The Zion 8th Scouts Purple Polar Bears are getting ready for the opportunity of a lifetime. The troupe is going to be attending the Canadian Boy Scouts Jamboree, and is raising money to help pay their way to the event in July 2013. This will be the first time an area troupe will be attending the event since 2001.
The Jamboree takes place every four years at different places around Canada, this year being held in Slave Lake, Alberta. Heather LaJambe, speaking on behalf of the Scouts, says that the event will be about everything the Scouts program is all about. The event features a wide variety of activities to foster teamwork, leadership and learning experiences. They will also be responsible for maintaining their campsite, preparing their meals, and will also get plenty of exercise, with lots of walking to get from activity to activity.
"They will grow tremendously as young people at this event," says LaJambe.
Now that they are planning to go, the Scouts need to raise the money to pay for the fees, equipment and transportation to and from the event. They are doing this by starting different fundraising activities, starting out with popcorn sales and a bottle drive to raise money. The equipment purchased for the event will stay within the area for future Scout groups.
The Zion 8 Scouts consist of Evan LaJambe, Chris Hansen, Brayden Matkowski, Matthew Linsley and Kelten Chyz. The group has a wide range of experience, with LaJambe and Linsley in their ninth year of Scouts programs, starting with Beavers and Cubs. For the young men, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, because the Scouts program lasts four years, meaning they can only ever attend one event. It is also the only time any of the group's leaders will be going to Jamboree.
In his final year of Scouts, Linsley says that the event is going to be a great way to cap off his time with the group, and that he's excited to meet people from the other troupes around the country and around the world.
"It's so massive, it's just insane. Just to know that there are that many people out there like us," says Linsley.
Anyone interested in helping the Scouts out or learning more can call Derek LaJambe at 783-2126.
