Venturer Advisors’ Forum - Voyageur Council

Notes of Meeting - Sept 1^st, 2009

National Boardroom - Scout Headquarters

Al McPhee	1^st Greely	Jocelyn Robinson	7th Kanata/VAF Secr
Alan Griffin	112^th Nepean Rovers	Joel Martin	8^th Orleans
Allan Yates	1^st Merrickville	John Dougherty	1^st Rock/DAC Odawa
Alex Gazaleh	OPE Co/Crew-Greenwd	John Stalker	Valley Highlands/AC
Andrew Grant	Rideau Rovers	Larry Brunet	1st Nepean
Andrew Paterson	DCC Program	Marilyn Johnson	E Ont Area Camps
Angus Palmer	1^st Carp	Mary Hagerman	1st Osgoode
Anne Burnell	1st Nepean	Mike Jowett	CC Voyageur
Bill Bowman	1st Nepean	Mounir Khoury	Troop 148 (LDS)
Bob Sylvester	7th Kanata	Nigel Ward	1^st Kanata
Brett Budge	25th Nepean	Perry Schippers	LCS & 2nd Gatineau
Brian McAuley	7^th Prescott	Raymond Desjardins	DCYC Training
Brian Roberts	1st Aylmer	Ray Renton	1^st Dunrobin
Bruce Morton	14^th Gloucester	Rod Wilson	Board of Governors
Bryan Cruikshank	3rd Orleans	Scott Bury	1st Kanata
Christiaan Burchell	1^st Nepean	Sharon Lefebvre Ley	7th Kanata
Chuck Fraser	1^st Glen Cairn	Stephen Smye	1st Wakefield
Cyndy Courtland	Carleton Place	Stewart Ross	DCC Recog'n
Doug MacKinnon	112^th Nepean	Stu Majka	1st Chelsea Rovers
Doug Proud	1^st Greenwood	Terry Rimmington	1st Rockland
Doug Zahody	3^rd Orleans	Tim Harbinson	137th Ottawa Yes
Eric Ebeltoft	11th ottawa	Tim Redpath	1st Stittsville
Eric Hansen		Wally Gale	14^th Glcster/VAF Chr
Greg Brost	1st Orleans

Opening Remarks

Wally welcomed everyone back for the 2009/10 season and underlined the value of these initial meetings to new advisors in particular, given the many activities already planned for September/October. He noted that the email addresses requested on the circulating attendee list are used for distributing VAF information. A brief round-tableintroduction of attendees followed. It was underlined that the VAF website has become the focal point for communications, including registration forms and activity information - http://web.ncf.ca/ad554/

Minutes

A kindly reminder from your secretary - if you are providing lots of information or numbers at a VAF meeting, please print off your notes or email them to me so that it is easier to keep the content correct. Thanks ~Jos

Past Activities

Camp Trail - Troop camp OOS (June 12-14) - Report by Mike Jowett

There were 280 scouts/OOS/leaders in attendance. A great time was had by all. Next time they would like to have all the scout leaders help in the planning, including a VAF-like session.

Canadian Rivers Day - Voyageur Canoe (June 14)

This event is coordinated by the Ottawa Riverkeeper and has good potential but the need to sign a waiver pre-empted interested groups/individuals from participating. It would be most helpful to straighten out the waiver difficulty for next spring’s event and fill a canoe with Venturers.

Wilderness 1^st Aid (July 18-19) - Report by Tim Redpath

There were 21 participants including 5 youth. A special thanks goes to the CWT people for providing the training.

Doug is looking into having an advanced course offered in the fall some time. More information will follow.

Upcoming Events

Couch Rally (Saturday, Sept. 12) - Report by Andrew Grant (Rideau Rover Crew)

Please email the registrar, Andrew Grant (Andrew.j.grant@rogers.com), noting the number of participants and advisors, and any extra crests needed. Payment is required upon registration at the event. Cost is $12 for youth and $ 6 for Advisors, $3 for extra crests. Rules, location and other details are posted on the VAF site under “Announcements” - http://web.ncf.ca/ad554/ .

Please have signed “Hold Harmless” and “Photo Release” forms for any potential Venturers (ie those not registered for Scouting), for presentation upon registration at the site. Note that participants should plan to vacate the A Channel site by 4 pm.

Organizers are looking for Venturers/Rover/Advisors with ideas for a challenge activity and willing to host the activity during the Crazy Canuck event (contact Andrew).

VenClimb (Sept 25-27) - Report by Ray Renton

VenClimb Advisor training is scheduled for Saturday Sept 19 – meet at Westgate Shopping Plaza at 8 am for car pool to the climbing site near luskville.

Information and Registration for VenClimb is now available on the VAF website.

This year we will again camp in a farmer’s field near Luskville, Quebec (approximately 45 min from Scouts HQ) with climbing on the fringe of Gatineau Park.

The cost is $15 per Venturer and Advisors are free. Please make payment to 1^st Dunrobin Venturer Company. Participants are asked to please bring their own climbing gear if owned or contact Christiaan ASAP if you have none. Helmets must be worn by all persons climbing, and bicycle helmets are acceptable.

Note that transport is required from one climbing site to the next and everyone is responsible for their own drinking water (none is available at the camp site) - so please plan accordingly.

Those wanting to participate in the Friday evening Joint Council activity could plan to be at VenClimb for the start of the orientation session at 8 am Saturday.

Registration contact: Ray Renton 613.832.3292 renton@quixnet.net

Climbing contact: Christiaan Burchell 613.274.3900 cjburchell@yahoo.com

Wally brought up the question of availability of old climbing ropes. Many of these were purchased with a VAF (Council) subsidy in past years and are still useful for activities such as tug-of-war or knot practice when no longer suited for climbing. Andrew Paterson would appreciate receiving any ropes that are no longer used and would like to be able to report their ongoing value to other sections, as an indication that Council money is still producing value. In an effort to gather the pertinent information, attendees were asked to report the status of their climbing rope(s) on a sheet that was circulated to all present. To ensure that ropes are identified as out-of-service for climbing, the suggestion was made to use orange spray paint in the centre and on the ends of ropes, as is done at Camp Opemikon – or alternatively, to paint the ends black. Please contact Andrew or Wally if you have a rope that could be made available for use by others.

Discovering and Fighting Poverty and Hunger Conference (September 25-27) - Report by Wally Gale

Neal Rice (Council Youth Commissoner) has let us know about an opportunity for Venturers, Rovers and their Advisors to participate in a weekend conference - a “Youth of the World Award Discovery Base” taking place near Milton, Ontario at Blue Springs Scout Reserve.  The main purpose of the weekend is to challenge youth aged 12-26 to discover United Nations Millennium Development Goal#1: eradicating extreme poverty and hunger.  Youth will learn in a hands on environment what causes poverty and hunger, what it's like to live with it, what programs are in place to fight it and how they can get involved.  The last stage of the weekend is developing action plans to fight poverty and hunger through Scouting.  In the end, the youth will have finished the first section of the Youth of the World Award (the second section is voluntary action, which they will have planned out by the end of the weekend as well).  It's a great program and has already had quite a bit of success in Tri-Shores where the largest ever Discovery Base in the world was held this past March. [Wally distributed the related information/enrollment package to the VAF email list immediately after the meeting]

Kettle Island Clean-Up (Sunday, Sept 27)

The Ottawa Riverkeeper is holding this annual cleanup day once again on Kettle Island – details at http://ottawariverkeeper.ca/events/kettle_island_clean_up/. Shuttle and food will be available but advance registration is requested to facilitate organizing this. Venturers were among the first to help in this initiative a few years ago, with the event organized by a former Venturer Advisor. This is a good community volunteer activity for those not participating in VenClimb.

Crazy Canuck Challenge (Saturday, Oct 3^rd) - Report by Allen Yates

Bill Bowman, Cyndy Courtland and Allen are organizing this year’s event with some help from Roger Nuttall. This is a great activity, similar in some organizational aspects to an iron man, but done the scouting way (Hiking-Canoeing-Mounting Biking and a Height Challenge). Teams of 3-6 people compete for fun and bragging rights … but it is not a race …

This year’s event is centred at Whispering Pines scout camp. It is open to Venturers, Rovers, and Advisors. Cost is 15$ per participant and 8$ for support personnel, and includes a post-challenge banquet.

If interested in staying at Whispering Pines, the cost is 3$ per person for the weekend.

Registration deadline is September 27, 2009

Forms and more information are on the VAF website and at www.ncf.carleton.ca/~ad554/adventure.htm

People are advised to bring chairs for use at some point during the day.

Talk to the International Space Station (Sat, Oct 3) at the Museum of Science and Tech

- Report by Mike Jowett

There is a need/opportunity for technically-minded Rovers and Venturers to help in setting up Ham Radio equipment for Cubs & Scouts in a communications linkup to the International Space Station. The actual event is scheduled for 1-3 pm and is limited to an audience of 170. This is a special event for Scouting.

Those interested should contact Mike Jowett - commissioner@voyageur.scouts.ca.

RoVent ( Oct 16-18^th) - Report by Doug MacKinnon

The next organizing meeting will be held soon, and info on time will be posted.

Rules and Registration information are available on the VAF website.

Everyone should plan to participate in a brief Service Project on Sunday to help prepare Camp Opemikon for the winter, as part of the weekend activities. All groups must bring their own materials for participation in the siege. This involves building a machine capable of launching a grapefruit sized projectile containing flour using a lever arm (catapult).

The weekend is open to registered members of Scouts Canada or Guides Canada. Senior Scouts/Guides must link with a Company/Crew or Pathfinder group to be registered. Should a Venturer Company/Rover Crew/Pathfinder group not be available, contact the registrar at rovent09@gmail.com for assistance.

This event is limited to 400 participants although the Dining Hall capacity for the feast is limited to 275. We are working on ways to get everyone fed, but priority in the dining hall will be given based on the date of full payment received. Please register early (early registration date is Sept. 24). The registration deadline is Oct. 2, no refunds after this date. All groups must be self contained [except for the feast on Saturday night] and come prepared for the weather. Camping areas will be the Scout Field, Brownsea Field and the Attic.

Two registered adult leaders must accompany all Venturer Companies. If this is a problem or you are a single Venturer from your company contact the Rovent Committee at rovent09@gmail.com for assistance.

A copy of each participant’s registration/medical forms is required for registration. Please make copies and place them in a sealed envelope with your Group number clearly visible on the outside. This will only be opened in the case of an emergency. The contents will be returned to you on check-out. Questions? Need more information? Never been to OPE? Please contact us at rovent09@gmail.com or by phone at 613-828-8861 Doug MacKinnon.

Vertical Rescue (TBD –Oct 24) - Report by Stephen Smye

No new information yet - the date is tentative and hopefully there will be more information at the next VAF.

Low Ropes Course at Ope (Saturday, Oct 24^th) - Report by Marilyn Johnson
As you are aware, at our Council Camp we have two very unique program activities. However, due to the fact that very few people are trained in facilitating these activities, they are quite under-utilized. These are our high and low ropes courses. In an effort to have these activities available for our campers, we have tentatively arranged for an on-site training course for the low ropes course. It will be a one day event from 9:00 to 5:00, on Saturday, October 24th. There are 15 spots available. The goal is to have people from the larger user groups of OPE trained in this area so that they can then include the low ropes course in their weekend activities. Thus this invitation is being sent to key event organizers, leaders of the larger groups, VAF members, Carleton Area Crew, Rideau Area Crew and Opemikon Crew. Please pass it on to your members and anyone else you think may be interested. Fee is yet to be determined, but am aiming for $25 to $50 range, including lunch and training.
RSVP to Marilyn by Tuesday, 8 September. This is an amazing opportunity to receive professional training on a unique area. Thank you and hope to see you on the course in October!!!
Marilyn Johnson mjohnson@scouts.ca or 613-225-2770 ext 506

Flag Parade in Montreal (June 2010) - Report by Mike Jowett

Rotary International is holding its national convention in Montreal next June and is looking for 200 youth to participate in a parade of flags down the main street. Voyageur Council will coordinate with Quebec Scouting for this. Stay tuned for more information as the date approaches.

Reports

Service Corp (VRSC) Lost Children - Report by Perry Schippers

The summer volunteer events for the Lost Children Service worked well and included Canada Day, the Teddy Bear Picnic for CHEO and the Ex.

Food Drive Nov. 7^th – this event is still on and information should be available at the next VAF meeting.

Joint Council (JC) - Report by Jen and Andrew

The June semi-formal went well, with an estimated 30 or 40 participants.

September Event: Thunderbird Go-carts and Mini Put
Where: Thunderbird 3145 Conroy Rd
When: Friday September 25
Start: 6:30 pm - be on time to get in on group rate
End: 8:30 pm
Cost: Mini putt is 6$. Go carting is 10$ for ten mins 17$ for 20mins, 21$ for 30mins , 24$ for 40mins
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

October Event: Cannamore Orchards
Where: Cannamore Orchards 1480 County Road 32 Crysler, Ontario K0A 1R0
When: Friday October 23
Start: 7pm SHARP (might want to arrive ten mins early)
End: 10pm
Cost: IF AND ONLY IF you wear your necker or any visible logo of scouts or guides you can access the group rate of 12$. You must bring exact cash for the group payment.
Additional info from Joint Council for Cannamore: Your admission to The Spooky Wagon Ride TM also includes the House of Terror, presented by the band students from St. Francis Xavier High School, the Kid's Spooky House, the renovated Spooky Fog Maze and the Spooky Village. Our completely redone Fog Maze, has new scary scenes, new hallways and is full of sound and light as well as mysterious fog. The Spooky Village, the only one of it kind in the world, presently has 8 houses and offers a chance for the visitor to interact with vampires, witches, coffin makers and more. Stick around and have your fortune told if you are brave enough to learn what is in store for you. Visit the new jail and feel what it is like to be behind bars! If anyone has any questions or concerns feel free to talk to myself (Jenn) or Andrew. We have a set of directions but the address given here if put into mapquest will work fine too. Make sure you have a way to the event and a way home please. Feel more than free (recommended) that you wear your uniform. Hope to see you all come out and have a good time.

The JC website is still in limbo. Event information could be posted on the VAF website and/or sent for VAF email distribution if sent to Bill Bowman and/or Wally. Otherwise, the information is available through joint Council contact/participation.

Training and Development

Basic Canoe & Boat Rescue (June) - Report by John Stalker

17 people were registered for each of the courses. The Boat Rescue Course went so well it finished in one day.

Wood Badge I (Senior Section) at RoVent (Oct 16-18) - Report by Rod Wilson

A show of hands indicated sufficient interest to justify running this course. Registration will be through the Voyageur office and will be posted on the Voyageur Website. This is a unique opportunity for Advisors to obtain this mandatory training while their youth are participating in RoVent. Camp and food arrangements fall under the standard RoVent registration. A fee will be sorted out for participants not registered for RoVent to account for the additional cost of food and accommodation.

Closing Notes

A reminder that Order of the Caribou award submissions are due Oct 31. Many youth and leaders may be eligible. Forms and criteria are available on the Voyageur Council website.

The SPOT emergency GPS unit was used by 3 Venturer companies and one individual this past summer, and is highly recommended for wilderness trips. It is available from John stalker at a nominal charge of $10/week. The VAF (Voyageur Council) will cover the annual communications service fee for the unit in 2009/10.

Next Meeting: Tuesday October 6, 2009 at 7:30 pm

The Chair for the Venturer Advisor Forum is Wally Gale at vafchair@rogers.com. 

Please contact Wally for any questions, notices to distribute or ideas on topics that might be of interest for presentation at VAF meetings.

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