Fred Whyte has been teaching outdoor and life skills to the children for 33 years in and around Bridgeport, Nova Scotia. He is set to retire this year.
“He taught me how to light a fire, how to survive and a bunch of other things,” says Boy Scout Morgan Hilliar. “. . .how to be kind to people and how to use a compass.”
Mary MacIssac says Fred’s leadership will be missed, but she is grateful for his contributions to the local youth, including her son.
“I think it’s a rare thing,” says MacIssac. “For somebody to devote so much time from their life to other people, I think that’s something most people wouldn’t do.”
Dave O’Keefe has spent the better part of 30 years scouting with Fred, and says he’s always willing to lend a hand.
“You have to be dedicated and you have to like it,” says O’Keefe. “It’s for the kids. It’s hard to get volunteers, very hard.”
Fred says it’s the relationships he’s made with the children that kept him going.
As Fred gets ready to spend his final weeks as a Scout leader, he hopes his legacy will continue to live on through the youth he’s taught over the years.
Congratulations to our Maritimer of The Week, Fred Whyte.
