NW Scouters’ Club: Minutes
June 9, 2004

11th Kitchener Scout Troop

Ted Claxton.

24th Kitchener Scout Troop

Dan Sheppard.

25th Kitchener Scout Troop

Wayne Zinger.

30th Kitchener Scout Troop

Mark Wilson.

38th Kitchener Scout Troop

Nick Ebner.

Pierre Michiels.

4th Waterloo Scout Troop

Lloyd Daigle.

10th Waterloo Scout Troop

Wayne Hessel.

21st Waterloo Scout Troop

Jay Treacy.

Liam Morland.

Regrets

Ed Spike.

The meeting opened at 19:00. Scouter Liam led a recitation of the Scout Law.

This year, there were only six Chief Scout's Award candidates and none for the Queen's Venturer Award. In past years, there have been 16-18 for the CSA. Ted Claxton, Jim Williamson, Wayne Hessel, and Mike Smith conducted the interviews. The interviews went well. The Scouts appreciated having the sense that others care about their accomplishments.

North Waterloo Area held a spring celebration on May 27, 2004. The 21st Waterloo Venturers presented a 15 minute Scouting multimedia slide show. Murray Fried setup a memorabilia table.

Scouters suggested that money could be saved by using a church hall rather then Victoria Park, which cost $160. A speaker system would have been helpful. Lloyd indicated he could provide one. The attendees appreciated the BBQ. Sixty sausages were sold. There were about 80 people in attendance.

Wayne Zinger reported that there were 15 troops in attendance, 5 of these from outside of North Waterloo, There were 155 Scouts in attendance. The Bonus Bucks and silent auction worked out well. Every patrol won a box. Each troop that brought an item received extra bonus bucks. The Karaoke started out slow but the Scouts got into it and it went on past the scheduled time. It would be helpful to have people identified to get the singing started. There was way more root beer than required. Brian Robertson operated the zipline and climbing wall with the assistance of the 1st Mt. Forest Venturers. 32nd Kitchener First Aid Venturers also assisted the Rover Guild in providing Security.

KW Surplus and TSC gave a 10% off on items purchased for the auction. A&W provided a discount on the root beer. The Canadian Tire likes to have a letter requesting donations. It is best to deliver it in person. Their Weber Street Store in Waterloo gave $50.

Communication with the Groups is a problem. Scouters need to learn about the website and that the information is all there.

The Club scheduled next year's Camporee for May 27-29, 2005. Scouter Ted has already booked Camp Everton. Everyone should think about the theme for next year's Camporee.

Scouter Jay proposed a Introduction to Scouting Day for new Scouts and Scouters. The Club decided to run this event on Saturday, October 2, 2004 from 09:00 to 15:00 at Camp Mohawk. New Scouts and Scouters will learn basic Scouting and outdoors skills. Participants will rotate through a series of workshops, inspired by the BP Woodsman requirements, such as: First Aid, emergency kit/BP Kit, water safety, getting lost, knots, fires, maps, bird/tree/animal identification, tent use and care, packing for camp, conservation/leave-no-trace, and safety and use of knives, axes, and saws. Scouter Ted will investigate the possibility that Scouters could receive credit for the outdoor skills module of their Woodbadge training.

Following the training will be a BBQ social for Scouters.

The Club will hold a weekend-long Patrol Leaders' Workshop November 7-9 at Camp Everton. Ted will arrange for use of the Barn.

The Club's Fall Hike will be November 19-21. Last year's hike was 18 km from Camp Barber to Blue Springs. Two routes were suggested for this year: the Speed River Trail and Camp Barber to Cambridge. Planning will be done at the next meeting. Scouters should think about other routes and program ideas.

It was suggested that the Club run a bike hike in the spring. This will be discussed at a later meeting.

Linking Events

Scouters discussed the importance of Cub to Scout linking activities. It is important to coordinate joint activities with the Pack Scouters. The Club could be involved as well, for example, by inviting senior Cubs to the Camporee or other activity. Scouters should be particularly concerned about groups that do not have a Scout Troop and arrange for linking events with an appropriate troop.

Central Canada Jamboree

A Scouts Canada, Central Canada Jamboree with a Wild West theme is planned for July 3-9, 2005 at Tamaracouta Scout Reserve, Mille Isles, Quebec. Currently, the web site provides little information.

1955 World Scout Jamboree Commemoration

Scouters Ted and Liam are on a committee which is coordinating a commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the 1955 World Scout Jamboree. Contact them for details.

Scouters discussed the best time to hold Club meetings. It was observed that the fewest number of troops meet on Tuesday. Meetings where scheduled for September 14, October 19, and January 11. Time will remain 18:45 gathering for 19:00 start.

Scouters were pleased that the meeting started and ended on time, and that the topics were pertinent. Reminder calls and emails are appreciated.

The next meeting will be Tuesday, September 14, 2004 at KW Scouthouse.

—Minutes prepared by Ted Claxton and Liam Morland.