Karen Graham
Explorers were the first group established under Lord Baden-Powell’s original Scouting program for boys designed to develop youth leaders in England. His mission was to develop programs for boys that would excite them, develop their skills and confidence to prepare them for leadership roles. Explorers are aged 11 to 14 and now are a co-ed group, and while some of the content has been updated for modern society, the vision of the program is the same- by providing opportunities to build their life skills, with a focus on a love of the outdoors.
In Millbrook, local leader Dave Webster embraces this theme. A professional geologist, he is no stranger to travelling to and camping in remote locations, and brings his enthusiasm to the boys in the program. During their weekly meetings at Millbrook/South Cavan School, the members develop skills required to live in the wilderness. They learn to read maps, read a compass, build fires and prepare food cooked outdoors, wield a knife, plan and prepare extensive canoe trips in remote locations. They prepare for the real fun: the camps!
During extended camping trips, Explorers apply their orientation, paddling and cooking skills as they make a plan and execute it in Presqu’ile Provincial Park. Photo: Supplied.
These extended vacations (for the youth, not the leaders) have many built-in educational opportunities, and are designed to build independence and ingenuity. There is always a winter camp, requiring members to travel on cross-country skis to cabins in the woods, laden down with food and equipment for the journey. Students plan every aspect of the trip, from menus and food supplies to safety equipment and entertainment- no video games allowed! Some of the winter trips have included a visit to Bancroft where they held their own version of the winter Olympics, complete with medals for aspiring winter athletes…
