Program Context

Focus of the Program

Scouts Canada is a social program for youth to expand their leadership skills by leading their peers on different meaningful adventures in nature. Through the youth-led programming, Scouts cover their own path to outdoor adventure and fun by setting their own goals, creating organized plans to achieve these goals, and collectively reflecting on their experiences and personal development. “Youth leadership is one of the many ways that the Scouts Canada program helps youth develop into critical thinkers and team players, better prepared for success in the world” (Scout Canada, 2020).

Youth are surrounded by passionate Scouters who create a safe and inclusive environment for youth to discover the best in themselves. A Scout is confident, capable, and empowered to create meaningful contributions to creating a better world.

Size of Staff

Scouts Canada mainly depending on volunteers to help their programs where they guide and mentor a group of young people in adventures. In 2018-2019's annual report, it states that there are 19,310 volunteers. On Scout Canada's website, there are 4 staff works under Administration, one staff work for Program Funding, 4 staff work for registration and Coordinators, 4 staff work for executive and management team.

Goals

Scouts Canada's goal is to help develop well-rounded youth to reach to their full potential, better prepared for success in the world. Canadian youth making a meaningful contribution to creating a better world. Scouts Canada has five different programs for children/youth from ages 5-26.

These 5 programs offer different activities for different age group with its goal of the development of Canadian young people.

Beaver Scouts (ages 5-7) focus on fun and friendship in the Beaver Scouts program. They enjoy nature walks, short hikes, tree planting, games, crafts and family camps.

Cub Scouts (ages 8-10) focus on helping individuals meet new challenges and plan their next adventure as a pack. It also focuses on development and grow as individuals. They play games, experiences unique activities, fellowship and outdoor adventures.

Scouts (ages 11-14) focus on expanding your leadership skills and gain self-confidence along the way. They explore adventure in all its forms as you add your troop plan new journeys and tackle new challenges.

Venture Scouts (ages 15-17) focus on developing an active, healthy lifestyle. You will acquire new knowledge and skills that can lead to a satisfying career. They enjoy the outdoors such as weekend events, extended hikes, Leave No Trace camping and international events round out the Venture Scouts experience.

Rover Scouts (ages 18-26) focus on helping their local communities, run service activities such as food drives, pack clean-ups and tree plantings. They act in leadership roles with younger Scouting sections. They enjoy activities like mountain climbing or whitewater rafting.

Resources

Scouts Canada requires volunteers across Canada. They generously offer to share their time with the Scouting Movement. They are an important part of the program where they guide and mentor a group of young people in learning and adventures. Without their commitment, time and energy, it is difficult for Scout Canada to deliver their engaging programs. For Scouters, volunteers and new parents, they have resources to help them navigate the world of Scouting.

Community Demographics

In Scouts Canada's 2018-2019 annual report, it states that there are 76,112 membership including 189 employees, 19,310 volunteers, 1,427 groups, and 56,802 Youth. In the 56,802 Youth membership, there are 18,091 Beaver Scouts, 20,167 Cub Scouts, 13,781 Scouts, 3,456 Venture Scouts, and 1,307 Rover Scouts.

Other details

Risk Assessment

The list below is a sample of ‘standard’ risk areas:

• Youth safety—readiness, screening, interviews

• Building / meeting place safety

• Building / meeting place availability, contract management

• Transportation of youth

• Event management

• Weather-related emergency response and preparedness

• Scouter competencies and skills—appropriate for program plans

• Facilitation of The Canadian Path

• Membership growth and retention

• Talent management—Scouter ‘funnel’ for Volunteer roles

• Financial management—fundraising, fiscal management, budget plans

• Diversity/inclusion to desired plan—for community growth

• Community/sponsor engagement—stakeholder management and engagement

Purpose of Evaluation

I would like to evaluate Scouts Canada program because evaluation is able to help us to measure program's effectiveness, relevance, and the impact of activities taking objective into consideration. Through evaluation, it also helps us to describe, understand and plan programs, improve programs, share effective strategies and lessons learned, and ensure sustainability.

According to Irene Guiji (2013), we can use Rainbow Framework to design and plan a program evaluation. It is about getting the best option in the situation. For example, we can use this frame work to plan an impact evaluation. We could also use Rainbow frame work to check quality of an ongoing evaluation. As well, we can use Rainbow Framework to manage an evaluation and embed participation thoughtfully in evaluation. Lastly, Rainbow Framework helps to develop evaluation capacity. It is about helping people to come to thoughtful choices.

These are the specific evaluation questions to help guide my program evaluation design:

Process Evaluation:

How is Scouts Canada being implemented? Is Scouts Canada being implemented as planned?

Are activities actually taking place?

How appropriate are the processes compared with quality standards? How well are they attended? Are things going well?

Are participants being reached as intended?

How satisfied are program participants? For which participants?

What has been done in an innovative way?

Impact Evaluation

How well did Scouts Canada work in a short-term?

Are Scouts Canada accomplishing the short-term objectives?

Did Scouts Canada produce or contribute to the intended outcomes in the short-term?

For whom, in what ways and in what circumstances?

Outcome Evaluation

Are Scouts Canada making a difference in long-term outcomes?

What unintended outcomes (positive and negative) were produced?

To what extent can changes be attributed to the program?

What were the particular features of the program and context that made a difference?

What was the influence of other factors?

(BetterEvaluation, 2016) and (PACE MySPH, 2012)