Glen Vienneau
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 28/00) - A local scouting troop is welcoming new members to kick off a season packed with activities.

Some five members of the 7th Yellowknife Scouts Canada have amalgamated with the 1st Yellowknife Scouts this week.

"(It will) make them a unique group within our program," said Chris Grant, president of the 1st Yellowknife Scouts. The new members bring the total number of Yellowknife's second remaining scout troop to about 100. The other existing troop is the 3rd Yellowknife Scouts.

The reason for the amalgamation is clear, indicated Grant. Scouts want to be in a large group where they can take part in as many activities as possible. Another reason is the presence of one larger council with more administrators.

It was also a natural progression for this amalgamation to take place since the 5th and 6th Yellowknife scouts amalgamated two years ago, said Grant. For Alfred Silke, the past-president of the 7th troop, it means being able to contribute more with the NWT scouting council.

"This has to be one of the best communities to support youth programs," said Grant, who has been involved with the scouting movement across the county and overseas.

Their current activity involves tickets sales for the first annual boat raffle. The top prize, to be drawn July 1, is a $16,000 Bombardier jet boat.

Most of the monies raised through the raffle will help the 1st troop scouts attend the Canadian Jamboree Camp to be held in Prince Edward Island in the summer of 2001.

In May, some 20 local scouts, including the five newly amalgamated members, will participate in an exchange program with the St. Mathias Scouts in Ste-Angele-de-Monnoir, Que.

Also, on the Canada Day weekend, the local scouts will host the NWT and Nunavut Cuboree titled Mowgli's Midnight Howl.

Cubs from across NWT, Nunavut and northern Alberta will be invited to gather together for the "fun" weekend