SECTIONS

OUR MISSION


The mission of Scouting is to contribute to the education of young people, through a value system based on the Scout Promise and Law, to help build a better world where people are self fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in society.
Adopted by Scouts Canada on November 18th 2000

	BEAVERS Beavers - 5 to 7 years of age
	The Beaver program emphasizes having fun while encouraging children to feel good about themselves, their friends and family, God, and nature. Beavers helps children learn basic social skills and gain self confidence.

The Beaver program promotes activities that encourage children to:
- find examples of their own spiritual beliefs
- experience and express love and joy
- be healthy and have good feelings about themselves
- develop a sense of belonging and sharing in small group activities
- develop a sense of cooperation through non-competitive activities

The Beaver program is built around a lively variety of games, crafts, music, storytelling, playacting, spiritual fellowship and the outdoors. Beaver activities stress cooperation and teamwork, and can involve the whole family.
The outdoors is an essential part of the Beaver program. Weekend events, picnics, short nature hikes and family based camping opportunities round out the Beaver experience.
Beavers meet in a group called a colony. The colony is split into smaller groups called lodges. There is one leader for every five Beavers. Each Beaver learns a promise, law and motto to help guide their personal development.

Beaver Promise
I promise to love God and help take care of the world.

Beaver Law
A Beaver has fun, works hard and helps his family and friends.

Beaver Motto
Sharing, Sharing, Sharing
   

	CUBS Cubs - boys & girls 8 to 11 years of age
	Cubbing is built around a lively variety of games, crafts, music, storytelling, play acting, spiritual fellowship and the outdoors.

The Cub program focuses around six activity areas:
    - The Natural World,
    - Outdoors,
    - Creative Expression,
    - Healthy Living,
    - Home and Community,
    - Canada and the World

Individual interests and skills are recognized through simple awards. The outdoors is an essential part of the Cub program. Weekend events, hikes and overnight camping opportunities round out the Cubbing experience. Cubs meet in a group called a pack. The pack is split into smaller groups called sixes. There is one leader for every six Cubs. Each Cub learns a promise, law and motto to help guide their personal development.

Wolf Cub Promise:
I promise to do my best
To love and serve God, to do my duty to the Queen;
To keep the law of the Wolf Cub pack,
And to do a good turn for somebody every day

Wolf Cub Law:
The Cub respects the Old Wolf,
The Cub respects himself/herself.

Wolf Cub Motto:
Do Your Best
 

	SCOUTS Scouts - boys & girls 11 to 14 years of age with option to remain until age 16
	The Scout program emphasizes having fun while encouraging youth to feel good about themselves, their friends and family, God, and the environment. The Scout program helps youth expand their leadership skills and gain self confidence.

Scouting promotes activities that engourage the youth to...
    - express and respond to their own spiritual values and beliefs while showing concern for others
    - develop self reliance
    - pursue hobbies and personal interests
    - develop self discipline and the skills of working cooperatively with others
    - cooperate in setting and achieving small group and personal goals
    - practice leadership skills
    - relate with adults
    - be of service to others
    - camp, explore the outdoors, and develop good conservation practices

The Scout program is designed around a lively variety of activities based on personal and group interests. Scouts emphasizes outdoor and environmental activities, citizenship and community service, leadership, and personal development. Individual interests and skills are recognized through an awards system. The outdoors is an essential part of the Scout program. Weekend events, extended hikes, no trace camping and seasonal sports opportunities round out the Scout experience. Developing an active, healthy lifestyle is the prime goal. Scouts meet in a group called a troop. The troop is split into smaller groups called patrols. There is one leader for every six Scouts. Each Scout learns a promise, law and motto to help guide their personal development.

Scout Promise:
On my honour
I promise that I will do my best
To do my duty to God and the Queen
To help other people at all times,
And to carry out the spirit of the Scout Law.

Scout Law:
A Scout is helpful and trustworthy,
kind and cheerful,
considerate and clean,
wise in the use of all resources.

Scout Motto:
Be Prepared

 

	VENTURERS Venturers - Young men and women 14 to 17 years of age
	The Venturer program emphasizes having fun while encouraging teens to feel good about themselves, their friends and family, God, and the environment. Venturers helps teens advance their leadership skills and gain self confidence.

Venturers promotes activities that engourage teens to...
    - show that they care and live according to their personal values and religious beliefs
    - develop and use the skills of communicating, solving problems and making decisions
    - explore vocational opportunities
    - participate in a variety of social, cultural and spiritual activities
    - work cooperatively in adult-like settings
    - participate in challenging physical and outdoor activities
    - become aware of and respond to needs of the community and the environment

The Venturer program is built around a lively variety of activities based on personal and group interests. Venturing emphasizes outdoor and environmental activities, citizenship and community service, leadership and personal development, and career exploration. Individual interests and skills are recognized through an awards system. The outdoors is an essential part of the Venturer program. Weekend events, extended hikes, no trace camping and seasonal sports opportunities round out the Venturer experience. Developing an active, healthy lifestyle is the prime goal. As well, Venturing helps teens learn new knowledge and skills that can lead to a satisfying career. Venturers meet in a group called a company. Venturers develop and manage their own program with the help of an adult advisor. Each Venturer learns a promise and motto to help guide their personal development.

Venturer Promise:
On my honour
I promise that I will do my best
To do my duty to God and the Queen
To help other people at all times,
And to carry out the spirit of the Scout Law.

Venturer Motto:
Challenge
   

	ROVERS Rovers - Men and women 18 to 26 years of age.
	The outdoors is an essential part of the Rover program. Rovers often participate in adventurous activities like mountain climbing, or white water rafting. Rovers also help their local communities by running service activities such as food drives, park clean-ups, and tree plantings.

Rovers meet in a group called a crew. Rovers develop and manage their own program under the mentorship of a respected advisor. Rovers adhere to a promise and motto

Rover Promise:
On my honour
I promise that I will do my best
To do my duty to God and the Queen
To help other people at all times,
And to carry out the spirit of the Scout Law.

Rover Motto:
Service    

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HISTORY

The Elgin Area Crest:      

The Right Honourable - The 10th Earl of Elgin and 14th Earl of Kincardine, KT, CMG, TD - granted our District the privilege of using the Bruce tartan as the background for our badge, this being the personal tartan of Lord Elgin, a descendant of King Robert the Bruce. In 1852, this section of the Talbot Settlement was named in honour of Lord Elgin's grandfather who was Governor-General of Canada from 1847 to 1854. Since the District derived its name from the County and thus ultimately from Lord Elgin, the use of the Bruce tartan is very appropriate. The irregular white area outlined in green geographically depicts the unique shape of the County. The shield in the upper left hand corner is taken from the seal of Elgin County. This shield pictures a small beaver which is indigenous to this area and it is flanked by a spray of three maple leaves in yellow, red and green, representing the feature of these prominent trees to change the colour of their foliage with the seasons. Designed in 1958, this badge has been proudly worn by the youth and their leaders to many countries of the world. Elgin District is proud of its heritage of serving youth since 1921, and looks brightly into the future of helping our youth grow and mature through the Scouting Spirit