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.
The fall hike was along the Grand River Trail from Chicopee to Camp Mohawk. There was a very good turnout with over fifty participants. The potluck was very well received, especially the desserts. Later a campfire was held with songs, jokes, stories, and skits.
The good turn out was thought to be due to the hike being held in town. A number of youth started the hike midway through and not everyone camped for the night. It was suggested we consider holding next year's event close to the city, as there are many other hikes along the Grand River.
The following groups attended the Fall Hike: 11th Kitchener, 43rd Kitchener, 9th Waterloo, 14th Waterloo, 21st Waterloo, Scouter Phil from 1st Waterloo, and by coincidence on the trail, 30th Kitchener. The weather was great. 11th Kitchener and 14th Waterloo camped over on Friday and were joined by 43rd Kitchener and 9th Waterloo on Saturday night.
The hike started at Camp Manitou where we proceeded to the Crawford Lake Conservation Area. We had the opportunity to practice group road crossings under real conditions particularly on the Guelph Line. At Crawford Lake we observed a scientific crew who were taking core samples from the lake bottom. Scouter Rob MacDonald related how the nearby Indian settlement had been found because of corn pollen found in the sediments which indicted that this crop was being grown nearby.
From Crawford Lake the groups proceeded to the edge of the Escarpment where we stopped for lunch. We then proceeded to Rattlesnake Point. Scouter Phil led the Scouts on a caving experience where we went down a steep opening. Some of the Scouts were able to ascend by using a three point technique demonstrated by Scouter Phil.
The pot luck supper on Saturday night was the best ever. Each troop presented a different dish, we had an excellent meal that included a cake for desert. Afterwards the youth played a wide game and then we had a rollicking campfire with songs, jokes, stories and skits.
Rob will make the booking at the camp. All Scouters should let him know if their troop will be attending and how many people are expected.
The route from Manitou Scout Camp to Mount Nemo Scout Camp is 14.5 km or 16.0 km. If hiked in this direction, the potential savings of 1.5 km happens near the end. A rough section of the trail is substituted with a gravel road. This might be welcome to Scouts for whom the hike is challenging. Scouters had a preference for the Mount Nemo route. Ted will see about making a booking.
It was suggested that the Club consider a Leadership Hike, which would involve leaders in a learning/teaching capacity.
The group discussed having a Breakfast Competition on Sunday morning. Liam described such an activity. Each patrol would host a Scouter from another troop. The Scouter would have breakfast then offer a "restaurant review" at the closing horseshoe, awarding between three and five stars for the meal, considering taste and presentation.
The group generally agreed on the Elora route. Dean will investigate camping.
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.
Troops will either camp over Friday night at camp Barber or arrive there Saturday morning for camp opening at 09:00. Departure for the hike will be at 09:30. Scouter Ted will be making copies of the map for use by the Scouts. They should bring a large zip-lock bag for their map and a compass.
Camp at Blue Springs will be in the Swallow's Nest area. There will be a pot luck dinner on the Saturday Night. Program on Sunday is up to each troop. Scouter Ted has booked the Swallow's Nest Pavilion. The $55 cost for the pavilion will be divided among the participants. Participants should let Scouter Ted know how many people will be participating from their troop and whether they plan to arrive Friday night or Saturday morning. Troops should budget about $11 per person for camping fees (fees vary with the number of campers).
11th Kitchener (4 Scouts; 2 Scouters) and 17th Cambridge (14 Scouts; 2 Ventures; 2 Scouters) participated. The two troops met at Montsburg Conservation Area at 09:00 on Saturday and set up camp. They then went to Hilton Falls and hiked out to the falls where they had lunch. Cooking was done over a fire in the campfire circle provided at the falls. Dinner was potluck. The 11th made a tinfoil dinner while the 17th made rice and a stew. There was a wide game and campfire after dark. It was a late night. Sunday morning the groups took part in the activities of the conservation area. The 11th Kitchener stayed to see the Birds of Prey exhibit.
It was a good camp as it included a minimum 8 km hike, wildlife observation, and things to do at the conservation area. November 21-23, 2003 was tentatively set for a similar hike next year.
The Club's first fall hike was met with warm, sunny weather. Nineteen Scouts and six Scouters representing four troops participated. 11th Kitchener Scout Troop and 5th Waterloo Scout Troop camped overnight at Rattlesnake Point and were joined by the 14th Waterloo Scout Troop and 25th Kitchener Scout Troop on Saturday morning. The 14th also had their Cubs present for a day hike. The troops hiked to Crawford Lake, arriving shortly after noon. Lunch was prepared by the lake. Shortly after 13:00 the troops left for Camp Manitou, arriving about 15:30. Pot luck supper was prepared. It was a feast featuring two chilies, meatballs and tortellini, and beef steakette with onion and potato done as tinfoil dinners. An informal campfire was prepared by the 5th Waterloo. Everyone was tired and got an early night. On Sunday each troop had its own program. There was a Scouter's 5 and flag lowering at 10:00.
Holding the hike as a Club event allowed troops to attend with only one Scouter, who would otherwise be unable to shuttle the vehicles. It might have been better at the end of the hike to have one Scouter supervise cave exploring while the shuttle was taking place rather than have the Scouts hang around in the parking lot. A similar hike was tentatively scheduled for November 22-24, 2002.
Scouters confirmed their plans for a Bruce Trail hike made at the previous meeting. The Ice Breaker will be used to find out who is planning on attending the hike. Ben will contact Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area. Ted will book Camp Manitou. Tony will arrange for copies of the map.
Scouters examined Bruce Trail maps provided by Liam and discussed several possible routes in the Milton area. The Club decided to go with a 9 km route which starts at Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area. Troops may camp overnight on Friday there or come down on Saturday. The hike will start at 09:00 on Saturday. The routes goes past a number of caves, following the Bruce Trail South to Camp Manitou where the Club will camp overnight ($6 per person; $75 deposit). Troops may also choose to hike a longer route if they desire. There will be a pot-luck banquet, wide game, and campfire that evening. Sunday morning at 09:00, there will be a Scouts' Own. Troops will plan their own programs for the rest of the day.
The Club set the date of the lightweight hike to be November 16-18, 2001. This is a full weekend hike where Scouts will carry all their gear with them. Several possible routes, all on the Bruce Trail near Milton (Bruce Trail map #11) were discussed: Camp Manitou to Mount Nemo Scout Reserve, Camp Manitou to Kelso Conservation Area, and the Hilton Falls side trail. The hike could start at Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area.
The Club decided to run a lightweight hike on November 2-4 or 16-18, 2001 (the earlier date will be used unless the Atironta Region Camporama is held after October 15). Scouts would carry all their gear with them. Several possible routes, all on the Bruce Trail near Highway 401 (Bruce Trail map #11) were discussed: Camp Manitou to Mt. Nemo Scout Reserve, Camp Manitou to Kelso, and the Hilton Falls side trail. The hike could start at Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area.
