For 110 years, scouting and guiding groups in Canada have been providing opportunities for youth to learn new skills and develop leadership skills.
In honour of their heritage, local scouts and guides, along with members of Huntsville Council, gathered at Town Hall for a flag-raising on Feb. 14 to celebrate Scout-Guide Week, which runs from Feb. 16-23.
Scout-Guide Week honours the birthdays of Lord Robert Baden‐Powell, who began the scouting movement in England in 1907, and his wife, Lady Olave Baden‐Powell, who later became the world chief guide. They share the same birthday, Feb. 22.
Guiding began in 1909, when girls in England demanded they be allowed to take part in a boy scouts rally organized by Lord Baden-Powell. He asked his sister, Agnes, to create a program just for girls.
Today, the Scouts are co-ed, and Girl Guides remains a strong organization in its own right. Both have opportunities for children and youth aged five and up in Huntsville, with programs running year-round.
“Scouting is youth-led,” says Judy Hall, the 2nd Huntsville Scout Group commissioner. “They plan from what the youth want to do. The leadership is there to help them plan it and do it and make it happen. So they get to bring their own ideas to life.”
There are five scouting levels—Beaver Scouts (age 5-7), Cub Scouts (8-10), Scouts (11-14), Venturer Scouts (15-17), Rover Scouts (18-26).
Guides and Brownies began in Huntsville in 1925. There are five youth levels—Sparks (age 5-6), Brownies (7-8), Guides (9-11), Pathfinders (12-14), and Rangers (15-17).
Registration for each organization is available online at scouts.ca or girlguides.ca.
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