Sent to: All Scouters and Rovers in Voyageur Council |
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Voyageur Council Trail Guide
January 15, 2022
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Welcome Back! Our First Trail Guide of 2022 |
Hello Scouters,
We've finally arrived in 2022 and made it to the start of a new Scouting year! We hope that you had a safe, healthy, and well-deserved holiday break and that you're looking forward to providing more youth with an incredible Scouting program! There’s a whole year ahead, and we hope in the not-too-distant future that we’ll be able to enjoy Scouting activities with fewer restrictions.
These limitations don't mean that we aren't still Scouting though! There are some fantastic resources available for Scouters in all Sections and some fun events and sessions to look forward to in the coming weeks, including the Claim the Flame Challenge and Voyageur Winter OutCon. Continue reading to learn more!
Have you checked out the News and Events section on Scouts.ca? You can find great updates there along with new ideas, new resources, and much more!
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Current COVID Restrictions
As was shared in an email to Scouters on Wednesday, January 12, Outdoor, in-person activities for Groups under the City of Ottawa Public Health Unit are now limited to a maximum of 10 individuals.
As much of the provincial guidelines are open to interpretation, there is no clear classification for Scouts Canada meetings and activities. We have worked diligently to interpret the new regulations alongside other Ontario Councils and with the support of Scouts Canada staff. However, the City of Ottawa's interpretation is that Scouting meetings in Ottawa fall under the "social gathering" classification; therefore, all Groups operating within the City of Ottawa boundaries must adhere to these restrictions.
It is difficult for us to determine how other Public Health Units and By-law Services in our Council will interpret the provincial regulations as the province has not been able to provide us with sufficient clarification. Therefore, we are encouraging Ontario Groups outside of the Ottawa boundary in Voyageur Council to follow the guidance we are providing our Ottawa Groups until they are able to confirm with their local representatives how their municipality interprets the regulations.
This is a fluid situation, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to adapt to this continuously evolving situation.
Please note that any local limitations enacted by your Public Health Unit, including orders limited to specific towns, must be followed at all times.
Ontario Guidelines
- All Groups under all Ontario Public Health Units may operate under modified Stage 2 Scouting.
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Indoor restrictions: The restrictions limit all indoor, in-person activities to a maximum of 5 individuals. Given that following the Two-Scouter rule would lead to only 3 youth being able to participate in a given event, indoor meetings are not permitted.
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Outdoor restrictions: Outdoor, in-person activities are limited to a maximum of 10 individuals (including youth and Scouters).* Face coverings and/or masks must be worn when distancing (two meters or more) cannot be maintained.
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Camping: Indoor or outdoor camping is not permitted.
* This restriction applies to all Groups operating within the City of Ottawa boundaries. Ontario Groups outside of the Ottawa boundary in Voyageur Council are encouraged to follow this guidance until they are able to confirm with their local representatives how their municipality interprets the regulations.
If preferred, Groups are welcome to return to virtual Scouting in the short term. We encourage all Groups to modify their activities to ensure the safety of our members and to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Remember that the Two-Scouter rule must still be observed if you are holding virtual meetings.
Quebec Guidelines
- All Groups in the Outaouais/Gatineau region (QC) may operate under Stage 1 Scouting.
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Indoor and Outdoor Restrictions: In-person activities, indoors or outdoors, are not permitted. Sections can only meet virtually.*
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Camping: Indoor or outdoor camping is not permitted.
* This decision was made at the request of Isabelle Charest, the Delegate Minister of Education for the Province of Quebec. Scouts Canada received a notice requesting the suspension of all Scouting activities in Quebec in an effort to collectively reduce contacts and help stop the spread of the new variant. As soon as we are advised that this request is lifted and we can return to in-person Scouting, we will absolutely inform all Quebec groups so that they can do so immediately.
Remember that the Two-Scouter rule must still be observed if you are holding virtual meetings.
As a reminder to all Scouters, for your own safety and the safety of our youth and communities, you must follow public health guidelines at all times.
Remember, when in doubt, follow the most restrictive guideline.
COVID-19 vaccine policies from Scouts Canada, as well as the Ontario and Quebec provincial governments, are outlined at the bottom of this email.
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Claim the Flame Winter Challenge
There are just 16 days left before the Claim the Flame challenge kicks off! This challenge will be taking place over 4 weeks and is timed to occur at the same time as the Olympic Games.
The Scouter’s Guide is now available to download here.
The Claim the Flame Challenge will focus on Winter Skills development for levels 1–3 and into level 4 for the Senior Sections. At the end of the Challenge, if one Challenge Activity is completed each week, youth will be well on their way to achieving Winter Skills OAS Level 1, with a number of competencies from Level 2, 3 and 4 also potentially earned.
Additionally, this Challenge is a ‘choose your own adventure’ style format; youth will decide which option they want to undertake and how they want to approach each activity. Scouters will facilitate and support their youth-led ideas.
Like the previous two Challenges, each Monday a new video will kick-off that week’s Challenge and Sections will need to log their participation online.
Missed the Info Sessions? Click here to watched a recorded session!
Head over to the Claim the Flame landing page to learn how your Group can participate in the Virtual Opening Ceremony on Saturday, January 22nd at 7pm and to register for upcoming Scouter Skills Nights, which begin on Sunday!
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Winter OutCon: New Date
Registration page coming soon!
Voyageur Winter OutCon will now take place on February 5, 2022 from 9:00am-3:00pm at Claudette Cain Park – 660 River Rd, Ottawa, ON K1V 1G1.
Scouters! Are you getting cold feet planning winter programming for your section? Come discover a blizzard of new winter skills, games, and abilities to add to your Colony and Pack program! Hosted by our Program Support Team, the morning will be filled with sessions on how to bring “cool” to life; in the afternoon, we will explore stages 1-4 of the Outdoor Adventure skills. Our day will also include some tricks to hosting program in a public park, age appropriate program content, organized networking opportunities, and some pro tips to bring lots of magic to your Elsa season program.
Joining and making new connections with fellow Scouters is as easy as sticking your tongue to a metal pole! Cost is $5. Pack a lunch and some healthy snacks.
Keep your eyes open and your inbox refreshed as a separate email will be sent to all Scouters in the coming days with more information and a link to register.
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First Aid Update - January 2022
We have spent many months putting into operation an Agreement between Scouts Canada and St. John Ambulance (SJA), this took far longer than anticipated. Despite all that we have been able to offer a few Group-sponsored SJA Standard and Blended (half online, half in person) First Aid courses throughout the Council, often open to neighbouring Groups.
The Agreement with SJA also sets a discounted price for our members attending a publicly available course. In Ontario the price is $135 (normally $149) and in Québec it is $110 (normally $130). To get this price a member registers as usual and states they are a member of Scouts Canada. Please contact me if you run into any issues.
We are currently working through the current COVID restrictions but are planning to go forward with two Blended St John Ambulance (SJA) Standard First Aid courses on Saturday, January 22 and Saturday, February 19.
Once the registration system has been set up for each course (which should be in the coming days), Relationship Managers will share the information with Group Commissioners so that they can advise their Scouters on how to register.
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World Jamboree 2023
August 1-12, 2023
Your Ultimate Adventure begins in 2023 on the shores of South Korea!
The next World Scout Jamboree will run from August 1st to 12th, 2023 and will be held in SaeManGeum, Republic of Korea. More than 50,000 Scouting participants from over 170 countries will gather together for WSJ 2023.
Who can go as a Participant?
Canada will be sending a Canadian Contingent comprised of youth and adults from both Scouts Canada and L’Association des Scouts du Canada (ASC). Participants must have been born between 22 July 2005 and 31 July 2009, and only Scouts are eligible to participate.
What if my Scouts or Venturers are not eligible?
If you are UNDER the eligibility date, you will be eligible as a participant for the NEXT World Scout Jamboree!
If you are older on the given date, you may be able to apply to become a member of the International Service Team or a unit leader.
What will this adventure cost?
Our main budget for the Canadian Contingent has been approved without the travel component at the moment. There are parts of the trip that we can plan out and budget, however due to the ongoing pandemic, travel is not one of them at this time. Once the picture is clearer next spring or summer, we will be able to give you the travel portion cost for our contingent.
Participants, Unit Leaders, and some members of the CMT will cost $3,000 PLUS travel.
ISTs, and the remaining CMT members will cost $2,400 PLUS travel.
The cost difference for participants is for the amazing pre-camp that we are currently working on. This pre-camp will give participants a chance to see and experience some of South Korea before the Jamboree begins.
In comparison, the World Jamboree in Japan in 2015 cost $6,000 per person and we have been working very hard to ensure we are below this. As we know more on the cost of flights, we will communicate this to all those registered.
This sounds great! How can I get more information?
Visit us at www.scouts.ca/wj23 for more information. Ongoing info can be found on our updated FAQ page.
Plus follow us on Facebook for all the latest information as it becomes available!
Sign up today to join our newsletter and receive the latest news and information on the Canadian Contingent to the World Scout Jamboree in South Korea!
We would love to have you join us on the shores of South Korea in 2023! Join the Ultimate Adventure today!
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Property Update - January 2022 |
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Staffing Changes
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After long Scouting volunteer careers, Ken and Heather Shore have left Scouts Canada and Camp Sheldrick. They will be sorely missed within the organization as they were strong leaders with huge capacity to help. We wish them health and happiness moving forward.
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Eric Hansen has accepted the appointment of interim Warden of Camp Sheldrick.
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Margaux Sharp left Scouts Canada on January 7, 2022.
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Michael Howard will be leaving Scouts Canada on February 2, 2022.
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Gerry Umbach has accepted the appointment of Chair of Camp Opemikon Committee on an interim basis.
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Camp Opemikon Committee
Camp Opemikon's committee is seeking members for the following positions: Fundraising, Digital Marketing, Website Management, Ranger (camp maintenance and weekend duties), and Program Specialists (ropes, archery, SCENES). Please see the Committee Job Description by clicking the button below.
Ventures and Rovers who may wish to join the OPE Crew to work in food/kitchen services or one of the roles outlined above may contact Scouter Geoff, at geoffrey.priems@scouts.ca (preferred) or (613) 329-5815 (cell), who will share their info with the Camp Opemikon Group.
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Public Appointments Process: Camp Sheldrick Chair
Camp Sheldrick (near Winchester, ON) in Voyageur Council is seeking a new Chair of its Camp Committee. We are looking for dynamic, go getters to regenerate our committee and get our camp open! Nominations will be accepted until 15 February 2022. If you would like to self nominate, or to nominate someone else, please review the attached job description and send in a cover letter (outlining how you meet the qualifications) and resume (indicating how your experiences contribute to meeting the Duties and Responsibilities) to the search committee. In the case of a non-Scouter that you are willing and able to become a Scouter). If nominating someone else, please provide their name and contact information, so that they may be contacted by the Search Committee. The Search Committee may be contacted through the Search Committee Chair, Scouter Geoff, at geoffrey.priems@scouts.ca (preferred) or (613) 329-5815 (cell).
In addition, we are seeking new committee members for all positions. Please see the Committee Job Description by clicking the button below.
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Current Camp Status
Please note that all bookings must be made at least 72 hours in advance.
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- Camp Sheldrick:
- Open but Not Yet Available to Book (Coming soon.)
- Camp Legewade:
- Currently closed.
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2022 Fundraising Update
Scout Seeds - It's Almost Thyme!
Scouts Canada has once again partnered with our 100% Canadian supplier, Make it Sow, to offer an excellent variety of seed kits, allowing customers to have fun learning more about growing their own garden all the while supporting local Scout Groups and helping our planet! We will have new kits selection this year, including a community garden kit for your Groups. The Scout Seed web page and the Fundraising Trello Board will be updated in the coming weeks with all the resources needed for you to run a successful campaign.
Groups will receive 40% of the retail price as profit and more than 5% will be allocated to the No One Left Behind (NOLB) program. Scout Seeds is a great fundraiser as well as a great opportunity to tie in some of the SDGs (from our Scouts for Sustainability program) into your own programming with a very fun and educational project.
The campaign will begin on February 1. For more information, join the Scout Seeds Townhall on January 24 at 8pm.
Good Coffee for a Good Cause
Back by popular demand, Scout Coffee has returned as a year-round campaign! Follow this link to register your Group now and get started on some more great fall fundraising. Please note that there is a new URL this year: https://www.scout-coffee.ca.
As a reminder, Groups will collect 35% of the retail price of each allocated purchase as profit. In addition, over 5% will go to the No One Left Behind campaign. Every two months, Groups will receive an income statement detailing their sales thus far followed by a profit disbursement, deposited into their Group bank account. The first deposit will be made be in the first two weeks of January, followed by the next deposit at the beginning of March and so on.
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Seeking Spokespeople - Media Interviews
Scouts Canada is looking for youth members (Scouts, Venturers, Rovers) and Scouters to participate in media interviews taking place in Ottawa & Nepean this month and in early February (find the official Press Release here).
We are seeking youth and volunteers who will be participating in the Claim the Flame challenge, are confident speakers, and can speak with passion while and staying on message.
Interested youth members and Scouters can submit this form if interested in media opportunities.
Once a form is submitted, individuals will be contacted by Scouts Canada’s public relations agency if media opportunities arise in the area. Interviews will appear on some of the following outlets: television, radio, and written publications.
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Vaccination Policies
The governments of Ontario and Quebec, as well as Scouts Canada, have announced vaccination policies which impact in-person programming. Please ensure you are familiar with these policies to ensure we can provide safe adventures for our youth.
Scouts Canada will Continue to Monitor the Rollout of Vaccines to Children 5- to 11-years-old
The federal government has recently approved COVID-19 vaccines for children between the ages of 5 and 11. With vaccinations of children across the country now underway, Scouts Canada’s Board of Governors has considered both if and when to extend its vaccine mandate to this age group.
The board reiterates its support for vaccination and the critical role it plays in allowing us to return to a more normal Scouting experience. We hope that everyone who is able, will get vaccinated at their earliest opportunity. Amid a rapidly changing landscape, we believe that, consistent with our Guiding Principles, the decision at this time must be to continue monitoring and evaluating as opposed to making any immediate changes.
Scouts Canada is making no changes to our current vaccination policy. Registered participants between the ages of 5 and 11 may continue attending all in-person Scouting events, with local COVID-19 restrictions still applicable (ie. mask wearing).
Ontario Groups
As of September 22, 2021, Groups in Ontario must validate the full vaccination status of members participating in in-person, indoor activities. For more information about this policy and specific details on how to track vaccination status, please click the button below.
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Quebec Groups
As of September 1, 2021, Groups in Quebec must validate the full vaccination status of members participating in all in-person activities (indoors and outdoors). For more information about this policy and specific details on how to track vaccination status, please click on the button below.
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All Scouts Canada Groups
As of November 1, 2021, all Scouts Canada members who are >12 years of age must be fully vaccinated to participate in in-person activities. This means that Scouts Canada's full vaccine mandate is now in full effect and those who are not fully vaccinated (or who have not been granted an exemption) may not participate in in-person activities.
For more information on Scouts Canada's vaccination mandate, please click on the button below.
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Updating Your Vaccination Status or Applying for an Exemption
All Scouters should have received an email outlining how to update their vaccination status in MyScouts. For your convenience, we've also provided links below to the step-by-step guide on updating your vaccination status and to the exemption application procedure.
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Voyageur Council, Scouts Canada 1345 Baseline Road, Ottawa, ON, Canada K2C 0A7
© Scouts Canada
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