The Joys of Apple Day

This weekend, 8th Newmarket Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Venturers took part in the annual Apple Day fundraiser.

Friday night, Scouts and Venturers met at Scout Hall, collected apples and set up outside of local grocery stores.

Saturday morning, Beavers and Cubs canvassed the neighbourhood surrounding Maple Leaf Public School.

And today, there are many Newmarket residents feeling good about supporting a worthy cause like Scouts Canada as they enjoy a juicy and delicious apple, given with thanks and a smile.

Today's post about Apple Day is written by Scouter Tim, aka Akela for the 8th Newmarket Cub Pack.

 

The Joys of Apple Day

On Saturday October 13^th, 8^th Newmarket Cubs, Leaders and parents journeyed around the neighbourhood of Maple Leaf Public School knocking on doors early (10 am-ish) and asking people if they wanted to make a donation to support Scouts Canada.  It was a beautiful, cool fall day and our apples were bright and shiny from Scout polishing the previous evening.  It is my second year travelling around as the Akela of the pack and I found myself truly looking forward to the experience of accompanying Cubs (and this year, one Scout),  meeting neighbors and almost always being greeted warmly and given a show of support by some quarters, loonies or on several cases rolled up fives slipped into the tins. 

I started out accompanying one new cub and being the one talking as he stood beside me with the basket and tin and his mother stood curbside with the bigger supply of apples in a travelling grocery cart.  After a slow start with a number of sleeping or empty houses, we got a number of receptive house owners and then the Cub had the hang of it and took over the whole thing with his mother still accompanying him.

I continued door to door with a Scout who was the brother of one of our Cubs and the son of one of our leaders.  We went door to door until about 11:15 am and by then most of our apples had gone and our tins were clanging full with coins with a number of bills stuffed in there as well. It was also starting to get a little cool and it was time to head back.

I think Apple Day is important for a number of reasons.  It is an opportunity for the Beavers, Cubs and Scouts to feel good about contributing to their program.  At the doors they are almost universally greeted warmly by appreciative people who often immediately know it's “Apple Day” and go to fetch some money and come back with some encouragement.  Some share memories of their own days in Scouts or just smile and send us off with good wishes.  All seemed impressed with the brightly polished apples and a few took an immediate bite and were even more impressed with the crisp fresh taste.  Both Scouts and Leaders come to realize how many people appreciate us and the experiences we provide for youth.  Apple Day is also a time for the community to be reminded about us and to remember we were out there.  Both this year and last year I travelled around for a time with new Cubs and both times the Cubs came away having truly enjoyed the experience.  Looking forward to next year.

Look What's Popped Up!

This week, 8th Newmarket launched our annual Popcorn Fundraiser. We provided all our youth with order forms and sales brochures to show off to friends and family and hopefully make lots of sales!

Did you know that over 60% of all the money raised through this fundraiser stays with Scouting? It's true! That's why Scout Popcorn is our most important fundraiser of the year.

There are many delicious options. Caramel corn, Chocolate Covered Pretzels, Microwave Popcorn (a great "Peanut-Free" option for those with allergies) and even Popping Corn for your air popper.

New last year, Scout Popcorn introduced an option to purchase popcorn for members of the Canadian Forces. Sales exceeded $300,000 for members of the Canadian military, both at home and abroad - an entire container shipment of popcorn was sent to our base in Afghanistan. This year, the program has expanded to include gifts of Scout Popcorn to Canadian Forces bases, training facilities, Veteran's hospitals, and Canadian Forces family support centres.

What do we do with the money raised through fundraising efforts like Scout Popcorn? So many things! Just a few examples are purchasing camping equipment (think tents, stoves and cooking gear, lanterns, and so on), buying group supplies like  neckers, woggles, and crests,  and helping to cover the costs of weekly program activities such as craft supplies, outing expenses, and so much more.

Successful fundraising also allowed us to recognize our group's efforts by providing a discounted rate for Fall Camp for returning youth this year. Way to go, 8th Newmarket!

If you have any questions about the Scout Popcorn fundraiser, you can find more information here, or feel free to speak with any of the leaders or Group Committee members.

We thank you for your support...and so do your kids!

All-Section (All-Season) Fall Camp - 2012

The official name of our annual fall camp - "All Section" - refers to the fact that all members of our 8th Newmarket family camp together: Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and Venturers.

The unofficial name of our annual fall camp - "All Season" - refers to the fact that Mother Nature frequently throws us a curve ball as far as the weather is concerned.

We did pretty well this year, however. Friday night was clear and not too cold. Plus the almost-full moon added some wonderful atmosphere as we sat around the campfire.

Saturday was sunny and mild. The morning was for Section Time. Beavers and Cubs went on a hike, Scouts practiced musket drills, and Venturers prepared for a fun-filled afternoon of group activities. And after lunch, the games began! This year, we had a Zombie Apocalypse, "Be Prepared...Be VERY Prepared", theme. Activities such as fire building, scavenger hunt, shelter building, and our very own version of Plants vs. Zombies were on tap. Everyone had a terrific time.

Saturday evening, a few drops of rain couldn't douse our good spirits. Our bellies were full, thanks to Scouter Lloyd's famous turkey dinner, there was another campfire, and for those who could keep their eyes open, card games in the kitchen shelter before bed.

Sunday's sunshine was welcome for packing up and closing ceremonies. Before each section performed their own closing ceremony, the group formed one big circle and, as per 8th Newmarket tradition, we took turns sharing our favourite thing about the camp. Scouter Lloyd's turkey, the Plants vs. Zombies game, and "everything" were the most popular contributions.

Here's an end of camp group photo. Judging by the smiles, I'd say this group had a great time, wouldn't you?

They say pictures are worth a thousand words. If that's true, we have SEVERAL thousand words for you to check out. Stop by our Facebook page to see more photos from the weekend, contributions of Scouter Angela, Scouter Gord, and Scouter Corrie.

Be Prepared...For Zombies?

Just about everyone is familiar with the Scout motto: Be Prepared. But maybe you wonder exactly what that means. Be prepared for WHAT?

The Scouting Movement endorses the idea that youth should be prepared in body and in mind to deal with any situation. Self-confidence and problem-solving are key, but they go hand in hand with the traditional skills the program emphasizes: a focus on the outdoors and the know-how required to survive (and thrive) away from the comforts of home.

Once upon a time, Scouts were exposed to these skills in their every day lives, not just once a week. But today's youth come from a different world. So how do you teach a Scout how to be prepared?

You could stand at the front of the room and demonstrate skills like how to tie knots or build a shelter. You could lecture on the importance of being prepared. Or...you could make it fun!

That's where the Zombie Apocalypse comes in.

This year, 8th Newmarket Scouts will be tracking a fictional outbreak of Zombies. They'll train their bodies to be strong and their minds to be quick. They'll acquire valuable survival skills such as first aid, building shelters, foraging, and more. They will work together to overcome obstacles. They will understand how to react in an emergency.

They will learn how to be prepared.

And the best part? They'll be so busy having fun, they probably won't even realize they're learning something. And those types of lessons tend to be the ones that stick.

Important Dates

Wouldn't it be great if there was a place you could always go when you needed information about upcoming 8th Newmarket events?

Yeah, we thought so, too! That's why we added a brand new tab along the top of this blog called 8th Newmarket Calendar. This page will be updated throughout the year with details of camps, special events, and more. You can scroll through the months and click on specific dates for further details when an event is mentioned. And for those of you who use Google Calendar, one click will add an event to your own schedule. (By the way, if you know of an event that should be noted, please email us with the details.)

Speaking of important dates, here are some that you might want to pencil into your calendar right now:

Sunday August 26 (10am to 4pm) at Scout Hall -- Uniform fitting and drill practice for those registered for Fort George

Thursday September 20 (6:30pm) -- First Scout and Cub meeting of the year

Friday September 21 - Sunday September 23 -- Fort George camp

Wednesday September 26 (6:30pm) -- First Beaver meeting of the year

Thursday September 27 -- No Scouts or Cubs tonight due to MLPS "Meet the Teacher BBQ"

Friday September 28 - Sunday September 30 -- "All Section" Fall camp at Scanlon Creek

And remember...

Registration for the 2012/2013 Scouting year is happening NOW. Please email or call for more information.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

It's Almost Time...

Is your uniform clean? Do you know where your woggle is?

 While it's not quite time to worry about these things yet, you'll probably want to start thinking about them soon.

Just over one month to go!

Watch your emails, check back here regularly, and follow us on Facebook. More updates will be coming soon...

It's 1812 - Do You Know Where Your Scouts Are?

Every year, 8th Newmarket Scouts participate in a weekend camp on the grounds of historic Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake: the Scout Brigade of Fort George. 

Scouts come from all over Ontario, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York State to participate in a reenactment of the War of 1812.

This camp is considered to be one of the highlights of the Scouting year for 8th Newmarket.  Our youth get to dress in period-appropriate costumes, practice their musket drills, and learn about history in a most enjoyable way: by living it.

This past week, Scouter Glen sent a notice to our 8th Newmarket Scouts announcing that we are registered and ready to go: September 21 to 23, we will join approximately 2000 other Scouts at the two-hundred year anniversary of this historic event.  We always enjoy our time at Fort George, but this year promises to be extra-special.  Details are still to come, but there are hints of exciting plans to commemorate this bicentennial year.

The SBFG has posted a short video that highlights some of the things you can expect to experience at Fort George.  Have a look and let us know what you think.

Stretching Out the Summer

Here it is, coming up to the end of July, and as long as you stay outside, the summer seems endless.  Days are hot and humid, the leaves on the trees are green green green, and fall is nothing but a far-off dream.

But have you been to the mall recently?  Or how about Wal-Mart?  If so, you may have seen "End of Summer Sale" signs creeping into store windows, or noticed that school supplies have started to edge out the pool toys.

Hmmm.  Perhaps fall isn't so far off, after all?

Here's an idea: stay outside and live in the moment.  Ride your bike, go camping, swim, hike, or just daydream as you watch the clouds drift by.  There's plenty of summer left if you know where to look, so don't let those stores tell you otherwise.

Enjoy the sunshine and make memories; that's what summer is for.  And if you do, when fall does finally get here and Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Venturers start up again, you'll have plenty of adventures to share with your friends at 8th Newmarket.

We look forward to hearing about them.  But don't worry, we can wait!

Take your 8th Newmarket Scout to Camp!

One of the most popular 8th Newmarket activities is, without a doubt, camping.  Our youth have several opportunities throughout the year to enjoy the Great Outdoors, whether they are a Beaver, Cub, Scout or Venturer - and all this experience gives them a chance to build up a pretty valuable skill set.

Perhaps your family is considering a camping trip of your own this summer.  If so, you are in luck!  There are a whole list of reasons why it's great to camp with a member of 8th Newmarket.  Here are our top five.

1. Starting and tending to the fire

If your youth is Scout-aged or older, he or she has likely earned the coveted fire permit and will be skilled in the building, starting and tending of the fire.  Plus, they will be highly motivated to haul wood in exchange for this honour.  Even younger youth will help with gathering kindling and stacking wood, knowing that in a just a few years, they will have their own chance to tend the fire.  It's a win-win situation for everyone involved.

2.  Going off the grid

On our 8th Newmarket camping trips, we have a strict "no electronics" rule.  This means that our youth are not only capable of entertaining themselves without staring at a screen, they actually like it.  There are plenty of things to do that don't require batteries and they don't have any trouble coming up with ideas.

3. "Many hands make light work"

Camping trips are tons of fun, but all that fun doesn't happen by itself. When we go camping, everyone is expected to chip in.  Even the Beavers wash their own dishes!  Unlike some of their non-Scouting friends, 8th Newmarket youth don't expect to have everything done for them - they know that if everyone helps out, a job gets done quicker.  

4. Putting up the tent 

Even if you don't know the difference between a peg and a pole, we're pretty sure that your 8th Newmarket youth will.  Even the youngest Beaver gets involved when it comes to setting up camp, and by the time they are in Scouts, most youth can handle the whole job, start to finish.  By the way, if they've been to at least one Fall Camp, they can probably even put up a tent in the rain, in the dark, or both.

5. Take a hike!

An 8th Newmarket youth will not be offended if you tell him or her to "Take a hike".  In fact, they'll likely jump at the chance to do so, and drag you along with them.  You should go...you'll be glad you did!

 

Have you been camping with an 8th Newmarket youth?  What do you think is the best part?

It Starts With Scouts

Are you familiar with the Scouts Canada logo and tagline?  No?  Well, there it is, down near the bottom of the page on the right...go ahead and take a look.

The logo is meant to resemble a tent, which ties in to our relationship with the outdoors.  Beneath the graphic and the words SCOUTS CANADA, is our tagline: It starts with Scouts.  Maybe this phrase makes you wonder: What starts with Scouts?!?

Well, all kinds of things, actually.

Here's a pretty cool statistic - according to the website The Scouting Pages, eleven of the twelve men who have walked on the moon were once Scouts.

Now, maybe that's a coincidence...but we don't think so.

So - what starts with Scouts?  Anything you can imagine.

Summertime and the Scout Group

It's June.  School is almost out and all our Sections have had their final meetings for the year.  There were camping trips and year-end parties.  And at our End of Year Banquet, many of our youth progressed from Beavers to Cubs, or from Cubs to Scouts.

But as we all enjoy the sunshine and warm weather, our Group grows quiet.  Vacations, camping and cottages will keep many of our members occupied throughout the next few months.

There are still things to do, though.  The Group Committee will be interviewing prospective new leaders, for one thing (and I can't miss the opportunity to direct you to our contact page where you can find out how to volunteer too!).

But there's something else we're working on - 8th Newmarket is going digital!

In preparation for the upcoming 2012/2013 Scouting year, we will be running this blog, and we've got a Facebook page as well.

We want to connect with our youth, their families and our community.  So please subscribe to the blog and "Like" us on Facebook.  Share our posts in both places with your friends (remember the Beaver Scout motto: "Sharing, sharing, sharing!").  

And talk to us...because we'd love to hear from you!