VOYAGEUR VISION, March 2003
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GREETINGS! Please copy and share this e-newsletter with
members in your group! The e-newsletter will update you on the latest news
about Scouts Canada and inform you of upcoming events. It is sent to all
registered members, mid-month, who have provided us with an e-mail
address. If you are aware of someone who is not receiving this and would
like to, please provide us with their e-mail address for the next distribution.
“Spring has sprung, the grass is riz, look at all the birdies there is!”
I don’t know if you have ever heard this before, but it is something my family always said, almost sung as the first warm winds of spring hit our faces. It was and actually still is, an indication of the warm breezes also hitting our hearts after a long often cold, dark winter.
Spring brings with it a theme of renewal, rebirth and new energy. Mother Nature provides signs of this theme all around us. Many religious celebrations focus on this theme during March and April. I wish to challenge all of us, as Scouting members to embrace the theme of renewal and rebirth in our programs and in our personal spirit. There is a familiar Disney song with a line that tells us to “accentuate the positive”.
That is my challenge to us all. For the next two months highlight the positives in our Scouting and indeed our daily lives. Challenge our youth to do a kind act such as bringing in food items one night as dues to donate to the local Food Cupboard. Or create spring table centerpieces for your local Senior Citizens home. Reach out to your larger community family. Educate our youth about their Scouting family too. Bring in a map of the world and have the youth place dots on all the countries that belong to the World Organization Scouting Movement. Search the web and find out how many youth and adults belong to our world Scouting family. Contact another Group within Scouts Canada and start a dialog between the youth. We are members of a larger global family and I feel it is important for us all not only to remember this, but also to educate our youth in this area. Perhaps it is even more important, during these times of conflict, for us to concentrate on positives and realize that we are part of the support system of a global youth movement.
I leave you with these words from Rose Kennedy for your thought processing: “A real family happens when each one in it knows that he or she is part of something greater and more important than just themselves.”
Marilyn Johnson, your Council Commissioner
* Outdoor Activity Guide has been updated effective February 2003. Changes have been noted with a double vertical line in the margins, next to the appropriate text. Of note is activities such as tours, visits and fundraisers are included in category 1, along with regular weekly meetings. Appropriate youth-leader ratios are included in appendix K. Please note that this document supercedes BP&P with relation to ratios. The updated FEBRUARY 2003 Camping/Outdoor Activity Guide is now available on the web site at http://www.scouts.ca/inside.asp?cmPageID=139 .
* Appendix K: Procedures for Screening of Adult Volunteers has been updated in response to concerns expressed by members around a few specific activities such as parents accompanying their child to activities. Also to note is the clarification that Rovers, who are not registered as leaders in junior sections, but are volunteering at activities as resource persons must be screened accordingly. Ratios for youth-leader are set at 5-1 for Colony, and Junior ScoutsAbout programs; at 6-1 for Pack, Troop and Senior ScoutsAbout programs. Lastly please note the inclusion of SITs who have completed their Basic Objectives in the ratio count for youth-leader ratios.
* Volunteer Passport: This is a tool for leaders to track their experience, track courses taken and to record their progress as they work through the Basic and Advanced Learning Objectives.
* The full Outdoor Activity Guide, Appendix K, and the Volunteer Passport may be found on the Scouts Canada web site at www.scouts.ca. Paper copies have been provided to your Area Commissioner.
* What's New on the National Web Site? Go to this link http://www.scouts.ca/inside.asp?cmPageID=74 for more information on: NEW - Investing Crest - Information for Leaders; NEW - Passport for Adult Volunteers; ARTICLE: Program Changes: Leadership and Transportation.
* The 2003 Camp Opemikon Summer Camp Brochures have been mailed to last year's campers.
* The Silver Acorn was recently presented to Scouter Ewan Evans for "especially distinguished service to Scouting". Ewan has been an active member for over 28 years. Ewan's dedication and outstanding leadership at the regional and provincial levels.
* The Silver Acorn was also recently presented to Scouter Richard Williams for "especially distinguished service to Scouting". Dick has been an active member for over 28 years. Dick is an outstanding administrator whose initiative and enthusiastic leadership have benefited Scouting both in the Region and in the Province.
* The Regional Youth Award was presented to Activity
Leader Michael Bell (104th Ottawa Group-Heritage) and the following youth from
the Voyageur Region Service Corps Group:
Christine Organ (HE)
Allison
MacAlister (HE)
Renee Guilmain (HE)
Darren Bird (HE)
Michael Turner
(HE)
Kristopher Kurs (NE)
Patrick Carter (NE)
Sean Edens
Michael
Edens
* On Sunday, Feb 16, John Gould (1st Gloucester) was presented with an award for service to youth at the Bethany United Church parade.
* The Golden Jubilee Medal was presented to Scouter Al Page, Partner Liason to the 1st Greely Scout Group, at ceremonies held Jan 18th at the Ottawa Congress Centre, by local MPP's. He was cited for his involvement in community youth groups, including 40 years as an adult scouter, his work as Canada's Premier mall Santa, and his 15 years as a member of the Lions Service Clubs.
We are aware that there are other Scouters who are
recipients of the Golden Jubilee Medal and we look forward in extending our
congratulations once we are notified.
Scouts Canada has introduced an exciting new direction for our uniform in our older sections (Scouts, Venturers and Rovers). This new direction will allow each youth member to choose from a number of uniform options for wear during both Program Activities and Formal Activities.
The new Program Activity uniform consists of a Scout t-shirt (orange, grey or green), Bring on the Adventure Fleece Vest (green), Necker, and blue or tan pants. This new uniform is practical and comfortable for activities and is easy to take care of. Best of all, it is attractive and stylish.
For Formal Activities, such as major award ceremonies and Remembrance Day ceremonies, our older youth can choose to wear either the tan shirt we have today, or a new white shirt and tie option.
Check out the new uniform options now on display at the Scout Shop or at http://www.scouts.ca/scouts.asp?cmPageID=167
Our Discussion Groups provide you with an opportunity to share ideas with other leaders in Scouting. This allows you to add to the experience of your own Area Scouters Clubs by learning what others are doing through-out the Council.
We have modified the mail delivery settings so that new members receive ONE Daily Digest of any postings, rather than individual emails. You can also change your preferences so that you receive NO emails, but can view them through the Smartgroups website.
Our "voyageurgroups" Discussion Group is for discussing Scouting topics of interest to Groups and Group Committees. You are invited to subscribe to our other Discussion Groups which are focused on the different program sections:
VoyageurBeavers - for Beaver leaders
voyageurcubs
- for Cub leaders
voyageurscouts - for Scout leaders
voyageurventurers -
for Venturer advisors
voyageurrovers - for Rover advisors and Rovers
In addition to promoting interaction among our leaders, the associated Discussion Group website also contains a wealth of information which complements our main website www.voyageur.scouts.ca
You can read the following recent postings:
Beavers - Program Tip # 395 Leprechaun Footsteps Game, Camping/Outdoor
Activity Guide update
Cubs - Program Tip # 396 Wake Up Garden Activity,
Camping/Outdoor Activity Guide update
Scouts - Summary of Heritage Area's
Klondike Derby and Rideau Area's Bridge Building Contest. Both summaries
include complete rules and guidelines for running a similar event. Plus
Program Tip # 394 Decode this Cipher Activity, Camping/Outdoor Activity Guide
update
Venturers - Program Tip # 394 Decode this Cipher Activity,
Camping/Outdoor Activity Guide update
Rovers - Program Tip # 394 Decode this
Cipher Activity, Camping/Outdoor Activity Guide update
In addition, all
groups received copies of the Voyageur Spirit articles celebrating the Scouting
events which took place during Scout-Guide week.
On the Groups page, you can look at our photo album which contains a picture from Heritage Area's B.P. Campfire on Parliament Hill.
Through the Discussion Group website, you can also participate in our current vote - "Vote for your Favourite Scout Camp in Voyageur Council". We all love to camp and this is your opportunity to vote for your favourite campsite. The vote is open until March 31st - here are the results thus far.
Apple Hill - 6
Folly - 0
Fort Pine - 1
Ledgewade - 0
Opemikon - 8
Oskenonton - 0
Otter Lake (Ontario) -
2
Otter Lake (Quebec) - 0
Rock Dunder - 0
Sheldrick - 0
Traill -
0
Whispering Pines - 1
Some of the comments posted are:-
- "My scouting
youth years were in Kingston, and I had many happy week-long summer camps at
Otter Lake [Ontario]- great leaders and good friends" ...Iain Holness
- "I
have some strong memories from Opemikon - my first camp in the middle of winter,
taking on Red Pack as a total neophyte, Woodbadge II courses. It will
always hold a special place in my heart." ... Mark Milan
To subscribe to any of our Discussion Groups, send an email to "communications@voyageur.scouts.ca" with the subject line "Subscribe (name of group)"
Yours in Scouting, David Wray, Communications &
Public Relations, communications@voyageur.scouts.ca
You are warmly invited to attend the National
Scouts Canada Foundation Salute Award honouring Grete Hale.
Wednesday April
30, 2003
5:30 -7:30 p.m. a reception
The Government Conference Centre, 2
Rideau Street Ottawa
Tickets are $55 per person $100 per couple. Business Attire or Scout Uniform
Contact Julie Breuer at the Foundation
jbreuer@scouts.ca tel 613-224-5131 fax
613-224-3571
RSVP before April 23, 2003
About our 2003 Salute Award Recipient: Grete Hale is Chair of the Board of Morrison Lamothe Inc., an independent family owned Canadian food processor. A list of Grete’s past and present involvement as a Director or Adviser includes most community important institutions ranging from hospitals and educational institutions through the organizations for youth and the arts. Her compassion and caring extends even beyond our borders to projects in Uganda. Grete has been recognized by many organizations for her outstanding service and lifelong dedication to helping others. The Scouts Canada Foundation is honoured to include Grete Hale in the company of previous Salute Award recipients including Rabbi Dr. Reuven Bulka, Toronto Lawyer Eddie Goodman, the late Senator Hartland de Montarville Molson of Montreal and Atlantic entrepreneur John Risley.
Funds from this event support Scouting in
Voyageur Council and Foundation
programs across Canada.
Sponsored by the Ottawa Citizen and Dollco Printing.
Your Group Support team is hard at work at the Council and in the Areas, smoothing out the path of the critical role of administration that Group Committees perform in their support of our Program partners and youth.
Currently underway within the DCC-DAC team: an examination of the new Membership Management System to help work out the bugs for next year; a relook at the Sponsor rechartering process; an examination of some of the roles within the Group Committee structure, including the registrar, the secretary, and the Group Committee Chair/Group Scouter relationship; and the updating of a Group Committee Handbook.
We are working with the Program team to develop group/section servicing models and packages, so our visits are productive and positive. The team will meet at the March 22nd Council meeting.
Don’t know who your DAC for Group Support is? Find out!! They are your best source for information on the administration of the groups.
If you have any questions about the functions and roles of your Group Committee, your Area’s DAC- Group Support or the Council DCC- Group Support, please send your query to: dcc-groups@voyageur.scouts.ca
Yours in Scouting, Doug Hall, Deputy Council
Commissioner for Group Services at dcc-groups@voyageur.scouts.ca
Thanks to: The 7th BP (Bytown) Guild for their generous donation of $2,000 towards the purchase of new canoes, Don Scott for his donation of a washer and dryer and Monty Clayton for his donation of hardware for the new propane stove Also to the following volunteers for their contribution to the dishpit and kitchen renovations Dave Humphrys, Adam Taylor, Mark Taylor, Andrew Bell, Sandra Beauregard, Chris Bartraw, Jeff Kent, Amanda Hagman, Tim Pitlick, Karyn Humenyk, Nick Frauly, Greg Danson, Mike Hayward, Philip Gazale, Derrick Bowes, Tim Taylor, Claire Taylor, Darrell Bartraw, Cindy Bartraw, Dave Humenyk, Monty Clayton and Alex Gazale.
Did you know? The OPE Rover Crew has been serving OPE since 1959. These are the hard-working people who provide the excellent meals at camp. Like all of us, they are volunteers; so don’t forget to say “thanks” to them before you leave camp!
Camp Crests: Opemikon crests are now for sale at camp. They make a perfect souvenir of your weekend at OPE and look GREAT on campfire blankets! Just ask the Warden for as many as you want – they are only $2 each!
Contact us! Questions/comments/suggestions? Contact
either Darrell (825-8886) or Tim (819) 561-1613, or send the Group Committee an
email at opegroupcommittee@voyageur.scouts.ca
The Guild’s weekly catering service for National and Council staff will end for the season on the Wednesday prior to Easter. Weather permitting, we will wind up with a barbecue with both catering teams participating. Thanks to our faithful clientele we enjoyed another profitable season which enables us to continue donating funds to Camp Opemikon for the purchase of youth program equipment.
The Guild has donated 200 pounds sterling to the Brownsea Island Experimental Camp Centenary Fund. Brownsea Island is the birthplace of world Scouting and Guiding. The island is located at Poole in Dorset, England, and is now owned and managed by The National Trust. The funding campaign is aimed at achieving three main objectives by 2007: 1) To build a new environmentally friendly Camp Centre; 2) To plant additional trees around the camp site; and 3) To help combat natural erosion of the water frontage.
The next regular business meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 28, at 7:30 pm and will require the wearing of formal uniforms to mark the investiture of two new members, Keith Armstrong and John Lockie.
The Guild recently lost two members who have “gone home.” They are Trevor O’Brien and Bob Croft who, together, donated nearly 100 years service to Scouting. They were both members of our catering team.
The season-ending Annual General Meeting will take place at 6 pm Monday, May 26, at Robbies Restaurant on St. Laurent Boulevard.
Scouters and Guiders, active or retired, are welcome
to join our Guild. Contact Norm Pascoe, Guild Master, at (613)
745-1188 or e-mail normpascoe@hotmail.com
The organizing committee of the Eastern Ontario
Gilwell Reunion 2003 are trying to update the list of Scouters who have achieved
the WB II level of training. We would like to send out information and
registration forms for this year’s reunion, but without correct addresses, many
of the mailings will not reach the intended recipients. Please email me
at melanie.lambert@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
with your name, address, section, area and phone number. Thanks, Jeff
Lambert, 2003 EOGR Chair
BRAND NAMES FOR LESS!
At the Scout Shop we have a
philosophy, you wouldn’t buy a car without test driving it, so why buy a tent
without seeing it? That is why we have a 5,000-sq. ft. tent room for you
and your family to walk through and explore. Combine this with our educated
staff, who will be happy to answer all your outdoor questions, and our lifetime
tent warranties you’ll be sure to find exactly what you’re looking for.
The store currently has over six hundred tents in stock at very competitive
pricing. We will not be undersold!
For all you pound counters out there, lighten up! Eureka introduces the Zeus 2EXO tent. This two-man tent weighing in at 3 lbs. was designed to be the most spacious tent for the least amount of weight. The Zeus offers a roomy 5’ x 7’ x 4’ sleeping area thanks to its unique exoskeleton frame and its super-tough gated carabineers. With its large vestibule, patented high-low ventilation system, and a set-up time of less than three minutes the Zeus system provides maximum weather protection. Scouts Canada offers you this fantastic tent at $199.99, regular in-store price $215.00, and until the end of the April’03 with purchase you’ll get a $15.00 store credit to spend on a new sleeping bag* or backpack* (*some restrictions apply—see store for details).
Our Coleman deal for this month is the Coleman thermo-electric cooler. This cooler keeps your food hot or cold by simply plugging it into your car’s 12-volt car plug. No ice, no mess. There is even a separate adapter available so you can plug it in at home. This 40-quart cooler at a sale price of $79.99 is the next best thing to taking your refrigerator on the road. (Hurry in quantities are limited!)
A Final Note:
With summer fast approaching and
several jamborees this year, Scouts Canada wants to remind you we offers bulk
discounts on tents (quantities of three or more).
Store Hours: Monday to Thursday 9-6pm / Friday 9-8pm / Saturday 9-5pm / Sunday 11-4pm.
Thank you for your past, present, and future support,
Yours in Scouting, Ian Thomas, National Advertising
Coordinator scoutshop@scouts.ca Tel:
613-224-0139 Fax: 613-224-3571
OFFICE HOURS: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
OFFICE CLOSED: Friday April 18 and Monday April 21
Questions? Comments or concerns about this
e-newsletter? We welcome constructive feedback! Please e-mail us at
office@voyageur.scouts.ca
Thank
you.
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