The Squamish Scouts are working hard to collect Christmas trees for their annual fundraiser, and on Saturday Dec. 5, locals can drop by the Garden Centre on Mamquam Road or simply wait in the comfort of their home for a delivery.
The Scouts are cutting and planting Douglas firs north of Garibaldi Highlands, which will available for $25 through direct sale or pre-ordered requests for deliver. But locals may want to make it down to the Garden Centre themselves, since Scouts will be on hand to offer a roaring bonfire, Christmas treats, caroling and hot chocolate.
And don't forget, buyers can bring their tree back to the site for free chipping after the holidays.
"This is our major fundraiser," said Scout leader Dave Loop. "We anticipate making about $5,000 to $6,000, and every penny of that stays local and goes back into the youth program. It is used to buy equipment, subsidize camps, pay for gym rentals and keep our registration fees low."
As a community sponsor, the Garden Centre will sell the trees for the Scouts while they are in school. Other funding for the Scouts program comes through the Bottle Depot, where people can donate their bottle return money to the Scouts' account.
Currently there are 75 youth, ages five to 17 involved in the program. Along with fundraisers and meetings, the Scouts have three camps a year, fall, spring and winter and participate in local, national and international events, including the great Canadian shore clean up and the International Jamoboree on the Trail.
In its 102nd year as an organization, the Scouts program has deep roots in Squamish.
"I have photos of Terrill Patterson as a Scout," said Loop. "We have some amazing photos of local community members who were Scouts in the '50s. I have some old newspaper clippings of a group of Squamish Scouts taking the train up to Garibaldi and using mules to haul their equipment. It was a little more epic back then."
As the Scouts program continues to grow in Squamish, so too does the demand for Scout leaders.
"For those who are interested in becoming leaders there is a week-end of leadership and great fun. The beauty of being a Scout in Squamish is just the fact that we live in Squamish. We have a vast and detailed wealth of outdoor adventuring," said Loop.
The Scouts have a new website, squamishscouts.ca where you will find a full profile of each Scout section along with an events calendar, parent and participant information, a photo gallery and contact information.
