by Stephen Dafoe
It was an evening of flaming torches and a roaring campfire as approximately 60 local scouts and guides took to the Morinville Fish and Game Association pond trail Wednesday night in honour of Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of the scouting movement. Members of 1st Morinville Scouting joined with Morinville and District Girl Guides for a torchlight parade, and campfire session.
Lord Robert Baden-Powell, who’s birthday was Monday, was the founder of the Scouting movement and a lieutenant-general in the British Army, serving in India and Africa from 1876 until 1910. It is believed the scouting founder started the movement in 1907 while on a camping trip with some local youth.
The annual torchlight parade recreates 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 torch light 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 teamwork, 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 and https://www.girlguides.ca/web.
