Welcome to the Grizzly Den
Grizzly Den is a Scouts Canada Program Supporting Next Level Adventures in Greater Toronto Council, Shining Waters Council, Central Escarpment Council, and White Pine Council With Financial Support From The Greater Toronto Scout Foundation.
You’ve done hikes in your neighbourhood, camped at local properties, and now it’s time to level up your next adventure.
Now is your chance!
Frequently asked questions
If you’re interested in more information about the Grizzly Den program, we encourage you to attend our upcoming information session!
Council Key 3s and Relationship Managers will receive a recording of the information session to share with their Scouters in the days following the session.
Learn more about the program, how to apply, and how your adventure will be judged:
Date & Time Of Upcoming Sessions
Application Timeline
Every application is carefully reviewed and will go through the phases described below.
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Application Period
The Grizzly Den will be accepting applications throughout the application period. But remember, a significant amount of the planning process will need to be done before formally submitting your Section’s application.
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Judging Period
The judging period will enable to ‘Grizzlies’ to review applications and ensure all the requirements have been met and that the adventure aligns with the spirit of the program. If additional information or content is required, the ‘Grizzlies’ will work with Sections to complete their application.
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Pitch to the ‘Grizzlies’
Beavers and Cub do not have to formally pitch their adventure to their Council’s ‘Grizzlies’ but are encouraged to help build a presentation that demonstrates their planned adventure and the outcomes of that adventure. The presentation can be either be electronic (PowerPoint presentation or similar) or a fun video. Remember, the Grizzlies are NOT evaluating the video production quality, but rather the words youth use to describe their planned adventure.
Scouts, Venturers, and Rovers will be asked to formally pitch their adventure to their Council’s ‘Grizzlies’, either in-person or virtually. As older Sections, the pitching process helps youth gain valuable soft skills and provides an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to their adventure idea. Older Sections are encouraged to use electronic presentations or video to support their pitch. Remember, the Grizzlies are NOT evaluating the video production quality, but rather the words youth use to describe their planned adventure.
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Winners Announced
The winners of this application around are announced.
- High-Level Summary of the Adventure – A brief description of the adventure that highlights key elements. The summary should explain the benefit to the young people who are proposing the adventure and highlight both hard and soft skills that will be gained.
- Trip Plan – This document outlines the details of the planned adventure (the where, when, and how). This should be a youth-led initiative, as the ‘Grizzlies’ will be looking for elements that demonstrate that this has been planned by the youth. The plan should also include the number of youth and Scouters attending (what percentage of Section will be participating?). The Trip Plan can be a document, PowerPoint Presentation, video, or similar. (Adventure Application Form)
- Emergency Response Plan – This must be attached with your submission, and it must include a completed Risk Identification and Management Plan. Note that this section can be completed by Scouters for Junior Sections. (Emergency Response Plan and Risk Identification)
- Procurement Plan — This document outlines any plan to procure training, certificates, or equipment that may be required for your adventure.
- Detailed Budget — This document must outline a fully costed budget for the adventure, including fundraising plans. A sample budget template is available here.
- Alternative Funding — This document outlines a plan for securing funding for the adventure should you not receive an investment from the Grizzly Den.
- Pictures or video of the brainstorming activity — This should be a youth-led initiative and demonstrate that the youth have brainstormed and planned their adventure idea.
Don’t forget, this should be a youth-lead initiative and the planned adventure should be one that the youth have brainstormed, planned, and are excited about undertaking!
Do you have questions about the Grizzly Den? Speak with your Relationship Manager or Council Key 3 or send an email to grizzlydenuploads@scouts.ca.