The future of Scouting in Canada
May 23, 2020
I'm worried about the future of Scouting in Canada.
Membership is in decline, down 60% since 2000.
Camps are being sold; even the oldest Scout camp in the world, Tamaracouta, is threatened. Scouts Canada even sued BC Scout Properties over the sale of Vancouver Scout Shop. Alberta lost 4 camps in the last 5 years.
Fees keep going up to pay for staff; it's now $230 a year and it all goes to the office.
The root of the problem is that Scouts Canada is not a democracy. The Board of Governors is chosen by a convoluted system. Unelected super-delegates dominate the process and most councils don't even hold the minimal elections that are supposed to happen.
Years ago, we founded SCOUT eh! to work for change. Now, a new generation of Scouters are picking up the torch.
If you want to help create democracy in Scouts Canada leading to membership growth, lower fees, an end to bullying of Scouters, please email us.
Scouting needs you as part of the solution.
Yours in True Scouting Friendship,
Scouter Mike Reid
Founding Chair
SCOUT eh!