By Tanner Nickalls
While a lot of communities are struggling to keep kids interested in scouting, in the small community of Port Sydney the program is thriving.
In fall of 2016, a group of fathers tossed around the idea of starting a Scouting group in their home town of Port Sydney. After comparing Scouting programs a conclusion was made that the Baden-Powell Service Association (BPSA) was the way for them to go. BPSA Scouting is a traditionally-styled group that aims to preserve the ideals, programs, principles, and morals of the ‘father of Scouting’, Lord Baden-Powell. The practices of the group are based heavily on the ‘Patrol System’ which emphasizes that participants, called Explorers, work together to develop skills and pursue adventure primarily in the outdoors. One of the founders of the group, David Perlock, loved the back-to-basics approach that guides BPSA.
After officially launching, 1st Muskoka started with the ‘Explorer’ age group, for youth aged 11 to 16. To its amazement, it attracted youth across Muskoka from Gravenhurst to Huntsville. A younger age group, the ‘Timber Wolves’ have also recently been added for youth aged 8-10. The group is currently searching for more adult leaders to support its growth, particularly for programs for the younger ages. With almost 20 Explorers, the Troop is filling up quickly!
“As a dad of three youth myself,” said Perlock, “BPSA’s affordability was a factor.” With the Scouting group charging only $85 for a full year and half-year rates for new members only $40, the group remains highly accessible for all Muskoka families.
Another one of the great features that 1st Muskoka has to offer is that the Explorers run their own program. “They select the activities. When camping, they plan the menu, buy the food, then organize and cook on their own at camp,” explained Perlock. With no lack of member participation, the Scouting group encourages a “very member-driven grass-roots feel.” They have also volunteered at events such as the Port Sydney Turkey Dinner, and local food drives.
The group enjoys exploring Muskoka, but they have also travelled much farther as well. Taking advantage of the beautiful surrounding landscape, a few trips have taken them camping into Algonquin, hiking along the Niagara Escarpment, and cave exploring in Southwestern Ontario. Treading a bit farther from home, the group has also been kayaking (among other outdoor activities) in Tobermory, visited multiple museums in Ottawa, as well as the Parliament Buildings, and is currently working towards a massive trip that would take the Scouting group to Cape Canaveral!
If interested in learning more about the local 1st Muskoka, or the BPSA Scouting Organization in general, checkout the links below.
- Local 1st Muskoka website http://www.ExploreMuskoka.org
- Twitter @Explore Muskoka
- Facebook Group – 1st Muskoka Traditional Explorers & Timber Wolves
- BPSA Ontario http://www.bpsa-on.ca/
- BPSA Canada www.bpsa-canada.org
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