Beaver Scouts – The Golden Beavers attended a training session with the Golden Fire Department on February 8.
The activity brought approximately 17 kids to the fire department to train with firefighter Travis Foort and Captain Mike Pecora, who is also the Risk Management Officer for the Golden Fire Department and a Scout leader. The activity is one of three adventures the Beavers will embark upon to earn their hero badge.
“They love doing it, not just for the badge but for the adventure. They’re learning a lot,” explains Scout leader Bob Wilson.
During the training session, the kids tried on firefighting gear, including hats and boots; they raced in a relay pulling hoses, participated in a mock rescue, and toured the fire trucks.
“They always find it interesting when they drag the dummy and realize how heavy it is, and how teamwork is crucial,” Pecora explains, adding that the kids are always surprised by the amount of teamwork required.
Wilson says the kids were enthusiastic and excited to train with the firefighters during the training session, which is the first of the three initiatives the Beavers will participate in. The group will also visit the local police and ambulance stations to learn about what the heroes working in those organizations do for the community.
“It really brings awareness to the kids from an inside look. Badges range anywhere from pet care, cooking, arts, etc. It’s not so much about the badge; it’s the planning, doing, and reviewing parts. Good old life skills. It’s the journey, not the destination scenario,” Pecora says about the Beavers program.
Wilson explains that the Beavers’ personal achievement badges are usually completed outside of regular Beaver meetings and activities. Beavers explore areas of personal interest and earn achievement badges through a plan-do-review process. Beavers think about what they want to learn, come up with three “adventures” to explore the topics they choose, and then review their learning with an adult.
“This is usually an individual process, but with the hero achievement badge, we decided to use meeting time and plan adventures together to model the process for our newest members,” Wilson explains.
The Beaver Scouts program is a part of Scouts Canada. It is for kids ages five to seven and runs weekly throughout the year. The program allows kids to choose their own adventures in learning through six key areas, including environment and outdoors, leadership, active and healthy living, citizenship, creative expression, and beliefs and values.
