Houben receives award for serving more than 52 years in Scouting

Barriere’s Tony Houben receives a Scouting Long Service Award from a National Scouting representative for his 52 years plus of service to the organization.  Tony is wearing a campfire blanket with numerous badges he earned or traded from Scouting events over the years.

Barriere’s Tony Houben receives a Scouting Long Service Award from a National Scouting representative for his 52 years plus of service to the organization. Tony is wearing a campfire blanket with numerous badges he earned or traded from Scouting events over the years.

Despite the fact that it was snowing fairly heavily on Saturday, Feb. 26, approximately 600 people braved the weather to attend the 100th Anniversary of Scouting in Kamloops,  at a party held in the Calvary Community Church on Rogers Way.

A four foot square cake, displays, and a variety of activities, greeted the attendees in celebration of the First Kamloops Scouts forming in 1911 and continuing today.

Several different groups of Beavers held meetings throughout the day; the Cubs built and raced Kub Kars; and the Scouts built a log bridge.  The Guides were also there with a display (and of course their delicious cookies).

At 2 p.m., everyone gathered for a “campfire”, where they performed skits, sang songs, and made a few presentations.

Barriere resident, Tony Houben, was the recipient of one of the awards – a Scouting Long Service award.

Tony joined Scouts in the Netherlands in 1939 and was a member until he emigrated to Canada in 1952.  Then he joined Scouts again in Canada in 1959 and has been an active member ever since – for 52 consecutive years.  Tony served as a Leader in Burnaby in the 1950’s to 1960’s, and then became District Commisioner during the ‘70’s and ‘80’s in Mission. Currently he is a member of Scoutings 28th Baden Powell Guild.

Tony Houben will celebrate his 83rd birthday this March.

 

 

Barriere Star Journal