NW Scouters’ Club: Minutes
May 9, 2006

1st Freeport Scout Troop

Jamie Leggot

11th Kitchener Scout Troop

Ted Claxton

Viet Truong

30th Kitchener Scout Troop

John McCuish

38th Kitchener Scout Troop

Pierre Michiels

21st Waterloo Scout Troop

Liam Morland

Resource Persons

Ken Coyle, 69th Kitchener Rover Crew

Regrets

• John Mathers, 1st Elmira Scout Troop
• Dean Watt, 43rd Kitchener Scout Troop
• Tim Vegh, 1st Maryhill Scout Troop
• Phil Schmidt, 1st Waterloo Scout Troop
• John Bain, 9th Waterloo Scout Troop
• Gary Johnston, 14th Waterloo Scout Troop
• Tony Skells, Scouter-at-Large

Liam opened the meeting at 19:10.

Participation was thin for this event. It was agreed that a well-organized call-around is essential.

3R's Potluck, Social, & Campfire

Ken Coyle spoke about the fall socials for Scouters in North Waterloo. All Scouters are invited to come. The event will be on Tuesday, September 27, 2006. Meet and Green at 17:45; Let's Eat and Talk at 18:00; Campfire at 19:00; Let's Head Home (or stay and talk some more) at 19:30. Ken is looking for a campfire chief for the event.

The members decided that there were too few in attendance to hold a meaningful vote for the Scout section representative to the North Waterloo Area Team. Ted undertook to draft a job description for the role. It was agreed that Scouters should be able to self-nominate and nominate others, with their consent.

The group discussed the Camporee and updated the 2006 Camporee Plan.

• The Friday BBQ will be held at the activity shelter. Ranger Paul will bring down the BBQ.
• Ted will look after the flag ceremonies
• Volunteers are need to run archery and hammer toss. The archery equipment is in Wheeler Lodge (barn). Jamie will see that there are hammers available.
• Jamie reported that the Coins of the Realm are almost finished.
• Liam will send around the inspection sheet
• Opening will be at 09:15. Immediately following, troops will head for the main wood shed where the spars are located to start building their catapult. Each troop will get ten spars and must bring their own rope or twine. At 11:15, there will be an appreciation of the catapults, competitions for distance and accuracy, and a free-for-all. Projectiles will be a handful of flour wrapped in a paper towel.
• For the blind silent auction, each patrol must bring a prize. Ken will purchase various items with a budget of $300. Results will be announced at the APL meeting.
• Karaoke will be at at 19:30 provided Guides are finished with their campfire. 20:15 Wide Game; 21:00 Campfire.
• The social time for Scouters on Saturday night has not been well attended so it will not take place this year.
• John McCuish will lead the Scouts' Own.

Wheeler Challenge Shield

Ted read a note, written by Les Wheeler in 1975, describing the criteria for the Wheeler Challenge Shield:

The Wheeler Challenge Shield

To be presented to the patrol which best exemplifies the spirit of co-operation and teamwork in meeting the camping skills and campsite objectives of the Camporee (not including the fun events) and conforms with the following provisions:

1. Must be at least five in number
2. Must be as close as possible to a natural patrol (as opposed to a handpicked patrol)

(signed) L. T. Wheeler, Dec. '75

A volunteer is needed to coordinate the award. Everyone in camp is asked to keep their eye out for patrols whose conduct is consistent with the goals of the award and report that to the coordinator. Ted will obtain a keeper plaque.

The Kwahadi Dancers are Scouts from Texas who perform authentic First Nations dances connected to the values of Scouting. Ted reminded everyone that the Kwahadi Dancers have a show at University of Waterloo on July 31, 2006.

Scouters played some games designed to develop leadership and teamwork skills in Scouts.

Reach for the Sky

Each team was given a small piece of duct tape. The winning team is the one that stuck it to the wall the highest off the ground. The use of chairs and tables was forbidden. This game can also be played outside against a tree, though the tree should not be used for support (it's not a tree-climbing game).

Tripod Shooting

Each patrol is given three staves, some rope, a bike inner tube, and a bunch of plastic projectiles. Patrols must lash the staves into a triangle, tie the inner tube between two staves, and use it to throw the projectiles at the other team.

After playing the above games, Scouters discussed some more:

Name that Ball

This is a good ice breaker game for new groups. The group stands in a circle. One person has a ball which they throw to anyone else in the circle, saying the catcher's name as they throw. The ball continues to be thrown around the circle in this manner. It may not be thrown back to someone who has already had the ball. Once everyone has had the ball, it is thrown back to the starting person. The game is repeated with everyone throwing to the same person. Time the game and see how fast your team can complete the task. Try going backwards as well.

String burning

This is a classic indoor pioneering project. A string is strung across the room at about waist height. The area around the string is out-of-bounds for people. Each patrol uses staves to construct a tripod to hold a candle at the appropriate height. Using rope or more staves, they move their tripod into position. The first patrol to burn through the string wins.

Jumbo Foosball

Scouts arranged themselves like in the table-top version of the game. Each row of Scouts holds into a piece of PVC pipe. They may only move side-to-side and must move as a group. The game takes a minimum of five players per side: goalie, two forwards, and two defence. Use a soccer ball.

Scouters enjoyed the active, hands-on Pentagon. More activities like this should be organized. The turnout was disappointing. A well-organized call-around is essential for good participation.

The meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at North Waterloo Scout House.

—Minutes prepared by Ted Claxton and Liam Morland.