The NW Scouters' Club is a co-operative of Scout Troops. Representatives of member Scout Troops gather to share ideas and experience, plan joint activities, and pursue other projects of mutual benefit.
Ed Spike, 4th & 17th Waterloo Scout Troop.
Tom Tisdale, 4th & 17th Waterloo Scout Troop.
The meeting opened at 19:00. Liam read a passage from the writing of BP. Scouters rose and recited the Scout Law. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as written.
Seven Scouts and four Scouters took and passed the St. John Ambulance First Aid Course. Scouter Ted dropped by to give an energetic lesson on the importance of being heard, including some practice shouting.
Liam asked if anyone was interested in the St. John Ambulance Wilderness First Aid course. The course costs about $170 and fills a weekend [Liam learned after the meeting that the course fills two weekends or five days]. St. John Ambulance will run a course when they have received enough expressions of interest. Several Scouters were interested. Liam will communicate with St. John Ambulance about this.
About two-dozen Scouters enjoyed a relaxed BBQ at Camp Mohawk, the Club's first social event. Scouters appreciated the opportunity for social interaction with other Scouters. Ben said that events like this help one to feel part of a larger team, rather than isolated in one troop. Thanks go out to Duncan Smith, Brian Robertson, Ben, and Ted for bringing various items. Special thanks to Mike Costello of Key Bond for donating salads, and thanks to Pierre for coordinating this.
Scouters agreed that social events will help bring together the Scouters in the area. An "ice breaker" social in the fall was discussed. The Club decided to hold such an event on October 2, 2001. Meet and greet will be at 17:30; eating at 18:30; campfire at 19:30.
Scouters discussed the PL Workshop. Pierre said that the course can be run for $30 per participant. This price includes a copy of Scouts Canada's Patrol Leader's Handbook, which itself costs about $10. Pierre will investigate to see if the cost of renting a cabin at Camp Everton would be borne by NWD's training committee. Scouts would camp in tents. Twelve Scouts are needed for the event to break even. Ben said that they would have as many participants. If there are more than the maximum number of participants, 24, Ben would run their own course at Peacehaven.
Scouters examined Bruce Trail maps provided by Liam and discussed several possible routes in the Milton area. The Club decided to go with a 9 km route which starts at Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area. Troops may camp overnight on Friday there or come down on Saturday. The hike will start at 09:00 on Saturday. The routes goes past a number of caves, following the Bruce Trail South to Camp Manitou where the Club will camp overnight ($6 per person; $75 deposit). Troops may also choose to hike a longer route if they desire. There will be a pot-luck banquet, wide game, and campfire that evening. Sunday morning at 09:00, there will be a Scouts' Own. Troops will plan their own programs for the rest of the day.
Ted suggested that the Club place a bulletin board at NWD Scouthouse. Scouters discussed what would go on the board and agreed that the content should change often to maintain interest and should be more pictures than text. The Club decided to post an events calendar, contact information, photos of recent events, and information cards which can be taken home by board readers. Disposable cameras could be given to each patrol at Club events allowing them to provide the photos for the bulletin board. These cameras can be bought in bulk at Price Club.
Scouters went to the gym and shared a number of Scout games.
Border Crossing — Two border guards are tethered together and via a pulley to a rope strung above head level across the room. When one of the guards shouts "recession", the Scouts, who are along one wall of the room, must get to the other side without being caught be the border guards. If they are caught, they sit out the rest of the round. If they fail to cross in a short period of time, they starve due to the lack of jobs.
Ice Snake — This native game involves throwing a stick, such as a hockey stick, down a shallow trough in the snow. The person who throws their's the shortest distance re-throws, trying to beat the next nearest stick. If they fail, they are out. This process repeats with whichever person is furthest back. The game can also be played on the floor of a gym with light sticks, such as pain brushes.
Chair Relay — Each patrol stands in a line on a row of chairs which is just large enough for it. When the game starts, the chair at the back is passed to the front and the group moves forward towards the opposite wall. The patrol that gets there first without touching the ground wins.
Hoola-Dancing — Players stand in a circle holding hands. Two pairs of people have their arms through a hoola-hoop. The hoops must be passed around the circle in opposite directions without anyone letting go of their neighbour's hands.
Flag Relay — In this relay race, Scouts must draw a flag, such as the Canadian Flag, with a crayon. During each relay turn, a person may draw one straight line before returning to their patrol.
Mummy Wrapping — In this relay race, Scouts take turns wrapping one member of their patrol in toilet paper, starting with the feet and moving up. A Scout's turn ends when the role breaks. The next Scout starts where the last one left off.
Ted is looking for two Scouts to be part of a colour party in the afternoon of June 23.
Liam mentioned that CJ'2005 has been cancelled and no further Canadian Jamborees are planned. Scouter David Forshaw of Guelph has organised the Canadian Jamborees Petition to urge Scouts Canada to reinstate CJs on a regular basis.
Scouters briefly discussed the challenges at the 9th Waterloo Scout Troop. The current Scouters are moving to Venturers in the fall. There replacements will be new Scouters with little experience. The Club may be able to assist these Scouters by providing mentoring.
The theme for the Pentagon at the August meeting will be Linking, Retention, and Recruitment. Scouters who have been successful in these areas are asked to share what they did to create this success.
Scouters were pleased with the meeting, the facilities, and the background music provided live by the Ebytown Brass.
The meeting was closed at 21:15. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, August 28, 2001 at 18:45 at NWD Scouthouse.
—Minutes prepared by Ted Claxton and Liam Morland.
