learn to camp final report - nlc

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LEARN TO CAMP 2011

A Parks Canada and

Scouts Canada Partnership Northern Lights Council


Introduction

• Objective – To share the success of the Learn to Camp

Program.

• Outcome– Scouts Canada partnered with Parks Canada to

showcase Scouting at each Learn to Camp initiative Nationally.

– Aligned with Scouts Canada’s Strategic Imperatives:• Attracting Broader Segments of Society• Building our External Profile• Increasing Youth Leadership in Program

Delivery


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Content

• Project Overview• The Partners• Getting Started• Project Budget• Parks Canada Feedback• Open Issues• Moving Forward• Recommendations


Project Overview

– The program is designed to connect New and Urban Canadian audiences to the partners of this program, it will also help initiate participants into their new home by establishing a comfort level in Canada’s wild areas, integrating them with established Canadians and making them aware of outdoor opportunities and resources available to them.

– Parks Canada and Scouts Canada will engage with urban and new Canadian audiences and will subsequently connect with a new generation of park users and Scouters.

– This innovative partnership will be solicited to mass media, making Canadians aware of exciting opportunities available through Scouts Canada, Brewster Travel, Mountain Equipment Co-op, the Mennonite Centre for New Canadians and national and provincial parks.

– Working relationships between all parties will be established and strengthened through equal participation in a novel pilot program.


The Partners

• Mountain Equipment Co-op – Equipment• Mennonite Centre for New Canadians – Participant

selection and equipment• Scouts Canada – skills, facilitation and equipment• Alberta Sustainable Resource Development-

advice and support• Brewster Travel – transportation and activities• Parks Canada – lodging, facilitation and

management of program.


Getting Started

• Met with Jasper National Park staff to align with their vision.

• Met with the Mennonite Centre for New Canadians to identify the participants needs and expectations.

• Identified and Recruited Scouts Canada Volunteers suited to engage and form relationships with participants.


Project Budget

TOTAL COST FOR NLC - $1428.18• $576.63 van rental• $200 fuel• $411.55 staff/volunteer meals • $240.00 program supplies• + 228 volunteer hours.

• June 24-26• 3 days• 8 Scouters


Parks Canada Feedback

This program was made all the more magical because of the involvement of a dedicated group from Scouts Canada. With fun, simple programming, the Scouts really understand what it takes to forge a connection between kids and the outdoors. We were so lucky to have had Scouts Canada involved, and it's only natural to have them integrated with our own efforts in connecting Canadians to their country's special wild places.

Scouts Canada contributed outstanding programming, including 'learn to camp' skills, campfire building and safety, and the particularly popular 'cake in orange peel' cooking lesson.

The Scout leaders' passion for the outdoors was highly contagious - songs,stories, learning games and a special 'magic' campfire were all definitehighlights of the weekend, and tied in well with Parks Canada's own messaging.

The Saturday night campfire and presentation of badges from the Scouts toparticipants was genuinely touching, and forged a meaningful connectionbetween Scouts and participants.


Open Issues

• Scouts Canada did not gain membership out of the project.

• The Mennonite Centre for New Canadians discussed the potential for an “In-House” Scout Group. Fall follow-up planned.

• Parks Canada staff expressed interest in becoming leaders for a Town of Jasper Scout Group. January 2012 follow-up planned.


Moving Forward

• Confirm Grant monies to cover registration costs for participants in the 2011-2012 Scouting Year. Looking in to joint grant applications with Scouts Canada, Parks Canada and the Mennonite Centre for Newcomers.

MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT CO-OP Grant: Access & Activity Grants: Programs / Initiatives encourage and enable

participation in outdoor activities and provide opportunities for people (including youth and diverse groups) to try new activities and/or develop skills. Grants range from $500 to $15,000. Deadlines are March 10th and September 10th.


The Goals of Learn To Camp

• The goal for Parks Canada:to provide learning experiences for new Canadians in the Parks so that they will come back and use the parks with knowledge and respect.

• The goal for the Mennonite Centre:to provide an integration experience for their members that teaches them about the outdoors and a traditional Canadian pastime, camping.

• The goal for Scouts Canada:the Introduction of Scouting to a diverse community of people. Relationship building with these key organizations in hopes of future projects and eventually, new groups and new members in Scouting. Youth Leadership was a leading priority. Strengthening our external profile by being a part of an OMNI TV documentary.


Benefits for Scouts Canada• OMNI TV was on site filming for thier one hour documentary

due to be released in April 2012. “Nature’s Invitation” will explore how new Canadians are embracing Canada’s national and provincial parks as they integrate into their new lives as Canadians.

• Many of our Scouts Canada volunteers were interviewed at length and we are very excited to see the finished product.


Benefits continued• Over the course of the weekend he had a chance to converse

and network with staff members from each organization and can confidently say that from this camp we have a very real potential of starting a new Scout group in the town of Jasper with Parks Canada as a sponsor as well as starting a new Scout group with the Mennonite Centre for Newcomers. We have already confirmed invitations to participate in more events such as this one with other Parks.


Recommendations

In securing a role for your local Council in this Parks Canada initiative you should start with:

• CFE’s approach Visitor Experience - Promotions Staff at Parks Canada to secure role in local programs. Parks Canada will most likely have identified an ideal participant organization.

• CFE’s indentify and recruit Scouting volunteers to develop and deliver Scouting components.

• CFE’s follow-up in building collaborative beneficial relations with all partners.


More Information

• A program itinerary for the Learn to Camp Program is available from NLC.

• The “Nature’s Invitation” documentary proposal is available from NLC.

• Please feel free to contact NLC’s Field Staff:– Jennifer Foy ([email protected])– Carmen Spence ([email protected])

learn to camp final report - nlc

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