NEWS RELEASE
SCOUTS CANADA
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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 here. 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 per cent 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 per cent), are ok going to the bathroom outdoors, 43.3 per cent say ‘it’s part of the experience and 39.2 per cent say ‘they don’t like it but when nature calls …’ A further 10.8 per cent say ‘they can do outhouses – but draw the line at that.’ Only 6.4 per cent call it a ‘dealbreaker.’ - Cool with a cathole?
Nearly half of Canadians 47.7 per cent say that they would use a cat hole (dig a hole to use the washroom outdoors) but a combined 40.8 per cent would not and say they would ‘basically do anything to avoid using a cat hole’ (11.6 per cent), 10.6 per cent would give up coffee for 2 days, 8.9 per cent would use leaves instead of toilet paper instead of toilet paper, 7.4 per cent would give up Netflix for two weeks, 6.3 per cent would not use their phone for two days. 3.6 per cent would sleep outside in the woods and 3 per cent 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 per cent of Canadians said they would ‘Act Loud and Weird (a reasonable strategy), and 2.5 per cent would ‘intimidate with eye contact.’ However, a combined 54.2 per cent would do the wrong thing such as 30 per cent would (incorrectly) ‘play dead,’ 21.5 per cent would ‘run’ (bad idea – you should slowly back away and maintain eye contact), 1.5 per cent would ‘attack first’ (also not recommended.) Interestingly, .6 per cent would ‘pretend to be a harmless baby cub,’ and .6 per cent 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 per cent) followed by BC (16.70 per cent), Alberta (15 per cent) and Quebec (12.1 per cent). The least basic provinces were cited as New Brunswick (3.4 per cent), PEI (3.5 per cent), Newfoundland (3.7 per cent) and Nova Scotia (4.2 per cent). - Canadians are (sorta) confident in camping skills:
Asked how they would rate their personal camping competency, 45.7 per cent of Canadians said ‘good,’ and 27.4 per cent said ‘passible – I can glamp.’ 12.8 per cent said ‘Meh’ at best, 10.1 per cent said Excellent and 4 per cent 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 per cent of Canadians confidently said ’10 minutes.’ 24.3 per cent said 15 minutes, 14.2 per cent said 20 minutes, 14.2 per cent also said 30 minutes. 13.5 per cent admitted it would take 45+ minutes and 5.4 per cent said they have no idea. - Camping coordinates:
Asked where they would most like to camp this summer 38.2 per cent said Ontario, followed by BC (19.2 per cent), Alberta 13.9 per cent and Quebec 11.3 per cent. A combined 14.3 per cent would like to camp in Atlantic Canada and 2.7 per cent 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 per cent) followed by Justin Trudeau (23.4 per cent), Jagmeet Singh (19.4 per cent), Elizabeth May (17.3 per cent) and Yves-Francois Blanchet (7.8 per cent).
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