Heir to scouts movement on tour

Von Roretz, a 23-year-old volunteer, said he had been really looking forward to meeting Baden-Clay at the Tamaracouta jamboree. Von Roretz was even delighted when some children mistakenly thought he might have been Baden-Clay.

That is because Baden-Clay is the great grandson of Robert Baden-Powell, the ex-British army general who founded scouting in 1907. The movement has since spread to 28 million members in 155 countries. That might sound like a lot to live up to, but Baden-Clay said he has never "felt any pressure to live up to this fantastic name."

There is more than just a name and a movement linking the two. In his youth, Robert Baden-Powell was described as full of energy. Von Roretz said Baden-Clay and his wife Nicole were "full of energy" when they arrived at Tamaracouta, despite having just flown over from Halifax.

Baden-Clay served with the Australian Defence Force as an infantry officer for 10 years before moving to Canada with his wife Nicole and rejoining the scouts.

Since settling into Halifax last year, Baden-Clay has been travelling on a voluntary basis, he said, as an ambassador for Scouts Canada.

With over 100, 000 members in the country, his work is cut out for him. "It's been lean for Scouts Canada in the last few years," explained Baden-Clay, but said that membership is increasing.

Baden-Clay emphasized that scouting is not just for kids to learn knots and camp outdoors. "It's clearly now more relevant today than it ever has been," he explained, as it gives youth leadership and teamwork skills, and reconnects them with nature.

"We've started a spirituality badge, as opposed to the old religion badge," said von Roretz, since scouting in Canada is multicultural, like the country.

"It is a white Christian thing," said Baden-Clay, "but it's also a Muslim thing, and a Hindu thing. It's for everyone."

The organization says there are about 1, 000 members in the West Island. Scouts Canada needs adult volunteers to help run programs. Call Carole Ravenda at 514-334-3004 ex. 228 if interested. Swimming in mud is not mandatory.