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.
Phil Dick, 1st Maryhill, enquired if any groups are interested in canoe training.
1st Elmira went to Conestoga sailing club for a weekend last year. For a fee the club provided sailing instructors and small sailboats for the weekend. Please contact Jim if you have any questions.
Scouter Ted has a set of leather working tools. Troops looking to borrow them should contact him.
John Mathers asked if the Club would consider acquiring GPS units that groups could sign out. They could be kept at the Scout Shop. He suggested that troops chip in some money to acquire them. Ken Coyle knows the name of someone with units who may attend your meeting for a training/usage session etc. Liam suggested contacting 21st Waterloo's Akela, Mike Onotsky, who is a qualified GPS instructor and has access to a set of units.
The group shared their Troop's summer camp experiences.
Mention was made of an opportunity provided by the Waterloo legion. Each October, they organize a youth Remembrance Night with veterans.
The Pentagon topic for the next meeting will be Winter Camping Tips.
Scouter Ted is looking for Scouts who would be interested in carrying flags at the opening of the Multicultural Festival on Saturday, June 24, 2006. He is also looking for volunteers to staff the Scouts Canada display.
Scouters briefly discussed some opportunities for raising the profile of Scouting. 10th Waterloo Scout Group will be running a display at the University of Waterloo Canada Day Celebrations. The Waterloo Busker Festival is the third weekend in August. There is room for Scouting to setup some sort of activity. Lloyd is involved with this. Lloyd also suggested participating in the Waterloo Ice Dogs Festival in the winter, perhaps by doing a winter camping demonstration and sleep-over.
Scouters discussed mini-pioneering projects that Scouts can build during weekly meetings, even inside. Ted and Liam had both brought some pioneering supplies. It was decided to build some of these projects at a meeting in the fall.
After playing the above games, Scouters discussed some more:
Scouter Ted is looking for Scouts who would be interested in carrying flags at the opening of the Multicultural Festival on Saturday, June 25, 2005. He is also volunteers to staff the Scouts Canada display.
Prior to going biking, troops should hold bike repair night. Scouts should bring their (name-labelled) tools to tune-up their bikes. Most bikes will have seats that are far too low for efficient riding. Many will have breaks and gears that need adjustment. Most young Scouts will not know how to use their gears and must be specifically taught. Scouts need to learn how to properly adjust a bike helmet. These are often worn incorrectly. In particular, straps are often too loose and not fitted correctly. Scouts should learn about basic field repairs, such as a flat tire.
Bike panniers are very nice to have as wearing a backpack is not very comfortable while biking. They are expensive and are not needed for a day trip when one need only bring a lunch and a few other items. Be careful with cheap panniers: Some designs tend to get caught in the wheel. Mountain Equipment Co-op sells some excellent panniers and various prices.
The 21st Waterloo Scouts have taken bike routes: Niagara River, Welland Canal, Cambridge to Hamilton camping at Brant Conservation Area, and Elora Gorge to Belwood Lake. Please contact Scouter Liam if you have any questions or would like assistance planning a troop bike trip.
Scouters mentioned that Braun's Bicycle & Fitness will visit Scout meetings to talk about bike repair. The police will visit to talk about safety.
It was suggested that it would be helpful to construct a list of Scouters and other willing and able to assist with different areas of the program.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
11th Kitchener will be going to Elora Gorge on May 11-13, 2003. From there they will do a cycle route to Fergus by way of the Rail Trail. Contact Scouter Ted Claxton.
The Club discussed various events and places to go.
There is a Conservation Camp at Blue Springs in April. Cost is $25 per Scout and includes materials and supper on Saturday. Program includes work toward the World Conservation Badge.
Rock Climbing is available at Mount Nemo through Burlington district. Troops that link up with a Hamilton group can camp at the Mt. Nemo Scout Camp for free. It is a short drive or walk to the climbing area.
25th Kitchener is having a Survival camp at Camp Heidleburg in middle of April and invited others to join them.
11th Kitchener is planning a bike hike, possibility in the Niagara area, on May 9-11, 2003.
Greater Toronto Council offers a three-session Bushcraft course on February 21-23, 2003, May 9-11, and October 3-5. Cost is $150.
Pierre described a winter camping opportunity in New York, near the Pennsylvania border. Contact him for details.
Canoeing possibilities were discussed. South Waterloo has canoes available for $25 each per weekend. West Montrose to Bridgeport (or Camp Mohawk) takes 3-4 hours. Winterbourne to Bridgeport is 2-3 hours. Trips are also possible on the Saugeen, Hanover and Paisley, Camping at Saugeen Bluffs Conservation Area. (See the report on last year's trip.)
Liam did a slide presentation about their trip to Gilwell Park, Brownsea Island, and Kandersteg International Scout Centre. Gilwell Park is a beautiful and historic campsite close to London and accessible via British Rail. One could stay there while visiting London. Brownsea Island is in Poole Harbour on the south coast of England. It is now a National Trust site (like a national park) and is accessible by ferry. Scouts may camp there. Kandersteg International Scout Centre is an international gathering place for Scouts, the Permanent Mini-Jamboree, located 65 km south of Bern in Switzerland. The centre is open year-round. In the summer, there will be 1200 Scouts from around the world there at any one time. The program is based on the themes of international friendship, the environment, and alpine high adventure. In the winter, Scouts come to the centre for skiing and other winter activities. Members of Scouting aged 18 or older can be part of the volunteer staff. Short-term staff come for three months and receive a travel subsidy of half their travel costs, room and board, and a day off a week to hike or explore Switzerland. It is a fantastic international Scouting experience.
Each Scouter spoke about something they would be willing to share with other Scouters or troops.
Ted is a lawyer and can speak to troops to complete parts of the citizenship badge. Ted is also an expert shouter. Ted can teach your Scouts how to be heard in emergencies.
Pierre has experience with knots, canoeing, pioneering (construction with ropes and poles), and graphic design.
Pierre also noted that Nick Ebner has hiked the Bruce Trail from end-to-end several times and is an expert in backpacking.
Tony would like to help troops develop their Court of Honour to involve the Scouts in program planning.
Ken keeps bees and would also be interested in sharing general Scouting skills.
Mark can help with the computer badge.
Lloyd is a metal worker by trade and would be happy to help with any construction projects. Lloyd also holds the Certified Professional Scrounger (CPS) designation, the mark of a person who can get a hold of anything for cheap.
Jay knows how to silk screen tee-shirts.
Ben is a brick and stone mason by trade and has skills in drafting, CAD, and computers, and engineering. Ben is also knowledge about civics.
Don has computers and simulation skills as well as canoeing experience in Algonquin Park.
Steve is an accountant and may be able to arrange a tour of an automated welding facility. Steve also has skills in fishing, hunting, and trapping.
Al was a member of Waterloo Regional Police and can help with knots, campfires, hunting, and fishing.
Liam can teach any Scout troop to do their own menu planning, shopping, cooking, and cleaning at camp. Giving this responsibility to the Scouts is easier on the Scouters and allows the Scouts to learn valuable skills.
Ken and Tony offered to run a Scoutcraft I & II course for interested Scouters.
It was suggested that troops hold some meetings together and that Scouters visit each other at meetings to help in the further sharing of knowledge and ideas.
Lloyd announced that their troop will have a movie night on March 9, 17:00/22:00 at First United Church, Waterloo. The cost is $2. There will be door prizes. Pizza, popcorn, and drinks will be sold.
The Pentagon was a round table sharing of ideas.
Ted noted email discussion with Liam about the five sections and the shape of the Chief Scouts Award (pentagonal). Everyone agreed that this observation should be added to the "Lore of the Pentagon". New Club attendees should be told that it took a committee months to come up with the name. Only after they are thoroughly convinced of this will they be told the real reason: that at the first ever Club meeting there were five tables that just happened to form a pentagon.
Scouters mentioned some ideas for summer camps. Ben noted that Great Lakes Jambo 2002 is July 6-14. Pierre noted the canoeing option at Haliburton Scout Reserve proposed by Brian Robertson (information in NWD's Scouting News, November/December 2001). JamBec 2002 is July 14-20 at Camp Tamaracouta. Ted suggested that since the Canadian Jamborees have been cancelled, the Club could look at other possibilities for as a long term objective.
Tony P suggested setting up a skills profile listing. Scouters could list the three things they are best at and would be willing to share with others. The list could also include outside resource people.
Hung asked about the role of the Club and its relation to other sections. A discussion of linking activities followed. Others suggested that there should be a Pentagon devoted to linking. A linking camp was suggested. Ben thought that the Club should be section-oriented but if other sections got started they could be invited for a linking night.
Ted G would like to join in with other troops as they have only five Scouts. Ted's troop would like to visit another or have another troop visit them, perhaps for a floor hockey or dodge ball tournament on a Saturday.
Pierre noted that Scouts do not keep up on their knots. In their troop, each Scout receives a small piece of rope to bring to the meeting as part of the uniform. At the inspection they have to tie one knot. Others noted the difficulty of getting the Scouts to work on their knots and suggested working on only one or two knots at a time and spending no more than 10-15 minutes on it at any one time.
Ken suggested that troops get together for special events outside of meeting night such as going to special places or having events with just one other troop. Tony S suggested having a Pentagon for Scouters to share events that they have done in the past. Various Scouters contributed ideas such as the Warplane museum in Mount Hope (Hamilton), the London Air Show, Fort York in Toronto, an Ontario Science Centre sleep over, and visiting Euclid Trucks with Scouter Paul Frieburger. Locally, there is Canada Cordage, City Hall, and others.
Tony S noted that short-term planning was often lacking. "What are we doing tonight?" is too often the question. He suggested a timed schedule for each meeting. A duty patrol could assist planning it. Ben said that they now use the name Honour patrol, as this has a more positive spin to it. Hung suggested that Duty Patrol is good, as the name pointed to doing ones "Duty". Sometimes there is no "Honour" in doing the duty.
Tony P said that in suggesting activities, the Scouts should be asked to think of things taking into account safety, fun, and learning. Each of these objectives should be considered by them when putting forward program ideas. He has a system of rewards for points. A scout gets a point for cooking the meal, washing up, getting the fire wood, bringing the water, leading the opening, etc. The Scouts agree on the points system. Tony P keeps an eye open for items the youth would like, such as a compass, hatchet, knife, mess kit, etc. Each item is available for a certain number of points. A scout can accumulate his points and apply them to any item of their choosing. Others made suggestions for a successful system of patrol points. The points system should operate on a short term basis, no longer than 2 months, as the Scouts may lose interest if it is a longer time. Purchase of the items for the system can be funded by group committee, by adding a small amount to camp fees, dues, or fundraising projects.
Ted noted some upcoming events. On February 2, 2002, NWD will hold an open house at NWD Scouthouse. Liam will make a presentation about Kandersteg International Scout Centre. They hope to get a troop to camp out on Friday night in the adirondack that is under construction. Their will be the tepee set up as well. If there is enough snow, a quinzhee could be built to complete the demonstration camp. The media will be invited.
Ted is looking for Scouts to form the flag party for the Multicultural Festival on the last weekend in June, 2002. NWD Camporee is May 24-26, 2002. Pierre is planning a troop ski trip.
Ben shared his experiences with three troops working together in Cambridge. Scouters agreed that the Club should be used as a forum for less experienced Scouters to learn from the more experienced.
Scouters shared ideas about retaining members. Scouters agreed that a year-round program leads to higher levels of retention. Ben uses a 13 month planning calendar to help with this. Ted spoke of the benefits of sending out letters in the summer and of the personal touch in communication with parents. Pierre and Ben feel that the use of the Patrol System is the best way of encouraging members to return.
Scouters shared several possibilities for summer camps. Greater Cleveland Ohio Council, Boy Scouts of America, has a canoe base on the French River and all neccessary equipment available. Haliburton Scout Reserve offers facilities for summer camps. The Club could coordinate a camp at HSR, prehaps giving each troop its own site on the same island, allowing for joint activities as desired. A weekend camp is held the third weekend of August each year at Alleghaney Camp, about 4 hour drive away in Pennsylvania near New York border. This could be a good "warm-up" camp. Pierre has the details.
Scouters went to the gym and shared a number of Scout games.
Border Crossing — Two border guards are tethered together and via a pulley to a rope strung above head level across the room. When one of the guards shouts "recession", the Scouts, who are along one wall of the room, must get to the other side without being caught be the border guards. If they are caught, they sit out the rest of the round. If they fail to cross in a short period of time, they starve due to the lack of jobs.
Ice Snake — This native game involves throwing a stick, such as a hockey stick, down a shallow trough in the snow. The person who throws their's the shortest distance re-throws, trying to beat the next nearest stick. If they fail, they are out. This process repeats with whichever person is furthest back. The game can also be played on the floor of a gym with light sticks, such as pain brushes.
Chair Relay — Each patrol stands in a line on a row of chairs which is just large enough for it. When the game starts, the chair at the back is passed to the front and the group moves forward towards the opposite wall. The patrol that gets there first without touching the ground wins.
Hoola-Dancing — Players stand in a circle holding hands. Two pairs of people have their arms through a hoola-hoop. The hoops must be passed around the circle in opposite directions without anyone letting go of their neighbour's hands.
Flag Relay — In this relay race, Scouts must draw a flag, such as the Canadian Flag, with a crayon. During each relay turn, a person may draw one straight line before returning to their patrol.
Mummy Wrapping — In this relay race, Scouts take turns wrapping one member of their patrol in toilet paper, starting with the feet and moving up. A Scout's turn ends when the role breaks. The next Scout starts where the last one left off.
Ted is looking for two Scouts to be part of a colour party in the afternoon of June 23.
Liam mentioned that CJ'2005 has been cancelled and no further Canadian Jamborees are planned. Scouter David Forshaw of Guelph has organised the Canadian Jamborees Petition to urge Scouts Canada to reinstate CJs on a regular basis.
Scouters briefly discussed the challenges at the 9th Waterloo Scout Troop. The current Scouters are moving to Venturers in the fall. There replacements will be new Scouters with little experience. The Club may be able to assist these Scouters by providing mentoring.
The theme for the Pentagon at the August meeting will be Linking, Retention, and Recruitment. Scouters who have been successful in these areas are asked to share what they did to create this success.
Ted spoke of the importance of being heard, particularly in emergency situations. There is a difference between shouting and screaming. Shouting is loud, clear speech that comes from the diaphragm. In emergency situations, a voice speaking with confidence will be obeyed. This plays a vital role in preventing panic and coordinating people, such as when a crowd has to leave through a narrow doorway. This is an important skill for any Scout to have. Ted suggested that troops hold a shouting competition to see how far they can make their voices carry.
The Club decided to set themes for the Pentagon in advance and brainstormed several possibilities. These include: games, knots, lashings, campfires, Scouts' Own, ceremonies, and linking. Games will be the theme for the next meeting.
Ben showed a first aid/survival kit that can be made for under $10. First aid supplies can be bought at Shoppers Home Health on Gage St. in Kitchener. Orange garbage bags appear brown at a distance while yellow ones remain visible to attract rescuers. KW Surplus has high quality surplus medical tweezers available. Black film cans off gas chemicals. Use clear ones, particularly for food. Any Zehrs with a photo centre should be able to provide these.
Fire starters can be made from egg cartons, dryer lint, and wax. Free wax may can be collected from churches or people who do catering and use candles on tables. Matches can be waterproofed by dipping their heads in wax or coating them with nail polish. Cotton balls rolled in petroleum jelly make great fire starters. These can be lit with a spark and can be stored in a film can. Ted suggested that the Club could have a scrounging corner where extra supplies, such as wax, could be left for others. Lloyd said a scrounging room might be a better fit.
Liam outlined their vision for this time of sharing. The time can be spent discussing a topic of mutual interest, hearing from one or more Scouters who had prepared ideas to share, or any other idea and experience sharing activity.
Liam led this meeting's Pentagon by showing a number of Scoutcraft projects. The first was a fondue fuel burning stove made from an apple juice can, and snack sized fruit cocktail can, and some wire. These are ideal for preparing canned ravioli or similar food, and can also be used for cooking other small meals, including frying a steak. Each Scout can have their own stove and make their own meal, for example, on a hike.
The second project was a chain for keeping track of boil bag or foil meals. It is a piece of thin chain about 50cm long with a Battery Testing Clip (Canadian Tire item #11-0221-2) on one end and a tag engraved with the Scouts' name or a design held on the other end with an S hook. Engraving can be done with a carbide vibrating engraver. Tags can be bought at Spaenaur on Victoria St. (Item #121-412: Round Blank Tag (one 1/4" hole) 1 1/4" dia x 0.32" thk. Anodised aluminium). The Club could coordinate a bulk order as this brings the cost down significantly. A Scouter (sorry, we neglected to record who) mentioned that they may be able to get such tags donated from a locksmith.
The third project was a really cheap source of woggles. Take a old racing bike inner tube (UW Bike Centre always has a pile) and cut it into pieces about 2.5cm long. Turn inside out. The result is a plain black woggle that does not slide off during games. Ben shared that a drop of silicon caulking on the inside of a cloth woggle will prevent these from sliding off.
[Pierre suggested after the meeting that the Club run a Patrol Leaders' workshop in the spring.]
