Lakeland Scouts marched with torches and flags in traditional spirit around Lac La Biche last Wednesday night in celebration of a special day for scouts.
Lakeland Scouts marched with torches and flags in traditional spirit around Lac La Biche last Wednesday night in celebration of a special day for scouts.
The march observed Baden Powell Day, which is the Boy Scout holiday celebrating the day Lord Baden Powell, the founder of Boy Scouts, and his wife were born.
Scouts of various ages marched in the night with their path lit by torches and police lights starting at their meeting spot in the basement of Canada Post and marching all the way to Light of Christ Catholic Elementary School.
Once they were at the school, the scouts took part in an indoor version of a traditional formal campfire. Some members of the troop did a presentation on the life of Powell for one of their badges, and a man dressed as the scouting movement's founder also came in and read some of his writings in a personified presentation.
They also did more common activities associated with formal campfires (minus the marshmallows and other associated fire activities), like forming a circle and performing skits, chants and songs.
Linda Johnson, the area commissioner for the troop that covers an area that includes Athabasca, St. Paul, Lloydminster and Cold Lake, said that the fire carried by the scouts symbolized the notion of “carrying the torch.”
“It’ s in the spirit of scouting,” she said.
Johnson also credits more than just the people within Lakeland Scouts for their ability to do events like Baden Powell day.
“We’ ve had great community support,” said Johnson.
There are an estimated 40 million members of the World Organization of the Scout Movement and 10 million members of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts worldwide.
The Girl Guide equivalent of Baden Powell Day is called Thinking Day.
