|
1st Mount Albert Scout Group
|
September 2009
Welcome, or welcome back, to 1st Mount Albert Scout Troop. As we start the 2009-10 season we thought it might be helpful to provide some background information with respect to the general program, and our expectations, as well as some specifics on the activities through the next few weeks.
However, before I do that I wanted to note that this year represents a very important milestone for the 1st Mount Albert Scout Group as we are celebrating our 85th Anniversary. Scouting came to
There are two upcoming events associated with the 85th Anniversary. The first is a Group Dinner, which will be happening at our Fall Camp. Former leaders are being invited to join us for dinner and evening campfire. The invitation is also being extended to anyone who achieved their Chief (King/Queen) Scout Award from 1st
The Troop
As of Registration Night we have 8 Scouts (3 female, 5 male) registered and are aware of at least one other member of last year’s Troop who intends to re-register. We may see another couple of registrants from amongst last year’s 3rd year Cubs and 3rd years Scouts who could return for a 4th year to complete their Chief Scout Award. We also often see someone new join the group at some point in the year and based on that I believe we will have 10-15 Scouts this year. If yoyur Scout has a friend who is interested they are aloud to come, at any time in the year, for up to 3 consecutive regular weekly meetings, to see what it is like before they have to commit and register.
The Leaders
Troop currently has 4 of last year’s leaders returning. These are Peter Budreo, Pauleen Cusack, Stuart Goodall and Hugh Ross. Four Leaders realistically supports a Troop of up to 18 Scouts. We must have a ratio of at least 1:6 and it is helpful to have at least one extra Leader on the chance that someone’s work or personal schedules keeps them from attending some week.
Although we don’t believe we will be stretching our Leadership coverage with this year’s anticipated Troop size, we would still welcome any parent who has an interest in getting involved. As we are all volunteers, we believe that we can never have too many Leaders and we can always put another Leader to good use. Any expenses regarding uniform and training would be covered by the Group. The primary time commitment would be Tues. 7:
Regular Meetings
Regular meetings are scheduled to be held in the gym at
Communication
We typically distribute a newsletter like this one on a monthly basis. Most will not be this long. These newsletters will provide more detailed information on our schedule for the coming 4-6 weeks as well as advance notice of camps or other special events or activities coming up in the next few months. We also typically prepare a more detailed information piece with cost details and personal clothing and equipment lists and distribute these a few weeks prior to a special event or camp.
Whenever possible we will communicate with parents and members of Troop through email. As of the end of last year every member of Troop was receiving all newsletters, other program information and any required forms digitally. This seemed to work very well however if you are not a regular user of email, or prefer all of these items in hard copy let us know and we will ensure that you receive it that way. If you have an email address, and use it with some regularity, we would appreciate receiving it.
Parents and Scouts are also welcome to call, or email, Peter Budreo,
Finally, the Group has a website where you can often get answers to questions and see a section’s calendar or newsletter. This Troop Newsletter is always added to the site each month. The site can be found at www.mountalbertscoutgroup.com
Consent Forms
The registration form used now used for Scouts also serves as standard Scout Parent Consent Form for the majority of our field trips and camps. As such we will not need to chase permission forms for every outing. However, when an outing or camp does require a Scout Parent Consent Form this will be emailed to you several weeks in advance, or will be sent home in hard copy, with your Scout, if you prefer that method. It is imperative in those cases that the form be signed by the Scout’s parent or legal guardian and returned in advance of the activity. Any Scout who arrives without this form signed can not be allowed to participate. We also cannot accept a form signed by a friend’s parent. Typically only a limited number of more advanced activities, or camps of 3 nights or longer, still need individual permission forms.
If you ever need a Consent Form for an activity and cannot find the one that came home with your Scout they are available at the Scouts Canada web site www.scouts.ca under “For Leaders” and then “Forms”. You are looking for the” Parent/Guardian Permission Form for Category 3 Activities or Out of Country Travel” form.
Medical Needs
The registration form also now serves as the Personal Fitness (medical) form. It is important that this is filled out completely, particularly with respect to any allergies, special medical or dietary needs and the date of the last tetanus shot. Also, if your child has any serious allergies (food, bee stings etc.) it is imperative that you speak with Peter Budreo directly about these so that we can ensure we have all of the proper information and, if needed, first aid supplies. This is particularly important when we camp, as there is extensive menu planning and we may, at times, be in more remote locations.
Uniform
All members of Troop must have the traditional Scout uniform which consists of the standard brown shirt, neckerchief, woggle and sash. Every Scout needs to have this basic uniform for any Scouting related special events and, unless we as a Troop adopt the alternate uniform, we expect that each Scout will also wear this for each week’s meeting. It is also important that Scouts wear pants that will allow the shirt to be properly tucked in. It is entirely possible that Scouts who do not arrive properly dressed will be excluded from participating in certain aspects of the meeting. Only during the activity and game portions of the meeting are they free to change to a t-shirt. Scouts are also expected to wear their uniforms when they arrive at camps and for most of our field trips.
New members, who have not yet been invested, need only the shirt and sash. They will be presented with the neckerchief, woggle and epaulets upon investiture.
If you ever have questions regarding the placement of badges etc. this information is detailed in the Scout Handbook and the 1st Mount Albert Group’s web site.
Dues
Each week Scouts are expect to pay “dues” of $2. There are 13 weeks in the schedule from our first meeting until our Christmas break. Having each Scout bring one payment of $20, rather than $2 each week, would save the Scout a small amount of money and the leaders a considerable amount of time. We will put a similar offer out for a lump sum collection of dues for the post Christmas portion of the year although historically a successful Bottle Drive usually causes us to waive dues for the second half of the year.
Fundraising
Although you have paid a fee to have your Scout registered it is important that you understand that virtually all of those funds are passed up to the Area, Council and, primarily, National levels to support the overall development of Scouting in Canada as well as provide for proper risk management and insurance requirements. As an example last year we collected $12,591 in registration fees and paid out $12,538 to have every youth and Leader registered with Scouts Canada.
However, the delivery of a good quality Scouting program typically involves many other costs. At the Group level, for example, Leaders need uniforms and proper training and we need enough camping equipment to support up to 100 people. Last year alone the Group spent over $5,300 on uniforms, training and tents. At the individual Section level, such as Troop, we need supplies and equipment for regular program delivery and special activities such as field trips or camps always have costs for food, camping permits, admission fees etc. There are basically two methods by which we generate the funds to pay these costs. One is to have additional fees for camps and special events and the other is to fundraise. In the interest of keeping the additional fees as low as possible we have focused on the latter. Last year alone the 1st Mount Albert Group netted over $17,000 on its various fundraising activities.
Some of our fundraising efforts, such as Apple Day, Scout Trees and Parking and Snack Bar at Sports Day, go to support Group costs such as those noted above. Other activities, such as Scout Popcorn and Troop’s Annual Bottle Drive, support specific Troop costs such as camps, canoe trips, field trips and general program supplies. Last year for example, with a Troop of 15 youth and 6 leaders, we had $6,712 of camp and program delivery costs for the year but only collected $3,772 in associated fees. The balance was covered by the two fundraising efforts noted above. Through the various camps and canoe trip last year we effectively subsidized the direct cost to each participating youth by about $200. This doesn’t even account for the costs that would have been incurred had Group not been able to supply us with the canoes, tents, stoves and other core equipment needed to deliver the program. My point is that the fundraising we do is important and we need the support of as many members of Troop as possible. This is particularly true of our Scout Popcorn and
Scout Popcorn is an activity that goes on from mid-September to late October and we ask Scouts, and their parents, to approach relatives, friends, neighbours, teachers, business associates and anyone else they can think of, to solicit orders. Order forms and other information will be distributed at one of our first meetings. They are due back at our last meeting in October and popcorn will be ready for delivery in late November. Our Annual Bottle Drive is a one day effort, the Saturday after New Years. It is labour intensive but very lucrative. We are typically looking for both Scouts and hopefully some of their parents to assist with that specific activity.
Of course the Group fundraising events also need support from the members of Troop but these typically are short, 2-3 hour activities on about 3 different days through the year and, at the Troop level, do not need any specific parental assistance. Apple Day is in late October, Scout Trees is in mid April and Sports Day is in early June.
General Program
The Scout program encompasses a variety of leadership, personal and physical skills development activities. These are designed to lead a Scout through series of Awards and Challenge Badges towards a Chief Scout Award. Outdoor and camp craft skills have always been a key aspect of this. We will engage in at least 3 weekend camps through the year, one in each of the fall, winter and spring seasons. We will also organize a one week summer canoe trip for any member of Troop who wishes to participate. This trip is typically the highlight of the year. We always engage the Troop in planning these camps as it is one of the skills they need to develop. We also engage them in the planning of week to week activities.
Other aspects of the program, and the requirements to achieve any awards or badges, are detailed in the Scout Handbook. This is an important resource which each Scout must have and should bring to all regular weekly meetings and all camps. Scouts and parents would be wise to go over the material and make notes about things you know your Scout has done or can do. Then your Scout can meet with one of the leaders at the next meeting and get those items signed off. A bit of time spent this way once every couple of weeks will go a long way towards getting your Scout to their Chief Scout Award.
Through the course of the year weekly meetings will be a combination of activities at the School and field trips for activities such as swimming, biking, hiking, skiing and visits to various places of interest. Weekly meetings at
Upcoming Schedule / Program
For the next few weeks the following activities are planned.
Tues., Sept. 15 - First regular meeting at
Tues., Sept. 22 - Planning for the first Camp / Basic camp craft skills;
Tues., Sept. 29 - Planning for the first Camp / Basic camp craft skills;
Fri., Oct. 2 - Sun. Oct. 4 - Group Camp at Woodland Trails (East side of Kennedy Rd. south of Aurora Rd.) - see attached details;
Tues., Oct. 6 - Regular meeting at
Tues. Oct. 13 - Night Hike - Flora and fauna identification / Star gazing (details to follow);
October 17 is Apple Day beginning at
Tues. Oct. 20 - Investment of new Scouts (parents welcome) / Knots and lashings;
Tues. Oct. 27 - Hallowe’en Event - Campfire;
Other Special Events
Sun. Nov. 8 - Remembrance Day Service at
Tues., Nov. 10 - Remembrance Day Field Trip;
Sat., Nov. 21 - Adopt a Road Clean-up
Sat. Dec. 5 - Santa Claus Parade
Tues. Dec. 15 – Holiday Party and final meeting before
(this may happen on Dec. 8 depending on the
If you have any questions please feel free to contact Peter Budreo
We look forward to an exciting year of Scouting.
Hugh, Pauleen, Peter, & Stuart
1st
Fall Camp 2009
Dates: Friday, October 2 – Sunday, October 4
Location: Woodland Trails (east side of
Cedar Hollow Campsite
- drive through the parking lot, passed the small gate house and turn left; you will
follow this road past a number of named group camp sites to the point where
there is a fork; take the left fork, which leads to 4 sites; Cedar Hollow is the
first site on the right. I have attached a map of the facility.
Drop Off: Friday,
Pick Up: Sunday,
Cost: $25 per Scout (includes all food and programming costs)
To Register: Forward a cheque for $25 (payable to Scouts
Program:
The weekend program will combine a variety of outdoor and camp craft skills, activities and games.
We will work with the new Scouts and older members of the Troop on any of the Permits (Fire, Knife, Saw & Axe and Stove & Lantern) which they need to earn. This involves instruction in properly setting campfires and the proper use of a number of pieces of equipment leading to testing that, if passed, will allow the Scout to use them while involved with Scout activities. The ability to safely and properly set, light and manage a campfire and the use these key pieces of camping equipment (knives, saws, axes, stoves and lanterns) are important components of camp craft and the outdoor activities areas of the Scout program. As all Scouts are expected to be able to contribute on our various out trips, it is important that all members of the Troop develop these skills and earn their Permits.
First year Scouts will be introduced to some of the material they will need to know to be invested while second, third and fourth year Scouts will have the opportunity to work on some of the requirements for their Voyageur, Pathfinder or Chief Scout Awards.
Other aspects of the weekend program will include additional camp craft skills (cooking, setting up a campsite), mountain biking, hiking, and other challenges such as fire lighting and water boiling contests.
We hope that every member of Troop will be able to participate in this event. It will present an excellent opportunity for members of the Troop to get to know each other, and should be a great kick off to this year at Scouts. For new Troop members participation in at least one camp is a requirement prior to investment as a full member so it is important that they take advantage of this opportunity to meet that requirement.
Registration:
To register your Scout for the camp we ask that you on send a cheque, payable to Scouts Canada, in the amount of $25, to our meeting on September 22.
If you have any questions regarding this event, or any of our other activities, please feel free to contact Peter Budreo,
Equipment
We will provide all group equipment (tents, kitchen, 1st aid kit, etc). Each Scout is required to provide his own personal equipment and clothing. A list of required/recommended personal equipment and clothing follows. All personal equipment and clothing should have the Scout’s name clearly marked on it.
Personal Equipment:
Sleeping bag (3 season bag or summer bag with a liner or extra blanket)
Sleeping pad or air mattress
Mess kit (cup, plate, bowl, knife, fork & spoon in a small mesh bag – if your Scout does not already have a mess kit please send unbreakable, old items)
Toilet kit (tooth brush, tooth paste, soap, face cloth, towel, sunscreen, insect repellant, 1 roll of toilet paper)
Flashlight / Headlamp with extra batteries
Pocket knife (new Scouts will only be allowed to use these under Leader supervision until such time as they have passed the test for their Knife Permit)
Camp chair or folding lawn chair
Scout Handbook
Pack - large enough to accommodate all of your Scouts personal gear and clothing for the hike out on Sunday morning
Clothing:
Given the time of year we may experience daytime temperatures ranging from warmer, late summer to cooler, late fall norms. Scouts are urged to check the forecast and modify what they bring accordingly – evenings and early mornings are expected to be cool regardless and some warmer clothing will be needed.
Scout Uniform (to be worn for arrival, departure, the Saturday evening group campfire and the Scouts Own service)
3 sets of underwear
3 pairs of socks
2 t-shirts
2 pairs of shorts
1 pair of long pants / sweats
1 pair of pajamas
1 long sleeved sweatshirt or polar fleece pullover
1 pair running shoes
1 pair hiking boots or rain boots (a second pair of running shoes would also suffice)
1 warm hat or toque / light gloves
Wind breaker
Rain gear
Other Considerations:
Scouts may also want to bring other equipment including:
Mountain bike and helmet (helmets are mandatory for cycling at Scouts)
Soccer ball / football / frisbee
Camera
Cards
Portable board games (chess, checkers, backgammon)
Book or magazine
Note: Portable video games, personal CD or MP3 players, boom boxes etc. are not allowed .
New Leaders ALWAYS wanted----Ask a Section Leader for information TODAY!!