Blaze Your Trail with Adventure and Leadership!
Welcome to the Trails!
Scouting is the ultimate adventure in personal growth, leadership, and outdoor exploration. Our Scout Troop welcomes youth aged 11-14 who are ready to take on exciting challenges, develop real-world skills, and make lifelong friendships while blazing their own unique trail.
Meeting Details:
- Location: Bowmore Public School
- Time: Mondays, 6:45-8:45 PM
- Area: Coxwell and Gerrard (Upper Beaches, Toronto)
🚨 CURRENTLY CLOSED - We are actively seeking adult volunteers to help reopen this exciting section! Learn more about volunteering
What Makes Scouts Special?
Scouts take a hands-on approach to planning their own adventures and exploring some of Canada's greatest trails. This program is all about pushing limits, embracing challenges, and developing the confidence to tackle anything life throws your way.
Core Adventures
🌲 Outdoor Exploration
- Hiking expeditions and wilderness survival skills
- Navigation and orienteering challenges
- Environmental stewardship and nature appreciation
🚣 High-Energy Water Activities
- Canoeing and kayaking adventures
- Water safety training and rescue techniques
- Paddling expeditions on local waterways
🔥 Advanced Outdoor Skills
- Shelter building and wilderness cooking
- Fire safety and outdoor meal preparation
- Advanced camping techniques and equipment use
🤝 Leadership Development
- Planning and leading their own activities
- Working together in organized Patrols
- Mentoring younger Scouts and Cubs
🎖️ Skill Mastery
- First aid and emergency response training
- Citizenship and community engagement
- Personal development and goal setting
🌍 Global Citizenship
- Community service and volunteer projects
- Cultural awareness and international connections
- Making positive impacts in their communities
The Four Stages of Scout Development: Blaze Your Trail
Every Scout progresses through four distinct checkpoints on their personal trail:
🗺️ Pioneer
The starting point where new Scouts begin their scouting journey, learning basic skills and finding their place in the Troop.
🧭 Voyageur
Expanding skills and navigating new challenges with increased confidence and independence.
🛤️ Pathfinder
Taking leadership roles, forging new trails, and helping guide other Scouts through their adventures.
🔥 Trailblazer
Mastering advanced skills, guiding others, and shaping future adventures for the entire Troop.
Progression Notes:
- Most Scouts spend about one year at each stage
- Older joining Scouts may advance more quickly based on their development
- Personal reviews help track growth and achievements
- Troop Leadership Team determines readiness for advancement
Our Foundation: Promise, Law, and Motto
The Scout Promise
Scouts can choose from two versions:
Option 1: "On my honour, I promise that I will do my best, To do my duty to God and the King, To help other people at all times; and to carry out the spirit of the Scout Law."
Option 2: "On my honour, I promise that I will do my best, To respect my country and my beliefs, To help other people at all times; and to carry out the spirit of the Scout Law."
The Scout Law
"A Scout is helpful and trustworthy, kind and cheerful, considerate and clean, wise in the use of all resources."
The Scout Motto
"Be Prepared"
Scout Uniform and Appearance
Scouts wear a distinctive green uniform that represents their commitment to adventure, leadership, and the scouting tradition.
Required Items
- Scout Green Long-Sleeve Uniform Shirt (available at Scout Shop)
- Group Neckerchief (presented at Investiture Ceremony)
- Scout Woggle (presented at Investiture Ceremony)
Optional Items
- Scout Green Tech T-Shirt
- Scout Green Tech Ball Cap
Key Badges (Given at Investiture)
- Group Badge (91st Toronto Scout Group) - right sleeve, top
- Council Badge (Greater Toronto Council) - left sleeve, above pocket
- Patrol Insignia - right sleeve, below Area badge (varies by patrol)
Note: Neckerchief and woggle provided free initially; replacement fees apply.
Recognition and Achievement System
Scouts earn various badges that recognize their growth, skills, and dedication throughout their trail-blazing journey.
Personal Progression Badges
Four annual badges marking each year of Scout development, awarded after personal review and celebrating growth, adventures, and skill development.
Outdoor Adventure Skills (OAS) Badges
A comprehensive program featuring 9 different skill pathways:
- Each pathway has 9 progressive skill stages
- Continues from previous scouting sections (Beavers/Cubs)
- Scouts wear their highest earned stage badge
- Skills include camping, survival, navigation, first aid, paddling, hiking, and environmental stewardship
Personal Achievement Badges (PABs)
- 16 different badges covering various interests and skills
- Scouts set five personal goals for each chosen badge
- Can be completed during troop activities or family adventures
- Promotes personal growth and individual interests
Major Awards
Chief Scout's Award - The highest Scout achievement
- Earned in final year before moving to Venturer Scouts
- Requirements include: personal progression review, volunteer service hours, OAS completion, and a Scout capstone project
- Previous Beaver (North Star) or Cub (Seeonee) awards may be worn until Chief Scout's Award is earned
Religion in Life & Spirituality Awards
- For Scouts exploring faith or spirituality within their belief system
- Guided by mentors and tailored to individual beliefs
World Scout Environment Award
- International recognition for environmental stewardship
- Focuses on conservation, sustainability, and environmental action
Sustainability Badges
- Linked to UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Three achievement levels: Bronze (2 goals), Silver (4 goals), Gold (all goals in theme)
- Focus areas: Environment, Society, and Innovation
Language Strips
- Recognition for age-appropriate fluency in second languages
- Demonstrates ability to carry on simple scouting conversations
Canadian Path Link Badges
- Scout Link Badge awarded when moving up to Venturer Scouts
- Previous section Link Badges (Beaver, Cub) may continue to be worn
Important Ceremonies
Opening and Closing Ceremonies
Every meeting begins and ends with ceremonies that reinforce scouting values, teamwork, and reflection on activities.
Investiture Ceremony
New Scouts make their Promise and are officially welcomed into the Troop, receiving their Group Neckerchief and Scout Woggle as symbols of commitment.
Moving Up Ceremony
At year-end, 14-year-old Scouts participate in a meaningful farewell ceremony before leaving the Trails to join Venturer Scout Company for new adventures.
Help Reopen Our Scout Troop!
We Need You! Our Scout Troop is temporarily closed, but with community support, we can bring back this incredible program for local youth.
Why Volunteer?
- No Experience Required - Scouts Canada provides comprehensive training
- Make a Lasting Impact - Help shape the next generation of leaders
- Join a Welcoming Community - Become part of an amazing scouting family
- Flexible Commitment - Various roles available to fit your schedule
What We Need
- Adult leaders to guide activities and adventures
- Program support volunteers
- Specialized skill instructors (outdoor skills, first aid, etc.)
- Administrative and organizational support
Ready to Help? Visit our "How to Volunteer" page to learn more about bringing Scouts back to the 91st Toronto Group!
How to Join (When Reopened)
Age Range: Boys and girls aged 11-14 welcome
When to Join:
- New Scouts typically start in September for a full scouting year
- Mid-year joining possible when space allows
Program Schedule:
- Scouting year runs September to August
- Weekly meetings from mid-September to May/June
- Follows school schedule with Christmas and March Break pauses
Ready to Blaze Your Trail?
Scouting develops self-confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills through hands-on challenges and outdoor adventures. Scouts learn to be prepared for anything while making friends and memories that last a lifetime.
Whether it's navigating wilderness trails, leading team challenges, or planning community service projects, Scouts gain real-world skills that prepare them for success in life.
Help us reopen this amazing program - contact us about volunteering today, and let's get our Scouts back on the trails where they belong!