Beaver Info

Refer to the OUR PROGRAMS and the MEMBERS pages for general information on the Beaver Scout Section.

What to Bring to Meetings

1) Full uniform, if you have it. (Vest, hat, necker, woggle). 

2) Please wear appropriate clothing/footwear as we may be outside for some/all of the meeting.

3) Water bottle.

4)  Please also use the washroom before the meeting

Expectations

In order to ensure a positive experience for everyone, we expect all Beavers to treat each other, the Leaders (also know as Scouters), and our guests with respect.

Families should review the following expectations with their child prior to our first meeting:

• The 21st Capilano Beavers value the inclusion of all members of our community, and we strive to create a fun environment for everyone to learn and grow.

• Beavers are expected to follow the instructions of leaders, parent volunteers and guest presenters.

• Scouting is a positive and inclusive space. As such, verbal abuse, physical aggression, harassment, and bullying are not permitted.

Sign-in / Sign out procedures

Please be sure to sign in and sign out your youth at each and every meeting. A Leader will be available near the drop off location in the gym and we ask that you please take a moment to speak with the Leaders prior to leaving the premises.  At the end of meetings, we ask that parents/guardians wait outside the meeting room until the meeting ends (minimizes youth distraction). 

Leadership Team

The leadership team consists of volunteer leaders (Scouters), youth leaders (Keo's) and our third year Beavers (also known as White Tails). 

Uniforms

Our uniform is something to be very proud of. It shows that we are part of the worldwide Scouting movement. Beavers are expected to wear their full uniform to every meeting/activity and camp. This includes the necker (ie: neck scarf) and woggle (ie: clasp on the scarf). New Beavers can purchase their uniform through us.  We typically have extra uniforms for purchase at the first few meetings so that you can determine the correct sizing.

Parents Staying at Overnight Camps

Please note that any parent who is not a registered leader and will be staying overnight at a camp must complete the on-line "Safe Scouting For Parents" Course ( see Parent Screeing on the PARENTS page.

FAQs for Beaver Meetings

Where do we meet?

Weekly meetings will be held at Cleveland Elementary School in the small gym (map). Meetings are held Tuesday nights 6:00-7:15pm with the occasional outings or linking events occurring on a different day. Please check the 21st Capilano Calendar (www.21capilano.com) for latest up to date information on our group activities.

Where is the Small Gym?

The small gym is accessible via the East or West sides of the school. Please walk around to the rear of the building. The entrance is facing south along the back side of the building.

What do Beavers need to bring to the meeting?

Beavers will need their uniforms (more on this later), a small bottle of water, and clothing/footwear suitable for outdoor adventures.

What happens at a Beaver meeting?

At 6:00, the meeting officially starts with an opening ceremony. We spend the bulk of our meeting creating adventures, making crafts, playing games, and having fun. We wrap up with a campfire and closing ceremony before sending the youth home at 7:15 PM.

In following the Canadian Path program developed by Scouts Canada your Beaver Scouts will be actively engaged in planning activities and reviewing how they went. This youth-led approach will make the program more enjoyable for all and will also help to develop critical leadership and social skills among the youth.

What else do Beavers do?

In addition to our weekly meetings, you can expect that we’ll have outdoor adventures planned each month, Camps, Fundraising events, community service and field trips.  Check out the calendar on the website (www.21capilano.com) for more details.

What Camps are there?

 We have at least one camp per season.  Please check out the calendar on www.21capilano.com or the scout tracker schedule/calendar for the dates of these events for this year.

●      Fall Camp (September @ Alice Lake)

●      Box Camp (January @ Highlands Church in Edgemont Village)

●      Science World Sleepover (Feb/Mar)

●      Spring Camp (June)

For all these camps, our group requires that a Beaver parent attends the camp with their child.

What fundraising activities can my Beaver take part in?

Note that the bulk of the registration fees that you paid to join Beavers are transferred to Scouts Canada to cover administration and insurance. The group’s activities are largely funded through our fundraising events.

Our group currently does 2 fundraising activities.

●      Popcorn Door to Door and mall sales (October)

●      Xmas Tree Selling (November / December)

What community service activities will my Beaver take part in?

As a colony we like to take part in a number of community activities such as, poppy tagging, Rembrance day parade, stream clean-ups, tree planting, removal of foreign species etc.  If you have an idea for a community service activity you think would be appropriate for our group, please email us at beavers21capilano@gmail.com

 What is the Canadian path?

You may be wondering, what is The Canadian Path? It’s the name for Scouts Canada’s program: great Adventures, youth leadership, new experiences and learning new things! It’s about being outside, and it is Scouting. We began introducing The Canadian Path in 2014. It’s the next natural step in delivering on Scouts Canada’s unique Mission: to develop well-rounded youth, better prepared for success in the world. And it’s about having fun Adventures while we’re doing it!

See more at:

http://www.scouts.ca/program/canadianpath/

What is a Personal Achievement Badge?

Personal Achievement Badges are designed to allow youth to explore and expand skills

and knowledge in areas that are of particular interest to them. In the Canadian Path,

Personal Achievement Badges are strictly optional and are completed by the Beaver scout outside of the regular meeting times.

What is an Outdoor Adventure Skills Badge?

Outdoor adventure skills badges or “OAS Badges” are skills-based badges. There are 9 distinct badges : Camping, Aquatic, Paddling, Winter, Emergency, Vertical, Trail, Scoutcraft and Sailing. Each of these badges has a set of skill requirements for 9 increasingly challenging levels. During our progaming, we strive to incorporate a variety of group activities that meet the requirements for level 1 and 2 in a few of the above mentioned categories. If you are interested in learning more about these requirements, informations can be found on scoutstracker.ca or on the Scouts Canada website. (scouts.ca)

Do parents participate in Beaver activities?

The Beaver Colony is run by volunteers, most of whom have youth in the program. Scouts Canada mandates an 8:1, youth:leader ratio for all meetings and events.  We always need more parents to join the leadership ranks to ensure that we meet ratio when existing leaders are sick or out of town for work.  We will be asking parents to volunteer to help out with meetings and camps. If you are able we’d love to have you join our team as a scouter. We will supply all training and uniforms.

For adventures outside of regular meetings, one parent is invited to attend with their beaver. You can find the information about volunteering at www.21capilano.com in the members tab, click on parents.

I don’t know anything about Scouting or camping. Where can I learn more?

 The Scouts Canada website (scouts.ca) has excellent resources for parents to help understand Scouting and Beavers.  In September, we’ll set up an information meeting for parents that want to learn more about how to prepare for camps and outdoor activities to ensure that you have fun!

Where do I get a Beaver uniform?

Each Beaver is expected to attend meetings and adventures in uniform. You are responsible for supplying the vest and hat; all badges, and the neckerchief (scarf) will be supplied by the group when your Beaver is invested into the group in a few weeks.

At our first 2 meetings there will be sample sizes for your child to try on.

How much does a Uniform Cost:

Vest & Hat (Beaver) - from the website dropdown menu, click on PROGRAMS/OUR STORE for prices.

You can order your items through your section leader. Payment for Store items can be made by credit card by going to the drop down menu and clicking on MEMBERS/PAYMENTS.

Where should I place my badges on my uniform?

Beavers will collect outdoor adventure skills badges and personal achievement badges (if they choose) in addition to the group, area and council crests.  These Badges have specific locations to be sew onto the vest. 

https://www.scouts.ca/scoutinglife/wp-content/uploads/bs/insignia-placement-bs.pdf

Other badges/crests provided such as camp crests, Xmas trees, apple day, popcorn, etc;  should be put on their camp fire blanket.

 What are the dues for?

This year we will be asking parents to make a one-time payment of $20 for dues. This money goes directly into our petty cash for use in craft supplies and special adventures. Payment can be made via the website 21capilano.com MEMBERS/PAYMENTS.

Frequent Terms

Beaver Scout Hand Signal – Leader’s arm straight up with hand forming Beaver Scout salute. This signals Beaver Scouts to stop everything they are doing and pay attention to the leader.

Beaver Scout Salute - Special sign of greeting, made with bent fingers. It represents the two front teeth of a beaver.

Beaver Scout Position - Seated cross-legged on the floor.

Big Brown Beaver - a large toy Beaver Scout mascot

used in ceremonies.

Chopping Position - Squatting down with elbows on knees, and both hands making a Beaver Scout salute. (used in the opening and closing ceremonies)

Colony - The entire group of Beaver Scouts and leaders.

Dam Formation - Circle formation used for organizing Beaver Scouts.

Eager Beaver - a Kit who has learned the Promise, Law and Salute and the opening, closing and investiture ceremonies.

Feeding The Beaver - The act of collecting dues (money children contribute for supplies or special activities).

Grand Tail Slap - Sit cross-legged on the floor, raise the right hand above the head and bring it down to slap the floor in front of you.

Investiture - The ceremony in which a KIT is invested (receives the Beaver Scout neckerchief) and becomes an eager Beaver.

Kit - In nature, a growing beaver. In the program, a Beaver Scout who has not yet been invested.

Lodge - Lodges are smaller working groups of five or six Beaver Scouts and a leader. Lodges are useful for some activities like crafts and discussions, or, at times during

the meeting when Beaver Scouts would benefit from more individual attention.

Pond - The place where a Beaver Scout Colony meets:

i.e. , a church, school, community club, auditorium, etc.

River Banks - a formation used to organize Beaver Scouts quietly. Beaver Scouts stand side by side in two wavy lines that are about three feet apart.

Tail Slap - The name of the opening ceremony which occurs at the beginning of each meeting. The action of clapping the hands behind the Back