PITCH-IN CANADA
Resource Centre

Materials for Scouting
"At first glance it was just another piece of junk mail...."
Story by Akela Beverly Bridger
127th Huntington Hills "C" Pack, Calgary
eMail: Bridger_Beverly@pcp.ca

At first glance it was just another piece of junk mail for the recycling bin. However, it seemed a bit strange that "PITCH-IN CANADA" (a volunteer organization to keep our country beautiful) would send out junk mail. After careful investigation and much planning my so called 'junk mail' turned out to be a weekend full of recycle, reduce and fun. PITCH-IN CANADA sent out trash bags with our order of very reasonably priced recycling crests. They also sent a frame-size certificate for the group to recognize the effort.

Our weekend camp included activities ranging from stages and puppets all constructed from material collected in and around the home and cub hall. This reuse concept turned out to be a lesson in awareness of items that can be taken for granted like buttons and old socks. The highlight of the weekend was a two-three km hike along some rural ditches near Cremona, Alberta. What youngster can resist looking for lost treasurer long forgotten by the side of the road? It was truly amazing what was discovered and most of the youth were careful not to remove items that were part of the ecosystem.

The highlight of the weekend was a two-three km hike along some rural ditches near Cremona, Alberta.......One of the brightest ideas that surfaced over the weekend was what to do with used Christmas trees........The old Yule tree had become a bird feeder which could later be mulched for use in the parks!

We had discussions accompanied with hand-outs (provided by The City of Calgary - check your community for similar resources or contact your provincial Recycling Council) about the many recycling programs recognized by the City. These programs and hand-outs covered a wide range of topics. Where to dispose of hazardous waste, large appliances, old furniture and even tires. It was a good experience for all of us to discover just how many things can be recycled or reused and not just added to another landfill.

One of the brightest ideas that surfaced over the weekend was what to do with used Christmas trees. In Calgary the city has set up bins to recycle Christmas trees as mulch for parks. The cubs wanted to add another step. So they used discarded lumber to make a tree standard. Then they decorated the tree with crafty things like popcorn strings, cranberry strings (birds love them!), and pine cones covered with peanut butter and bird seed (beaver craft).The old Yule tree had become a bird feeder which could later be mulched for use in the parks!

The puppet crafts and stages contributed to both the entertainer badge and the tawny star. These were extremely creative! There were only two rules: no new material could be used and the jungle theme had to be part of the stage, puppets and play.

There was a wonderful air of competitiveness: from the scavenger hunts for puppet material to the ditch clean-up project. "Who was the winner?", the cubs asked.

Akela replied, "Everyone!".

Thanks Beverly for a wonderful contribution to our website! We look forward to hearing from other "creative" Akelas and other Scouters!

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