Name

Group

Name

Group

Al McPhee

1^st Greely

John Stalker

Valley Highlands/AC

Allan Yates

1^st Merrickville

Marilyn Johnson

E Ont Area Camps

Andrew Wiens

92^nd Ottawa

Marc Couturier

123^rd Ottawa

Bill Bowman

1^st Nepean

Mary Hagerman

1^st Osgoode

Bob Sylvester

7^th Kanata

Nick Wise

Rideau Rovers/DCC Train

Brett Budge

25^th Nepean

Nigel Ward

1^st Kanata

Brian McAuley

7^th Prescott

Patrick Megan

1^st Wakefield

Christiaan Burchell

1^st Nepean

Rod Wilson

Board of Governors

Chris Tyler

1^st Manotick

Roger Aston

3^rd Ottawa

Chuck Fraser

1^st Glen Cairn

Sandra Redshaw

3^rd Kanata

Cyndy Courtland

Carleton Place

Sarah Szabo

Nepean Rover Crew

Dave Skinner

1^st Glen Cairn

Scott Bury

1^st Kanata

Dean Smith

2^nd Orleans

Scott Stanley

1^st Stittsville

Doug MacKinnon

112^th Nepean

Sharon Lefebvre Ley

7^th Kanata

Doug Proud

1^st Greenwood

Shawn Parisien

Ernie Koshman

Nepean Rover Crew

Stewart Ross

DCC Recog'n

Francesca Viney

Nepean Rover Crew

Therese Desjardins

137^th Ottawa Yes

Gil Lepine

4^th Orleans

Tim Harbinson

137^th Ottawa Yes

Greg Brost

1^st Orleans

Tom Wasiak

1^st Kanata

Ian Marsh

3^rd Ottawa

Wally Gale

14^th Gloucester/VAF  

Opening Comments 

Please send any additional agenda items for the monthly VAF meetings to Wally by Sunday afternoon before the meeting so that it can be part of the agenda email on Sunday night. 

Past Activities

RoVent:  October 16-18 – Report by Doug Mckinnon

Rovent was a great success.  420 attended and other than a small glitch at the overflow feast, and one small injury at the siege, the event went off without a hitch.  Marilyn was particularly impressed with the professionalism of the parking crew and the catering challenge/effort was simply amazing.  All purchased crests are now being distributed and extras are available at a cost of $2 (see Doug).  Despite reducing the cost of the camp, there was still a surplus of about $1000.  Feedback on the event is still welcome and will be taken into account for next year’s event – send to rovent09@gmail.com.

As in the past, next year’s RoVent is scheduled for the 3^rd weekend in October (Oct 15-17, 2010), the week after Thanksgiving.  Youth are invited and encouraged to join the organizing committee, with the 1^st meeting anticipated for January/February.

Wood Badge 1 Senior Sections:  October 16-18 – Report by Rod Wilson

Unqualified success.  32 candidates were comfortably arranged in Clements lodge for this course.  31 passed initially and the 32^nd candidate was later presented with his woggle in a surprise coup by his Rovers.  Rod passed along his and the candidates’ many thanks to a fabulous training team and noted the much appreciated participation of Rovers as part of that team.  A number of last minute registrants were accommodated and increased the overall challenge. This is the second year in a row that there have been more than 30 participants. 

Low Ropes Training:  October 24 – Report by Marilyn Johnson

We now have 10 new low ropes facilitators for this Camp Opemikon facility.  The course was delivered on a rather wet Saturday October 24^th by Challenges Unlimited Inc.  Any groups wishing to make use of the low ropes course should indicate this request on their OPE camp booking form. 

Upcoming Events 

Voyageur Council Rover Meeting:  November 9 2009 – Report by Mike Harris

All Rovers and advisors are welcome at this inaugural meeting on Monday, November 9 at 7:30 pm in the Buffam room. 

Wilderness 1^st Aid:  Nov 14-15 – Report by Pat Megan

There is still room available on this wilderness 1^st aid course to be held in Wakefield QC.  Minimum numbers have not been reached at this time.  Contact Pat ASAP if interested - eaglesmegan@aol.com. 

MedVent Open House: November 24, 2009 – Report by Kalen Smith

The Medical Venturer Company is holding an open house at Paramedic HQ (2485 Don Reid Dr.) for the purpose of recruitment and information.  It will be held from 7-8pm for any youth between the ages of 15-18+.  For more information: www.voyageur.scouts.ca/vrsc/medvent 

LaserQuest Lockdown:  December 5-6 – Report by Raymond Desjardins

The Rideau Rover Crew is planning this activity for Saturday night starting at 11pm and ending at 7am Sunday.  There is a 74 participant maximum and one advisor per group would be appreciated.  Cost is $40 per participant due by the December VAF meeting - open to all Venturers, Rovers and Sr. Guides. 

Advanced 1^st Aid:  TBD January – Doug Proud:

Interest in an advanced 1^st aid was expressed.  A date will be available for the next VAF meeting - likely the 2^nd 3^rd or 4^th Weekend in January.  Minimum 8 participants are required.  Contact Doug Proud if interested at dlproud@gmail.com.

***Winter Mountaineering Adventure in the Adirondacks***:  4 weekends in February – Report by Allan Yates

The focus of this event is Saturday’s showshoe hike in the Adirondack mountains of New York State, with options also available for Sunday.   Each weekend is open to 20 participants sleeping in hut accommodation, with additional space available for those sleeping outside.  Each hiking group is limited to 15 participants in accordance with Park regulations.  Registration is open now and closes the night of the December VAF meeting - $40 per participant in the Alpine Club hut or $25 per participant in personal tents. The price include snowshoe rental.  Indicate alternative weekends on the registration so all can be accommodated.  A tour permit is required for this international travel and requires 4 weeks to process – apply for it as soon as possible. Also note border crossing documentation requirements.

Gatineau Loppet: February 19-21, 2010 – Report by Wally Gale

The Gatineau Loppet is the only Canadian entry in the international cross-country ski competition and Venturers have helped with feeding stations for this for many years.  Any groups interested joining in a winter weekend for this at Huron warming hut in Gatineau Park can contact Wally for more information. For continuity of service to the loppet, first option will go to groups that have participated in this event in the past.  Food stations serve recreational skiers and racers from around the world on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and Saturday afternoon/evening is free time.  Huron hut is located on excellent groomed x-country ski trails and is prime snowshoe country.  Sole access is by NCC skidoo or skiing. There is no charge for this volunteer weekend but early committment is requested to ensure our commitment to the Loppet.

Outdoor Skills Challenge & Youth Volunteer opportunity:  May 15, 2010 – Report by Iain Holness

Experienced senior youth are solicited to act as marshalls and hands-on coaches in a challenge competition for Scouters planned for Apple Hill camp May 15.  Teams of 5 leaders compete in various outdoor challenges for bragging rights at a cost of $10 for this all-day fun event.  Teams will be determined by the organizers to ensure balanced skill sets, using a skills “CV” submitted with the registration form.  A planning meeting will be held in December (TBD). 

Reports 

Service Corps – Food Drive:  November 7

Venturers and Rovers are sorting the food collected by Scouts during this 20^th annual Ottawa Food Drive.  Registration through the Lost Children’s Service should now be complete.  The sorting station at the Ottawa Food Bank will run from 10 am to 6 pm in 3 shifts. 

Service Corps – Remembrance Day:  November 11

The Voyageur Region Service Corps (VRSC) coordinates the Scouting presence/participation in the national Remembrance Day ceremony at the War Memorial near Parliament Hill on Nov 11, 9-12 am.  See Eugene Lavigne at the site of Ottawa’s original post office on Sparks Street at Elgin prior to 9am.  Full uniform is required.

Joint Council: - Report by Andrew and Jen with commentary by Alan Clapp

The October event at Cannamore Ochards (Embrum) was a lot of fun.  38 Participants (all in uniform) attended this “cold, wet, fabulous” night. 

The November event is set for Nov 14 at Lafleche Aerial Adventure (1:30-4:30).  Cost is $25 if under 18, $30 if 18 or older.  Please bring light cotton gloves (eg. small stretchy kind) to wear under heavy leather gloves (supplied at event) to help ensure hygiene of their equipment.  Youth 16 and over must sign a ‘recognition of risk’ form (signed by parent/guardian for youth under 16) available at http://www.aventurelafleche.ca/en/lafleche-adventure-aerial-adventure-park . Deadline for sign-up is tonight.

The December event takes place on Saturday, Dec 12 from 2-4pm at the Putting Edge on Merivale Ave.  Cost of $12.39 covers two rounds of indoors miniput, a glow bracelet and a drink. There is no pre-registration/notification – just show up.

JC Winter Camp will be held February 12-14, 2010 at Camp Woolsey. 

The JC meeting tonight included 77 participants, 86% in uniform.
 

Other Business

VAF purchase of Archery Equipment: - Report by Tim Harbinson

Of 3 potential models of bows, Tim suggests a maple/fibreglass bow with a wood (not metal) riser.  The cost of the bow considered a front-runner for purchase has increased from an anticipated $150 to an actual $170.  Given this the VAF agreed it made sense to purchase 5 instead of 6 bows to stay within budget.  The decision was also made to purchase finger tabs and wrist guards for each bow for youth protection, at a cost of roughly $20 per set.  Given that the bows are not ambidextrous, the decision was made to purchase 4 right-handed bows and one left-handed bow.  Quotes from 5 companies indicate South Nation Archery may be the vendor of choice and experience within VAF would support this choice. Any questions or comments?  Email Tim Harbinson at: Trollforge@yahoo.com .

Lost and Found: – Bill Bowman indicated that a climbing helmet and harness were left at VenClimb and a helmet was left at Crazy Canuck – still not claimed.  Some items found at RoVent were also left unclaimed at the meeting.

Presentation – Lievre Whitewater Trip by Allan Yates

Allan provided a slide presentation of the 1^st Merrickville Venturer Company’s whitewater trip down the Lievre River in Quebec last July 5-10.  The 74 km trip  consisted of 20 km of rapids including 2 mandatory portages (700m total).  The trip would be suitable for a reasonably advanced skill level.  Report and slides are available from their website (link available from the Voyageur website).

Next Meeting:  Tuesday, December 1, 2009 - the FIRST Tuesday of the month  

If there are any omissions or errors in the minutes, please contact Jocelyn Remus-Robinson at cascahawk@gmail.com or 613-592-4738.

To add items to the VAF meeting agenda or to send notices to the Venturer/Rover VAF distribution list contact Wally Gale at VAFchair@rogers.com .

Visit the VAF website for regular updates on past and future events, copies of the monthly minutes and related information - http://web.ncf.ca/ad554/ .