On November 22, about fifteen members of the 1st Huntingdon Scouts and Cubs got together to make evergreen wreaths to sell at the Huntingdon County Christmas Farmer’s Market in Ormstown. The Scouts and Cubs were making wreaths to pay for the bus to go winter camping at Camp Bout-en-Train in Chertsey, Quebec, in January.
The wreaths were made with fir and pine tree branches, with berries and wheat for decoration. The materials were from Mark Wallace and Chris Fairhurst’s farm in Hinchinbrooke.
The Scouts were able to borrow a pedal-operated wreath making machine from Quinn Farm. They made bundles of branches and placed these on a metal frame with crimpers, before pushing down on the pedal, which cinched the metal closed on the wreath. In all, 43 wreaths were made.
“It was cool because it made the job go much faster,” said one of the Scouts who participated in the activity. “Once we were done, one of the leaders brought us all hot chocolate.”
All the wreaths were sold outside during the farmers market on December 1. The Scouts were also selling Christmas trees during the event as part of the fundraiser. The wreaths sold out, while a few trees were left over.
The Scouts are looking forward to going winter camping. “It’s super fun. We go snowshoeing, we play broomball, we build forts, and we sleep inside. We also don’t have to cook for ourselves like we do in the fall and spring, so that is also a bonus,” said one.
*This article was written by a member of the 1st Huntingdon Scouts as part of a partnership between The Gleaner and the Montérégie West Community Network.