Once again, the Scouting year is gearing up. 2012 was a big year for the 3rd Ottawa – lots of fun events and camps, culminating for the Scouts in a summer adventure at Camp Haliburton where they took part in everything Scouting from canoeing, hiking and swimming to archery and riflery! What a great way to cap off an amazing year. The Beavers and Cubs both had some incredible events over the year as well, and the group enjoyed our new Beaver Buggy / Cub Car / Scout Truck track for the first time at area events.
This year holds a lot of promise – a warm fall, area campsites in good shape (not too dry so campfires are ok), and enough water in our waterways to ensure some fun after a hike. This is a great time to be in the Scouting movement – we have grown for three years in a row and so many new youth are realizing that having fun and adventure happens when you aren’t staring at a digital screen – no matter how high a resolution it is.
For the leaders in Scouting, we are enjoying renewed training programs and components meant to help us be better leaders, help us guide your youth in their adventure, have safe but challenging adventures, and of course, keep all of our youth members safe. Many training programs are now wholly mandatory before anyone can be with a youth member of Scouts Canada – these include interviews, Police Record Checks, Child and Youth Safety, the famous Woodbadge leadership training program, and more. Everyone at the 3rd Ottawa is dedicated to ensuring our youth have fun and adventure in a safe and welcoming environment.
What a great year for Scouting!