Scouting

SURVEY: RYAN REYNOLDS ECLIPSES RYAN GOSLING AS CANADIANS' 'BEST VOLUNTEER' FOR SCOUTS CANADA

Retrieved on: 
Monday, April 22, 2024

Please refer to this as a Scouts Canada survey in all mentions.

Key Points: 
  • Please refer to this as a Scouts Canada survey in all mentions.
  • It's worth noting that Reynolds received a special Scouts Canada badge for being a well-rounded 'quintuple threat' in 2022.
  • "You may think the reason tens of thousands of Canadians volunteers with Scouts Canada is to benefit young people.
  • Now is the time, and Scouts Canada is the place to pay it forward and support today's young leaders.

Dungeons and Dragons at 50: how the role-playing game may soon be used as a form of therapy

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) is crossing a new frontier, as the game may soon be used as a form of psychological therapy.

Key Points: 
  • Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) is crossing a new frontier, as the game may soon be used as a form of psychological therapy.
  • Over the last five years, I have researched possibilities for the game’s clinical implementation, as well as potential hurdles.
  • The therapeutic interest in the game only arose in the last five years, when D&D experienced a renaissance.

Playing safely

  • Released in 1974, there was something of a “Satanic panic” around the game, which was seen by some as a cradle of Satanic occultism.
  • Despite this, some clinicians still view playing D&D as cause of mental health issues.
  • Another reason for the hesitancy is that there can be a real risk involved in using D&D in therapy with no proper plan in place.
  • Since our research in 2023, at least 16 theoretical guidelines have been published, drafting ideas or sharing anecdotes of good practice.
  • And more importantly, more research is being released showing successful implementation in the community and even in forensic services.


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Sören Henrich does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

MAKING THE MARCH BREAK OF CHAMPIONS - THERE'S A (SCOUTS CANADA) APP FOR THAT

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 4, 2024

OTTAWA, ON, March 4, 2024 /CNW/ - ONE WEEK WARNING: March Break starts rolling out across the country on March 11th!

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, ON, March 4, 2024 /CNW/ - ONE WEEK WARNING: March Break starts rolling out across the country on March 11th!
  • But don't worry, to help parents and kids have a winning March Break, Scouts Canada (the country's leading co-ed youth organization) created the 'Kidtastic' Activity Generator .
  • With activities ranging from crafty creativity, outdoor adventures and more—kids can explore new skills, put problem-solving abilities into play and discover their confidence and capability.
  • With the current cost of living cash crunch across Canada, this March Break may well look different for many families.

Scouting Settlement Trust to Advance Partial Payments to Survivors while Litigation is Pending

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 12, 2024

Under the Advance Payment Program ("APP"), eligible claimants will be able to receive payments of $1,000 before their allowed claim amount is finally determined.

Key Points: 
  • Under the Advance Payment Program ("APP"), eligible claimants will be able to receive payments of $1,000 before their allowed claim amount is finally determined.
  • Eligibility to participate in the APP will be determined based upon a rigorous application of criteria to the information provided to the Scouting Settlement Trust (the "Trust") by individual claimants.
  • The Trust will – over time – make multiple payments on Survivors' claims as more funds are paid into the Trust and illiquid Trust assets are reduced to cash.
  • Litigation: The Trust also has litigation pending against dozens of insurance companies over billions of dollars more in coverage.

Girl Scouts of the USA Unveils New Playbook to Help Troop Leaders and Supportive Adults Effectively Engage Girls in STEM

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 7, 2024

NEW YORK, Feb. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), the largest girl-led organization in the world, announces a new STEM Playbook, offering guidance, resources and support to all staff, volunteers and caregivers on how to continue sparking girls' interest in STEM. This multifaceted playbook, supported by General Motors, provides adults with ideas to help create hands-on, exciting activities to engage their Girl Scouts in STEM.

Key Points: 
  • This multifaceted playbook, supported by General Motors, provides adults with ideas to help create hands-on, exciting activities to engage their Girl Scouts in STEM.
  • With the new playbook in hand, all Girl Scout staff and supportive adults are equipped with resources and expertise to support girls through their very own tailor-made STEM journeys.
  • "This new playbook provides the support our troop leaders and volunteers want and need as they engage in STEM activities with their Girl Scouts in exciting new ways."
  • With Girl Scouts earning more than 5 million STEM badges since 2018, Girl Scout councils have voiced a need for additional resources to support Girl Scouts' participation in STEM experiences.

KIDS GETTING SQUIRRELY? SCOUTS CANADA STEPS UP WITH THE 'KIDTASTIC' ACTIVITY GENERATOR TO FIGHT BLEAK MIDWINTER BLAHS

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 22, 2024

Scouts Canada (the country's leading co-ed youth organization) is here to help kids kick their post-holiday 'blah' syndrome.

Key Points: 
  • Scouts Canada (the country's leading co-ed youth organization) is here to help kids kick their post-holiday 'blah' syndrome.
  • Now that the festivities of the season are over and kids are back at school in their ho-hum routines, Scouts Canada has created the 'Kidtastic' Activity Generator as a public service to help parents and kids quell that prolific post-holiday malaise.
  • Through fun activities like those found on our Kidtastic Activity Generator, any young person across Canada can experience some of the many benefits of Scouting."
  • Scouts Canada spokespeople are available for interviews and/or live demonstrations of the Kidtastic Activity Generator and activities.

Girl Scouts of the USA Kicks Off Cookie Season Nationally, Highlighting How Cookie Sales Help Millions of Girls "Unbox the Future"

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 9, 2024

NEW YORK, Jan. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), the largest girl-led organization in the world, announced the launch of the 2024 national Girl Scout Cookie™ season. During this highly-anticipated time of the year, girls flex their entrepreneurial muscles and acquire important life skills like goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics. All proceeds from cookie sales stay with local councils and troops to power Girl Scouts' amazing experiences year-round. 

Key Points: 
  • Girl Scouts across the nation begin the 2024 cookie season with delicious classic cookie lineup, gaining important entrepreneurial skills while earning funds that fuel their Girl Scout journeys.
  • All proceeds from cookie sales stay with local councils and troops to power Girl Scouts' amazing experiences year-round.
  • When bold, goal-getting Girl Scouts sell a package of cookies, they're doing much more than what's seen at face value.
  • Nearly 700K girls participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program, which provides vital girl-led entrepreneurial skills that build courage, confidence and character.

Spirit of David Wolf Scholarship Launched by Ventura County Council Boy Scouts of America

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 9, 2023

The Ventura County Council of the Boy Scouts of America, with support from Allison, a global marketing and communications firm, has launched the Spirit of David Wolf Scholarship to help provide registration fees, uniform, and all activity expenses for one year for those in need for financial assistance.

Key Points: 
  • The Ventura County Council of the Boy Scouts of America, with support from Allison, a global marketing and communications firm, has launched the Spirit of David Wolf Scholarship to help provide registration fees, uniform, and all activity expenses for one year for those in need for financial assistance.
  • David and his son loved the Boy Scouts of America program and the many experiences provided to them individually and together along with their family & friends.
  • Wolf served as the Ventura County Council Commissioner from 2021-2023 and was a proud member of the Sea Scout Ship where he was a Ship Commodore.
  • To learn more about Scouting, the Spirit of David Wolf scholarship or additional information, please call the Ventura County Council of the Boy Scouts of America at (805) 482-8938.

A New Book Series for the Post-Dummies Era: Stikky Launches Highly Visual Direct-to-Consumer How-To Books on Constellations and Animal Tracks

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 11, 2023

"Stikky Tracks" helps campers, RVers, hikers, parents of Scouts, and other outdoor enthusiasts learn how to identify 14 animals from their tracks, poop, and other signs — in one hour.

Key Points: 
  • "Stikky Tracks" helps campers, RVers, hikers, parents of Scouts, and other outdoor enthusiasts learn how to identify 14 animals from their tracks, poop, and other signs — in one hour.
  • Ordinarily, learning something new takes time, but luckily Stikky books are far from ordinary," said Laurence Holt, president of Stikky books, and a tech veteran who wrote the code for what became Microsoft Outlook.
  • Affordably priced at $12, the books are the perfect gift for yourself or others, available only on the Stikky website: www.stikky.com .
  • "Stikky books delight and surprise readers by equipping them with a timeless skill in just one hour," said Holt.

By reviewing the name of the Baden-Powell Award, Scouts Australia is grappling with its colonial past

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Scouts Australia is considering changing the name of its most prestigious youth award, the Baden-Powell Scout Award.

Key Points: 
  • Scouts Australia is considering changing the name of its most prestigious youth award, the Baden-Powell Scout Award.
  • For others, his role in creating the largest youth movement in history is overshadowed by allegations of colonial war crimes.

Adapting to changing social values

  • Baden-Powell’s handbook, Scouting for Boys, is the fourth best-selling book of the 20th century.
  • Baden-Powell’s Scouting philosophy emphasised social responsibility and outdoor skills.
  • Scouting has endured for over a century, in part because of its willingness to adapt to changing social values.

But back to Baden-Powell

  • In 2020, amid Black Lives Matter demonstrations, a statue of Baden-Powell in England appeared on a “Topple the Racists” hit list.
  • Yet, the statue was defended by local Scouts, and a petition against its removal received over 40,500 signatures.
  • Before Scouts, Baden-Powell was already a hero of the British Empire for his efforts during the South African War.
  • Globally, Scouts has recognised this, with the Chief Scout of the UK, Bear Grylls, admitting Baden-Powell’s “failings”.

An extended process of public reckoning

  • The case to replace obviously racist place names can be uncontroversial, provided consultation takes place with Traditional Owners.
  • In recent years, Queensland has revoked certain racist place names, while Tasmania has renamed several places that previously commemorated colonial violence.
  • Even Macquarie University is facing calls to recognise his ambiguous legacy, rather than promoting him.
  • This is likely to be the start of an extended process of public reckoning.
  • This may extend from relatively unknown statues, or place names, to big businesses and institutions with connections to questionable legacies.


Ciara Smart receives funding from the University of Tasmania.