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.
Liam Morland, 21st Waterloo Scout Troop (formerly 16th, 18th, & 20th Waterloo Scout Troop).
The meeting opened at 19:00 at the picnic table outside NWD Scouthouse. Each Scouter spoke about their respective summer camps, including participation in CJ'01, weeks at Haliburton Scout Reserve, and canoe trips.
The Fall Ice Breaker will be a BBQ social for Scouters on October 2 at Camp Mohawk in Kitchener. Scouters will gather starting at 17:30 for dinner at 18:00. Ted and Jim will organise a phone blitz of Scouters. Ted will book Camp Mohawk, arrange for a BBQ with Duncan Smith, and bring buns. Ben will bring sausages. Pierre will bring water. Tony will bring condiments and cole slaw. Scouters should bring their own mess kit, mug, and drinks. All troop-level Scouters are invited.
Scouters confirmed their plans for a Bruce Trail hike made at the previous meeting. The Ice Breaker will be used to find out who is planning on attending the hike. Ben will contact Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area. Ted will book Camp Manitou. Tony will arrange for copies of the map.
Ben shared his experiences with three troops working together in Cambridge. Scouters agreed that the Club should be used as a forum for less experienced Scouters to learn from the more experienced.
Scouters shared ideas about retaining members. Scouters agreed that a year-round program leads to higher levels of retention. Ben uses a 13 month planning calendar to help with this. Ted spoke of the benefits of sending out letters in the summer and of the personal touch in communication with parents. Pierre and Ben feel that the use of the Patrol System is the best way of encouraging members to return.
Scouters shared several possibilities for summer camps. Greater Cleveland Ohio Council, Boy Scouts of America, has a canoe base on the French River and all neccessary equipment available. Haliburton Scout Reserve offers facilities for summer camps. The Club could coordinate a camp at HSR, prehaps giving each troop its own site on the same island, allowing for joint activities as desired. A weekend camp is held the third weekend of August each year at Alleghaney Camp, about 4 hour drive away in Pennsylvania near New York border. This could be a good "warm-up" camp. Pierre has the details.
Scouters felt that the meeting went well. Visibility for Scouting should be a regular topic on the agenda.
The meeting was closed at 21:00. A short business session will be held at the Ice Breaker to find out who will be in attendance at the Patrol Leaders' Weekend and Fall Camp. The next regular meeting will be on Tuesday, November 27, 2001 at 18:45 at NWD Scouthouse. Major topic will be planning for the NWSC Winter Camp. Suggestions for a Pentagon topic are invited.
—Minutes prepared by Ted Claxton and Liam Morland.
