NW Scouters’ Club: Minutes
March 23, 2003

11th Kitchener Scout Troop

Ted Claxton.

25th Kitchener Scout Troop

Diane Furlong.

Wayne Zinger.

30th Kitchener Scout Troop

John McCuish.

33rd Kitchener Scout Troop

Mike Smith.

Dana Wolfe.

38th Kitchener Scout Troop

Nick Ebner.

4th Waterloo Scout Troop

Lloyd Daigle.

21st Waterloo Scout Troop

Scott McGaire.

Resource Persons

Brian Robertson, Re: Haliburton Experience.

Tony Skells.

Regrets

Kurt Schneider, 11th Kitchener Scout Troop.
Jim Williamson, 1st Freeport Scout Troop, is at Group Chairs' session.
Liam Morland, 21st Waterloo Scout Troop, is at Kandersteg International Scout Centre, Switzerland.
Ken Coyle.

The meeting was opened at 14:30. Scouter Ted spoke on BP Viewpoint as per general session. Minutes and agenda agreed.

The Club's winter camp was with the Owen Sound 40th Anniversary Winter Camp. Club members agreed to attend next year and to offer to man one of the events. The 33rd Kitchener won the knots and lashing award. Club members agreed that the opening ceremonies were rather lengthy, even taking into account the special nature of the anniversary. The members discussed the special types of shelters and particularly the Lucknow group's shelter that had a pole supported roof, snow walls and a door.

Snow, Snow and More Snow: Owen Sound Winter Camp 2003

Report by Scouter Ted Claxton.

The snow was 65 cm deep. It took about an hour of digging to get an area cleared for a troop site. With approximately 450 in attendance, the 40th anniversary of the Winter Camp was a great success. The NWSC was represented by the 11th Kitchener, 33rd Kitchener, 43rd Kitchener, 4th Waterloo, and 21st Waterloo. A large contingent of about 150 came from Miamisburg, Ohio. This is the Sister City of Owen Sound. Their Scouts have been coming to the Winter Camp for 15 years.

Harrison Park, on the edge of Downtown Owen Sound, is a beautiful site in a deep sheltered valley with the Sydenham river and a subsidiary stream flowing through. The organised activities included log sawing, compass game, fire lighting, obstacle course, and lashing challenge — raise the flag. There was also a five station Emergency Rescue Challenge where the scouts went around a course taking a "casualty" on a sled. The course took about 01:15 h to run. The 21st Waterloo had its own creation while the rest of our groups had to beg or borrow (but not steal) a sled. Participants are encouraged to build and bring a sled constructed in accordance with competition specifications.

On Saturday night we all went to the Owen Sound Arena to see the Owen Sound Attack take on the London Knights. Frank Mahovlich, Leaf's No. 27 and Canadian Senator, was the game celebrity. At the intermissions he signed autographs on the Post Canada souvenir postage stamp sheets and first day covers depicting hockey legends. Senator Mahovalich was very gracious and had a word for everyone who sought his autograph.

This event is well run, has great facilities, and is a worthwhile experience. The cost was $11.00 per participant plus $5.00 for a hockey game ticket. The Owen Sound Scout Shop had a wide selection of items for sale with specials on a number of items.

Notes

• The trip from KW to Owen Sound via Highway 6 is about 2.5 hours.
• Bring shovels; you will need them to dig out your site.
• Fires must be off the ground in a metal container. You must bring your own container.
• Firewood is available but it is advisable to bring kindling and some seasoned dry wood.
• Water is readily accessible.
• A dining shelter or poles for a tarp are advisable as most sites do not have sufficient trees to rig by ropes.
• A hot dog lunch is served after the closing ceremonies.
• A sign identifying the group is required.

The Spring Thaw social event for Scouters will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2003. Gather at 17:30 for meet and greet, 18:30 for eat, 19:30 for campfire. Pierre to see about sausages.

Tony Skells noted that the last planning meeting had nine people in attendance. Everything is getting on track. The final meeting will be on April 8. Groups were urged to submit crest designs from their youth by that date. The winning entry will receive a $25.00 gift certificate for the Scout Shop.

Brian Robertson made a presentation about the North Waterloo Area Haliburton Experience, August 9-16, 2003 on Doe island. The fee will be $275. If a group would like to take a three-day canoe trip during the camp, that could be arranged. Maximum capacity of Doe Island is 40. The group discussed various other longer term opportunities for camping in the Algonquin Park area.

Ted Claxton made a presentation about North Waterloo Area Everton Summer Camp, July 19-25, 2003. There is space for 24 Scouts in the camping program and 12 in the hiking program. The fees is $195.

5th Kitchener will be doing a canoe trip from a provincial park in the Huntsville area about the second week of June. If interested, contact Ed Wright, Group Scouter at 651-3107 for the leadership Contact.

11th Kitchener will be going to Elora Gorge on May 11-13, 2003. From there they will do a cycle route to Fergus by way of the Rail Trail. Contact Scouter Ted Claxton.

The meeting started and ended on time with had good discussions about possibilities in Haliburton/Algonquin. Need to encourage greater attendance.

The meeting was closed at 16:10. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for September, 2003.

—Minutes prepared by Ted Claxton and Liam Morland.