The 2021 Scouting year has had a very unique start for us all with new challenges to overcome. Despite these challenges, 1st St. Mary's Group has already achieved last year's registration numbers through the recruitment of three new scouters and addition of a Scout Troop. We spoke with Group Commissioner Sean Ashe to learn more.
"Some of the things we have done to keep membership numbers up are; posting full page ads in our community newsletter which allowed us to recruit two new Scouters and their children to the program. This also allows us to keep the community engaged with what’s going on within the group. We have also been posting on our Facebook page. Our group is from rural Nova Scotia which affords us the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors regularly. Some of the activities we have done outdoors this Scouting season include; flashlight hikes, playing mantracker and we hope to introduce the group to snowshoeing. Our local school has been generous enough to allow us the use of both of their gymnasiums which has allowed us to keep the sections separate. Our community has been supportive both financially and with the use of their facilities.
Once restrictions ease and gathering limits increase, we plan to do a bring a friend night. Our school is our community sponsor and in the past have allowed us to distribute Bring a Friend cards to every child in the Beaver and Cubs age group."
- Sean Ashe, 1st St. Mary's Group Commissioner