Shelburne Scouts celebrate 100-year anniversary

Written By PAULA BROWN

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

The 1st Shelburne Scouts Group has hit a milestone in their group's history as they celebrate 100 years of scouting in the local community. 

The local scouting group commemorated the milestone on Monday (Nov. 26) at Centennial Hylands Elementary School, by bringing together current scout members, volunteers, and former scouts from the 1st Shelburne Scouts Group. 

“I'm proud of this accomplishment that this group in Shelburne has been able to make, and especially for the number of years they have given back to the community,” said Brenton Kennedy, group commissioner of the 1st Shelburne Scouts Group.

Established in early 1924, there is limited historical information about the formation of the 1st Shelburne Scouts Group and its formative years, with the loss of paper documents and members eventually leaving the program. Most of the information that is known about the 1st Shelburne Scouts Group is from the last four decades and comes from the stories of previous Scout Leaders and members. 

Richard Hofman has been a part of Scouts Canada for nearly 60 years after initially joining the program in Toronto in 1965 at the age of eight. After moving to Shelburne, Hofman became involved with the local scout program and spent 17 years as a scout leader. 

Hofman fondly recalled the various activities himself and the scouts took part in during his time as a leader, including scuba diving, rock climbing, overnight hiking, tree climbing, and camping. 

“It was a lot of fun and that's what kept me going in it for so long,” said Hofman

Speaking with the Free Press, Hofman spoke about the significance of marking the 100-year anniversary of the 1st Shelburne Scouts Group. 

“The program has changed over the years, but it's good that these children are still involved and see the vision of the scouting movement,” he said. 

Steve Stringer, was another former scout member and leader with the 1st Shelburne Scouts Group, who was in attendance for the 100th anniversary. In the late 1970s, Stringer spent three years as a “cub” in the 1st Shelburne Scouts Group and later became a leader while his own son took part in the program. 

Stringer recalled that during his time in the program, they used to meet at the Town Hall and that the program helped him develop close long-lasting friendships. 

“It's awesome that it's been here so long and the kids still like doing these types of things,” said Stringer, about the centennial anniversary. 

The mission of Scouts Canada is to help prepare participating youth to become well-rounded citizens and individuals in their community. Local youth in the program experience a variety of outdoor activities including hiking and camping, while also learning skills such as how to start fires, building shelters, identifying fauna and flora, tracking animals, reading compasses, and how to survive if you're stuck in the wild. 

The 1st Shelburne Scouts Group currently has nine youth in their Cub Pack Program and six youth in their Scout Troop Program. 

“This [anniversary] shows that there are members of this community at can see there is a need for youth to have these life skills and we've established ourselves to help teach,” said Kennedy. “It shows the dedication and sense of duty. It also allows the youth of this community to be part of something and to feel a sense of belonging.” 

As they celebrate their 100-year anniversary, the 1st Shelburne Scouts Group is hoping to use the milestone to encourage more residents to get involved as volunteers in the program. 

Robert Hinbest, who has been a volunteer with the 1st Shelburne Scouts Group for 17 years, and Tiffany Holmes, who joined as a volunteer in September, spoke with the Free Press about the benefits of volunteering with the local Scouts Canada chapter. 

“Its so rewarding at the end of the day to have taught the children and nurtured them in the scouting movement. To see how they use the tools that you've taught them to grow, to go on to the next level of their education and to see them thriving at way they're doing,” said Hinbest. 

“It's very rewarding to be able to help them grow and achieve their goals,” said Holmes. 

Those who are interested in volunteering are encouraged to reach out to the 1st Shelburne Scout Group. 

To learn more about Scouts Canada visit, www.scouts.ca.