Scouts Canada

Scouts Canada

The Scout fleur-de-lis and the maple leaf of the flag of Canada with two sticks to create a stylized tent or campfire in a stylized badge[1]
Headquarters Ottawa, Ontario[2]
Country Canada
Founded 1914, incorporated 12 June 1914[3]
Founder The Boy Scouts Association (United Kingdom)
Membership
  • 61,438 youth[4]
  • 20,756 volunteers[4]
  • 216 employees[4]
Chief Scout Terry Grant[5]
Patron Scout David Lloyd Johnston[6]
National Commissioner John A. Estrella[7]
National Youth Commissioner Caitlyn Piton [8]
Executive Commissioner and CEO Andrew Price[9]
Affiliation World Organization of the Scout Movement
Website
Scouts Canada

Scouts Canada is a Canadian Scouting association providing programs for young people, male and female, aged 5 to 26, with the stated aim "to help develop well rounded youth, better prepared for success in the world.".[10] Scouts Canada, in affiliation with the French-language Association des Scouts du Canada, is a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). 2015-16 youth membership stands at 61,438,[4] a 5% decline from 64,693[11] in 2014-15. Over the same period, volunteer membership increased slighly, from 20,717 to 20,756. This is a significant decline from its 1965 peak of 288,084 youth and 33,524 volunteers.[12]

Values

Scouts Canada's programs are based on three principles:

Scouts Canada's programs are co-educational and it states it is committed to diversity.[13][14] Scouts Canada has a policy not to discriminate for reasons of gender, culture, religious belief or sexual orientation.[15] Although Scouts Canada's principles requires a basic spiritual belief, it states that members are not required to subscribe to a religion or belief in God.[16]

History

For the history of the Scouting Movement in Canada outside of Scouts Canada, see Scouting and Guiding in Canada#History of Scouting in Canada.

According to the book 75 Years of Scouting in Canada, the first Scouting groups in Canada were founded in 1908, the same year Baden-Powell's book, Scouting for Boys was published. St. Catharines and Merrickville are mentioned as among the locations of the first troops.[17]

Scouts Canada states "There is evidence that a few Scouting groups started up in Canada in 1907",[18] but provides no further details.

The Boy Scouts Association was formed in the United Kingdom in 1910 and incorporated in 1912. It has been claimed that its founder, Baden-Powell, wrote to Earl Grey, the Governor General of Canada in 1910 and asked him to organize Scouting in Canada. A branch of The Boy Scouts Association was established in Canada under The Boy Scouts Association's Overseas Department. The Canadian General Council of The Boy Scouts Association was incorporated by an Act of the Canadian Parliament on June 12, 1914. The Canadian General Council continued to be represented internationally by The Boy Scouts Association of the United Kingdom until 30 October 1946, when the Canadian General Council became a direct member of the Boy Scout World Conference, now the World Organization of the Scout Movement. The organization continued to legally be a branch of The Scout Association of the United Kingdom until 2007. The Canadian General Council of The Boy Scouts Association changed its name to Boy Scouts of Canada by an amendment to its incorporating Act of Parliament. In 1976 the Scouts Canada logo was introduced and the organization, by its By-laws, adopted the name Scouts Canada. In 2007, The Boy Scouts of Canada legally changed its name to Scouts Canada.[19][20]

In 1972, Scouts Canada began accepting female participants as part of its Rover Section. This was expanded in 1984 to include the Venturer Section. In 1992, co-ed Scouting was an option for all program sections and became policy for all sections in 1998.

Organizational structure

Scouts Canada is governed by a Board of Governors. Administration of the organization is divided into twenty Councils, each administering a whole province or large part thereof. Each Council is headed by a Council Commissioner appointed by the National Commissioner, and a Council Youth Commissioner appointed by the National Youth Commissioner. Council Commissioners furthermore appoint their management teams to manage the interests of the council. All positions are advertised publicly and a selection committee interviews personnel based on skill set.[21] Councils are subdivided into Areas, each headed by an Area Commissioner appointed by the Council Commissioner, and an Area Youth Commissioner appointed by the Council Youth Commissioner.[22]

Scouts Canada is affiliated with Association des Scouts du Canada.[23]

Under the World Organization of the Scout Movement's constitution, only one organization is recognized in each country.[24] Canada is the only country in which this recognition is held jointly.[25] Many other countries also have more than one Scouting organization and some of these have formed national federations which are the WOSM members. Scouts Canada and L'Association des Scouts du Canada send a joint delegation to meetings of the World Organization of the Scout Movement; this is coordinated through the Committee on Cooperation.

David Johnston, the current Governor General of Canada, is the "Patron Scout" of Scouts Canada.. From 1910 to 2013, the Governor General of Canada was either the Chief Scout for Canada (prior to 1946) or Chief Scout of Canada (after 1946).[26] On 19 April 2013, the Scouts Canada Board of Governors appointed Terry Grant as Chief Scout of Canada.[27]

Programs

Scouts Canada members learn to scuba dive in a swimming pool

Full-time programs

Scouts Canada offers five full-time programs, which it states are open to males and females:[28]

Beaver Scouts

Beaver Scouts is a Scouting program aimed at children between ages 5–7. The Beaver Scout uniform includes a bucket hat, a neckerchief, a neckerchief slide, and a vest. Activities include crafts, games, sports, music, hikes, and camping. Spiritual fellowship is also an activity in the program.[29]

Cub Scouts

The Cub Scout program is a program intended for 8- to 10-year-old children. Activities of the program include hiking, camping, and what the organization refers to as "water activities", such as canoeing and kayaking. The program's states that its purpose is to encourage members to "try new and more challenging activities." Its motto is "Do your best".[30]

Scouts

Mountaineering Scouts

The Scouting program of Scouts Canada is a program aimed at children between 11 and 14 years old. Activities include outdoor activities, camping, and hiking, as well as participation in youth forums. It claims that its purpose is "having fun while gaining value leadership skills and self-confidence. "[31]

Venturer Scouts

The Venturer Scout program is a program intended for teens between 14 and 17 years old, with a stated aim to "offer exciting, real life, hands-on experiences for youth." Its activities include hiking, camping, and training programs.[32]

Rover Scouts

Rover Scouts is the final youth stage of Scouting, aimed at teens and young adults between 18 and 26 years old. Activities include what the organization describes as "adventurous activities" and "helping in local communities".[33]

Vocational programs

Part-time programs

Scouts Canada also has programs designated as Part-Time Programs.

ScoutsAbroad

Brotherhood project in 2014 visited Peru.

ScoutsAbroad is a program which was created to support the Canadian Brotherhood Fund.[37] Scouts in wealthier countries like Canada help Scouts in developing countries help themselves on the road to self-sufficiency. The Canadian Brotherhood Fund provides through grants, “seed money” for many international development projects.[38] The ScoutsAbroad program also promotes youth involvement in learning about their world through penpal programs, international events, and international exchanges.[37]

International Development Projects

International Development Projects are known internally as Brotherhood Projects which stems from the Canadian Brotherhood Fund. Groups of Scouts in developing countries develop and carry out projects to improve their own lives and the future of their communities. In some cases, members of Scouts Canada participate in travelling abroad to assist in carrying out portions of a project. There has been over 13 projects completed since 2007.[37]

SCOUTSabout

The SCOUTSabout program aims to fulfill Scouting's mission with those children who are not members of a Scouting organization.[39] SCOUTSabout is implemented in 3-month long modules, often after school, to appeal to those families who do not want or can not commit to year-round activities.[39][40] Theme based, the focus is on structured play and learning by doing without uniforms, badge programs and ceremonies.[39][40] SCOUTSabout is for children between 5 and 10 years old.[39][40]

Extreme Adventure

Extreme Adventure offers the opportunity for young people aged from 14 to 17, to plan and participate in a variety of short-term adventure-based activities.[40] Example activities are: hiking, long-term camping and travelling abroad to participate in humanitarian projects.[40] The program seeks to realise Scouting's mission with non-members.[39] There is no uniform and are no ceremonies associated with this program.[39] It is designed to include development of leadership skills and self-esteem and the participation in community projects that is also offered through the ordinary programs.[39] Extreme Adventure is based on the Venturer Amory Adventure Award concept.[39]

Major youth awards

Scouts Canada has several major youth awards which include:

Camps

Main article: Scouts Canada Camps

Scouts Canada operates over 125 camps across Canada.[42] Popular camps include Camp Impeesa, Haliburton Scout Reserve, Camp Byng and Tamaracouta Scout Reserve. The Tamaracouta Scout Reserve is among the oldest continually operating Scout camps in the world.[43]

A small number of camps are designated SCENES centres which are properties that are operated and managed according to the highest environmental standards and are committed to protecting ecosystems and minimizing their environmental impact.[44] They also provide hands-on educational activities for youth and training opportunities for leaders, enabling all to engage with nature and become empowered to make their own personal commitment to the environment.[45]

Major events

Canadian Scout Jamboree

The Canadian Scout Jamboree or CJ is a jamboree run by Scouts Canada for members of the Scout and Venturer sections. The Jamboree will usually have several groups from other countries attending, most notable from the United States. The CJ that would normally have been held in 2005 was cancelled shortly after CJ'01 due to concerns about volunteer burnout. In 2004, CJ'07 was announced. CJ'07 was the first CJ held at a Scout camp.

ADVenture

ADVenture is run by Scouts Canada for members of the Venturer Scout Section. Created to further differentiate Scouts and Venturers, ADVenture provides a different style of national camp for an older age group.

World Jamborees hosted by Scouts Canada

Canadian Moots

Moots are for Rover Scouts.

World Scout Moots hosted by Association des Scouts du Canada

National Youth Network

National Youth Network members at the National Scouts Canada Conference in Ottawa during the month of November 2012.

The National Youth Network consists of Scouts Canada youth from across the country. The purpose of the National Youth Network is to ensure meaningful youth involvement in all Scouts Canada decisions, support the organization of Council Youth Networks, and encourage youth to take on leadership roles.[55]

The National Youth Network typically consists of one National Youth Commissioner, three Assistant National Youth Commissioners and 20 Council Youth Commissioners.[55]

Projects

Develop and promote FLEX, FAST and FOCUS – Scouts Canada’s Youth Leadership training programs for Cub Scouts, Scouts, and Venturer Scouts. The Youth Network also maintains and adjudicates the Medal of the Maple for Distinguished Youth Service.[55]

The National Youth Network is only a small part of the larger Scouts Canada Youth Network that is made up of the National Youth Network, the Council Youth Networks, the Area Youth Networks and other youth representatives across Canada.

Initiatives

Scouts Canada has begun a process with the goal of doubling its membership by 2014.[56] This process includes more direct program support to leaders; building on such things as a partnership with the Robert Bateman Foundation, a program help line,[57] an award-winning Climate Change program[58] and a variety of camping programs across the country.[59][60][61]

Good Turn Week

Good Turn Week Bracelets

Good Turn Week is an initiative spearheaded by Scouts Canada National Youth Network that follows the principles of Scouting, which teach youth to always do unto others as they would do unto you. The campaign is designed to encourage Canadians to do 'good turns' for each other.[62]

In addition to the original initiative, the Good Turn Week Community Project Challenge was created to help Sections, Groups, or Councils get their Good Turn ideas off the ground. Scouts Canada selected up to 15 projects nationally that would be funded up to $2,000 per project.[63][64][65]

2011 uniform redesign

A Canadian Scouter in the quick dry uniform option

As part of this plan, Scouts Canada re-designed its uniforms with models designed by Joe Fresh Style. Beavers uniforms changed only in colour and fabric. While the major changes in the uniform design are seen in the changes to the style of the button-up shirt and its colour from khaki to grey, green, blue, or red, for Cubs, Scouts, Venturers, Rovers/Leaders respectively. It also offers a technical T-shirts for moisture management.[66] As part of the re-design the sash was eliminated as a uniform component[66] The new design received high marks from Fashion magazine Flare stating that the new uniforms are both stylish and comfortable[66]

The Canadian Path

Starting in 2013, Scouts Canada embarked on their first program revitalization since the 1990s. Following WOSM resolutions set out in the World Scout Youth Programme Policy,[67] to make programs relevant to the needs and demands of the current day's youth, the goal of the project was to do just that. Under development from 2014 until 2016, undergoing a gradual rollout process, it is set to formally launch in September 2016. The new approach takes notes from traditional Scouting practises and focuses around four main elements; Youth-led, Plan-Do-Review, SPICES, and Adventure.[68]

Controversies

Organizational structure

Scouts Canada is governed, like all incorporated non-profit organization[69] by a Board of Governors. Each Council elects three Voting Members of whom at least one must be a youth. All members are able to vote for and or be nominees for Council Voting Members. At the National Annual General Meeting of Members, Voting Members elect the Board of Governors and the National Commissioner.[70]

There are Scouters, most notably members of an organization called SCOUT eh! who believe there is a lack of representation and lack of accountability of this governance structure.

Child protection

In 2012, the CBC ran a documentary suggesting that Scouts Canada had not always reported leaders who had sexually abused children to the police, relating to incidents that took place between 1960 and 1990.[71] Scouts Canada subsequently posted a video apology[72] followed by "a thorough, arms-length review of all records held by Scouts Canada on Leader suspensions or terminations that are related to abuse" by KPMG's forensic investigations unit.[73] The report from KPMG subsequently "found no systemic intent to cover up or hide incidents of abuse"[74][75][76]

Youth protection

In the late 1990s , Scouts Canada modernized its screening practices for adult members. Applicants must complete a Police Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Check. As well, local volunteers interview applicants and check the multiple references they must provide.[77] Scouts Canada volunteers are prohibited from being with a youth member alone; two fully screened volunteers are required to be present at all times.[78] In the event that volunteers are suspected of misconduct, policy requires that they are immediately suspended and the relevant authorities are notified with all information shared.[77][79]

Scouts Canada provides with some of its handbooks, and online, a booklet called How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide.[80] In addition, it is a badge requirement in the Scout program for parents and youth to review a portion of How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide[81]

Relations with other Scout associations

In 1999, the Baden-Powell Service Association Federation of Canada (B-PSAFC) was ordered by Industry Canada "to take the word 'scout' out of its title." Scouts Canada also sought for the removal of the name Baden Powell, going on to say "...there's one scouting association in Canada, one in the world, every country has only one that's how Baden Powell set up scouting..." because "[Baden Powell] felt anything else would dilute the program, cause confusion and hurt the programs for young people." [82] The World Organization of the Scouting Movement (WOSM) website reinforces this policy which states, "There can only be one [National Scout Organizations] per country." [83]

Councils

Scouts Canada has 20 geographical councils spread out across the nation. Each Council is divided into service areas, that contain local groups.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Brand Centre - The Scouts Canada Brand Guide". scouts.ca.
  2. ↑ "Contact Scouts Canada". Scouts Canada. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  3. ↑ "Scouts Canada History". Scouts Canada. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Scouts Canada Annual Report 2015-16" (PDF). Scouts Canada. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  5. ↑ "Chief Scout". scouts.ca.
  6. ↑ "Board of Governors". Scouts Canada. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  7. ↑ "Scouts Canada". Scouts Canada. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  8. ↑ "Scouts Canada". Scouts Canada. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  9. ↑ "Scouts Canada's Board of Governors Announces New CEO". Scouts Canada. Retrieved 27 March 2014.
  10. 1 2 "Values". scouts.ca.
  11. ↑ "Scouts Canada Annual Report 2014-15" (PDF). Scouts Canada. Retrieved 23 September 2016.
  12. ↑ Morland, Liam. "Membership Retention in Scout Troops" (PDF). ScoutDocs. World Organization of the Scout Movement. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  13. ↑ http://www.scouts.ca/ca/frequently-asked-questions | Scouts Canada FAQ, Does Scouts Canada Admit Both Boys and Girls?
  14. ↑ http://www.scouts.ca/ca/frequently-asked-questions | Scouts Canada FAQ, Do You Have to Believe in God to Join Scouts Canada?
  15. ↑ http://www.scouts.ca/ca/frequently-asked-questions | Scouts Canada FAQ, Are Homosexuals Allowed to Join Scouts Canada?
  16. ↑ http://scouts.ca/ca/frequently-asked-questions | Frequently Asked Question | Scouts Canada
  17. ↑ Milks, Robert (October 1981). 75 Years of Scouting in Canada. Ottawa: Scouts Canada. pp. 9–11.
  18. ↑ "Scouts Canada History". Scouts Canada. Retrieved 2013-05-01.
  19. ↑ "Bill s-1001, Text of Bill". parl.gc.ca.
  20. ↑ Scouts Canada Official Name Change Legislation
  21. ↑ http://www2.scouts.ca/dnn/BPPAdmin/BylawPoliciesandProcedures/ElectronicVersionBPandP/tabid/232/Default.aspx
  22. ↑ Scouts Canada By-Laws, Policies and Procedures - Section 4000
  23. ↑ Original Agreement between Scouts Canada and L'Association des Scouts du Canada
  24. ↑ http://scout.org/sites/default/files/library_files/WOSM_Constitution_EN.pdf
  25. ↑ "L'origine de l'Association des Scouts du Canada - Association des scouts du Canada". scoutsducanada.ca.
  26. ↑ "Scouts Canada History". scouts.ca.
  27. ↑ Richard Watts. "Former star of Mantracker series takes on a new duty: Chief Scout". Times Colonist.
  28. ↑ "Scouts Canada By-Laws, Policies and Procedues - Section 5000". Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  29. ↑ "Beaver Scouts".
  30. ↑ "Cub Scouts".
  31. ↑ "Scouts".
  32. ↑ "Venturer Scouts)".
  33. ↑ "Rover Scouts".
  34. ↑ http://torontoems.ca/ems-video/?p=1417
  35. ↑ "City of Toronto: Toronto Fire Services - Recruitment". Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  36. ↑ "Ottawa Police Venturers". Ottawa Police Service / Service de police d'Ottawa. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  37. 1 2 3 "ScoutsAbroad". scouts.ca.
  38. ↑ Canadian Brotherhood Fund
  39. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Francis, Ross; Ian Mitchell (June–July 2002). "It's All About Mission" (PDF). The Leader. pp. 8–9. Retrieved 5 March 2007.
  40. 1 2 3 4 5 "Short-term Programs". Scouts Canada. Archived from the original on 6 February 2007. Retrieved 5 March 2007.
  41. ↑ The Medal of the Maple for Distinguished Youth Service
  42. ↑ "Camps". scouts.ca.
  43. ↑ http://que.scouts.ca/ca/camp-tamaracouta | Tamaracouta Scout Reserve Details
  44. ↑ http://scouts.ca/sites/default/files/scenes-cdn-requirements-2012.pdf
  45. ↑ "SCENES". scouts.ca.
  46. ↑ Canadian Scout Jamboree 2013 Retrieved March, 2012.
  47. ↑ Northern Lights Council Page. Retrieved June, 2010.
  48. ↑ "Scouts Canada on Twitter". Twitter.
  49. ↑ http://scouts.ca/adventure14/location.html
  50. ↑ https://twitter.com/DougReid_/status/534121116458315776. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  51. ↑ "Important information on ADVenture16". scouts.ca.
  52. ↑ . Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx-dEkeaeqE. Retrieved 10 April 2014. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  53. ↑ "The Shawinigan Standard - Google News Archive Search". google.com.
  54. ↑ . The Leader, December'82 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3775086290878&set=o.413566715342730&type=1&relevant_count=1&ref=nf. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  55. 1 2 3 "National Youth Network". scouts.ca.
  56. ↑ http://www.scoutingnow.org/
  57. ↑ program help line
  58. ↑ Climate Change Resources
  59. ↑ Chinook Council
  60. ↑ Greater Toronto Council
  61. ↑ Camp Tamaracouta
  62. ↑ http://www.scouts.ca/goodturn/about.php
  63. ↑ http://www.scouts.ca/goodturn/community-projects.php
  64. ↑ "Scouts give something back to the Lions Club during Good Turn Week". mykawartha.com.
  65. ↑ "Scouts Canada Launches Large-Scale Community Projects from Coast-to-Coast for 5th Annual Good Turn". newswire.ca. 30 April 2016.
  66. 1 2 3 Tamsin McMahon (25 March 2011). "Scouts Canada redesigns its uniforms". National Post.
  67. ↑ "World Scout Youth Programme Policy" (PDF). Scout.org. World Organization of the Scouting Movement. March 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
  68. ↑ Canada, Scouts. "The Canadian Path - The Four Elements". The Canadian Path. Retrieved 2016-08-21.
  69. ↑ http://attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/family/pgt/nfpinc/not_for_profit_incorporators_handbook_en.pdf
  70. ↑ http://scouts.ca/bpp/en/bylaw2.pdf
  71. ↑ "Scouts Canada admits not all past sexual abuse reported to police". CBC News. 17 February 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  72. ↑ YouTube. youtube.com.
  73. ↑ Steve Kent (8 December 2011). "An Important Message Regarding Child and Youth Protection - December 8, 2011" (PDF). Scouts Canada. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  74. ↑ http://scouts.ca/cys/sc-kpmg-report.pdf
  75. ↑ http://scouts.ca/cys/sc-kpmg-report-fact-sheet.pdf
  76. ↑ "Scouts Canada refers more than 100 sex abuse allegations to police". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. 25 June 2012.
  77. 1 2 Scouts Canada By-Laws, Policies and Procedures - Section 7000
  78. ↑ Scouts Canada. "Scout Canada's Youth Protection Procedures and Guidelines" (PDF). Scouts Canada. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  79. ↑ Scouts Canada. "Youth Protection". Scouts Canada. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  80. ↑ "How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide" (PDF). Scouts Canada. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  81. ↑ http://www.scouts.ca/sites/default/files/S-VoyageurPersonalDevelopment.pdf
  82. ↑ "Scouts organization ordered to change name". CBC News. 8 December 1999. Retrieved 15 March 2015.
  83. ↑ "Scout Organisations". World Organization of the Scout Movement. 15 March 2015. Retrieved 15 March 2015.

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