Kiwanis Club Has Supported Local Scouts For Nearly 50 Years
By Ralph Tweedie, Manotick Kiwanis Club
“The Kiwanis Club of Manotick has been supporting Scouting in our community and has done so for as long as I have been involved here”, said Rod Wilson. He is the local Scout Commissioner, adding, “and that’s more than 35 years.” In fact, the Kiwanis Club of Manotick has been supporting our local Scout Group since 1975.
The 1st Manotick Scout Group celebrated its 100th year in 2021 and holds Charter number 35, making it one of the oldest continuously operating Scout Groups in Canada. Its longevity is in large measure due to the continuing support of families who want their children to learn about nature, experience the great outdoors and develop leadership and life skills. These are attributes our Kiwanis Club also thinks are important.
Over50 million Scouts and leaders belong to Scouting units in over one hundred and twenty countries. Their familiar motto is “Be Prepared,” and learning by doing is the method used in teaching. Citizenship, learning to work and play together, outdoor activities, first aid and camping skills – all are important parts of the program.
Kiwanis donations have subsidized much of the Scout Group’s outdoor equipment. The needs are quite diverse as the 1st Manotick Group offers boys and girls programs with Beaver Scouts (5-7), Cub Scouts (8-11), Scouts (11-14), and Venturer Scouts (14-19). While Beavers and Cubs have stationary camps, Scouts and Venturers go on canoe trips, backpacking hikes and International Jamborees. Over the past couple of years, Kiwanis has funded new tents, camp kitchens and canoe safety equipment.
1st Manotick Scouts has recently opened new Beaver Scout and Cub Scout sections in the Riverside South community and wants to grow the program in Manotick as well. Unfortunately, there are children on waiting lists who wish to join Scouting but can’t due to insufficient adult volunteers. Volunteers are typically parents willing to take the required safety and security training to become qualified. The Group also turns to former Scouts who have grown up and are interested in the values that Scouting teaches.
Families that are interested in Scouting, and adults and older teenagers interested in offering community service volunteering, can contact the 1st Manotick Scout Group via email: 1stmanotick@gmail.com. This is a great opportunity for senior high school to earn volunteer hours.
Featured Image: The 1st Manotick Scouts celebrated their 100th anniversary in 2021.
