It was all hands on-deck in Embrun last Saturday as the Second Russell Scouts planned, organized, and executed a successful bottle and can drive, with all proceeds going to the Alzheimer Society. From left: Laurie Barbarie, scouter, Paul Hauck, scouter, Brandon Girard, scout and project leader, C.J. Donovan, first-year scout, Danny Girard, scouter, Kaylee Bernert, scout and project leader, Cindy Hauck, scouter, Zoey Hauck, Scouter, Molly Siebring, third-year scout, Jamie Siebring, scouter.  Tinkess Photo

EMBRUN – Scouting has changed over the years. The changes have tried to bring the institution into the 21st century, and with it everything that it means. But while some of the terminology around Scouting has changed, most of the principals remain the same, with young people learning by doing, both on their own and as part of a group. The goal is to test yourself, gain confidence and experience, to become the best version of yourself possible, and to do things that benefit the community in which you live.

On Sat., Aug. 12, that is what the Second Russell Scouts were doing, spending their Saturday in the parking lot at the Embrun Co-op and Independent Grocer collecting bottles and cans. All the proceeds were to be donated to the Alzheimer’s Society.

Scouts Brandon Girard and Kaylee Bernert were the leaders of this project. They came up with the idea and planned how they would go about making it a success. The older, often adult members of the troop offer suggestions, ask questions, much like a mentor would. It all forms part of the requirements to earn the Chief Scout award. Paul Hauck is one of the Scouters involved in the process.

“What they are working on a tree is the chief Scout award,” said Hauck. “There’s a whole set of requirements in the different schools and community service hours. We have this as your capstone project, where they do something for the community. It’s not necessarily always a fundraiser, but that’s what they chose. It’s really up to them to figure out what they want to do, along with the scouters who sort of guide them along. If they come up with something a little too extravagant, sometimes we say, okay, can we really do that? We may have to tone it down. Sometimes we have to turn it up.”

In this case, it seemed to be just about right. While there was a lot of adult supervision present, the Scouts were busily going about their business, collecting the bottles and cans, separating them into types, and, what seemed to be the most enjoyable function, crushing the cans. A canopy had been erected, signs had been placed, and things were operating smoothly.

It’s a sound process; it allows the Scouts to take ownership of a project but always know that while they will be the ones to put things in motion, there are always people ready and willing to offer suggestions and encouragement, and maybe a little motivation when needed as well. In the end, everybody wins and that is a situation that doesn’t occur as often as it should.