Despite the fact that it was snowing fairly heavily on Saturday, Feb. 26, approximately 600 people braved the weather to attend the 100th Anniversary of Scouting in Kamloops, at a party held in the Calvary Community Church on Rogers Way.
A four foot square cake, displays, and a variety of activities, greeted the attendees in celebration of the First Kamloops Scouts forming in 1911 and continuing today.
Several different groups of Beavers held meetings throughout the day; the Cubs built and raced Kub Kars; and the Scouts built a log bridge. The Guides were also there with a display (and of course their delicious cookies).
At 2 p.m., everyone gathered for a “campfire”, where they performed skits, sang songs, and made a few presentations.
Barriere resident, Tony Houben, was the recipient of one of the awards - a Scouting Long Service award.
Tony joined Scouts in the Netherlands in 1939 and was a member until he emigrated to Canada in 1952. Then he joined Scouts again in Canada in 1959 and has been an active member ever since - for 52 consecutive years. Tony served as a Leader in Burnaby in the 1950’s to 1960’s, and then became District Commisioner during the ‘70’s and ‘80’s in Mission. Currently he is a member of Scoutings 28th Baden Powell Guild.
Tony Houben will celebrate his 83rd birthday this March.