Scouts aiming for Canadian Jamboree
Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services
Inuvik (Dec 22/00) - The adventure of a lifetime.
That's what Dave Tyler, troop scouter for the 1st Inuvik Scouts, says is in store for those who take part in the 2001 Canadian Jamboree.
"I can't wait to see the looks on their faces when they step onto that field with 12,000 other people," Tyler said.
Seventeen scouts from Inuvik are raising funds to attend the jamboree in Prince Edward Island next July. Jamborees are held every four years.
He said the scouts chose from a large list of available activities at the jamboree. Each scout made 25 selections and will be chosen for nine activities.
"It doesn't matter which of the activities they're lucky enough to get, they're going to have a great time."
He said many chose deep sea fishing.
"Coming from Inuvik, many of them have not had an opportunity to do things like deep sea fishing," he said.
Two members who are planning to go, Josh Tyler and Chad Larocque, are looking forward to their first trip to P.E.I, but getting there will cost a lot.
"We've raised enough to pay the registration fee, which is $9,975. We're still fund-raising to cover the costs of transportation," Tyler said.
Transportation will cost roughly $1,300 for each participant.
Tyler said that in the past year the scouts have raised more than $10,000 for the trip with popcorn sales and bottle drives.
"The youth are keen. We very much believe in the fact they should be trying to earn as much of it as they can," he said.
"But it's not conceivable we could raise the entire amount ourselves without significant help from the community at large."
Last week Inuvik Town Council debated a funding request from the scouts regarding their trip. Councillors were reluctant to give money, because of the many community organizations.
However, council did discuss the possibility of letting the scouts run the concession at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex. Tyler said he would need to hear more before deciding whether that idea would work.
