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.
Jim Williamson, 1st Freeport Scout Troop.
Hung Truong, 11th Kitchener Scout Troop.
Nick Ebner, 38th Kitchener Scout Troop.
The meeting opened with flag break at 18:55. Tony and Ted presented Liam with the Long Service Medal for ten years of adult Service to Scouting with many different troops.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as written.
17th Cambridge was the only Club troop to attend South Waterloo District's ANIK winter camp. Three reasons were cited for the low rate of attendance: information about the camp was received late, in some troops Scouts wimped out of winter camp, and the date was not good for some troops. A winter camp has been scheduled for next year, February 7-9, 2003.
This Spring Thaw will be similar to previous Scouters' socials. Meet and greet will be at 17:30, flag break and dinner at 18:30, campfire at 19:30. Lloyd volunteered to bring Tidbits, Pierre sausages, Jay a desert, Ted rolls, and Mark and 8th Kitchener salads. All should bring their own drinks (non-alcoholic). Ted will contact 1st Elmira regarding borrowing their large BBQ. Ted and Al will bring coffee pots. A phone and email blitz will be coordinated shortly before the event.
Several routes for the bike hike were examined. Scouters settled on a Hamilton to Kitchener route. Jay and Ted will investigate the route in detail. Ted will see about a campsite partway along the route. The date was changed to April 26-28. Liam mentioned that they use a pair of traffic vests on bike hikes, one for the lead and one for the tail. This helps keep the patrol together and warns cars of the Scouts' presence.
Ben described the 17th Cambridge summer camp at Haliburton Scout Reserve last summer. HSR is a huge Scout camp where troops can go for summer camps. Troops run their own programs which can draw on programs provided by HSR staff. Often, troops team up for camps at HSR. Lloyd said that the 4th Waterloo will be on Hidden Bay campsite at HSR July 27 to August 3, 2002 and invited others to join them. HSR charges $115 per person for the week for the site. Additional costs for food, gas, a crest etc. would run about $85, so the camp will cost in total $200 per person. NWD is also running a camp at HSR August 3-10. Cost is $250 per person. See NWD's Scouting News, January/March 2002 for more details. Some sites are still available for booking the week of August 17-24.
The Club decided to hold the canoe trip on the Grand River from West Montrose Covered Bridge to River Bluffs Park in Cambridge, camping at Camp Mohawk. Ben will scout the route. Ben will ask 17th Cambridge Rovers to run a wide game on the Saturday night and the 17th Cambridge Venturers, many of whom have Ontario Recreational Canoeing Association (ORCA) certification, if they would like to attend. Canoes may be available from 1st Elmira, 1st New Dundee, and South Waterloo District. The SWD canoes are Colemans, which Ben does not recommend due to their extreme flexibility.
Each Scouter spoke about something they would be willing to share with other Scouters or troops.
Ted is a lawyer and can speak to troops to complete parts of the citizenship badge. Ted is also an expert shouter. Ted can teach your Scouts how to be heard in emergencies.
Pierre has experience with knots, canoeing, pioneering (construction with ropes and poles), and graphic design.
Pierre also noted that Nick Ebner has hiked the Bruce Trail from end-to-end several times and is an expert in backpacking.
Tony would like to help troops develop their Court of Honour to involve the Scouts in program planning.
Ken keeps bees and would also be interested in sharing general Scouting skills.
Mark can help with the computer badge.
Lloyd is a metal worker by trade and would be happy to help with any construction projects. Lloyd also holds the Certified Professional Scrounger (CPS) designation, the mark of a person who can get a hold of anything for cheap.
Jay knows how to silk screen tee-shirts.
Ben is a brick and stone mason by trade and has skills in drafting, CAD, and computers, and engineering. Ben is also knowledge about civics.
Don has computers and simulation skills as well as canoeing experience in Algonquin Park.
Steve is an accountant and may be able to arrange a tour of an automated welding facility. Steve also has skills in fishing, hunting, and trapping.
Al was a member of Waterloo Regional Police and can help with knots, campfires, hunting, and fishing.
Liam can teach any Scout troop to do their own menu planning, shopping, cooking, and cleaning at camp. Giving this responsibility to the Scouts is easier on the Scouters and allows the Scouts to learn valuable skills.
Ken and Tony offered to run a Scoutcraft I & II course for interested Scouters.
It was suggested that troops hold some meetings together and that Scouters visit each other at meetings to help in the further sharing of knowledge and ideas.
Lloyd announced that their troop will have a movie night on March 9, 17:00/22:00 at First United Church, Waterloo. The cost is $2. There will be door prizes. Pizza, popcorn, and drinks will be sold.
Scouters were pleased with the variety of activities planned and the sharing of resources in the Pentagon. The Club program provides many options for troops to participate.
—Minutes prepared by Ted Claxton and Liam Morland.
