A series of Scouts Canada’s top honours were handed out to 38 Alberta youths including three from St. Albert.
Sofia Guest was given the Queen's Venturer Award, the highest award that can be earned by a Scout Venturer aged 14 to 17. In order to be eligible for the prestigious prize, the 17-year-old with the 5th St. Albert Scouts had to demonstrate not only strong leadership skills and an impeccable character but also the ability to make a positive difference in other people’s lives and throughout the community, including volunteering for at least 50 hours.
She was joined at the ceremony by 13-year-olds Andrew Olsen and Keegan Sharpe, both with the 14th St. Albert LDS (Latter Day Saints), who were each handed the Chief Scout Award. That is the highest award that a Scout in the 11 to 14 year age group can earn.
The two demonstrated skills that benefitted their personal development and progression through 18 stages of outdoor adventurer skills, even leading their patrol on an adventure. Just as Guest did, they similarly had to show their commitment to their community by volunteering for at least 30 hours.
The annual awards are bestowed by Gov.-Gen. David Johnston who serves as Scouts Canada’s Patron Scout. Alberta’s Lt.-Gov. Lois E. Mitchell handed out the awards along with Chief Scout Terry Grant, former star of the TV series Mantracker.
The 5th St. Albert Venturer Company also received an Amory Award, which is given to those Scouts who plan an adventure of a minimum four days. The troop received a second place finish for their hiking/camping trip to Banff National Park that saw its participants explore the ecology of the rivers and discover how local tree plantings, habitat restoration and cleanup initiatives compared to their own work along the Sturgeon River.
According to Morgan McKinney, the council youth commissioner for Scouts Canada’s Northern Lights Council, it was a grant opportunity with a tight timeline that prompted the 5th St. Albert Scouts to evaluate their environmental service work here in this city over the last eight years. They were successful in getting the grant that opened up the door for the Banff experience.
“Once awarded, each Venturer had a role to play in planning their adventure to Banff. After a long drive and a good sleep the natural starting place was with Parks Canada,” she began.
“They explored the ecology of rivers and discovered how local tree planting, habitat restoration and clean-up initiatives compared to their own work along the Sturgeon River.”
She noted that their learning opportunities on the trip included canoeing, hiking, rock climbing, planting willows and learning how to use backpacking stoves.
“There were a couple mishaps, but thankfully the food was good.”
They also partook in some white water rafting and cliff jumping, during which they “learned a new respect for how cold water and cotton interact,” McKinney noted
“It was an incredible experience. It challenged them physically, mentally and as a team and they did it all on their own, a truly youth-led experience.”
