Local boy’s design wins Beaveree badge crest contest

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

Seven-year-old Mitch Maga’s art work is prominent all over the house. His creations hang from the ceiling, sit on windowsills, hang on walls and are now sewn onto the scout uniforms of young beavers across southern Alberta.
Fifty-seven badges already cover the front and back of the young blue-tail beaver’s uniform, amongst them his newest addition – the crest he submitted to the Beaveree 2018 badge crest contest.
The Strathmore lad originally thought to submit a drawing, but with some further research and a little help from his mother, Ninette, his creation turned into a design that encompassed this year’s Beaveree theme, wildlife conservation, while paying tribute to someone near and dear to his heart – his guardian and German shepherd Diesel who passed away last summer at the age of 14.
Maga, who belongs to the 1st Chestermere Beavers, was presented with a badge containing his design and a flashlight that turns into a lantern at the Beaveree 2018 held at Camp Hope on May 5.
“I didn’t think I was going to win but I actually did, and I felt very surprised,” said Maga. “I thought it was pretty cool.”
The design depicts a cloud followed by the rising and setting sun to exemplify taking care of nature, a maple leaf that represents Canada but whose colour was later changed to green to represent the green of nature, a hand-heart shape around a cartoon beaver to symbolize love, and a paw print to honour his loyal companion Diesel.
Maga started off as a beaver in Strathmore two years ago, before joining the organization in Chestermere. Throughout that time he’s already gathered 16 personal achievement badges and is eager to achieve his third and final tail – the while tail. Ninette Maga, who is also a beaver leader, said she received some hints 30 minutes before her son was presented with the badge but was completely taken aback by the announcement.
“I was too excited, they were laughing at me because I think I was cheering and crying more than he was,” she said. “I love that they’re getting them outside, that they’re keeping them active and teaching them to respect nature, how to behave properly and look after it. I love and appreciate that. But I honestly believe the reason he went back for year two was because he enjoyed the friendships so much.”
The badge, which was selected out of a total of 10 submissions, was handed out to all beavers in attendance from groups all across southern Alberta.
To date Maga has collected well over 100 badges, some of which are sewn onto a blanket. While he continues to strive for more, it’s no secret which one is his favourite by far.