MOOSE JAW — The Moose Jaw Kinsmen Scouting Club is reviving its long-standing annual rally, set to return at the Town ‘N’ Country Mall from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 26.
An additional public participation hour will run from noon to 1 p.m., where visitors can take a test run on the tracks with a race vehicle provided onsite. Attendees who still have their previous scout car are also encouraged to bring them along to race against a new generation of scouts.
After several years without a local event, the rally aims to engage the community, celebrate the creativity of young scouts, and raise awareness about the organization.
“We haven’t actually hosted a rally in a few years… and this is the first time we’ve been able to have a (permanent) space,” said Laura Alton, a group commissioner and colony scouter for the club.
“We are very grateful for the Town ‘N’ Country Mall to give us a roof over our head to have indoor meetings when the weather is not so great. They’ve also provided us with a space… so now we’re able to actually open it up so the public can take part.”
The rally, which will take place as a miniature race car derby, will feature various events including distance and speed races, an obstacle course, and a judge’s choice award for the most creative race car designs. Participants from different age groups will compete using handcrafted wooden vehicles that range from simple beaver buggies to intricately designed miniature semi-truck replicas, complete with trailers.
“There’s a lot of effort that’s put in with these guys and girls,” Alton explained, noting that the scouting club is co-ed and is open to boys and girls.
“The Cubs actually get a pine block, four nails, and four tires (to start),” she said about the category for children between the ages of eight and 10. “Some of the (Cubs) created differently shaped cars; one kid made a shark, so it actually looks like a shark on wheels.”
Medals and badges will be awarded based on age category, with special recognition given to top competitors and standout designs by a panel of guest judges.
The event will include a penny parade, raffle, and a concession stand, with proceeds going to support the club.
Facilitators needed
The rally isn’t just about a little friendly competition — it’s also part of a broader effort to increase community engagement and recruit more leaders and youth to the scouting movement in Moose Jaw.
“We decided that we need to have more community presence because there are still a lot of people that don’t know we’re here,” Alton said.
Currently, the club has three Scouts, 10 Cubs, and 24 Beavers, with a cap on the Beaver program due to a shortage of adult leaders. Alton emphasized the need for additional adult members to help facilitate activities, especially for Cubs (ages eight to 10) and Scouts (ages 11 to 13). According to current regulations, one adult is required to supervise every eight children.
“If anybody has outdoor skills or previous experience with scouts, (they would be ideal candidates),” she said. “They don’t have to have kids in the program.”
Beyond the rally, the club is planning a few upcoming summer camps and other programs. Scouts learn a wide range of outdoor survival skills, including trail navigation, emergency preparedness, winter survival, map reading, and bushcraft techniques such as using compasses and building temporary shelters.
The club routinely partners with local organizations such as Moose Jaw Search and Rescue, emphasizing safety, confidence, education, and preparedness.
For more information or to register as a scouter or club member, visit MyScouts.ca or email [email protected].
The rally is open to the public and will take place across from the food court at the Town ‘N’ Country Mall, located at 1235 Main Street North.
