Like Scouts for grown-ups: P.E.I.'s Fox Club Society

Have you lost your connection with the outdoors? Was the last time you climbed a tree or went on a nature walk when you were in Scouts? A new club for grownups on P.E.I. called the Fox Club Society is ready to help you fill that void.

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The society formed last year, after Daniel Roper admired some Girl Guide badges shown to him by a friend who's a leader.

It's introduced me to a lot of things I probably would not have done! Daniel Roper

"I was like, why don't we have this for adults?" said 35-year-old Roper, who's the executive director of the society, also known as Mr. Fox. By day he's the supervisor for the Kensington North Watersheds Association.

Roper began setting up meetings and founded the Fox Club Society, now a registered non-profit organization. He didn't have to look far for support his partner Bonnie Hayden, 37, is a club director.

"It gets adults out of the house," said Hayden. "You can't be bored on P.E.I., there's so much to do!"

'Happy to be involved'

The society now has more than 30 members, with 10 to 15 people typically attending an event. They meet every few weeks for activities like making hammocks, rock-wall climbing and pickling preserves.

The focus is on learning new skills, reconnecting with nature and camaraderie with new friends. Fox clubbers wear rust-coloured handmade sashes and earn badges, which are also hand-crafted by members.

"It seems like everybody that hears about it, and then when they get on board, they're excited about it and they're happy to be involved and learn new things," said Hayden, who's also an instructor at Holland College in wildlife conservation. Her society name is "Badger," because she's tasked with designing the club's badges.

Members are encouraged to share their skills and knowledge with one another and they've done that, learning guitar, archery, pottery and more at outings.

'A little motivation'

"Everyone likes a little motivation to do something a little different," noted Roper. "It's introduced me to a lot of things I probably would not have done!"

The registration fee is $60 per season. There are are four events or outings per season, as well as a wilderness camping trip. Members must be at least 20-years-old to join.

Next Saturday Oct. 15 you can find out more about the society when the couple will give a talk called Nature in the City in Charlottetown's Victoria Park from 1 to 3 p.m. They'll have a scavenger hunt, treat bags and a prize draw.

They'll discuss the importance of spending time in nature for a balanced lifestyle, native and invasive plant species in Charlottetown, and identify "what's wild in the city."

For more information on the Fox Club Society, check out their website or Facebook page.

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