Name

Group

Name

Group

Alan Griffin

112^th Nepean

Joe Boudreau

1^st Greely

Bill Bowman

1^st Nepean

John Stalker

1^st Valley Highlands

Bob Viney

25^th Nepean

Justin Braganza

28^th Ottawa

Catherine Snedden

7^th Kanata

Ken Shore

1^st Osgood

Christiaan Burchell

1^st Nepean

Lauren Kennedy

69^th Ottawa

David Gall

1^st Richmond

Lawrence Tyler

1^st Richmond

Doug MacKinnon

112^th Nepean

Phil Edens

VRSC / LCS

Doug Proud

1^st Greenwood

Ray Renton

1^st Dunrobin

Eric Hansen

VRRRT

Rod Wilson

AC Rideau

Erin Pate

VRRRT Admin

Roger Aston

3^rd Ottawa

Jim McQuaid

112^th Nepean

Stewart Ross

Nepean Rover Crew

Jim Montgomery

1^st Glen Cairn

Tim Taylor

123^rd Ottawa

Jim Peverley

8^th Orleans

Wally Gale

14^th Gloucester

Jim Smith

VRRRT Advisor

Events Past:

OPE Work Weekend:

Tim thought this year’s event was one was the best.  The camp was a complete success and the work done unbelievable.  He figures they have done about a year’s worth of work for the warden already.  Tim extends his thanks to all.  Marilyn has already agreed to start signing up people for next year.

WW Pre-training:

Bill said they had 80 people for pre-training, the biggest one yet.  Mike’s presentation and the movie was good.  The response was good and it went very well.  Had some help from Venturers as well.  Even experienced flat water types thought it was time well spent which means the course was very well validated!

Climbing with Christiaan:

It was cold, damp, but great.  About 13 showed up and the group went to Homecliff to practice doing anchors and rappelling.  Christiaan focused on giving them more information so that they can go out on their own.  Next year, he is looking at doing something like that but running the event at OPE so that it can be residential for the whole weekend.  He felt he ran out of time for the day event this year.

Upcoming events:

For the White Water Events:

Bill noted that WWI was over filled as they have 75 to go already.  Bill listed all those going with numbers of attendees and asked for confirmation.  If anyone can bring canoes or equipment above their requirements, please see Bill.

Tim noted there are 2 campgrounds at the base, so ask specifically for the Kiska camp site if you get lost.  Go through the gates to the base.  Toilets are there, water is potable and there are showers.  It is about a 10 min drive to where the training is done so be prepared to bring your lunch with you.  No washrooms at the river though.

WWIII should be prepared to be a separate group although it will depend on how it goes.  There will be a schedule of events.  Friday though is just to check in and be ready to go early by 8:30 am.  Accommodation is tenting at this site but you can bring a tent trailer or motor home if you like.

If your group is renting from Valley Ventures or Valley Creek or from somewhere else, then you need to be very careful as if the canoes are damaged, then your group will need to pay to get them fixed again.  With WWIII and WWII however, it is a package.

WWIII registrations are being collected by Bill for that evening only as they are being passed to one of Steve’s Venturers.  There are currently 20 registered so there is a little bit of room left.  This is an excellent chance to use a solo canoe and this year there is the intent to get both a and b levels (tandem and solo).

OPE canoes will be available at HQ … make arrangements with Tim for when you want to pick them up and he will arrange to have them here.   Call Tim to make arrangements … 561-1613 (819).  Reminder that the rentals only include the boats, no bailers and no PFDs.

WWII is also full.  Bill has 47 registered which is over the 40 person target.  Equipment is not an issue here as the outfitter has enough, even the helmets.  No bike or climbing helmets, only hockey or proper helmets.

Tim reminds us that we have a good reputation to clean the camp site tidy when we leave … it is appreciated by the base.

RSVP:

Registration, were still accepting small groups, but if there are larger groups, e.g. 10 people then see the organizers.  Refunds now are closed so if someone drops out, then your group can only substitute someone else.  In registration packages, parking passes were included so ensure they are in the dashboard if your vehicle is staying for the camp.  Passes are not required for parents just to drop off campers.  The bugs are out so recommend bug hats and jackets.  The camp will proceed rain or shine unless it is not safe.  Also be prepared to be on the water … Bring PFDs as OPE has limited large sizes.  Paddles are less of an issue but the lifejackets can be scarce.

VRRRT:

A new executive has been voted in.  Since the last meeting they have had a structure planning meeting, decided that they will work with the JC to get them more involved, and will look to have linking activities with the Rover program to the Venturers and Guiding programs.  The web site will be revamped to give more information for resources.  They are also looking at other programs world wide e.g. in Australia as it is huge there.  The CRRRT is also looking at redoing the rover manual as there is not enough information in there now to help.  They were planning to go to Camp Fortune to do the obstacle course in the second week in July but there are so many conflicts, they will likely re-schedule.  The will send messages out to Advisors and Youth to see who wants to come out. 

The VRRRT will remain Ottawa based for the next few months for meetings until the outlying crews get strong again as numbers have currently dwindled. The plan is that by the end of next year when elections roll around, to have Rover crews strong enough to travel again.  There are 4 crews now and the VRRRT needs to help get going again.

The VRRRT will send out a lot of information over the next few months and they would appreciate a ping back so they know they are reaching their audience, and so they can get the old accounts off their list.

Alan Griffith noted that the registration form has been re-formatted to allow for the notation of both Rover and leader.  PLEASE NOTE THE ROVER ON THE REGISTRATION FORM, NOT JUST AS A LEADER SO THEY CAN BE IDENTIFIED PROPERLY IN THE DATABASE.

Service Corps:

There will be 6 Medvent members receiving Civic Appreciation awards tomorrow night, and one has been hired as a paramedic now in recognition of her experience with Medvent.  Police Venturers are going strong, providing tours of police station.  Lost Children have Canada Day and Exhibition events coming up.  Now they have an email address if there are still problems with web site.  Registration or questions can go LCS.VRSC@gmail.com (Caps matter) and their executive will respond.

Training Notes:

Go to the VC website to see the all trainers meetings on June 1^st in Smith Falls, and then on June 8^th in Ottawa.  There is a basic canoe session for June 10^th and 11^th, and a Boat Rescue Award session on June 17^th and 18^th.  If anyone needs more information, see Stewart.

They are looking to have an Advanced Senior section over 2 weekends at Rovent and in early January, both to be held at OPE.  They have asked for a list of Venturer and Rover advisors who have the WBI (Basic) and WBII (Advanced) to see who would be interested in training.  They will be sending out a questionnaire to everybody to better understand desired learning objectives.   Cost is TBD but Stewart will have more details for the June meeting.

Joint Council:

The JC May camp is on the long weekend, but the money was due at this evening’s meeting though if you can get it to them by the 14^th it is still ok.  The deadline for apparel was also at this evening’s event.

The June activity in the past has been a dance so there is a good chance it will be a dance again this year.  They have also been invited into the VRRRT round table, the executive for JC has been accepted into VRRRT round table.

June Meeting:

The plan for the June VAF meeting is to put together a calendar for next year.

Suggestions for presentations next year include:

- A discussion of camps in the region.  For example, if people who have been to the camps can talk about the personal experiences for the camps as well as amenities it may help increase the use of scout all properties.

- Some outdoor cooking presentations.

- Nutritional fast camp meals including a presentation of dehydrated food from those who do it.

For omissions or corrections to the VAF minutes, please email Catherine Snedden at csnedden@forethoughtsystems.com