OTTAWA,
ON, July 8, 2024 /CNW/ - Scouts Canada (the
country's leading co-ed youth organization), is 'going to the
phones' to help camping clueless Canadians navigate common camping
calamities. Starting today, expert advice on top camping conundrums
will be available for free, 24/7, when calling Scouts Canada's
'Camptastic' Helpline at 1-844-SCOUT101 or
1-844-SCOUT10 (dropping the second 1) for Bell Canada users.
Why a call-in phone line?
While Scouts Canada is all about 'being prepared' and planning
ahead to anticipate challenges, this call-in line is designed for
campers who are caught in a pinch, already at campsites and
struggling with common camping concerns.
What happens when I call in?
Confused Canadian campers will be able to call in, use simple
number selections, and be directed to pre-recorded solutions from
real Scouts and volunteer Scouters to get advice for real-time
campsite concerns, like wildlife encounters or 'how do I go to the
bathroom outdoors.'
How else can Scouts help me?
In addition to the 1-844-SCOUT101 helpline,
Canadians who have internet access on-site or while preparing for
their trip, who may be less confident with their camping skills,
can access helpful resources, guides and videos at
https://www.scouts.ca/CamptasticHelpline. They will find helpful
tips and guides like: The BEARmuda Triangle (how to avoid
attracting unwanted wildlife), BUG OFF! (how to avoid getting eaten
alive), and Don't be a CRAPPY CAMPER (your outdoor options for
bathroom breaks).
"The great Canadian outdoors are calling this summer camping
season, but that doesn't mean that everyone is 100% ready to take
the call," said Kaelem Moniz, a youth volunteer of eight years
with Scouts Canada. "The Camptastic Helpline is all about giving
Canadians 24/7 Camping confidence on call to get out in the wild
with wonder, not worry."
Are Canadians competent campers? …'Kinda'
In preparation for the 2024 camping season, Scouts Canada also
surveyed 1,000 random Canadians on their current command of
camping.
Please attribute this as a survey by Scouts Canada in any
media coverage
Key results from the survey:
- 'Number 2' with a view?
The Majority of Canadians (82.5%), are ok going to the
bathroom outdoors, 43.3% say 'it's part of the experience
and 39.2% say 'they don't like it but when nature calls …' A
further 10.8% say 'they can do outhouses – but draw the line
at that.' Only 6.4% call it a 'dealbreaker.'
- Cool with a cathole?
Nearly half of Canadians 47.7% say that they would use a cat
hole (dig a hole to use the washroom outdoors) but a combined
40.8% would not and say they would 'basically do anything to
avoid using a cat hole' (11.6%), 10.6% would give up coffee
for 2 days, 8.9% would use leaves instead of toilet paper
instead of toilet paper, 7.4% would give up Netflix for two
weeks, 6.3% would not use their phone for two days.
3.6% would sleep outside in the woods and 3% would
'pet a wild squirrel' if they didn't have to use a cat hole.
- BEAR basics:
Asked what they would do if they encountered a black bear in the
woods, 31.3% of Canadians said they would 'Act Loud and
Weird (a reasonable strategy), and 2.5% would 'intimidate
with eye contact.' However, a combined 54.2% would do the
wrong thing such as 30% would (incorrectly) 'play dead,'
21.5% would 'run' (bad idea – you should slowly back away
and maintain eye contact), 1.5% would 'attack first' (also
not recommended.) Interestingly, .6% would 'pretend to be a
harmless baby cub,' and .6% would sing 'The Bear
Necessities.'
- 'BASIC' in the bush?
Asked which provinces people
they thought were 'basic in the bush,' Canadians cited Ontario (36.7%) followed by BC
(16.70%), Alberta
(15%) and Quebec
(12.1%). The least basic provinces were cited as
New Brunswick (3.4%), PEI
(3.5%), Newfoundland
(3.7%) and Nova Scotia
(4.2%).
- Canadians are (sorta) confident in camping
skills:
Asked how they would rate their personal camping
competency, 45.7% of Canadians said 'good,' and 27.4%
said 'passible – I can glamp.' 12.8% said 'Meh' at best,
10.1% said Excellent and 4% said 'dangerous – I am my
own worst camping enemy.'
- 'Tents' situation:
Asked how long it would take them to set up a tent, 28.4% of
Canadians confidently said '10 minutes.' 24.3% said 15
minutes, 14.2% said 20 minutes, 14.2% also said 30
minutes. 13.5% admitted it would take 45+ minutes and
5.4% said they have no idea.
- Camping coordinates:
Asked where they would most like to camp this summer 38.2%
said Ontario, followed by BC
(19.2%), Alberta
13.9% and Quebec
11.3%. A combined 14.3% would like to camp in
Atlantic Canada and 2.7% in
Manitoba
- Battle of the Ryan's
Asked who they'd most like to hang around a campfire with,
Canadians ranked Ryan Gosling #1,
followed by Les Stroud #2,
Margaret Atwood #3, Keanu Reeves #4 and Ryan
Reynolds a distant #5.
- The Politics of Camping
Asked which politician Canadians think would be 'most likely to
keep them alive and well in the wilderness,' Canadians said
Pierre Poilievre (32.1%)
followed by Justin Trudeau
(23.4%), Jagmeet Singh
(19.4%), Elizabeth May
(17.3%) and Yves-Francois
Blanchet (7.8%).
Please attribute this as a survey by Scouts Canada in any
media coverage
About Scouts Canada
Kids and young adults in Scouts chart their own path of
discovery. Through a variety of fun experiences with friends,
outdoor adventures and contributions to their community, Scouts
build resilience and skills that set them up for life. Scouts
Canada is the country's leading co-ed youth organization, offering
programming for children and youth aged 5-26 in multiple languages,
reflecting Canada's multicultural landscape and communities. For
more information, visit Scouts.ca.
Scouts Canada is a not-for-profit organization (Charitable
Registration No.10776 1694 RR0028) and a member of the World
Organization of the Scout Movement.
Contact:
Patrick McCaully
Pointman News Creation
patrick@pointmannc.com
Pointmannc.com
416-855-9427 x-301
SOURCE Scouts Canada