Island Scouts enjoy a nautical summer!

The L'Ile-des-Soeurs group (#270) remains as active as ever and was also recently present at the Jamboree festivities, at Parc Maisonneuve.

Unfortunately, only a handful of Island scouts were able to participate, because, "unlike other groups, we have a lack of leaders and we didn’t have enough adults to monitor the kids and take them to the week-long event," explains Sophie.

The experience however, for the nine scouts that were there, was amazing. "Friendships were made and emails were exchanged," adds Sophie. "It was a great way for our kids to experience different cultures and scout groups from other countries."

It also strengthened her faith in the movement's continued popularity. "People are always saying that scouting is dying, but being there and feeling everyone's enthusiasm, made me aware that isn't the case at all."

Thanks to the generous donation of a second sailboat (the Simagrée) to the Island scouts, this one by Island residents Christian Drapeau and Luce Paré, the kids, between the ages of 11 and 16, were able to spend four days and nights on the ship, learning how to sail, how to tie nautical knots, cooking and sleeping on the ship and taking part in a number of great activities, among them, scuba diving.

Christian Drapeau, who donated the sailboat, was once also a scout as a child. "At one point, he and his wife intend to come out sailing with the scouts and teach them the ropes," reveals Sophie.

So, it appears that another great summer was had by the Island scouts! If anything is limiting them, it's a lack of leaders to supervise the children. If anyone is interested in becoming a scout leader, they can contact Louis-Philippe Trudel, at 514-761-4420. You can call the same number if you're interested in signing your child up for the Island scouts.