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.
Mike Smith, 33rd Kitchener Scout Troop.
Dana Wolfe, 33rd Kitchener Scout Troop.
Scott McGaire, 21st Waterloo Scout Troop.
Liam Morland, 21st Waterloo Scout Troop.
Jay Tracey, 21st Waterloo Scout Troop.
Tony Skells, Scouter-at-Large.
Ken Coyle, Scouter-at-Large.
Mike Millard, 5th Kitchener Scout Troop.
There were 28 present for the entire weekend, plus one Scout who was only able to attend Saturday. We ended up using the Barn because we had to give up the building that we had booked. It actually turned out to be a good move. We were able to hold the Friday evening sessions. The Weather was changeable. We were able to take advantage of both the indoors and the outdoors. In the evaluation the Scouts thought that the use of the Barn was a good idea. It was close up weekend so things were shut down after lunch. We will obtain and post the program outline.
The 21st Waterloo and the 11th Kitchener camped overnight on Friday at Camp Barber in Guelph. The remaining troops joined them Saturday morning. At 09:30, the group started east on the Guelph Hiking Trail toward Blue Springs. At the dam on the Eramosa River the water, higher than usual, was flowing over the dam. Scouter Ted went across to survey the situation and found that there was no danger, except of getting feet wet. Those who did not have waterproof boots crossed barefoot carrying their shoes. The 8°C water made this chilling experience. The rest of the morning's hike was over gentle terrain and woods.
The Scouts arrived for lunch at Edgewood Lutheran Camp at 12:15. The 5th Kitchener heated their foil-wrapped peta-pizzas in burning orange juice cartons. The 21st Waterloo use hobo burners made from cans.
The hike continued after lunch. At the edge of Camp Edgewood, confusion about the location of the property line lead the group onto neighbouring lands. The group was challenged as trespassers. Scouter Ted will write a letter to the landowner to make a formal apology. The hike continued along the abandoned Guelph Radial Railway route and then through some woods as far as the Guelph line. The group continued along the Guelph Hiking Trail to Blue Spring Scout Reserve, arriving at Swallows Nest at 16:20. The NW Area Commissioner, Jim Williamson, who had been invited to join the hike, had come to greet us on our arrival at the end of 17 km. Scouter Ted and Scouter Jim drove to Camp Barber with the owners of vehicles left behind, completing the car shuttle while the Scouts made camp.
The 21st Waterloo camped in the nearby Adirondacks while three other troops tented in the Swallows Nest area. Four troops participated in the pot luck dinner which included two chillies, meatballs and rice with mushroom sauce, and Spiral Pasta with meat sauce. Scouter Liam helped one of their patrols make a s'more cake (actually two, since it was so popular). The Scouts quickly cleaned up all the food, leaving no one hungry and no leftovers.
After supper, with a campfire blazing, Scouter Liam led the "no repeat song fest" comprising songs requested by the Scouts. The scouts were impressed with the variety of songs in Scouter Liam's repertoire. As the evening lingered and Scouts drifted off to their tents, the music continued with what the few remaining Scouts referred to as "Old Guy songs". By 23:00, the camp was silent.
On Sunday each group carried out its own program activities and departed according to their own schedule. The consensus was that this event was very successful.
Scouter Ted spoke about camp fees with Brian Millie of the Camp Barber Committee (Wellington Area). The usual fee for a weekend camp there is $125. For this hike, the troops who stayed over paid $5 per-head. The Camp Barber Committee thought that a per-head fee might encourage smaller groups to make more use of the camp. A vote of thanks to Wellington for their consideration. The fees at Blue Springs were $55 for the use of Swallows Nest pavilion plus $4.50 per-head. Each group looked after its own arrangements for fees.
Ted Claxton informed the group that the NW Composite Camp will be functioning again this year. A discussion was had about themes. The meeting decided on an African theme. The day-out will consist of a visit to the African Lion Safari and Webster's Falls. The hiking section this year will be feature a hike from Georgetown to Blue Springs to Everton. The fee for the week of camp will be $225. There is room for 24 Scouts in the camping section and 6 in the hiking section. Ted encourages Scouters and Scouts to come to camp as patrols. The Camp needs some new leadership and all are invited to be part of this experience.
Scouter Brian Robertson was waylaid by vehicle problems and unable to attend the meeting. Brian is coordinating a Haliburton Experience to be held August 7-14 at a cost of $300 per person. This camp is run on a composite basis with the assistance of volunteer leadership.
[There will also be a Scouters' Club camp at HSR August 21-28 for $200 per person, all inclusive. Please see the Club web site or contact Scouter Liam Morland for more information.]
The meeting was abruptly adjourned without the opportunity being given for any Members in attendance to ask questions. The Chief Commissioner informed Scouter Ted that it was a corporate meeting and that questions did not have to be permitted. Scouter Ted is of the view that the meeting was improperly conducted and that the much vaunted openness espoused by our national leadership is nothing but a sham. The Chief Commissioner informed Scouter Ted that the was democracy and that we had representatives from each Council. Scouter Ted pointed out to the Chief Commissioner that these "representatives" were all appointed, not elected and did not represent the membership. It is Scouter Ted's view that there has been a complete "corporate management" takeover of Scouts Canada which is contrary to the Principles of Scouting and contrary to the principles set out by the World Organization of the Scout Movement which declares that the Movement is to be democratic at all levels.
Scouter Ed Spike handed out material and made a presentation about their Speciality Badge on Judo. Twelve lessons are required to complete the badge. The requirements are set based upon your Judo rank when starting the program, so any Scout can participate. Contact Ed for more information.
Scouter Ed Spike also gave a handout about the Canadian Weather Amateur Radio Network. CANWARN uses amateur radio to disseminate information about severe weather conditions. A training session will be held on April 21, 2004. Scouts might be able to use this in their Weather Badge. Contact Scouter Ed for more information.
The group discussed the Chief Scout's Award and were in favour of of coordinating interviews for Award candidates. Scouter Jim Williamson is prepared to be part of it as Area Commissioner. The Club will look at scheduling these in late March or early April.
—Minutes prepared by Ted Claxton.
