Redcliff First Scouts to exercise winter skills through inaugural Claim the Flame challenge

Posted on January 18, 2022 by 40 Mile Commentator

By Justin Seward

Commentator/Courier

Scouts Canada is set to launch an outdoor winter skills challenge at the end of the month.

Claim the Flame challenge will get underway Jan. 31 and run through February and is open to respective members ages five to 26 and allows them the opportunity to get outdoors and socializing with their peers, all while discovering their capabilities, developing important life skills and building resiliency.

“Everyone agreed that it was a great idea to participate in this,” said Mike Lukacs, Redcliff First Scouts group scouter.

Over the course of February, the Redcliff Beavers Cubs and Scouts will be presented each week with two different outdoor winter activities to align with the challenge.

“Our plan is that each week the youth will be presented with two different outdoor winter activity ideas” said Lukacs.

Examples of winter activities that can be chosen from include building a winter sled, learning how to get around in winter—trying things such as snowshoeing and skating—building a winter campfire and learning new outdoor cooking recipes.

“All these activities are going to contribute to their progression through the winter skills competency program,” said Lukacs.

“So this is what the current badge program is. So, the winter skills is a badge and the youth work on their competencies from stage one to stage nine.  Stage one being recognizing cold conditions and knowing why they put on mittens and stage nine being able to plan a multi-day outdoor camp for multiple participants at minus 30 weather.”

Each group will do four activities.

“Scouts is a place for them to take the lead,” said Lukacs.

“We’re very big on youth led. That’s why the kids are always given choices and we’re constantly asking them what they want to do.”

Lukacs said Claim the Flame will allow them the opportunity to participate in activities that maybe they didn’t have the opportunity with at home or at school.

All current Redcliff members will participate and if new members would like to participate, they can contact group commissioner Rob Ewert at ewertro@hotmail.com or calling (403) 581-8205    and logging on to http://www.scouts.ca.

“As a youth-serving organization, we recognize the impact the pandemic is having on children and youth. We are committed to supporting communities at this time by continuing to provide a safe and fun place where kids can simply be kids,” said Andrew Price, Executive Commissioner and CEO, Scouts Canada.

“Scouts Canada’s upcoming Claim the Flame challenge will give young people something exciting to look forward to each week while offering adventure and outdoor activity at a time when they need it most.”