East end celebrates Scout-Guide week

The third-annual Scout-Guide Challenge – organized by the 4th Orléans Scout troop and held at Fallingbrook Elementary School on Saturday, Feb. 22 – came at the tail end of Scout-Guide Week.

Marking the birthday of Scouting founder Lord Robert Baden-Powell and his wife, Girl Guide creator Lady Olave Baden-Powell, the week-long event offered a chance for area Scouts and Guides to "honour the history" of both youth movements, explains Dawn Kerr of the 4th Orléans troop and the Odawa district, which covers a wide area east of the Aviaton Parkway including Orléans, Gloucester, Cumberland and Blackburn Hamlet.

The day-long event boasted approximately 15 different activity stations, she continues, with groups of Scouts and Guides rotating to complete various tasks and gather points towards a win.

The individual challenges ranged from practicing first-aid skills to lashing gear to a toboggan and racing, Kerr recounts, in addition to compass work, physical activities and other skills.

In the end, 4th Orléans came out on top, joining a Guides company and another Scout troop from Clarence Creek as previous challenge winners, she explains.

Beyond the competitive aspect, attempting to "bridge the gap" between Scouts and Guides is was most important, Kerr continues, as well as promoting what each movement offers.

"We've grown with society, and the needs of the youth," she says of Scouts Canada's current status as a co-ed, non-denominational organization.

It's that welcoming, accepting atmosphere that makes Scouting great, Kerr suggests.