The 1st Millet Scout troupe has had a successful past few years with enrollment in the program having experienced a large increase.
Following a slouch in enrollment during COVID years, the troupe has grown from five kids to over 30 throughout the beaver, cub and scout programs.
Laurie Androsoff, volunteer and director for the local troupe explained youngsters are joining up from across Wetaskiwin County with families travelling from Millet, Gwynne, Mulhurst Bay and as far as Camrose. In addition to an uptake in youth enrollment, the troupe has also seen 13 new leaders join their ranks as well.
“It’s a real community building group - parents want to be there and are willing to be involved,” said Androsoff. “They’re making good connections in the community through their kids.”
Androsoff said the leader’s goals are to prepare the youth for an ever-changing world.
“It’s teaching kids the skills to go ahead and be solid citizens in a world that we’re not sure what it will look like,” she explained. “We want them to go home better than when they arrived and to leave the world a better place.”
So far this year the local troupe has been involved in a number of fundraising bottle drives as well as participated in the Remembrance Day service for the Legion. They also won first place in the Millet Santa Claus Parade. Androsoff said it was great to see everyone excited.
“It was fabulous team building and planning,” she added.
Next up for the 1st Millet Scout troupe will be planning a number of camping trips for the warmer months as well as working closely with a local senior’s home they’ve adopted. The group plans to deliver cards to the seniors in the coming weeks and actively work to increase their community involvement.
According to their website, Scouts Canada is the country’s leading co-ed youth organization, offering programming for children and youth aged five to 26.
“With over 50,000 youth participating across the country, in multiple languages and reflecting Canada’s multicultural landscape, kids and youth in Scouts chart their own path of discovery,” said the organization on its website. “Through a variety of fun experiences, outdoor adventures and contributions to their community, Scouts build resilience and skills that set them up for life.
“A Scout is helpful and trustworthy, kind and cheerful, considerate and clean and wise in the use of all resources.”
For more information on the local Scout program contact Laurie Androsoff at 587-435-2819.