SCOUTING-EDUCATION IN NATURAL HISTORY 
     
     by Pat Doyle, Charlottetown . 
     
    
   
   
    
     The Scouting Movement in Canada is presently celebrating ' 
     
     its 75th anniversary. Prince Edward Island has also had a 
     
    
   
   
    
     03 co long history in Scouting with over 70 years involvement. Records 6 
     
     <3 i- date back to 1909-1910 when patrols were first established at 
     
     <§3 Alberton, Charlottetown and Summerside. 
     
     SC 1983 is also the 125th anniversary of the birthday of Lord 
     
    
   
   
    
     Baden-Powell, Scouting's founder. ‘BP’ had an enviable 
     
     military career and while still in the army wrote a book 
     
     entitled “Aids to Scouting", designed to assist in the training 
     
     of army scouts. Thinking that young boys could also benefit 
     
     from the scouting experience, he wrote another book called “Scouting for Boys". 
     
     From interest developed from this book and discussions with Sir Dillion Smith 
     
     (founder of the Boy's Brigade) a camp was organized in July and August of 1907 
     
     on Brownsea Isalnd in England. This is generally accepted as the birth of the 
     
     Boy Scout Movement. 
     
    

    
     Today scouting on the Island involves boys aged 5-17 years, grouoed to form 
     
     Beaver Colonies (5-7 years), Molf Cub Packs (8-10 years), Scout Patrols, Venturers 
     
     and Rovers. Scouts are encouraged to be active in their communities as well as 
     
     the natural environment. The majority of activities and events are outdoors, and 
     
     campino, campcraft, hikinG, field trips and orienteering form the core of the 
     
     program. 
     
    

    
     Scouting by its very nature has a close affiliation with natural history. This 
     
     is manifested in a number of ways, particularly since the movement places a strong 
     
     emphasis on harmonious relationships among scouts, their fellow man and the natural 
     
     environment. It goes further than the teaching of basic survival skills by attempt— 
     
     ing to engender a respect for nature through observation, identification and study 
     
     of our natural plants and animals. 
     
    

    
     The Provincial Boy Scout Council has established two permanent camping areas 
     
     at Mt. Buchanan and Riverdale. It is here that the boys have the opportunity 
     
     during any season to live in close proximity with nature. The diversity of plant 
     
     and animal communities at these sites exposes boys to the beauty, complexity and 
     
     fragility of life forms. It is hoped that from these experiences that a truly 
     
     environmentally conscious adult may develoo. 
     
    

    
     “Trees for Canada“ this spring marks its 10th birthday as a major fund raising 
     
     activity. Since its inception, Scouts have planted 22 million seedlings across the 
     
     country. Last year alone 90,000 boys and leaders planted 2% million seedlings and 
     
     collected $596,000. This annual project is typical of Scouting ideals as the 
     
     funds are used to help run local programs as well as support overseas development 
     
     projects. Scouts Canada works closely with CIDA in these international areas. 
     
     “Trees for Canada” provides a real program plus to all levels of scouting by 
     
     emphasizing the outdoors, conservation and environmental objectives; and exercising 
     
     the principles of service, wise use of resources, doing one's best and being 
     
     prepared. ' 
     
    

    
     The Scout movement on the Island has benefitted tremendously from the support 
     
     given it by the many volunteers in all levels and aspects of the program. The 
     
     natural history elements have been greatly enhanced by a number of individuals but 
     
     particularly by the late J. Frank Gaudet who had served as a leader and member of 
     
     the Provincial Council for many years. Through his work as Provincial Forrester 
     
     he passed on much of his experience and love for the Island environment to hundreds 
     
     of boys and leaders. 
     
    
   
   
    
     I4