Whenever hearing the word scout a lot of people relate it with youngsters, forest, fire and plenty of outside activities. Similar associations arise while thinking about young dog lovers. Indeed, do scouts and dog lovers have so much in common? The question does not have a straightforward answer, but common knowledge suggests that most dog lovers adore nature and plenty of young scouts feel affection to animals.

Bearing this in mind, the Education Centre to the Lithuanian Kennel Club together with Lithuanian Scouting, the leading scouts’ organisation in our country, launched a new project: the creation of a cynologist specialty within the scouting structure. The idea of the project is to teach young people about dogs, proper care, animal welfare, training and sports with dogs. As the programme was created for all scouts’ leaders living in Lithuania, it can be used across the whole country.

Under the age group division within the scouting structure the programme was adapted for three age groups (6 to 10, 10 to 14 and 14 and over). Duration of the programme is seven weeks and it includes both theoretical and practical parts. While theoretical part is conducted in the form of lectures, seminars and workshops, the practical one comprises dog show visits, observation of dog training sessions, creative crafts and the first aid.

Still, the idea of the programme stretches far beyond its formal aims of just teaching and learning – it has much to do with young people coming together for the same single reason – to gain knowledge about and share their experience with their four-legged friends, meet youngsters with the same hobby and get involved with cynological activities. Launched at the beginning of the year, the programme is being implemented with outstanding participation.

“One of the major aims of our organisation is to involve young people in our activities, to offer them quality education, share our experience and bring up a new generation of responsible dog owners who will take care of the future of our organisation. We are constantly looking for different ways of cooperation with youth organisations and this project is just one example. I am happy to admit the success of uniting the activities of the largest youth and canine organisations in our country”, says President of the Lithuanian Kennel Club Ramune Kazlauskaite.