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Bradford Beavers work towards North Star Award

Award is highest level of achievement for Beaver Scouts
2020-02-18-birthday celebration-DK-9540
Scout leader, Sarah Mackenzie is with the White Tail Beavers from Colony B, 1st Bradford Beavers, who raised funds for the OSPCA with their contributions to Cupcake Day. From left to right: Travis Williams, Blake Fregeau, Emmett Harrietha, Attila Jagodics, Liam Brown, Chase Davenport, Kaiden Taylor. Dave Kramer for BradfordToday

In its 113 year history, the Scouting Movement has seen over 500 million people participate from all walks of life.

As part of the more than 50 million people currently involved with Scouting from around the world, the 1st Bradford Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Venturers hosted their own annual birthday celebrations for the founders of the Scouting Movement.

Lord Robert Baden-Powell (1857-1941) founded the Scouting Movement upon his writings and training methods created during his decades-long career in the British Army.

Scouting began as a program for boys, aged 11-18, which actively promoted duty to others as a commitment for the hundreds of millions who would eventually pass through the Movement.

Almost immediately, others wanted to join in.

Lord Baden-Powell set the groundwork for the Boy Scouts in 1907 and barely three years later, in 1910, he founded the Girl Guides.

By 1920, Baden-Powell had been proclaimed 'Chief Scout of the World' and his wife, Olave, had become the 'World Chief Guide'.

Lord Robert Baden-Powell and Lady Olave Baden-Powell shared their birthday on Feb. 22.

“Every year Canadian Scouts and Girl Guides celebrate the birthday of the founder of the Scouting and Guiding movements, during the week of their shared birthdays,” explained 1st Bradford Scouting Leader, Amy Stepanek.

“1st Bradford Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and Venturers gathered together and played games run by each section and enjoyed snacks,” she said.

The White Tails Beavers, youth in their last year before moving up to Cubs, are working towards their North Star Award.

“This award is the highest level of achievement for Beaver Scouts. To receive the award Beavers must complete five outdoor adventure skills badges, five hours of community service, and a final community service project,” said Stepanek.

The North Star Award is one of the ways that the Beavers can uphold the promise of duty to others.

The Scouting Promise defines Duty to Others as “a person’s relationship with, and responsibility within, society in the broadest sense of the term: his or her family, local community, country and the world at large, as well as respect for others and for the natural world.”

To uphold their responsibility to their local community and the natural world, the Colony “B” of the 1st Bradford Beavers chose to raise funds for the Barrie OSPCA in connection with the OSPCA's National Cupcake Day fundraiser.

They're also collecting any used and unneeded towels, sheets, and blankets for the kennels and cages.

Financial donations, in support of the Colony “B” fundraiser for the Barrie OSPCA can be made here.

For more information on joining Scouting as a participant or as a volunteer, please contact [email protected].