A small colony of Beaver Scouts helped their real-life namesake and other animals after donating to a Chilliwack nature reserve.
Two Beavers with 6th Chilliwack Scout Group handed over a cheque for $321.20 to the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve on Sept. 25. They helped raise the money through a hotdog sale this past summer with two other Beavers.
"This type of donation is particularly heartwarming and a beautiful indication of the impact our programs and site have on the younger generations who come to visit us here at the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve," said executive director Camille Coray.
The donation was part of a special achievement called the North Star Award where the eldest 'white-tail' Beavers (ages seven and eight) are required to complete five hours of community service, five outdoor adventure skills, and a small community-oriented service project.
"The service project to hold a hotdog sale for the benefit of the Great Blue Heron Reserve was completed by four youth. This was the final step for them to earn the North Star Award - the highest honour a Scouts Canada Beaver can earn," said volunteer parent Scouter Brandon Goddard.
The Beavers – Zachary Solomon, Garret Goddard, Simisola Amogbonjaye and August Cochran – held their fundraiser in August, raking in more than $300 in one day. They decided to donate everything to the reserve.
"We chose the Great Blue Heron Reserve because it is a nice place to learn about nature and blue herons," said eight-year-old Zachary.
The project is something the kids themselves pick, and it caps off their third year as Beavers before moving up to the rank of Cub Scouts.
"It feels like quite the honour to know that these young people specifically chose the Heron Reserve as an organization to fundraise for," Coray said.
During the visit to the reserve when they made the donation, Coray answered the Beavers' questions about the animals who live there, and taught the kids what the reserve does to help protect the animals and their homes.
