On February 20, 2023 Scouters, Guiders, and youth from Bracebridge Scouting and Guiding, joined Bracebridge Mayor Rick Maloney in raising the Scouts Canada Flag at the Town of Bracebridge Municipal Office.
February is a special month for Scouts and Girl Guides worldwide. Each year, both movements celebrate February 22, the birthday of Scouts founder, Lord Robert Baden-Powell and his wife, the World Chief Guide, Lady Olave Baden-Powell. For the past four decades in Canada Scout-Guide Week has been recognized.
This year Scout-Guide Week is February 20 – 26. Mayor Maloney recalled one of his first meetings after the fall election was to visit a Beaver meeting and having conversations with the youth. He recognized the volunteers who work to “support the Scouting and Guiding vision which is making a meaningful contribution to people, communities, and neighbourhoods – and that rings loud and clear here in Bracebridge.”
Mayor Maloney indicated his thanks “for the contribution that Scouting and Guiding youth
make to our town.” He also gave a “heart-warm thanks to the volunteers who ensure that
young people have a solid foundation as they move through what is a challenging world.”
Mayor Maloney encouraged the youth to have a lot of fun in Scouting and Guiding, and
thanked them for “contributing to our community in a positive way.” He wished everyone a
great Family Day, and looks forward to raising the flag again next year.
Youth can register in Scouting or Guiding throughout the year. To register your child in
Scouting, contact Diana MacDonald at 705-645-2171 (First Bracebridge) or Liz McIsaac at
705-646-0474 (Third Bracebridge). To register your child in Guiding, contact Audrey Forth at 705-645-8331. You can also surf over to www.scouts.ca or www.girlguides.ca to find a group near to you.
About Scouts Canada:
Kids in Scouts have fun adventures, discovering new things and experiences they wouldn’t
discover elsewhere. Along the way, they develop into capable, confident and well-rounded
individuals, better prepared for success in the world. For tens of thousands of children and
youth across Canada, Scouts is the start of something great. Scouts Canada is the
country’s leading co-ed youth organization, offering programs for children and youth aged 5-26 in multiple languages, reflecting Canada’s multicultural landscape and communities. For healthy, active living, leadership skills, and caring for the environment: it starts with Scouts.
BACKGROUNDER: Scout-Guide Week February 20 – 26 2023
For five decades, Scouts and Guides have celebrated Scout‐Guide Week nationwide.
• February 20 – 26, 2023 is Scout‐Guide Week.
• We celebrate this week to honour the birthday of Lord Robert Baden‐Powell
(February 22), who, in 1907 started the Scouting Movement in Brownsea, England
and his wife, Lady Olave Baden‐Powell, the World Chief Guide.
• This is a time of celebration for Scouts Canada and Girl Guides of Canada – a time
when two world‐wide youth movements honour their heritage and a time to
recognize the good work both Movements do for the community.
• Across Canada celebrations include camps, expeditions and mall displays, special
banquets and parades.
Scouting in Bracebridge
• Scouting started in 1909 in Bracebridge, with meetings being held in the Town Hall
• In 1937 it was revived in Bracebridge by Thomas W. Pierce with the Rotary Club as
the sponsor.
• In 1979 the 3rd Bracebridge Sea Scouting group was started by John Purchase with
the United Church as the sponsor.
Guiding in Bracebridge
• Guiding started in Bracebridge in 1943 by Dr. Ellis and his wife Dymple. They
persuaded Miss May McCracken to start the Guide Company.
History of Scout‐Guide Week
The First Scout‐Guide Week happened in 1926 and it continued up until the 1940s.
However, in 1949, Scout‐Guide Week was dropped because it was felt that it was being lost
among so many other special “weeks.”
Occasionally, some groups and Districts continued Boy Scout Week, and with them some
Girl Guide Companies. In the early 1950s, Boy Scouts of Canada officially recognized the
week as Boy Scout Week. During the late ‘60s, there were increased combined
Scout‐Guide services and events. This, and the belief that Guiding and Scouting had much
to gain by pooling resources, led to meetings and discussions between national public
relations personnel of both organizations.
Scout‐Guide Week or Guide‐Scout Week was introduced in 1970, and centered around
February 22, the birthdays of both Scouting’s founder, Lord Robert Baden‐Powell and his
wife and World Chief Guide, Lady Olave Baden‐Powell. In 1970, Scout‐Guide Week began
as a pilot project, approved for a three‐year period. But as early as 1971, a second
three‐year term was approved and in 1974, with so much success behind it, it was agreed
Scout‐Guide Week would continue indefinitely, subject to one year’s notice of
discontinuance by either Movement. In 1974, both organizations agreed to have the title
interchangeable (i.e. “Guide‐Scout” or “Scout‐Guide” Week).
For more information, visit Scouts.ca.
Press release provided by Shawn Forth, Deputy Area Commissioner – Membership and Public Relations
