b'IN PERSON SCOUTING BACK ON. join the naturehikesFUN!(COVID SAFE)Tobogganing,and scavenger hunts are just some of theeight,withtwoleaderspercohort, social distancing activities that localand they will stay within their bub- 1st PORT PERRYScouts can enjoy this year. bles every week. After months of Zoom meetings,I dont want little Johnny to getthekidswantto October 6, 2020, was the historicrstsick on my watch, said Jon. He hopestake pictures, they have to use an old-day that the Port Perry Cubs met inthat the kids are already used to maskfashioned camera, he said. person since the COVID-19 lockdownwearing and social distancing, so IGoing back to live meetings gives in March. dont have to be a COVID warrior. youngpeopleanopportunityfor Wehavehadtobeveryinven- TheannualSeptembercampingsocialization in a safe setting, some-tive to keep the kids entertained ontrip, the fall apple sales and the lucra- thingthathasbeenmissingwith Zoom,commentedCubleaderJontive popcorn sale fundraiser all hadthe lockdown, online schooling and Bolan.ScoutsCanadao eredmanyto be cancelled because there wouldthe trend of human contact via cell suggestions for online meetings, suchbe too much social contact, but otherphones, Jon noted.as knot tying, mask making and Trivialgreat events are planned. The popularTheactivemembershipsinall Pursuit type games. Other ideas areweekend Christmas tree sales will beScoutinggroups(Beavers,Cubs, escaperoomsonZoom,anddigitalheld again this year at the CanadianScouts, Venturers and Rovers) will be Bingos. Ziploc bags with everythingTirepropertybeginningonFridayextended until the end of December from Popsicle stick birdhouse kits toDecember 4.2020,atnoadditionalcost,Jonan-cub cars can be handed out. Theresatreeshortage,Jonnounced.Feeswillbewaivedfor The program will be di erent,warned. There will only be 200 treesnewcomers until the end of this year. Jon said of Scouting during the ongo- available in 2020. Usually, the ScoutsIts like a free trial, Jon described. ing pandemic. But we are still goinghave420BalsamandFraser toThe usual cost of joining is $230 an- rs to learn things and have fun. sell. The cost for a quality Christmasnually. Registration is done through Usualactivitiessuchasswim- tree is $50. scouts.ca. Due to the pandemic, the ming and bowling are out, but dayNew this year is an online fund- membershipinthelocalscouting campsandTreeTopTrekkingareraiser sale of premium co ee prod- movement is down 50%. There were possibilities. ucts.Checkoutthe1stPortPerryalmost100activemembers;now Scouts Canada has provided clearScoutingGroupFacebookpageforthere are only 48.health and safety guidelines for meet- details on how to purchase great cof- Whentheshutdownwasan-ing in person, said Jon. All meetingsfee to be delivered right to your door.nouncedinMarch,Jonsaidthatat willtakeplaceoutdoors,andthereThirty- ve per cent of the proceeds hefelthappytohaveabreakrst is a tent with two open sides at thewill go directly to the group.fromscouting.Aweeklater,he ScoutHallpropertysetupforthisRemember,itsforthekids,ismissed it 110%.purpose.MaskswillbemandatoryJons fundraising motto. And whoI enjoy Cub night as much as the for all leaders and youth. If parentsdoesnt like co ee? kids, he enthused.get out of their cars, masks will beJon pointed out that there is a strict required for them also. no electronics rule in Scouting. IfBy Lynn Campbell, Focus on ScugogIncaseofbadweather,suchas heavy rain or extreme cold, there will be a Zoom meeting instead. We are trying to make the best of it, said Jon, who is called Bagheera, a Jungle Book reference, by his troop. He has been a leader for 13 years, and loves it.Cubs are in the eight to ten-year-old age group, he explained. Both boys and girls are welcome. This age is a lot of fun and they want to learn.Toensuresocialdistancing,the Cubs will be divided into groups of1st Port Perry Scout hall.16 FOCUS - NOVEMBER 2020'