Cub

 Kub Kar

The 33rd Kerrisdale Group

The Group was started in the winter of 1999 at the St. Matthias / St. Luke Church, which provided the space for the regular scout meeting every Saturdays. It started out with only 15 cubs but has now grown to a Group of more than 60 members, with full compliments of 4 sections from the Beaver Colony to the Venturer Company.

The Mission Statement of the 33rd Group is as follows:

"The 33rd Kerrisdale Group emphasizes the importance of life outside the classroom. Our mission is leadership development.
We want to graduate motivated learners, problem solvers and effective communicators: young adults who are ready to make a real difference."

We place great emphasis on leadership development hence the training method of our Troop follows the DELTA training method adopted by the Viking Council of the Boy Scouts of America which is designed by the Center for Youth Development and Research at the University of Minnesota. DELTA was developed by a partnership of Scouts and University faculty; it joins the wisdom of both in a method of positive youth development. Essentially scouting is a skill building program. For example, boys learn simple knots like a clove hitch or a square knot. They then build on those skills as they learn to lash and ultimately may participate in building a large structure like a monkey bridge. So too are the skills for ethical leadership built, in small steps that nurture the development of a boy's sense of responsibility for his choices and their effects on others. In DELTA, these skills are practiced through initiative games and Scout skills. The power of these activities lie in helping boys make sense out in the game or skill by reflecting on that experience at the conclusion of the activity.

Two years ago in 2003, the 33rd Group set up a Junior Leader Corp which comprises members of the Venturer Company as well as the senior members of the Troop such as the Patrol Leaders and their assistants. Due to the ever growing need of leaders as the Group accepts more members and also as part of the succession strategy, we have decided that the best way to develop the next generation of leaders is by training the younger members on the job, giving them the responsibilities of the different sections and of different projects, mentoring and coaching them so that they get the experience of making decisions and handling people, which is another aspect of leadership development.

We have 12 Junior Leaders and 9 active Leaders right now, serving in 4 sections. Most of the leaders have responsibilities in more than one section. The Group accepts female members as well, which are represented in all sections.