It’s a sad time to learn of the passing of Scouter Jim Nuttall, or “Skip” as we referred to him.  When I was between the ages of about 11 and 17, Skip was the principle Scouter with the 1st Newmarket Scout Group, where I, and several of my friends, were members. 

Skip taught us the usual Scouting legacy skills: tying knots, lighting fires, how to stay warm while camping in crazy conditions, and so on.  He also taught us patience, respect for others, an appreciation for the great outdoors and made sure we understood our duty to care for our family, friends and the natural world.  Our uniforms were important: we had to care for them and make sure we dressed ‘to the nines’ when official services were going on.

I enjoyed many firsts in Scouting.  My first leadership position, as Patrol Leader, was given to me by Skip.  He knew I could do it and I’ve been excelling at it ever since.  He encouraged many of us to set our sights on attending the World Scout Jamboree in Calgary in 1984, which turned out to be one of the most amazing events one could participate in.  My first backcountry canoe trip happened under Skip’s supervision.  The list goes on and on and on.

The only knot I remember is the Reef Knot (and I know I’m going to hear about this from my fellow Scouters) but Skip taught me one very important lesson that has gotten me further ahead than anything else: Be Prepared.  That one single skill has been the most critical difference between winning and losing.  Every.  Single.  Time.

Looking through our teenage eyes we often wondered how old Skip was.  In those days he appeared very old to us.  Whenever we asked him he would not reveal his age, yet he participated in all our activities.

At the age of 17, I left Newmarket and Scouting to head into post-secondary education, dating, career, marriage, kids, etc.  I often thought back to those amazing years and, from time to time, wondered whether Skip could possibly still be alive.  Fast forward 30 years to when Cameron was presented with his Chief Scout Award at the Newmarket Community Centre.  I looked to the back of the room and saw an old man with a cane.  He still had on the tan uniform with many award patches, medals and other hardware.  As I looked closer I couldn’t believe that I was seeing Skip!  It was as if I had seen a ghost!  I was so happy to see him, and so happy to introduce him to my sons and Carrie.  The photo above was taken then.  I’m guessing he was about 91 at the time.

About 15 years ago I got back into Scouting once our boys got into it and haven’t looked back since.  Through these years I’ve met many “Scouters”.  These are people who, like Skip, are devoting their time and talents to helping thousands of boys and girls across the country (and the world) become the best they can be.  Truly amazing people.  Like Skip.  Except that there was something special about Scouter Jim Nuttall…

He was my Scouter.

R.I.P. Skip.

Dirk Seis    Scouts Canada

Deputy National Commissioner – Marketing and Communications