Some of the 1st Cobden Group members are, back row from left, Gabriel Staigh, Bill Matheson, Emurson Davis and Wes Gordon. Middle row from left: Jack Gordon, Rogan Coulas, Monty Walker and Arron Coulas Front row, from left, leader Robert Panting, Garret Davis, Jade Coulas, Zander Paye and Brenda Tilander-Masse. Photo submitted
COBDEN — Fifteen young people are learning a variety of skills each Monday evening in the gym at Cobden District Public School or on the upper level of the Cobden Civitan Hall.
The resurrection of the scouting movement in Cobden started last September and there are currently four Beavers, 10 Cubs and one Scout, said Susan Goldsmith-Davis, who has taken on the volunteer role of registrar.
Recently, the pack participated in Scouts Canada Community Good Turn Week by inviting the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Renfrew County to spend time at Shaw Woods learning to geocache. Good Turn Week is a youth-driven initiative that aims to foster a stronger sense of community and friendship through acts of consideration and assistance to others, she said.
During the hours at Shaw Woods, half the group hid custom caches in the woods, the other ones used a hand-held GPS unit to find the caches. Geocaching is global scavenger hunt, whereby treasures are hidden and co-ordinates map out where they are. Once found, people can go online and record what they found and where.
“Lindsay Mask developed a program about geocaching,” she said. “It was great. They learned how to use a compass and practised hiding and finding caches.”
Following the morning of fun, the 1st Cobden Group presented Shaw Woods with a dozen new hand-held GPS units to use with school groups that come out to enjoy the centre. The pack also provided money to replace the batteries. Scouts Canada provided lunch for the entire group.
Ms. Goldsmith-Davis said the Cobden group applied for funding from Scouts Canada for the GPS units. There were 33 grants provided across Canada and she was quite happy Cobden received one of them.
There are currently two leaders for the Beavers, Margaret Matheson and Brenda Tilander-Masse; two for the Cubs, Adam Beare and Robert Panting; and James Jackson, mentored by Bill Matheson, is the Scout leader. Beavers are aged five to seven years; Cubs eight to 10 years; Scouts 11 to 15 years and Rovers are 15 years and older.
It was the Mathesons who helped the Cobden pack become a reality, said Ms. Goldsmith-Davis.
“They’re with the Eganville Cubs and they are helping us,” she said. “They’ve been very supportive.”
However, Dale Jackson, with years of prior experience as a former Beaver, Cub and Scout leader, as well as being the Group chairman in Cobden and Eganville in the past, has now assumed the role as Group Commissioner for 1st Cobden. He is looking forward to working with the leaders and youth.
The local pack meets each Monday from 6:30 to 8 p.m.; the Beavers at the Civitan Hall and the Cubs and Scout at the school gym. The Civitans are sponsors of the pack, Ms. Goldsmith-Davis said.
They meet September through June and then have a camp in July.
Since forming last September, the pack has become involved in the community, she said. They participated in the Cobden Santa Claus parade and the Remembrance Day ceremony, picked up garbage during Pitch-In Week and had fun at Logos Land sliding and enjoying hot chocolate and going overnight camping.
During their meetings, they learn a variety of things, including crafts and outdoor survival skills. She recalled them making Christmas tree ornaments to feed the birds.
Ms. Goldsmith-Davis recalled growing up and going through the guiding movement and is happy her son has the opportunity to go through the scouting movement. Although it has changed, in that girls are now allowed in the scouting movement, she said.
“It’s a good organization,” she said. “They learn things to do outdoors. It’s great for kids.”
What’s also changed is that it’s now the youth who tell the leaders what they want to learn, not the adults telling the children, Ms. Goldsmith-Davis said.
“They choose, as a group, the path of interest they want to take,” she said. “This gives them a chance to learn at their own level.”
Ms. Goldsmith-Davis said more leaders are needed. She volunteered to be the registrar because, “I’m not comfortable taking on a group of boys,” she said with a laugh.
Currently, early registration is happening. Early registration is $185 online and come September, it goes up to $200. There is also the cost of the uniform, which is a long-sleeved t-shirt, neckerchief and a woggle (that goes on the neckerchief). She noted there is financial assistance available from Scouts Canada.
“If they join now for next September, they can participate in the pack now,” Ms. Goldsmith-Davis said.
If you want more information regarding the 1st Cobden Pack, contact Ms. Goldsmith-Davis, 613-433-1405.
