War of 1812 Parks Canada 200 Years of Peace

Carol Law
Festival Nomad Correspondent

Scouts Canada Participats at Niagara-on-the-Lake
featuring Article Submitted by Carol Law
Part 3 ...

We will continue with Festival Nomad Correspondent, Carol Law’s article about her adventures during this past summers experience with Scouts Canada.

The mechanisms for the muskets are made and sold by the Bayview Hills Scouts from Newmarket who is more than happy to supply both sides of the event, British and American alike. Bayview Hill Scouts have been participating in the Fort George campaign for all of its 28 years. They represent the 49th “o’foot” Regiment, Company 1. A full replica (5 1/2 ‘ x 6’) of the regimental flag leads each parade as the Regiment moves from place to place. Needless to say, capturing the “colours” of this Regiment is quite a coup.

Camped out at Butler's Barracks, the Scouts spend a weekend re-enacting the lifestyle, tasks, and battles typical of the War of 1812. They attend lifestyle presentations on barracks life, parade drill, and officer life, have a tour of Fort George, participate in an hour long parade through the Town of Niagara on the Lake where they have a 21st century hour to visit the shops, spend their “pay” (tickets) at the Fudge Parade (in camp candy shop), take local tours, and of course, participate in two sessions of battle including the appropriate drill, commands, formations strategies. Judges determine who “won” each part of the battle. They also decide if a volley of musket or cannon fire hit its mark. If it does the youth have to lie on the ground for one minute and then they reform their regiment and join in again.

This year Parks Canada presented a plaque to recognize over 100 years of service by Scouts Canada during the many wars and conflicts that Canada has assisted in. The plaque dedicates the site as an "Important Historical Site" and Scouts Canada as an "Important Historical Service". It is significant, and speaks to the amazing program that Scouts Canada provides, that Parks Canada allows this large event to camp out on National Historic ground.
(To Be Continued)