Apple Days are Here Again
Fall is upon us here in Shining Waters and not surprisingly, the CK3 have received lots of inquiries about Apple Day. We thought it was best to share our answers with you here.
What day is Apple Day this year?
Historically, groups across the council have selected the day most appropriate for them depending on the Thanksgiving Holiday, availability of permits, and so on. So while there is no official Apple Day on any one Saturday in October, we generally see groups celebrate Apple Day the weekend before or after Thanksgiving.
Can we even DO Apple Day? (said in a Matthew Perry voice)
Groups are encouraged to promote Scouting in their communities in ways that are safe, fun, and follow all the guidelines for keeping youth and scouters safe. So, yes, you can enjoy Apple Day in 2021.
But...
We would like to encourage Apple Day activities that are less traditional in nature. What this means is perhaps instead of giving out apples, we show gratitude towards our communities in ways that eliminate contact where unnecessary. So how can we retain the spirit of Apple Day without apples?
Some ideas include:
- hosting a social media blitz promoting scouting locally
- hosting a scavenger hunt where community members find "hidden" apples. Maybe you post QR codes with clues on it at local parks for passers-by to scan (I am sure we have some groups with very tech-savvy youth who could make this happen)
- Have youth members craft apple-shaped cards to thank sponsors and community partners
In any case, we definitely think it's a good idea to ensure the Apple Day activities are youth-led, so think about how you may spark some Apple Day thoughts and dreams in your Beavers, Cubs and up.
