Scouts used to be synonymous with Kub Kars. Remember those from back in the day? Well now no one has to remember them, they are going to be back in live action right before your eyes.
Kub Kars are the hand-held cars carved by Cub-aged kids (8-10 years) out of a block of wood and other standard materials in the standard Scouts Canada kit, then set on a race track to see which one gravity will pull to the finish line quickest.
These annual races were a nationwide custom for decades, and drew a lot of attention to the Scouts Canada movement.
They were casualties of the modern era, however. Scouts, like many youth organizations in modern times, struggled to survive the age of handheld entertainment devices, a thousand recreation options and shifting family priorities.
But survive Scouts has, and now, in Prince George, the Kub Kar races are back.
"We resurrected it last year, and this year we are giving it a real push," said Hanna Vandevosse, one of the volunteer parent leaders. "We have a six-lane track that records the times to 1000th of a second. There's a Scouts Canada racing program built into it, it is all automated, so it's quite a show for the kids."
Another new feature this year is the incoming contingent of kids from other local towns. Members of the Scouts movement (comprised of Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers, Rovers covering ages 5-26 accordingly) are coming from Vanderhoof, Mackenzie and other locations in the greater region.
"All three Cub packs from Prince George will be represented along with two beaver colonies and even a few Scouts, so there will be Beaver Buggies, Kub Kars and even a couple BlastCars which are similar to Kub Kars but propelled by CO2 cartridges so they can really go," said Vandevosse.
"The youth are super excited to show off their personal designs and learn new tips and tricks from the others for next year. All-in-all we are expecting upwards of 50 racers for the event."
It happens on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (4180 Fifth Ave.) The public is welcome to attend, especially if there are boys and girls in your family who might be interested in joining the youth leadership, outdoor adventure group.
Vandevosse said there has been a dramatic upswing in local numbers as families rediscover the positive programming that Scouts offers, especially since it evolved in recent decades to be inclusively welcoming of girls and boys equally, and any sort of family background.
At more than 100 years old, and having an alumni list of 17 million names over that time, they have touched a wide swath of Canadian culture.
"Registration for the 2015/2016 year has seen a dramatic 60 per cent increase over last year's registration numbers, due in large part to the phenomenal commitment and motivation of our new leaders," Vandevosse said.
"This has allowed us to start a second Beaver Colony, doubling our number of Beavers, and more recently has enabled the resurrection of the 22nd Cub Pack, giving our youth a much needed opportunity to learn important lifelong skills such as teamwork and leadership, community service, and a respect for the outdoors."
Events like the annual Kub Kar Rally are eagerly anticipated by the kids, especially those who take the time to fashion a racer of their own to enter in the fun.
It is also a way for the public to see the Scouts Canada movement in action.
