1. Welcome to Scouting!

2. 1-888-SCOUTS-NOW | scouts.ca | 1-888-SCOUTS-OUI What have I gotten myself into? Scouting is a worldwide youth movement with: Over 100 years experience developing young leaders Over 28 million members in 216 countries and territories 100,000 members in Canada A mission to create a better world

3. 1-888-SCOUTS-NOW | scouts.ca | 1-888-SCOUTS-OUI Our Mission Our mission is: To contribute to the education of young people How? Through a value system based on the Scout Promise and Law How? To help build a better world where people are self fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in society

4. 1-888-SCOUTS-NOW | scouts.ca | 1-888-SCOUTS-OUI Education and Having Fun Scouting is fun, and most youth and adults don’t realize how much they’re learning. The key to this is the Scout Method: A promise and law Learning by doing Membership in small groups Progressive and stimulating programs Commitment to values Use of the outdoors as the key learning resource

5. 1-888-SCOUTS-NOW | scouts.ca | 1-888-SCOUTS-OUI Our Values Scouting instills many great values in youth. All of these values come from our three broad principles: Duty to God Duty to Others Duty to Self These principles are fundamental to our beliefs and shape everything that Scouting does.

6. 1-888-SCOUTS-NOW | scouts.ca | 1-888-SCOUTS-OUI Others and Self – OK. But God? Scouting recognizes that people develop in five ways: Physically, Emotionally, Spiritually, Socially, and Intellectually Within Scouting, we help youth develop in all five ways To do this we need to recognize that each person is a spiritual being, that there is a need to believe in a higher power or purpose, and that this belief means that we have a duty to that power or purpose The term “God” is used because it is the most recognized and accepted term for a person’s religion, faith, belief system, or other form of spirituality

7. 1-888-SCOUTS-NOW | scouts.ca | 1-888-SCOUTS-OUI Getting back to those values… Scouting expresses its values most clearly in its Promise and Law Everyone over the age of 10 who becomes a member of Scouts Canada makes the same promise Between the ages of 5 and 10, the Promise and Law have been modified so that they make sense to younger youth

8. 1-888-SCOUTS-NOW | scouts.ca | 1-888-SCOUTS-OUI When you are invested, or formally made a member of your Scout group, you will make the following promise: “ On my honour, I promise that I will do my best To do my duty to God and the Queen, To help other people at all times, And to carry out the spirit of the Scout Law ”

9. 1-888-SCOUTS-NOW | scouts.ca | 1-888-SCOUTS-OUI And the Scout Law that is mentioned in the Promise is: “ A Scout is: Helpful and trustworthy, Kind and cheerful, Considerate and clean, Wise in the use of all resources ”

10. 1-888-SCOUTS-NOW | scouts.ca | 1-888-SCOUTS-OUI The Program Scouting has 5 year-long programs for different age groups, these are called sections: Beavers 5 –7 year olds Cub Scouts 8 –10 year olds Scouts 11 –14 year olds (option to remain to 16) Venturer Scouts 14 –17 year olds Rover Scouts 18 –26 year olds Not every group has all of the sections.

11. 1-888-SCOUTS-NOW | scouts.ca | 1-888-SCOUTS-OUI What do each of the sections have in common: Promise and Law The Scout Method Mission, Principles, and Practices The all develop leadership and citizenship skills through outdoor activities and service projects Weeknight activities that support and lead up to the outdoor activities and service projects

12. 1-888-SCOUTS-NOW | scouts.ca | 1-888-SCOUTS-OUI Beavers Ages 5 – 7 Fun and friendship are the cornerstones of the Beaver program Through an adventurous program of outdoor activities, creative play, music, and cooperative games, Beavers enjoy time with their friends (and meet new ones), learn how to get along within a group, and develop confidence Nature walks, short hikes, tree plantings, and family sleepovers give Beavers a taste of outdoor fun; through these activities, Beavers develop an appreciation and a sense of caring for the environment

13. 1-888-SCOUTS-NOW | scouts.ca | 1-888-SCOUTS-OUI Cub Scouts Ages 8 – 10 Challenging hikes, weekend camps, and introduction to water activities like canoeing or kayaking are just a few of the fun outdoor adventures that Cubs enjoy With the Cub motto of “Do Your Best” from and centre, Cubs are encouraged to try new and challenging activities. Learning important first aid skills, paddling a canoe for the first time, or leading a game at camp will open the door for Cubs to try other adventures they never thought possible.

14. 1-888-SCOUTS-NOW | scouts.ca | 1-888-SCOUTS-OUI Scouts Ages 11 – 14 Scouts enjoy outdoor adventures as part of a team, working together with others to complete thrilling challenges and accomplish goal Scouts gives every member a chance to be a leader; it might involve running an activity, organizing a camp, or participating with other young people across the province or Canada in a youth forum

15. 1-888-SCOUTS-NOW | scouts.ca | 1-888-SCOUTS-OUI Venturer Scouts Ages 14 – 17 Venturers direct their own development in six key areas: fitness, personal interests, community service, social/cultural/spiritual, and outdoor exploration/adventure Venturers meet in a group called a Company; they develop and manage their own program with the mentorship of an adult advisor

16. 1-888-SCOUTS-NOW | scouts.ca | 1-888-SCOUTS-OUI Rover Scouts Ages 18 – 26 Rovers often participate in adventurous activities like mountain climbing, white water rafting, or sea kayaking They often help their local, national, and international communities through service projects such as food drives, park cleanups, tree plantings, and travel to third world countries to build wells, schools, and latrines together with the local Scouting association Rovers meet in a group called a Crew; they develop and manage their own program, often with the help of an experienced advisor

17. 1-888-SCOUTS-NOW | scouts.ca | 1-888-SCOUTS-OUI What is Expected of Me? As a Scouts Canada leader, you have responsibility for: Providing quality, challenging programs with appropriately managed risk for the youth in your section Participating in program planning and sharing leadership responsibilities with others Completing training specific to your role within 120 days Leading by example and adhering to the Duty of Care

18. 1-888-SCOUTS-NOW | scouts.ca | 1-888-SCOUTS-OUI Am I on my own? NO! There are multiple layers of volunteer and staff support available to help you and your section: Section Team volunteers Group Committee volunteers Group Sponsor varies Area Team volunteers and staff Council Team volunteers and staff National Team volunteers and staff

19. 1-888-SCOUTS-NOW | scouts.ca | 1-888-SCOUTS-OUI Section Team The Section Team is made up of the people that you work with to deliver the program to the youth – they are your first line of support. The people on your Section Team are: The Section Contact Leader The other section leaders Youth members, especially those in leadership roles Parents

20. 1-888-SCOUTS-NOW | scouts.ca | 1-888-SCOUTS-OUI Group Committee The Group Committee is responsible for the overall operation of your group; they manage the recruitment of adults, set budgets, approve section programs, and help you find the resources you need. The people on your Group Committee will vary, but the one person you can always talk to is the Group Commissioner. Your Section Contact Leader is a member of the Group Committee and can help you find the right person to talk to if you have a question or concern.

21. 1-888-SCOUTS-NOW | scouts.ca | 1-888-SCOUTS-OUI Group Sponsor The Group Sponsor is an organization that has decided that Scouting is a valuable experience for youth in your community. They have specific responsibilities and work with the Group Committee to ensure that Scouting continues to meet the needs of youth. Your sponsor could be a: Religious body or institution Community association Service club Group of parents

22. 1-888-SCOUTS-NOW | scouts.ca | 1-888-SCOUTS-OUI Area Team Just like your Section is part of a Group, your Group is part of an Area. The Area Team is led by a volunteer Area Commissioner, and all of the Group Commissioners inside an Area are part of the Area Team. Other people on the Area Team are: Assistant Area Commissioners, Service Scouters, and a Council Field Executive (a paid staff person). The Area is primarily responsible for supporting your Group, so that your Group can focus on supporting you.

23. 1-888-SCOUTS-NOW | scouts.ca | 1-888-SCOUTS-OUI Council Team Your Area is a part of a Council, which is led by a volunteer Council Commissioner and a youth member Council Youth Commissioner The Council Team is responsible for: Camps and properties Training courses Coordinating Scout Popcorn and Scoutrees Honours and awards The Council can be reached by calling 1 888-726-8876

24. 1-888-SCOUTS-NOW | scouts.ca | 1-888-SCOUTS-OUI National Team The Scouts Canada National Team is responsible for: Supporting the 20 Councils across the country Working with the World Organization of the Scout Movement Setting policies and procedures Producing Scouting Life magazine The Program Help Line: 1 800-339-6643 www.scouts.ca and related services, like Program Builder

25. 1-888-SCOUTS-NOW | scouts.ca | 1-888-SCOUTS-OUI What have we covered? Today we have covered a lot of important information: Who we are What we do Our values What our program looks like The levels of support available to you Together with the information given to you during your interview, you are ready to start Scouting!

26. 1-888-SCOUTS-NOW | scouts.ca | 1-888-SCOUTS-OUI What’s Next? You’re ready for these next steps: Meet with the rest of your Section leadership team to talk about the coming year, if you haven’t already done so Prepare for investiture, if you haven’t already done so Sign up for a Woodbadge Part I course – this 12 hour course will teach you the skills you need to be effective in your role Ask plenty of questions Enjoy your time with Scouting!

27. 1-888-SCOUTS-NOW | scouts.ca | 1-888-SCOUTS-OUI Thank You!