Apprenticeship for Leaders: New Scouts Canada Program, The Canadian Path, Empowers Youth to Call the Shots Français
Revitalization program prepares Scouts for success in the world through youth-driven leadership and self-directed adventure
OTTAWA, Febr. 27, 2017 /CNW/ - In today's modern world, young people have more power, influence and affect on their environment than any previous generation – so its not surprising that one of Canada's most established youth organizations, Scouts Canada, is recognizing this change by introducing a new youth-led Scouting program called The Canadian Path. As part of a five-year revitalization of Scouts Canada's programming, The Canadian Path enhances the best of Scouting and places a greater focus on empowering youth to plan, organize and lead activities throughout the year.
"Education research has shown that learning is most successful when children and youth drive the process," said Dr. Judith Newman, education consultant for The Canadian Path and former Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba. "The Canadian Path's learner-centric approach fosters an environment that gives youth control of their learning and inspires them to figure out things for themselves with the help and guidance of volunteers, providing greater opportunity for individual and team growth."
The Canadian Path was developed by hundreds of individuals across Canada with a broad range of backgrounds and professions including educators, social workers, outdoor educators, spiritual leaders, project managers, youth members and adult volunteers. Scouts Canada consulted thousands of members throughout the process, surveying youth members to determine what they most wanted to get out of their program, and travelled across Canada to test out programming with different Scout groups to garner their feedback.
Although adult volunteers are still actively involved in helping to support and guide local groups, Scouts aged five to 26 are taking on more responsibility and a hands-on approach to choose, plan and run their own activities and adventures.
"By putting the Scouting Movement in the hands of Scouts, we're able to challenge young people in new ways by encouraging critical thinking, and provide them with a greater sense of personal progression, engagement, fulfillment and accomplishment," said Doug Reid, project lead for The Canadian Path. "Through this process, Scouting becomes a leadership apprenticeship, providing youth with tools, knowledge and skills to be strong leaders in every part of their lives."
The Canadian Path was developed in consultation with different Scouting programs around the world, including Scouting Ireland's successful new One Programme, on which many of the principles of The Canadian Path are based. Scouting has always been about helping youth grow and develop, and The Canadian Path sustains this tradition with a progressive awards scheme that recognizes youth for their continued growth and development in key areas of tangible skills and knowledge.
To learn more about The Canadian Path, visit http://www.scoutinglife.ca/canadianpath/.
As part of Scouts Canada's ongoing program revitalization, in 2013, Scouts Canada launched new science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programming with the support of the Imperial Oil Foundation and ExxonMobil Canada to foster curiosity and practical skills in STEM subjects and nurture future Canadian scientists, engineers and mathematicians, to help meet the growing demand from companies and academic institutions.
About Scouts Canada
Kids in Scouts have fun adventures, discovering new things and experiences they wouldn't discover elsewhere. Along the way, they develop into capable, confident and well-rounded individuals, better prepared for success in the world. For tens of thousands of children and youth across Canada, Scouts is the start of something great. Scouts Canada is the country's leading co-ed youth organization, offering programming for children and youth aged five to 26 in multiple languages, reflecting Canada's multicultural landscape and communities. For more information, visit Scouts.ca.
Scouts Canada is a not-for-profit organization (Charitable Registration No. 10776 1694 RR0028) and a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement.
SOURCE Scouts Canada
Andrea McLoughlin, Holmes PR, [email protected], 416-628-5609
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