“Once a cub, always a cub.”
These were among the words spoken by volunteer scout leader Yvonne Hopkins, who was recently recognized with an award of lifetime service for decades of dedicated assistance to the organization.
The 80-year-old Sundre resident was surprised by the announcement on Thursday, Oct. 6 during a cub and scout investiture ceremony held at the Sundre United Church that she had been invited to attend.
“The Lifetime Achievement Award was created to recognize scouters who have built (established) an enduring legacy to Scouting through a lifetime of service to others,” said a press release.
“The award is intended to recognize those extraordinary scouters who have deeply influenced and significantly contributed to the vision, direction, and growth of Scouts Canada – Chinook Council.”
The Round Up touched base with her the week after the award presentation to learn more about her experience as a volunteer scout leader.
When Yvonne moved in 1970 to Bonnyville where her husband and RCMP officer Marvin Hopkins had been transferred, the couple's two sons had expressed an interest in becoming scouts.
“So my husband took them to register,” she said.
During that process, members of the local scouting group underscored how badly they were in need of additional volunteers. Marvin then put Yvonne's name in the proverbial hat — even though she wasn't present — and said she'd be happy to get involved.
“It's just expanded from there,” Yvonne told the Round Up.
Parent volunteers who are willing to lend a hand are vital to the organization, but scout groups also need people to take charge, so when a cub leader stepped down, Yvonne decided to take the training for the role.
The family, who also has a daughter, transferred to a number of communities before arriving in Sundre in 1985. Everywhere she went, Yvonne's reputation preceded her and she remained involved in scouting over the years.
“We were still unpacking and there they were recruiting me!”
The only time she took any kind of break was when the Sundre scouting organization found itself in hiatus over a lack of volunteers. But when local scouting was resuscitated some five years ago, Yvonne was at the front of the line to help get the organization back on its feet.
“I went in over to the big meeting to say, ‘I'm here to help any way I can.'”
Bringing scouting back to a community after a local organization has folded due to lack of support — which was the fate of local Girl Guides — is hard. So Yvonne said she was “absolutely” thrilled when scouting was revived in Sundre.
“It's something that kids need.”
Over the years, being a part of scouting felt more and more like being a member of an extended family, she said.
“The adults are the nicest people going. There were always some neat people to meet and work with.”
But as much as Yvonne enjoyed forging new friendships, she also relished spending time with children and was always trying to come up with new songs, games or crafts for them to do.
“The kids are exceptional,” she said.
During the several-year limbo Sundre scouting found itself in before being brought back to life, Yvonne said she mostly missed spending time with the children. The Hopkinses' own three children are all grown up and have since left the nest.
Among her fondest memories of scouting are the times spent at jamborees, including the 15th World Jamboree held at Camp Kananaskis in 1983.
“It was like a big city in a little area,” she said, recollecting how the event had been described in a Calgary newspaper.
Rifling through some of her scrapbooked memories, Yvonne found information that said 14,000 scouts had attended from around the world to be a part of the jamboree.
Scouting is important as it helps to develop a child's independence, she said.
“They learn to do things for themselves and take responsibility.”
But they are also imbued with the importance of teamwork and collaboration, she added.
However, without the support of volunteer parents — as well as sponsor organizations like the Sundre Elks — scouting would not be possible, she said.
“Parent participation is most necessary; it's very important for our group to carry on.”
Anyone who would like to learn more about or possibly even get involved with Sundre scouting is encouraged to contact Jaime Marr at 403-638-7980.
Although Yvonne has now largely retired from her role in scouting after more than 30 years, she has decades of fond memories to recollect and revisit.
“It's been a great ride.”
