HISTORY | MISSION | PRINCIPALS | PRACTICES
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How
It Began Scouting had its start in the experiences of Lt. Col. Robert Baden-Powell (B.-P.). He was a career soldier who served in India and Africa. His love of the outdoor life and his interest in the welfare of his troops led him to introduce many innovations into service life. All of them revolving around making soldiers more self-reliant. While in the Army, B.-P. wrote a book entitled Aids to Scouting. In essence, it was a skill-development book that elaborated on outdoor survival activities. The book became quite popular and and was used to train boys in a number of schools and clubs. Following this, B.-P. rewrote the book and called the new version Scouting for Boys. It was such a success that he decided to organize the very first Scout Camp, to test his theory in 1907. |
| Scouting
groups sprang up spontaneously as boys (and girls) applied the lessons
from B.-P.¹s book. Scouting continued to grow in England and spread
to other countries around the world. The first Scout groups in Canada
were formed in 1908. In 1920, B.-P. decided to hold a rally for Scouts
in Olympia Stadium in London, England. This is regarded as the first
World Jamboree. A World Scout Conference was held in 1922 and the
World Organization of the Scout Movement was formed. Over the years, the Scouting program has been updated and revised to remain relevant to the needs of youth. A program for younger youth was designed in 1914 and called Cub Scouts. Rover Scouts for "graduates" of the Scout program was formed in 1918. Venturer Scouts, a program for teens, was initiated in Canada in 1967 and Beaver Scouts was started in 1974. Scouting continues to grow and develop in Canada and around the world as it continues to meet the needs of modern children. In over 100 years, Scouting has served generations of Canadians and improved the way of life in countless communities across the country.
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Scouts Canada's Mission To contribute to the education of young people, through a value system based on the Scout Promise and Law, to help build a better world where people are self fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in society. Scouting’s Mission is achieved by:
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Scouting is based on three broad principles
which represent its fundamental beliefs. These include:
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We define Scouting Practices as a system of progressive self-education including:
- a promise and law,
- learning by doing,
- membership in small groups,
- progressive and stimulating programs,
- commitment to the values of doing one's best, contributing to the community, respecting and caring for others, contributing as a family member,
- use of outdoor activities as a key learning resource.
Each program section emphasizes meeting these principles and practices at a level appropriate to the age range and capabilities of the members in that section. Together the programs for all sections combine towards the development of the whole person and an in-depth appreciation and commitment to the principles of Scouting.
The five programs of Scouts Canada are:
Beaver Scouts - a program for 5 to 7 year olds designed around the concept of sharing.
Cub Scouts - designed especially for 8 to 10 year olds, this program provides children with the opportunity to work and play with others developing responsibility and increasing their skills in hobbies and crafts.
Scouts - provides the opportunities for children aged 11 to 14 (with the option to remain until age 16) to have membership in small friendship and interest groups, to try a variety of challenging and appealing activities based on learning by doing, to develop health and fitness, an appreciation of and experience in the community and the outdoors.
Venturer Scouts - is a program for youth, ages 14 to 17 which helps them adapt to a rapidly changing world by meeting people, going places and doing things.
Rover Scouts - is a program for adults ages 18 to 26 which helps individual development and self-discovery.
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The affairs of the
Corporation of Scouts Canada are governed by a Board of Governors and
administered and managed by the Operations Advisory Committee Scouts Canada grants charters to Councils to administer Scouting within the area as defined in the charter. Councils can also charter local councils to administer Scouting within defined areas. |
Most Scout groups are sponsored. Working in partnerships, Scouts Canada provides programs for community based groups to use in their work with youth. These community groups include religious institutions, service, fraternal and civic clubs, professional, business and occupational associations; military bases, public and private schools; Home & School associations and groups of citizens/parents (as is the case with 15th Burlington).
The sponsor/partner is free to choose and use any or all of the programs and to receive services from Scout councils provided they accept the Mission and Principles and follow the policy of Scouting as set out in By-law, Policies & Procedures.
Select graphics courtesy of the Web Diner. Information Source: Scouts Canada
Page last revised Sunday August 14, 2011 .