The Canadian Fellowship of Baden-Powell Guilds is an adult organization comprised largely of former members of Scouts Canada and Girl Guides Canada, and their spouses and friends, who, while no longer active at the grassroots level of scouting or guiding, wish to continue in a community service capacity. They support and assist the Scouting movement, whose mandate in turn is to “contribute to the education of young people, through a value system based on the Scout Promise and Law, to help build a better world where people are self-fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in society.” The 12th Canadian B-P Guild is the only chapter in Nova Scotia; its members come from, and serve, the entire province.

One of the main objectives of the B-P Guild is to keep the spirit of Scouting alive. Projects include hosting activities at Scouting events, co-ordinating travelling exhibits and subsidizing the cost of youths attending out-of-province events. But perhaps its greatest role is serving as custodian of the Nova Scotia Scouting archives.

The archives contain a wealth of history: books dating back 100 years to the beginning of the organization, original letters and watercolour art created and presented to the Nova Scotia Council by Robert Baden-Powell, Scouting’s founder, as well as a collection of uniforms, books and crests. Until 2006, these items were stored in the Scouts Canada building in Halifax; however, that building has recently been sold, and the cost of renting space is quickly eating up guild funds.

Although the group is part of Scouts Canada, no funding comes from the parent organization. Revenue is generated from fundraising campaigns such as sales of baked goods, fruitcakes, spring bulbs and popcorn. If people donate money to the organization, as they occasionally do, Scouts Canada provides a tax receipt upon request.

The group’s greatest need at present is to secure clean, warm and dry storage space to house the archives. “Not a lot of space is necessary,” says Roy Marsh, guild treasurer and fundraising chair. “A room 10 feet by 10 feet would suffice. If anyone can help with this challenge we would be so grateful.”

For more information contact:
Roy Marsh, Treasurer, 12th Canadian B-P Guild
95 Regal Road, Dartmouth, NS, B2W 4E9
(902) 435-2456      roytmarsh@hotmail.com
 

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