August brought to a close another fantastic year for the 2nd North Battleford Scouting Group.
"It was an incredible year," states Lana Abrahamson, who's been with the group for 13 years. "Last year was a year of achievement, with three youth receiving their Chief Scout, one receiving a Commendation of Merit and several leaders receiving long service awards."
Abrahamson says, "This year was a year of adventure. Our older youth spent all year working up to three major camps. Of course, there were fall and winter weekend camps, and many activities during the year, but we ended the year with a bang."
The end of June, the third year Cub Scouts, Scouts, Venturer Scouts and one Rover Scout participated in Wilderness Rendezvous, a 10-day backpacking camp in the wilderness block of Cypress Hills.
"Upon arrival," says Abrahamson, "we hiked in to our base camp site, and had to build a 20-foot bridge across a creek to get to it! Brad, one of our third year Cubs put it best, 'This is just like on TV - like one of those Survivorman shows!'"
Wilderness Rendezvous is a progressive camp, and is a four- or five-year program. Participants start in the early years, learning how to read their compass, build shelters and take care of their feet during a hike. They progress learning topographical map skills and decision-making. In their "solo year," they spend six days on trail, living out of their backpacks, following their map and compass and carrying all of their own gear.
They hike most of the time with their peers; but they spend 24 hours hiking and camping alone, and for this they receive a solo plaque.
"It's quite an achievement," says Abrahamson. "This year, four of our youth, Kjell Graupe, Dylan Sylvester, Emily Jackson and Josh Abrahamson, achieved this milestone."
After Cypress Hills, the Scouts (ages 11-14) went to Sylvan Lake to participate in the Canadian Jamboree.
"It was an amazing, fun experience to camp with thousands of other Scouts from around the country," says Abrahamson. "The Venturer Scouts, ages 14-17, explored the world class canoeing that our Churchill River system has to offer, canoeing from Nemebien Lake to Otter Rapids, a 105 kilometre journey with 11 portages. Even the adults had adventures; in addition to camping with the youth, eight of them attended a Woodbadge II summer training camp and achieved their advanced leader training for their sections."
When Abrahamson joined Scouts Canada, she was looking for an activity that the whole family could do together.
"I had three children. We had tried several activities where one participated and the rest of us watched. Scouting, had a little something for everyone, and when my husband and I both became leaders, it was an experience for the whole family," she says. "We're now a family of six - some artistic, some athletic, some academic - and Scouting has had something for us all."
Abrahamson says many people don't realize Scouts Canada has been co-ed since the early 1980s.
Scouts Canada offers programming for boys and girls aged five to 17. Scouts programs are leadership building, using the outdoors as a classroom.
Beaver Scouts introduces five- to seven-year-olds to scouting adventures through games, crafts and outdoor activities.
Cub Scouts introduces the eight to 10 year olds into Scouts founder Baden Powell's exploring and earning badges, learning skills and, of course, camping.
Scouts takes the 11- to 14-year-olds and has them doing planning with their leaders. They learn how to plan what they want to achieve, get the skills they need to do it and carry out their adventures.
Venturer Scouts allows the 14- to 17-year-olds to build on what they've learned and to venture out on their own. The sky is the limit with these youth.
Youth in Scouting have fun adventures discovering new things and experiences. Along the way they develop into capable, confident and well-rounded individuals, better prepared for success in the world. Scouts is the start of something great.
Planning for this year is well under way, says Abrahamson.
"This year will be just as amazing as last year," she says. "Our Beavers have several day camps planned, an indoor sleepover and a family camp in late May, early June. Cubs have several weekend camps planned and hope to attend the Saskatchewan Cub Camp at Good Spirit Lake in June. The Scouts will be planning their own adventures, but try to camp almost every month, even in the winter. Venturers also plan their own adventures, but are considering the Canadian Venturer Jamboree next summer. And the Wilderness Rendezvous Camp is a go for third-year Cubs, Scouts and Venturers."
