Figure 1.--

Canadian Scouting activities like activities in other countries are based around the Scout method which is essentially spending time together in small groups with shared experiences, rituals, and activities. Much of the activities have traditionally centered on cultivating a love and appreciation of the outdoors and outdoor activities. There have also been a strong patriotic component and we see Scouts involved in the pagentry associated with a range of municipal and national celebrations. The activities are tailored to the Scouting level. Cubs are the junior division of Scouts and thus the activities are essentially home based. The primary Cub activities include field trips, games, handicrafts, and a range of outdoor activities preparing the boys for Scouting activities. Games are especially popular with Cubs. Younger Scouts also enjoy games. I'm not sure if Canadian Cubs participated in the Pinewood Derby which was popular with American Cubs. The older Scouts are involved with more adventursome activities which are much less home based than Cub activities. Scouting activities include boating, camping, handicrafts, hiking, orienteering, swiming and many other activities. Their is a strong First Aid program. Many of these outdoor activities occur at camps where boating and swiming activities can be organized. Scout camping commonly occurs on a unit level, such as in the pack, but sometimes at Group or District level. Camping is an especially important part of Scouting. This is a recreational activity that gets boys and girls outside of urban areas into the fresh air where they are surronded by nature. For many Cub Scout and Scouters, the highlight of the year is spending up to a week in the summer as part of an outdoor activity. They can stay in a lodge, cabin or tent. Children today have a lot more activities options. These include organized sports and a range of computer activities such as gaming. This has affected Scout membership, in part because many children are not as interested in outdoor activities as was the case in the past. Scouting attemps to address the range of activities through the merit badge program. Canadian Scouters in recent years have added activities for older boys such as travelling abroad to participate in humanitarian projects.

Activities Overview

Canadian Scouting activities like activities in other countries are based around the Scout method which is essentially spending time together in small groups with shared experiences, rituals, and activities. Much of the activities have traditionally centered on cultivating a love and appreciation of the outdoors and outdoor activities. There have also been a strong patriotic component and we see Scouts involved in the pagentry associated with a range of municipal and national celebrations. The activities are tailored to the Scouting level.

Specific Activities

Cubs are the junior division of Scouts and thus the activities are essentially home based. The primary Cub activities include field trips, games, handicrafts, and a range of outdoor activities preparing the boys for Scouting activities. The older Scouts are involved with more adventursome activities which are much less home based than Cub activities.

Activity programs

I'm not sure if Canadian Cubs participated in the Pinewood Derby which was popular with American Cubs.

Boating

Camping

Many of these outdoor activities occur at camps where boating and swiming activities can be organized. Scout camping commonly occurs on a unit level, such as in the pack, but sometimes at Group or District level. Camping is an especially important part of Scouting. This is a recreational activity that gets boys and girls outside of urban areas into the fresh air where they are surronded by nature. For many Cub Scout and Scouters, the highlight of the year is spending up to a week in the summer as part of an outdoor activity. They can stay in a lodge, cabin or tent.

First Aide

Scouting has a strong First Aid program, begiining with the Cub Program.

Games

Games are especially popular with Cubs. Younger Scouts also enjoy games. There are a variety og games employed. Wide games are very popular when the weather permits outdoor activities.

Handicrafts

Hiking

Humanitarian Projects

Canadian Scouters in recent years have added activities for older boys such as travelling abroad to participate in humanitarian projects.

Orienteering

Pagentry

There have also been a strong patriotic component to Scouting and we see Scouts involved in the pagentry associated with a range of municipal and national celebrations. It became an estanlished convention to include Scouts in a wide range of public events. The onne exception is political events. Virtually as soon as Scouting was established, you begin to see the Scouts marching in parades and other celebrations as well as serving as guards of honor. This was especuilly common on national patriotic holidays such as Memorial Day (November 11). We also see Scouts as well as local events, such as honoring visiting dignataries. The boys were all expected to be in full uniform for these occassions.

Swimming

Impact on Membership

Children today have a lot more activities options. These include organized sports and a range of computer activities such as gaming. This has affected Scout membership, in part because many children are not as interested in outdoor activities as was the case in the past. Scouting attemps to address the range of activities through the merit badge program. A Scouter explains, "Certainly when I was growing up in the '60s and '70s we didn't have that variety of choices. The emphasis of Cub Scouting is to have fun and learn at the same time. A Cub Scout gets satisfaction from meeting challenges, having friends, feeling good about himself, and feeling he is important to other people. Cub Scouts learn new things, discover and master new skills, gain self-confidence, and develop strong friendships. A Cub Scout learns the basics of the Scout method, a simple version of the Scout Promise."