Local Scouts and Guides took to the streets Thursday night in honour of the birthday of Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of the scouting movement. – Stephen Dafoe Photos
By Stephen Dafoe
Morinville – It was an evening of flaming torches and a roaring campfire as approximately 100 local and visiting scouts took to the streets of Morinville Thursday night in honour of Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of the scouting movement. Members of 1st Morinville Scouting joined with members of 12th St. Albert Scouts and members of the Morinville and District Girl Guides for a torchlight parade, campfire session and refreshments.
Lord Robert Baden-Powell, in addition to being the founder of the Scouting movement, was a lieutenant-general in the British Army, serving in India and Africa from 1876 until 1910. The scouting founder is generally believed to have started the movement in 1907 while on a camping trip with some local youth.
Thursday night’s gathering recreated Baden-Powell’s scouting traditions around the campfire with each of the visiting and local groups offering a song, a cheer and skit as their turn came around the circle.
The torchlight parade is an annual event that is an opportunity for members to look back to the beginnings of the organization and to continue the organization’s tradition of teaching young people about team work, camaraderie and respect for others.
In Canada, various scouting groups are broken down by age. Beavers (5 to 7), Wolf Cubs (8 to 10), Scouts (11 to 14), Venturers (14 to 17) and Rovers (18 to 26). Girl Guide groups are also broken down by age. Sparks (5 to 6), Brownies (7 to 8), Guides (9 to 11), Pathfinders (12 to 14), and Cadets, Rangers (15 to 17).
Information on scouting can be found online at Scouts.ca. Those wishing more information on the Morinville organization can contact Mitch Ethier at 780-939-4750.
