bagheera, Balloo and Kaa. Most impostant in this story is the description of the Jungle’s complete lack of regard for the
leadership. So when Mogli returns and
tree dwellers – which stems from the
fulfills his promise, it includes a reckon-
Monkeys’ complete lack of regard for the
ing with the misguided wolves.
laws of the Jungle. The lesson for our Packs
The lesson of all of this is that the Law
is easy to draw. When decorum breaks
of the Jungle is founded on undeniable
down and the individuals break from the
truths. That progression and growing
expectations of the Pack, nothing gets
requires listening and learning. That
done.
knowledge and capability have lasting
Similarily, lessons can be drawn from
value that far outweighs momentary
The easy approach is to have a movie
the path that Mowgli takes throughout the
amusements.
night and enjoy the classic animated
book. He is brought to the Pack under
Disney film, but given the major differ-
threat from Sheer Khan, whom he later
in their programming will provide their
ences in meaning and characterization
defeats with fire at the end of “Mowgli’s
Cub Scouts with a firmer grasp on the
between it and the book, this actually
Brothers.” But in this victory there is also a
principles of Scouting. Parents who read
provides the youth with an experience
loss. Because Mowgli feels that he must
the story with their Cubs will be doing
that is much less than they deserve. Kaa,
leave the Pack – vowing to return and
their part to support the program and get
for instance, is presented as Sheer Khan’s
restore order by killing the tiger when he
the most out of it.
villainous lackey in the film, but is an
is able. There are cubs in the Pack who
important ally to Bagheera and Balloo in
turn from the traditional ways to follow
might be worth it for you to crack the
the book.
Sheer Khan. They challenge Akela’s
cover and find it for yourself.
Leaders who can incorporate the story
Baden Powell saw the value in it. It
ScoutingLife.ca Fall 2013
35
COMPANY
CANADIANS IN CROATIA In July of 2012, six Venturer Scouts and two Advisors from the 11th Toronto Venturer Scout Company travelled to Croatia to be hosted for two weeks by the Poseidon Scout Group from the city of Split. Together they joined four other Scout Groups from other parts of Croatia for a 14-day camp at the beautiful Plitvice National Park. Over the stay, the Canadian Venturers participated fully into the local program – eating and cooking Croatian meals, sleeping in traditional Croatian military tents, attempting to
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ScoutingLife.ca Fall 2013
learn basic Croatian, and most of all, experiencing Croatian culture. In addition to visiting the national park, their host was also kind enough to bring them on two sightseeing tours to the cities of Zagreb and Split. It was very sad for them to leave, as friendships had been struck up, and life-long memories were being made. But plans are in place for the Poseidon Group to visit Toronto in the summer of 2014.
ScoutingLife.ca ScoutingLife.ca Summer Fall 2013 2013
37
COLUMN
ENGAGING YOUTH
THE ART OF LEADING OUR YOUTH
U
by Michael Burdo B.A., B.S.W. – Youth and Family Counsellor
nderstanding our youth goes a long
When leaders bark orders, they place
respect. The style lacks an opportunity for
way in working effectively with
demands and possibly at times
offering responsibility and choice. It does
them within the Scouting program.
inappropriately pressure them. Naturally,
not allow the children to independently
In order to be successful at this,
there are times and situations where
think for themselves. The children may
there are four important concepts
ordering youth is appropriate – in cases of
easily discourage, argue back or get into a
to keep in mind:
emergency or high risk.
power struggle with the leadership. Giving In: The leader concedes to the
• The overall challenge is to help them to become responsible, self-assured and independent. • Developing a positive relationship is a major first step. • Respect is a vital component in positive relationships. • A youth’s behaviour always has a purpose
There are three styles of leadership that we can use with youth at various times in our interactions with them.
youth and with this style and the children experience a high lack of consistency and an absence of clear limits. Leaders relinquish any effort at dealing effectively with the behaviour. They simply choose to throw up their arms in despair. This style of leading allows for a complete absence for the building of respect. It does not provide for boundaries and clear limits. Youth will
There are three styles of leadership that
But here, I am speaking to how we
not learn to work cooperatively. It takes
we can use with youth at various times in
address behaviours: “If you continue to act
away from the opportunity to learn
our interactions with them.
out, I will send you out of the hall!” Here,
responsibility. Moreover, the children will
there is minimal trust and respect for the
begin to feel discouraged.
Giving Orders: With this style, Leaders establish limits. They control the youth and
youth. This autocratic method does not
the situation with less room for freedom.
permit much opportunity for building up
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Allowing Choices: The leader provides stability by setting a balance between
freedom with the youth. Allowing choices
struggles through argument, wanting
provides a balance between responsibilities
revenge, and showing inadequacy are four
Some Ways Of Building A Better Relationship With Youth In Your Group:
and rights. It demonstrates respect and
goals of youth misbehaviour. If youth can’t
Enjoy them: Learn to laugh at yourself,
provides opportunities for the children to
obtain attention in positive ways, they will
have a sense of humour, allow yourself to
make decisions. There is a presence of
strive for it by behaving inappropriately.
be imperfect. Smile and laugh a lot. Set out
equality in the fair treatment of the youth
Their attempts at gaining independence
to spend quality time with them.
and the demonstration of respect. While
through power play out in testing the
order and discipline is still required, it is
limits, breaking established guidelines,
identify the strengths in the youth and
managed through appropriate guidance
and sometimes shouting. Other youth
place less importance on the mistakes. Be
and counsel. Children may be called upon
believe that if they can get retribution, they
aware of effort and show them that you
to assist in the setting out of guidelines and
will have found a way to belong even if it is
believe in their abilities. Let them know
fair limits. Leaders are not controlling all
not a positive way of doing so. Showing
that you have confidence in them.
the process but rather helping the youth to
inadequacy and feeling discouraged are
take on manageable responsibility and to
ways that some youth behave in order that
thumbs up, an exchange of kind and caring
begin to think for themselves towards
others do not place high performance
words, and doing things that the youth
attaining appropriate independence.
expectations on them.
enjoy will build up the team. Speaking and
establishing limits and appropriate
Seeking attention, entering into power
There will be times when the behaviour of the youth will certainly come into question. This is a critical time when our leadership skill set will be put to the test.
Seeking attention, entering into power struggles through argument, wanting revenge and showing inadequacy are four goals of youth misbehaviour.
Show compassion: A pat on the back, a
acting respectfully with them will help the
Strive to identify the strengths in the youth and place less importance on the mistakes. When we determine the goal of the misbehaviour, we can better intervene at changing it in a positive manner. Showing encouragement and recognizing effort will diminish the need for attention. Displaying
children grow in independence and responsibility.
A pat on the back, a thumbs up, an exchange of kind and caring words and doing things that the youth enjoy will build up the team.
respect and using “I” messages will lower power struggles while identifying the
It is at these times that we need to
Provide encouragement: Strive to
By now, you perhaps have become aware
feelings of the youth. Demonstrating
of how much work it takes to effectively
ascertain what is the goal of the
cooperative behaviour, responsibility
interact in a positive manner with the youth.
misbehaviour on the part of the youth.
taking, and asking the youth for their ideas
Learn to do the same with yourself. Take time
First however, we need to establish who
and thoughts will dissipate such negative
to relax, to give yourself a pat on the back, to
owns the problem. Ask yourself these
behaviours as feelings of inadequacy and
enjoy quiet moments of personal reflection,
simple questions. Are people’s rights being
seeking of revenge or retribution. Youth
to be well prepared with a solid and mean-
disrespected? Could somebody possibly
want to be involved and they want to strive
ingful team approach set out in the program,
become hurt? Could there be damage to
for independence. They look for fairness
and to see challenges with a new perspective
property? Is the youth unable to assume
and they work towards gaining
as an opportunity to grow and strengthen
responsibility? If the answer to any of these
competency. They want to contribute and
yourself. Scouting provides a wealth of
questions is “yes,” then the leadership
assist in the decision making process. They
adventure, fun and challenge to both the
team owns the problem or both the youth
enjoy being helpful and they look to be
youth and the leaders. It is indeed the highly
and you own the problem together. If not,
able to trust in themselves and others.
skilled leaders who are an integral force
then it is the youth who owns the problem.
behind the many successes experienced by our various Scouting groups.
ScoutingLife.ca Fall 2013
39
SCOUTER'S ALBUM We asked for pictures from you. Pictures that show off Scouting at its best. These terrific shots were submitted by Scouters Beth McAdams, Bryan Mierau, Jared Gudnason and Colleen McCaw.
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ScoutingLife.ca Fall 2013
SHARE YOUR SHOTS!
GOT SOME GREAT SHOTS OF YOUR OWN TO SHARE? GET IN TOUCH WITH US AT SCOUTING LIFE@SCOUTS.CA!
ScoutingLife.ca Fall 2013
41
START YOUR ENGINES
FOR ANOTHER EXCITING YEAR OF THE BEAVER BUGGY AND KUB KAR PROGRAM!
Check out the all NEW Hot Wheels® inspired packaging at the Scout Shop this year! Complete with a Special Offer and Decals.
ources s e r t a e r g d n ding tips a il u b , s e t la p ign tem s e d W E N r s visit: o ie F ll a r ir e h t g plannin for Scouters
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