Helping Youth Through Scouts

Lorne Ellis from the Boy Scouts gave us a history of the Boy Scout movement from its beginning in the UK as an opportunity to help young boys aged 12 - 16 who where old enough to leave school but not old enough to start work. To prevent gangs of youths from forming, Badden Powell got kids off the streets and to camp. Many boys of this age were later shipped to Canada and Australia by the British government of the time and were known as the Bernardo Boys. 

Boy Scouts give young boys (and now girls) vocational training and this was the beginning of the badge program. In the early days the badges were the dairyman's badge and steel worker's badge. During the war years badges were radio, air mechanics and coast watchman. In the 1960s, conservation became the focus with badges on atomic engineering and rope spinners. The badge system changes to address issues of the day. The main focus of badges today address personal responsibility, personal fitness and wellbeing, and respect and learning about diversity.

Boy Scouts are facing a number of challenges ranging from more economically disadvantaged children, increased liability issues, co-ed facilities and co-ed leaders, and declining volunteers.

Lorne concluded his presentation by thanking the club for the work that it does for youth by providing healthy outdoor activities like the Rotary Ice Rink in the Dundas Driving Park.