Scouts Canada is ‘going to the phones’ to help camping-clueless Canadians navigate common camping calamities.
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.
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.
Confused Canadian campers will be able to call in 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.’
In addition to the 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.”
Scouts Canada also surveyed 1,000 random Canadians on their current command of camping.
Key results from the survey include:
‘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 two days, 8.9 per cent would use leaves 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. Another 3.6 per cent would sleep outside in the woods and three 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.’
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 four 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. Meanwhile, 13.5 per cent admitted it would take 45-plus minutes and 5.4 per cent said they have no idea.
Battle of the Ryan’s
Asked who they’d most like to hang around a campfire with, Canadians ranked Ryan Gosling at No. 1, followed by Les Stroud at No. 2, Margaret Atwood No. 3, Keanu Reeves No. 4 and Ryan Reynolds a distant No. 5.
