Spirituality
Matters:
What is quieter than a winter
forest?
One of my favourite games as a Cub
Leader was to run the youth hard in the gym, then make them stand dead
quiet. It was a great game and helped the leadership team to get the
youth under control, that is, to get their attention and get them to
listen.
On a recent winter camp with a group
of Venturers we engaged in a night hike into the forest. The air was
still, the ground covered with snow. The cool temperature energized the
youth who had been indoors for a couple hours after dinner. We set out
for a 40 minute hike from the Samac
Adventure Base in Haliburton to the infamous Al’s Diner for a
refreshing cup of hot chocolate. Everyone participated.
Along the trail in a quiet ravine, we
stopped. Everyone was asked to stand absolutely quiet. (Easier said
than done.) Minutes passed, until we could hear tree tops rustling,
birds calling, ice chunks falling, sniffles, breathing and our own
hearts beating. It is amazing how noisy a quiet winter forest can be.
The exercise was intended to give the
youth a moment of reflection, a moment to observe their surroundings, a
moment to take in the magic of this world God has given us to enjoy.
Take time out to remind your youth of
the natural world around them, away from the stale indoors air and
electronics they make such a big part of their lives. Remind them that
the spirit lives within them. Remember that spirituality is an integral
part of the Scouting equation.
Brian Wick is Advisor for
Scouts Canada 1st
Whitby Venturers