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 is at Group Chairs' session.
Liam Morland, 21st Waterloo Scout Troop, is in Switzerland working at Kandersteg International Scout Centre.
Ben Noseworthy, 17th Cambridge Scout Troop.
Al Hohner, 8th Kitchener Scout Troop is at Camp Everton this weekend.
Hung Truong, 11th Kitchener Scout Troop.
Jay Treacy, 21st Waterloo Scout Troop is at the Group Scouters' session.
Ken Coyle.
Scouter Ted welcomed everyone to the meeting and spoke about the importance of the Scout uniform.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as written.
Thanks were extended to Ben Noseworthy for the sausages. It was good to see a number of new people at the event. The Club decided to have a Spring Thaw BBQ for Scouters in May, 2003 at Camp Mohawk. Planning will take place at the next meeting.
11th Kitchener (4 Scouts; 2 Scouters) and 17th Cambridge (14 Scouts; 2 Ventures; 2 Scouters) participated. The two troops met at Montsburg Conservation Area at 09:00 on Saturday and set up camp. They then went to Hilton Falls and hiked out to the falls where they had lunch. Cooking was done over a fire in the campfire circle provided at the falls. Dinner was potluck. The 11th made a tinfoil dinner while the 17th made rice and a stew. There was a wide game and campfire after dark. It was a late night. Sunday morning the groups took part in the activities of the conservation area. The 11th Kitchener stayed to see the Birds of Prey exhibit.
It was a good camp as it included a minimum 8 km hike, wildlife observation, and things to do at the conservation area. November 21-23, 2003 was tentatively set for a similar hike next year.
This was a terrific weekend for the 27 participants who were divided into four patrols. There were no incidents and good behaviour observed throughout the weekend. The leadership team consisted of Pierre Michiels, Tony Skells, Ann MacDonald, Cam Mudie, Mark Van Dyke, and John Ferguson. The assistance of Scouters from South Waterloo and of Scouters Paul Frieburger and Kevin Donovan was most welcome. Ann MacDonald and John Ferguson held things together when Tony Skells was sidelined by injury.
Staying at Lions Lodge made the event better as accommodations were more suited to the numbers. The Scouts were satisfied with the food. The $30.00 fee was deemed appropriate as each participant got their own handbook copy of Scouts Canada's Patrol Leader's Handbook.
It was decided to run this event next next. Proposed date is November 7-9, 2003. It was decided to book Lions' Lodge for next year. Pierre Michiels will look after that immediately. The Club will consider a fee of $35.00 next year as costs have been rising.
The Camp will be with the Owen Sound 40th anniversary winter camp. This is an international camp with members from the BSA in Michigan attending. The groups that have committed to going are 11th Kitchener, 33rd Kitchener, 4th Waterloo, 21st Waterloo, and probably 10th Waterloo.
Tony Skells reported on the planning that has been done by the Camporee Committee. The theme is Asian Adventure after the recent World Jamboree in Thailand. March 17, 2003 set as the deadline for crest design submissions by Scouts.
Each troop will select a country for its site and should work on an event for the camp. The Committee would like the Youth Forum to be part of the planning process and to suggest some events. There will be a blind silent auction of items of camping gear. Each patrol will get "Bid$" for participation, camp inspection, on time at horseshoe, etc.
Rod Smith made a presentation about the Haliburton Scout Reserve Experience that they are coordinating on August 9-16, 2003 on Doe Island. The fee will be $275 per person.
Ted Claxton made a presentation about Everton Summer Camp, July 19-25, 2003. There is space for 24 Scouts in the camping program and 12 in the hiking program.
The Club discussed various events and places to go.
There is a Conservation Camp at Blue Springs in April. Cost is $25 per Scout and includes materials and supper on Saturday. Program includes work toward the World Conservation Badge.
Rock Climbing is available at Mount Nemo through Burlington district. Troops that link up with a Hamilton group can camp at the Mt. Nemo Scout Camp for free. It is a short drive or walk to the climbing area.
25th Kitchener is having a Survival camp at Camp Heidleburg in middle of April and invited others to join them.
11th Kitchener is planning a bike hike, possibility in the Niagara area, on May 9-11, 2003.
Greater Toronto Council offers a three-session Bushcraft course on February 21-23, 2003, May 9-11, and October 3-5. Cost is $150.
Pierre described a winter camping opportunity in New York, near the Pennsylvania border. Contact him for details.
Canoeing possibilities were discussed. South Waterloo has canoes available for $25 each per weekend. West Montrose to Bridgeport (or Camp Mohawk) takes 3-4 hours. Winterbourne to Bridgeport is 2-3 hours. Trips are also possible on the Saugeen, Hanover and Paisley, Camping at Saugeen Bluffs Conservation Area. (See the report on last year's trip.)
Very positive sharing session. The meeting started and ended on time. Long range planning will have a basic program in place by the Club.
The meeting was closed at 16:45. The next meeting will be March March 23, 2003 at 14:00 at Forest Hills United Church.
—Minutes prepared by Ted Claxton and Liam Morland.
Report by Scouter Ted Claxton.
The NW Scouters' Club held its first canoeing event June 22-23, 2002. A total of eighteen Scouts, five Scouters, three Venturers, and two Rovers participated from the 11th Kitchener, 7th Cambridge, 17th Cambridge, and 20th Cambridge.
The event was an introduction to canoeing. On Saturday we went to the Pinehurst Conservation Area between Paris and Cambridge, camping in a group site. Scouter Ben had arranged for canoes for everyone. The group was divided in two. One group learned and practised basic canoe skills while the other group learned water safety and went swimming. Everyone participated in the instruction sessions.
The Cambridge troops had tinfoil dinners while the Kitchener troop had beautiful hamburgers. In the evening, a number of the Scouts went out exploring the camp. The evening closed with a song-filled campfire. By about 22:30, everyone had crashed for the night.
Sunday saw us up early to make breakfast and pack up. We then proceeded to the Freeport Bridge where the canoes were waiting. Once organised, we headed down river with Scouter Ted in the lead. Scouter Ben rode shotgun and was waiting at the Fountain Street Bridge where we had our break. Two Venturers in kayaks, Scouter Kim, Scouter John G., two Rovers, and an instructor provided a safety patrol on the river. Scouter Lyle brought up the rear and shepherded the stragglers. After a break at Fountain Street we proceeded to River Bluffs Park where we pulled out. Scouter John Ferguson came with the bar-b-que equipment and we had a picnic to round out our experience.
The weather was hot both days with some intermittent showers on Saturday.
Budget was $25.00 per person for canoe costs, $7.50 for food, $4.00 for camping fee, and a $3.50 contingency. Total: $40.
The event was well suited to the experience level of the Scouts. The original plan for a trip from West Montrose Bridge to River Bluffs would have been a struggle for a number of the youth and Scouter Ted.
