Scouts holding Chase the Ace to fund trip and camp expansion

By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

It’s too early to tell if it will build into the kind of oversized jackpot that drew hordes of people to the Goulds and Bay de Verde during their famous Chase the Ace Draws, but organizers of a such a lottery in CBS are hopeful.

Funds raised from the Chase the Ace draw being played every Monday at Shenanigan’s Restaurant and Lounge in Foxtrap will be used to expand a Scout camp on the Salmonier Line and help pay for some Scouters to attend a camp in the Swiss Alps.

Scott Andrews, the treasurer of the Camp St. George Property Committee, said the group has applied for 23 hectares of Crown Land in the hopes of expanding the camp.

Camp St. George, located just off the Salmonier Line, opened about 40 years ago. While it is owned by the 1st CBS Scouts, it is available for rent to other scouting groups around the Avalon, as well as the Cadets, and Girl Guides.

Andrews said while some other groups have locations around Southwest Pond, the Scouts are the only ones who do not really have access to it. If their application is approved, it will allow them to increase water access to the pond by building a trail network leading there. Along the trail will be individual camping locations where groups can go tenting. As Scouts have only been able to use camp’s main building and the field behind it up to now, having proper, individual tenting areas will expand the experience for them.

In addition to the camp expansion, the Scouts are focusing on a trip to Europe. Some members of 1st CBS Scouts and 1st Topsail Scouts will travel to the Kandersteg International Scout Centre in Switzerland (KISC). Andrews described the centre as the mecca of scouting. 

“It’s a camping facility that operates all year-round, and many scouting groups go there,” he said. “It’s a highlight of the kids’ scouting career to get to go to KISC.” 

The trip will cost about $6,000 per Scout.

The Chase the Ace lottery is held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays. 

“We’re really hoping this takes off,” said Andrews. “It’s set up to benefit the kids going to KISC first, and then our camp second.” 

The draw for the winner happens at 8 p.m. sharp every Monday night. The winner has 15 minutes to claim the prize and try drawing for the ace.

Andrews said the leaders of both the 1st CBS Scouts and the 1st Topsail Scouts are working hard to gather the necessary funds to improve the Scouting experience for the children. “They’re doing many fundraisers throughout the year,” he said, citing canteens, dances and other events. “They’re working really, really hard to raise the money.”