An independent scouting organization will now be represented in Ponoka.
Late last fall, the First Ponoka Parent Group made the decision to shift from the Scouts Canada program model and align themselves with the Baden Powell Service Association (BPSA). The new co-ed model began operation this month, after having taken steps the past three months to wind down the previous group.
According to group scout master Maurice Mazurat, the biggest reason for the move was the growing cost of registering participants.
“We wanted to keep this program available to benefit more youth and since the move, we’ve seen a difference in our numbers,” he said.
The previous fees were becoming prohibitive for a lot of Ponoka families as shown by the new group having already grown to 32 kids.
The group, which is keeping its current name, will operate through BPSA Alberta, which is part of BPSA Canada. The latter is a member of the World Federation of Independent Scouts (WFIS).
There will be no change to the age categories, only the names that will be associated with them, with the new program offering — from youngest to oldest — Otters, Timber Wolves, Explorers, Senior Explorers and Rovers. The other change will be more of a focus on life and outdoor skills, somewhat of a return to the original roots of scouting.
“We want to keep them busy with what the kids have told us they want to do and that is be outdoors more, because it’s hard to stay inside and compete with television and computers and video games,” he added.
“It’s a bit different program, even at the young level where they can earn badges for completing life skills. And over the next year, it will be us getting up to speed on things as the theory behind this program is having the kids teaching kids. It’s about helping them learn and lead by example, while the adult leaders are there for guidance.
Mazurat explained that in addition to the larger registration numbers, the group is hoping to attract more volunteer adult leaders — especially ones between 18 and 30 — given the outdoor programming and camps that will be offered can be somewhat physical. Each leader will receive free training and a uniform, though a criminal record and vulnerable sector check will be necessary.
The BPSA is a traditional scouting organization that traces its roots back to the movement developed by Lord Baden-Powell. The group in Canada was established in Victoria, B.C in Feb. 1996 after rejecting the perceived modernization of the scout method by Scouts Canada.