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.
Six troops from North Waterloo ventured through a blizzard to snowy Owen Sound on the last weekend in January. Their destination was the annual Owen Sound Winter Camp. Four hundred Scouts and Scouters from Ontario and Ohio were in attendance.
The snow in Harrison Park was a metre deep, an ample supply for building quinzhees, snow trenches, and other sorts of shelters. Activities on Saturday included an obstacle course, log sawing with two-person saws, fire lighting, orienteering, a knots and lashings challenge, and the rescue mission. On the rescue mission, patrols with Klondike sleds must rescue an injured person, giving first aid and being tested on Scouting skills along the way.
The 21st Waterloo Scouts won the knots and lashings trophy with a final time of 4 minutes, 15 seconds after the addition of a one minute penalty for a poorly tied timber hitch. This result shows what can be done when a patrol works together, everyone doing their part.
On Saturday evening, after a barbecue dinner provided by the camp committee, the 11th Kitchener and 21st Waterloo went bowling.
Sunday was a sunny day, great for sledding on the old ski hill and looking at the birds in the nearby zoo before heading home.
The members discussed the idea of having a winter skills day event in preparation for next year's winter camp. The day would include snow activities and winter Scouting skills. The requirement concerning fires and being off the ground must be emphasized. Mike Smith can obtain washing machine drums for anyone wishing to have a fireplace container.
There will be an informal campfire and a sing along in the saloon. A silent auction will follow the evening entertainment. The organizers would like to have a native person be in attendance to be part of the event rotation. They are also looking in to a having demonstration of tracking. Regular registration is $16; late registration is $20. Forms are on the web and at Scouthouse.
Attendance: Dan Fleishman, Wayne Zinger, Adam Sargent, Diane Furlong.
The meeting opened at 19:25. The various activities were read off and people assigned agreed to do them. Jamie Legget needs to be contacted for the fire starting activity. The crest design submitted by Harry Niezen was approved. Dan will look into pricing. Two registrations have been received so far. The meeting was adjourned at 19:30.
Scouters who volunteered to assist on April 18 are Ted Claxton, Liam Morland, Pierre Michaels, Wayne Hessel, and Chuck Myers; and on April 25, Ted Claxton, Mike Smith, Liam Morland, Wayne Hessel, and possibly Chuck Myers.
Scouter Mark Carruthers and Lloyd Daigle of the 4th Waterloo are going to HSR August 7-14. Scouters are invited to contact them to see whether they have room on their site. Their fee will be in the order of $225.
Adopt a Park is available through the City of Kitchener Parks and Recreation Department. This involves an orientation session with the City Parks representative and a session on what to do with dangerous items found in clean up projects. There is also Adopt a Trail on the same format.
There will also be the opportunity again this year for service as a flag party for the Multicultural Festival. That will likely be on Saturday, June 26 in the afternoon.
—Minutes prepared by Ted Claxton and Liam Morland.
