Venturer Advisors’ Forum - Voyageur Council

Notes of Meeting – Feb 2, 2010

National Boardroom - Scout Headquarters

 

 

 

Al McPhee

1st Greely

Jocelyn Robinson

7th Kanata/VAF Secr

Alan Griffin

112th Nepean

Mary Hagerman

1st Osgoode

Allan Yates

1st Merrickville

Michelle Aufie

Valley Highlands

Bill Bowman

1st Nepean

Mike Harris

Rideau Rover Crew

Brett Budge

25th Nepean

Nick Wise

Rideau Rov/DCC Train

Brian McAuley

7th Prescott

Neal Rice

Nepean Area/CYC

Bruce Murton

14th Gloucester

Nigel Ward

1st Kanata

Cal Clupp

2nd Gatineau

Patrick Megan

1st Wakefield

Chris Tyler

1st Manotick

Phil Edens

123rd Ottawa

Christiaan Burchell

1st Nepean

Randy Miller

2nd Russel

Christopher Provost

112th Nepean

Ray McKenzie

7th Prescott

Cyndy Courtland

Carleton Place

Scott Burry

1st Kanata

David Laramee

2nd Russell

Scott Stanley

1st Stittsville

Don Stalker

Nepean Rover Crew

Stephen  Smye

1st Wakefield

Doug MacKinnon

112th Nepean

Stewart Ross

DCC Recognition

Doug Proud

1st Greenwood

Therese Desjardins

137th Ottawa YES

Ernest Koshman

Nepean Rover Crew

Tim Redpath

1st Stittsville

Greg McGinnis

2nd Russell

Timothy Taylor

123rd Ottawa

Jim Smith

27th Nepean

Wally Gale

14th Glster/VAFchair

John Stalker

Valley Highlands/AC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opening Remarks

 

Wally noted that the sign-in sheet for this meeting contained an additional column for attendees to indicate their best estimate of the number of youth in their company/crew that are registered in the Duke of Ed Program (result: 65-68 registered).  He will attend a meeting next week organized by the local Duke of Ed office with a view towards expanding the program.

He also acknowledged that the meeting had a reasonably challenging agenda that would again predicate brevity in any discussions.

 

Upcoming Events

 

Winter Mountaineering Adventure (February – 4 weekends) - Report by Allan Yates

212 in total applied but after restricting participation and including a last minute cancellation, 172 people signed up to go – totally full.  47 will attend the weekend of Feb 5-7.  Allan will look for feedback after the 1st weekend for the Keene Hostel and the Brookside Motor Inn.  These are two facilities we have not used in the past - critical to provide for the increased participation.

 

LaserQuest Lockdown (March 6-7) – Report by Mike Harris

Feb 2 was the deadline to reapply, for those who were on the waiting list and unable to participate in the previous LQ event. The door is now open everyone who did not participate in the previous LQ event. On March 2 (next VAF meeting), registration will be open to everyone, if any room is left.  This system was set up to ensure equitable access to this popular event after the December event was unable to accommodate people on the waiting list.

 

OPE work weekend (April 23-25th) – Report by Tim Taylor
There are now 11 groups representing 120 registered so far, with lots of room still available and lots of work to be done.  Information is available online on the VAF website.  While registration information still goes to Tim, the Voyageur office is handling all payments and the $10/person cost can be paid by credit card directly over the telephone (with no additional charges).

Whitewater 1 Pretraining(April 25) - Report by Adam Taylor

This training is a pre-requisite for the Whitewater 1 course.  It is scheduled for Sunday of the Ope Work Weekend from 10:30am to 3:00pm. Participants are advised to dress appropriately for the weather and be prepared for rain or snow.  The afternoon practical session will take place on the water.  The $3.50 cost covers lunch for those not participating in the Work Weekend.  Registration is now open through a simple form on the VAF website or online at http://tinyurl.com/yd3ywc2.  Adam Taylor is organizing this event, including the on-the-water session and Tom Miller will deliver the indoor information presentation.  Volunteer instructors for the on-the-water session are required and should contact Adam or use the online volunteer form available on the VAF web site under “Announcements”.

 

RSVP (April 30 – May 2) - Report by Neil Rice

Enrollment is now open – limited to 120 youth.  Among the activities will be High Ropes, Orienteering and Archery.  The cost is $15 per participant, $10 for offer of service.  Registration forms can be found on the VAF website or in the Youth Network area of the Council website.  This is a linking event, with senior Scouts invited to participate with their Venturer Company. Pathfinders can also participate.

 

Whitewater 1, 2, 3, Kayak 1&2 – Report by Michael Wall, Bill Bowman & Stephen Smye

Registration is now open and details are available on the VAF website. Payment is through the Council office (cheque or credit card).  

As in the past, there are 2 Weekends:

May 28-30 – WW1 (introduction to canoe whitewater, also linking event for senior Scouts)

-          WW3 (ORCA 1A/1B moving water certification for tandem or solo canoe)

Training by Bear Creek instructors is located on the Petawawa River near Petawawa, camping on the forces’ Base.

June 4-6 – WW2 (advanced whitewater canoe, includes river day trip, pre-requisite WW1)

-         Mini WW1 (to facilitate group logistics where the previous weekend doesn’t work)

-         WWKayak1 (introduction, pre-requisite WW1)

-         WWKayak2 (advanced Kayak) Madawaska River, Canoe 1&2, Kayak 1&2

Training by Paddlers Coop takes place on the Madawaska River at/near Palmer Rapids

 

 

 

 

 

Reports

 

Service Corps Lost Children Services @ Winterlude – Report by Wally on behalf of Perry Schippers

The weekends of Feb 6/7 and 13/14 are cancelled for this volunteer service for Winterlude.  However these are replaced by other requirements: Feb 5 (shift from 5-9 pm) at Majors Hill Park, Feb 15 Family Day (shift from 10am-4pm) & Feb 20-21 (shifts from 10am-2pm and 1:30pm-6pm) at the Confederation Trailer site.  The website for the 2010 Winterlude Lost Children Service is up.  For further information and to volunteer see Http://sites.google.com/site/lcswinterlude2010/.  The email to contact LCS is: lcs.winterlude@gmail.com.  This latest information was not posted at the time of the VAF meeting.

 

Joint Council  - Report by Andrew and Jen

- February event: 12 participated in the Sledding outing.  Fun was had by all

- Winter Camp (Feb. 12-14, 2010):  57 are registered and there are still more spots available but the deadline is tonight’s VAF (contact Andrew or Jen). There will be a bus going from Scout Headquarters to Camp Woolsey (just off Dunrobin Road).  The cabins have kitchen facilities with pots.

- March Event: Climbing at Coyote rock gym (off St. Laurent Blvd in the back area near MacDonalds) on Saturday, March 27, 2010 from 10am - 12pm. The cost is $18 per person and includes all climbing gear – pay at the door.  If there are 12 or more participants they will close the gym to the public for this JC event – numbers are required by March 19.  JC.exec2009@gmail.com

 

Training and Development

 

Advanced Wilderness 1st Aid Jan 16-17 – Report by Doug Proud

75% of the participants were youth.  Doug will look into running another course in the spring.

 

Wally noted that there is a proposal for next year’s budget to focus on supporting training such as this that promotes the VAF’s high adventure activities, should the VAF budget be renewed by Council this year. VAF members are asked to send their ideas to Wally or other key event organizers. 

 

Wood Badge 1 course – Report by John Stalker

Will be held March 26-27 (Friday night & Saturday) at Scout HQ.  The $5 cost can be paid at the Council office.

 

Trainer Workshop (April 17) – Report by Nick Wise

This workshop is aimed at youth and adults, whether new or on-going trainers, and will be held at Sir Robert Borden High School.  See the Council website under Training for details.

 

 

 

Other Business

 

Rovent Planning committee meeting (Feb 9) – Report by Doug MacKinnon

The Rovent 2010 planning committee will start meeting the second Tuesday of the month beginning in February - in the Buffam room at Scout HQ from 7:30 to 10 pm.  Youth and advisors are welcome to join in.  Items such as the theme and a crest competition will be discussed.  An adult volunteer to handle finances is required.  Rovent will be held Oct 15-17 2010 at Opemikon

 

Raising the Scout Flag at City hall (Feb 20) – Report by Wally on behalf of John Dougherty

The flag-raising will kick off Scout and Guide week on Saturday Feb 20 around 11:45am.  Potential attendees (youth and adults) are asked to e-mail John Dougherty, dcc-program@voyageur.scouts.ca, to give him an estimate of numbers. Neckers or even uniform would be nice but not necessary.

 

Scouts Day with the Ottawa 67’s (Feb 21) – Report by Wally on behalf of John Dougherty

Tickets to this game are available at $10 and could be used as a fund-raiser if sold at up to $15.  The contact is Calvin Amell at 613-232-6767.

 

OOS Council Cub Camp (June 4-6) – Report by Jocelyn Robinson

Offers of service are requested for this upcoming Council cub camp.  The next planning meeting will be held at Scout HQ in the Buffam Room on Feb 28 at 7pm - all welcome.  Ventures/Rovers and leaders/advisors are asked to contact Raymond Desjardins or Jocelyn Robinson if interested in this Offer of Service. The deadline for OOS registration is March 15.

 

VAF Activity coordination/organization – Report by Bill Bowman

Volunteers (youth/advisors/companies/crews) are required to help with the many tasks associated with running events.  Drawing from the fact that ‘many hands make light work’, Bill prepared a basic form and a slightly more detailed online form to enable VAF members to easily indicate their willingness to help out.  All VAF-coordinated activities would benefit from increased involvement in the various aspects of organization.  The forms are available directly on the VAF website or at VAF meetings.  Email your submission to Wally or to Bill Bowman at wbowman@ncf.ca.

 

Recognition – Report by Stewart Ross

Congratulations to Alan Griffin for achieving the Silver Wolf medal, awarded at the Council AGM - the only known living recipient in Canada.

There are 17 scholarships available to Canadian Scouting youth worth $1000 each – deadline is April 1 for submissions.  Four $500 scholarships are also available in Voyageur Council alone, so anyone reasonably qualified should consider applying for these.  The Council scholarships are not restricted to first year students. 

A 4 hour workshop is scheduled for March to help youth or adults in drafting an award or scholarship submission.

Stewart asked everyone to consider making a submission for one of the many awards.  All applications should be be submitted to either the Area Commissioner or directly to the DCC for Recognition (the latter particularly for Gallantry and Fortitude awards).

 

Ottawa “Y” Canoe Club – Wilderness Emergency Presentation (Feb 23)… - Report by Wally

What could possibly go wrong? The Search and Rescue Global 1 (SAR G1) Team is offering a session on staying safe, using technology and conducting evacuations in wilderness settings - Tuesday Feb 23, 7-9pm at St. Martin’s (2120 Prince Charles Rd).   The presentation is free to the public (youth/adults) although a donation of 3-5$ to cover costs is requested from those who can easily cover it.  The SAR G1 Team hopes to use this as part of their recruitment effort.

 

Presentation by Nigel Ward (1st Kanata) – US Canyonlands Trip

Nigel Ward treated the VAF to a presentation of 1st Kanata’s unique hike and canoe trip through the wild wilderness and hot weather extremes of Bryce Canyon, Green River and the Grand Canyon.  The spectacular landscape and unforgivingly harsh conditions added up to a lifetime experience, a fact that Venturer participants may come to realize with the passage of time. The summer conditions were tough but the weather cooperated.  They did not visit Las Vegas, much to the disappointment of the youth.  Total cost (including air fare) was $1350 per participant for a two week trip. Contact Nigel for more details or some key tips on budgeting for this type of trip.

 

Next Meeting: Tuesday March 2, 2010 at 7:30 pm.  If all goes according to plan, Bill Bowman will chair this meeting and provide a presentation of his Venturer Company’s Moose River trip.

 

 

The Chair for the Venturer Advisor Forum is Wally Gale at vafchair@rogers.com.  Please contact Wally for any notices to distribute or information of potential interest to the Voyageur VAF community.

If you find any omissions or errors, please contact ……  Scouter Jocelyn Remus-Robinson at cascahawk@gmail.com or 613-592-4738

… and visit the VAF website for a goldmine of information, including present, past and future events  http://web.ncf.ca/ad554/