Be Prepared...For Zombies?

Just about everyone is familiar with the Scout motto: Be Prepared. But maybe you wonder exactly what that means. Be prepared for WHAT?

The Scouting Movement endorses the idea that youth should be prepared in body and in mind to deal with any situation. Self-confidence and problem-solving are key, but they go hand in hand with the traditional skills the program emphasizes: a focus on the outdoors and the know-how required to survive (and thrive) away from the comforts of home.

Once upon a time, Scouts were exposed to these skills in their every day lives, not just once a week. But today's youth come from a different world. So how do you teach a Scout how to be prepared?

You could stand at the front of the room and demonstrate skills like how to tie knots or build a shelter. You could lecture on the importance of being prepared. Or...you could make it fun!

That's where the Zombie Apocalypse comes in.

This year, 8th Newmarket Scouts will be tracking a fictional outbreak of Zombies. They'll train their bodies to be strong and their minds to be quick. They'll acquire valuable survival skills such as first aid, building shelters, foraging, and more. They will work together to overcome obstacles. They will understand how to react in an emergency.

They will learn how to be prepared.

And the best part? They'll be so busy having fun, they probably won't even realize they're learning something. And those types of lessons tend to be the ones that stick.

It's 1812 - Do You Know Where Your Scouts Are?

Every year, 8th Newmarket Scouts participate in a weekend camp on the grounds of historic Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake: the Scout Brigade of Fort George. 

Scouts come from all over Ontario, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York State to participate in a reenactment of the War of 1812.

This camp is considered to be one of the highlights of the Scouting year for 8th Newmarket.  Our youth get to dress in period-appropriate costumes, practice their musket drills, and learn about history in a most enjoyable way: by living it.

This past week, Scouter Glen sent a notice to our 8th Newmarket Scouts announcing that we are registered and ready to go: September 21 to 23, we will join approximately 2000 other Scouts at the two-hundred year anniversary of this historic event.  We always enjoy our time at Fort George, but this year promises to be extra-special.  Details are still to come, but there are hints of exciting plans to commemorate this bicentennial year.

The SBFG has posted a short video that highlights some of the things you can expect to experience at Fort George.  Have a look and let us know what you think.

Take your 8th Newmarket Scout to Camp!

One of the most popular 8th Newmarket activities is, without a doubt, camping.  Our youth have several opportunities throughout the year to enjoy the Great Outdoors, whether they are a Beaver, Cub, Scout or Venturer - and all this experience gives them a chance to build up a pretty valuable skill set.

Perhaps your family is considering a camping trip of your own this summer.  If so, you are in luck!  There are a whole list of reasons why it's great to camp with a member of 8th Newmarket.  Here are our top five.

1. Starting and tending to the fire

If your youth is Scout-aged or older, he or she has likely earned the coveted fire permit and will be skilled in the building, starting and tending of the fire.  Plus, they will be highly motivated to haul wood in exchange for this honour.  Even younger youth will help with gathering kindling and stacking wood, knowing that in a just a few years, they will have their own chance to tend the fire.  It's a win-win situation for everyone involved.

2.  Going off the grid

On our 8th Newmarket camping trips, we have a strict "no electronics" rule.  This means that our youth are not only capable of entertaining themselves without staring at a screen, they actually like it.  There are plenty of things to do that don't require batteries and they don't have any trouble coming up with ideas.

3. "Many hands make light work"

Camping trips are tons of fun, but all that fun doesn't happen by itself. When we go camping, everyone is expected to chip in.  Even the Beavers wash their own dishes!  Unlike some of their non-Scouting friends, 8th Newmarket youth don't expect to have everything done for them - they know that if everyone helps out, a job gets done quicker.  

4. Putting up the tent 

Even if you don't know the difference between a peg and a pole, we're pretty sure that your 8th Newmarket youth will.  Even the youngest Beaver gets involved when it comes to setting up camp, and by the time they are in Scouts, most youth can handle the whole job, start to finish.  By the way, if they've been to at least one Fall Camp, they can probably even put up a tent in the rain, in the dark, or both.

5. Take a hike!

An 8th Newmarket youth will not be offended if you tell him or her to "Take a hike".  In fact, they'll likely jump at the chance to do so, and drag you along with them.  You should go...you'll be glad you did!

 

Have you been camping with an 8th Newmarket youth?  What do you think is the best part?

Summertime and the Scout Group

It's June.  School is almost out and all our Sections have had their final meetings for the year.  There were camping trips and year-end parties.  And at our End of Year Banquet, many of our youth progressed from Beavers to Cubs, or from Cubs to Scouts.

But as we all enjoy the sunshine and warm weather, our Group grows quiet.  Vacations, camping and cottages will keep many of our members occupied throughout the next few months.

There are still things to do, though.  The Group Committee will be interviewing prospective new leaders, for one thing (and I can't miss the opportunity to direct you to our contact page where you can find out how to volunteer too!).

But there's something else we're working on - 8th Newmarket is going digital!

In preparation for the upcoming 2012/2013 Scouting year, we will be running this blog, and we've got a Facebook page as well.

We want to connect with our youth, their families and our community.  So please subscribe to the blog and "Like" us on Facebook.  Share our posts in both places with your friends (remember the Beaver Scout motto: "Sharing, sharing, sharing!").  

And talk to us...because we'd love to hear from you!