BEAVERS, CUBS, SCOUTS ‘PREPARED’ TO REGROUP WITH RECRUITMENT DRIVE — AND RAIN BARREL SALE

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — Scouting is the “whole package” when it comes to helping boys and girls grow and learn outside of school.

“We like to think it offers a bit of everything,” says Craig Armstrong 1st Gravenhurst assistant group commissioner. “Fun, education, sports, outdoors, camping and good citizenship.

“Other groups have their own things — like hockey. We have it all.”

Who doesn’t remember the Scouting motto “Be prepared.”

Looking through 40 years and more of scrap books Saturday at the anniversary of their meeting hall built in 1984, it’s hard not to see the boys and girls, men and women and recognize the faces of all those who over the decades who have been part of the impressive movement.

Forty years in this Scout Hall – and 114 in town – Gravenhurst Scouters celebrated Saturday outside their John an Philp street location as they look to the future of a movement that has meant a lot to kids, their families and this community.

Small towns have grown up with Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers and Rovers helping out their community. Apple days, paper drives, ink-cartridge collections. And of course go-kart races have all been part of it.

Scouting in Gravenhurst has been going since 1910.

Today it’s the environment and rain barrel sales.

You can order a rain barrel before Victoria Day weekend (till May 19) and pick it up the following Saturday May 25 at their hall.

Check out their website at www.rainbarrel.ca/gravenhurstscouts/ to place your order. They come in all sizes and prices.

If you live in Gravenhurst everyone knows where the Scout Hall is located at John and Philip streets.

It’s one of only three left in Canada — the other two are out west. Most meet in church or community halls where they are often sponsored by those groups. Gravenhurst is parent-led.

In 1984 hundreds turned out to open the new Scout Hall that has beomcome a landmark in Gravenhurst for it location and the work it does with youth.

Thousands of kids and their parents and friends have spent evenings and weekends inside the familiar grey two-storey brick building near the Gravenhurst High School and Public School.

Saturday was a chance to either re-familiarize themselves with the hall and Scouting or learn more about having your youth join in — and for volunteers to offer their services.

And tour the building, which includes a room downstairs where health care equipment is available for loan by former Oddfellows and Rebekah members.

Before COVID numbers were high with about 60 coming out Tuesday and Thursdays.

But now they’re down to under 20. The cost is $230 per year.

Armstrong has seen the ups and downs, having graduated over 45 years through all levels with all badges and becoming a leader after getting in to it with his late dad Alex — a teacher like him. His mother Sharon was among a few dozen on hand.

Now they’re looking to regroup and continue the good work they’ve done for the kids and community building young citizens of good character.

Scouting has seen hard times of late, not only from the pandemic, but also due to competition including kids stuck on computers. Not unlike other organizations.

But they remain optimistic. A few hall rentals also help out.

Another couple, who came down from Burk’s Falls, recalled the Whispering Pines regional group that had every town between here and there with a pack. Gravenhurst and Bracebridge are about the only ones left.

Glancing through newspaper clippings it’s amazing to see what the local pack has done in the last four decades.

Chatting with some former Scouters out, including leader Jim Trethewey, it was evident it meant as much to them as the kids.

He still gets a kick out of a boy or girl coming up to him years later and addressing him as “Kayla” his pack nick-name.

And shaking left hands with knowing Scouters.

For more information on becoming a Beaver, Cub or Scout, contact group commissioner Mary Jane Reid at 705-687-8133 or by email: [email protected]

Or pop into the hall any Tuesday or Thursday evening.

You know where it is.

Officials and Scout Canada dignitaries were on hand to mark the opening in 1984, including committee chair Alex Armstrong, centre. His son Craig is now one of the leaders.
One of 1st Gravenhurst Group’s fundraisers is a rain barrel drive next month. Order now and pick up May 25.
What’s a celebration without a great cake and lots of balloons.
Volunteers and present and past Scouters gather to cut the cake celebrating their milestone and giving their Scouting salute including Sharon Stone sitting centre. 
The Collins boys and Alivia Reid watch as Cub cars careen down the 50-foot wooden race course slide.
Tables full of photos and newspaper clippings attest to the good works the organization has done for more than a century.
Rick Allen leafs through the original blueprints for the Scout Hall and others that were for a ramp expansion and portico.
Downstairs there are several rooms for meetings and storage of the health care equipment to be loaned out.
The downstairs entryway has a display cabinet with various Scouting memorabilia.
A nice kitchen is the site of many-a-hot dog preparation and indoor cook-out.
Of course when they’re cooking on the range they have all the pots and pans a Scouter could use in the great outdoors. Enough for a varitable outdoor classroom.
And course there’s plenty of room to store tents, paddles and sports equipment in another room.
The new building replaced the former Scout Hall, which was belived to be the old Lutheran Church, below.

Here’s to 40 years of Scouting … and more.

On your mark, get ready, go!

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