Sent to: All Scouters and Rovers in Voyageur Council |
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Voyageur Council Trail Guide
December 10, 2021
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Our Last Trail Guide for 2021 |
Hello Scouters,
As we close out 2021, we want to thank you for everything you've done to keep Scouting going strong during this challenging year, and to deliver amazing adventures to youth throughout our Council! This will be our last Trail Guide for 2021 (and the last Trail Guide put together by our outgoing Council Commissioner). We'll be back in January with all the latest information for Scouting throughout our Council.
New Info this Week:
New Council Commissioner
Ontario Virtual Scouting Group – Call for Scouters
Strategic Plan, Annual Report, and New Chief Scout
Claim the Flame Winter Challenge
Winter Outdoor Skills Course
First Aid Update
Wilderness First Aid Course
Winter OutCon – Coming Soon
Call for Applicants: Camp Opemikon Chair
Other Info below: Vaccine mandate (Scouters and youth), Council properties, World Jamboree 2023 Information, NOLB Participation Subsidy, Scout Seeds and Scout Coffee details, and 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! Click here to check it out!
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New Voyageur Council Commissioner
Scouter Joni Boyd
On behalf of the Council Key 3, it is our sincere pleasure to announce the appointment of Joni Boyd as the Council Commissioner for Voyageur Council, effective immediately.
Joni joined Scouting with her son, then daughter, more than 20 years ago as a Troop Scouter where she especially enjoyed planning and executing fun and challenging outdoor hiking and canoeing adventures with youth. In 2015, she became Group Commissioner of 8th Orleans, growing the group by 60 youth members over a five-year period and was awarded a Silver Acorn for her contributions. She continued her service to Scouting as a Group Administrator in 8th Orleans and as a Group Support Scouter in Voyageur Council. In the words of Joni’s original Troop Contact Scouter, “Your years in Scouting will be the best times of your life,” and she believes that it has been!
Professionally, Joni is a Registered Nurse who is a leader in the accreditation of schools of nursing in Canada and internationally. She is a Project Management Professional who has worked collaboratively with others on projects in Haiti and Bangladesh, the last of which won an award with Global Affairs Canada. She loves travelling, her cottage, and being with family.
Joni is passionate about engaging volunteers and supporting Groups. She is looking forward to supporting and strengthening Scouting throughout Voyageur Council. She can be reached at joniboyd@scouts.ca.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Nicolas DesRoches for his outstanding service as outgoing Commissioner and wish Joni great success in her new role.
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A Message from our Outgoing Council Commissioner
As I turn the page on my final year as Council Commissioner, and my 27th year as a member of Scouts Canada, I want to take the time to say Thank You.
Thank you to all the incredible Scouters in Voyageur Council. Despite all the challenges of the past two years, and everything going on in your life outside of Scouting, you continue to contribute your time, your energy, and your skills to offer life-changing adventures to our youth. Without people like you, I never would have dreamed of being a Council Commissioner one day, and I certainly would not have had the skills that helped me throughout my term. When things are challenging, I hope you can take the time to reflect and to know that you are making real, positive, and lasting change that goes far beyond the walls of the gym or the church basement.
Thank you to all the amazing youth in Voyageur Council. Day after day, our youth continue to demonstrate just how resilient, resourceful, and kind they are to their families, their friends, and their communities. Our youth, the next generation of leaders, have inspired me to do and be more, and I'm proud to say that I started my journey as a youth leader not all that long ago. I look forward to seeing our youth grow and become the Scouters of tomorrow.
Finally, I want to Thank the Council team, including all of our Group Commissioners, Group Support Scouters, Support Scouters, and staff. There is not a single thing that I could have accomplished without all of your dedication and support. I'm glad to be handing over such a strong, dynamic team to our new Council Commissioner, and I know you'll all thrive together.
Here's to all of you, to everyone in Voyageur Council, who continues to keep the Scouting spirit burning bright, even through dark times.
Yours in Scouting,
Nicolas DesRoches
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First Aid
First Aid in Voyageur Council
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 have a few non-SJA trainers who can present Red Cross or Ottawa Paramedic Service Standard First Aid accreditation courses, time permitting.
In addition, we are also able to present Wilderness First Aid courses. There is one in January, and we can look at more should there be interest.
I have also heard of Groups using outside organizations to provide Standard and Wilderness First Aid training. There is no problem with this practice if they are offering provincially accredited courses.
We look forward to offering more courses, either sponsored by Groups or Council-wide if we can overcome our greatest challenge of finding suitable facilities at times when trainers are available. I would ask that Group Commissioners interested or able to host courses contact me so we can get the ball rolling.
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Wilderness First Aid Course
1st Carp Scouts is offering a Basic Wilderness First Aid course through Canadian Wilderness Medical Training and Scouts Canada volunteers. The course takes place over the weekend and includes Standard First Aid certification as well as meeting the Wilderness Medical Association's requirements for Wilderness First Aid.
Jan 15 & 16 @ Huntley Mess Hall, 2240 Craig Sd. Rd. (Carp)
Hours are 9am-6pm each day.
The course fee is $170.
Participants are to bring their own lunch.
The courses are largely outdoors, so Be Prepared.
Bathroom facilities are located on site.
You are only considered registered, and your spot held, once payment is received. 1 to 2 weeks after registration is complete, you will be emailed confirmation of your registration, course hours and location, and joining instructions.
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Voyageur Council Winter Outdoor Skills 2022
Friday January 7 to Sunday January 9, 2022
Apple Hill Scout Reserve, Apple Hill, Ontario
For: Adult Scouters
Instructors: Chuck Fraser, Dave Skinner, Cherie Koshman, Steve Bellefleur, Mike Lehman
Location: Apple Hill Scout Reserve
Cost: To cover expected expenses, the fee for the course is $45.
Participants are to be self-sufficient for meals; those wishing course materials may bring their own USB device to download presentation materials. A very cool crest provided to surviving participants.
Date: Indoor and Outdoor Sessions: Friday January 7, 2022, 7pm-9pm, until Sunday January 9, 2022, 2pm, if and as necessary, to be determined.
Sleepover Saturday night: Challenge by Choice: Participants may choose to join the trainers outside overnight Saturday night: Participants to determine their learning experience with choice of shelter (tent, tarp, quinzhee if snow permits), or sleep indoors, Participants are to be self-sufficient for camping and food.
Course Content:
Indoor sessions: Practical information for being prepared for winter outdoor activities including:
- Strategies to be comfortably dressed in all conditions,
- Group equipment considerations for winter camping,
- First aid for winter environmental hazards,
- Adapting off the shelf equipment and home-made equipment for carrying gear,
- Winter travel to and from activity area,
- Menu planning and meal preparation,
- Improvised shelters (tarps, trenches and quinzhees),
- Places to go and things to do with your youth to support program goals,
- Resources for personal development,
- What you need to know pre-winter season, and how to advise Parents prior to outings
Outdoor Sessions: There will be sessions outdoors, no matter the weather, practicing the strategies for winter wilderness living skills. We will do what we can with the conditions we have, and certainly cover what is possible with sufficient snow, extreme cold, and age-appropriate winter activities.Participants should be prepared to be outside for most of the training time, there will be Joining Instructions provided to those who have registered.
Winter is a great time to be outdoors, but sleeping out overnight has practical challenges, and great rewards for building confidence and embracing challenge. Whether you are taking Beavers and Cubs sliding, skating or for a hike, or Cubs and Scouts for their first winter camp, you will add to your confidence, knowledge and skills with this experience from a great training team.
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Claim the Flame Winter Challenge
We want to share some newly-released information about our upcoming Claim the Flame Challenge, which begins on January 31st. This challenge will be taking place over 4 weeks and is timed to occur at the same time as the Olympic Games!
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.
Claim the Flame Challenge info sessions will be taking place over three weeks:
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Winter OutCon: Coming Soon!
Save the date!
Let’s Get OutCon: Winter Edition will take place on January 22nd, 2022 from 9:00am-3:00pm at Claudette Cain Park – 660 River Rd, Ottawa, ON K1V 1G1.
As we gear up for the Claim the Flame Challenge, we’ll be sharing some tips and tricks to make the most of your winter adventures with your Colony and Pack! This session will be a great opportunity to network with fellow Scouters, improve your Outdoor Adventure Skills, and become more confident with outdoor programming. Senior Section Scouters are welcome to join as well!
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Ontario Virtual Scouting Group
Call Out to Scouters Across Ontario
A group of Scouters within Ontario are starting up the 1st Ontario Virtual Scout Group. This will help fill a need of youth who want to remain in Scouting but cannot attend due to either their vaccination status, COVID/social anxiety or for those who are not physically close to a local group.
The group plans to start operating in January 2022, initially with a Scout Troop and then extending to other sections as they recruit more scouters for junior sections.
The group is looking for the following roles:
- Troop Scouters (the more the merrier)
- Group Commissioner
- Treasurer
As the group extends sections, they will be looking for Colony and Pack Scouters too.
The troop plans to meet Thursday evenings between 7 pm and 9pm starting on January 7th, 2022, if you are interested in joining this virtual team of Scouters, please contact Brian Gill at brian.gill.scouter@gmail.com.
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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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Strategic Plan and Annual Report
The Board of Governors launched Scouts Canada’s new strategic plan which aims to strengthen Scouts Canada’s impact and provide access to great, safe Scouting adventures to more youth across Canada during the Annual General Meeting on Nov 20th and 21st. You can access the plan on Scouts.ca: https://www.scouts.ca/about/strategic-plan.html
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Introducing our New Chief Scout
Les Stroud aka Survivorman!
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Public Appointments Process: Camp Opemikon Chair
Camp Opemikon, Scouts Canada's flagship camp hosted here in Voyageur Council is seeking a new Chair of its Camp Committee. Nominations will be accepted until 15 January 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, the 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 also contact Scouter Geoff, who will share their info with the Camp Opemikon Group.
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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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NOLB Participation Subsidy
Scouts Canada is making an update to the application process for the NOLB Participation Subsidy, in order to make it easier for families to access the support they need to be able to participate in great Scouting adventures.
Parents can now apply for financial assistance to help pay for uniforms, equipment, and program activity fees directly through their MyScouts account by selecting the NOLB Fund Request option.
Most applications will be assessed immediately, and the Group will be notified of any funds that are disbursed. Groups are responsible to allocate the funds appropriately for the intended purpose. For more information, please see the No One Left Behind (NOLB) Participation Subsidy Procedure. |
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2021-2022 Fundraising Update
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.
To find all the resources needed to fundraise and more info on Scout Coffee and Scout Popcorn, visit our Trello Fundraising board.
Scout Coffee Update
With the Scout Coffee campaign now a year-round fundraising event, there has been some inquiry about when funds will be allocated to groups.
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.
Scout Seeds
They are back and are a very fun activity to do with your Sections. We will be launching the campaign in early February to coincide with early growing season for those avid gardeners, so look for the material in January.
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COVID Stage Information
All PHUs in Voyageur Council can currently operate under modified Stage 4 or Stage 5 Scouting. Please see additional information below about the Scouting Stage of your public health unit.
Please see additional details below regarding COVID-19 vaccine policies from Scouts Canada as well as the Ontario and Quebec provincial governments.
PHU Stages
Please also note that any local limitations enacted by your Public Health Unit, including orders limited to specific towns, must be followed at all times.
- For Groups under all Ontario Public Health Units, all Ontario regions may operate under modified Stage 4 Scouting.
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Updated indoor restrictions: Capacity limits have been lifted for all indoor spaces that require proof of vaccination to enter. However, every Group will need to confirm with their meeting location as some do have additional restrictions regarding capacity. For example, according to the Ontario COVID-19 website, indoor recreational amenities must “limit the capacity indoors to permit two metres physical distancing up to 50%” while the indoor capacity at community centres “must be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distancing of 2 metres.” We cannot provide firm guidance on this as every location will be different, so please consult with the primary contact at your meeting location. Operating in patrols, physical distancing, and masking continues to be required indoors. Sharing of equipment is permitted within Patrols only.
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Updated outdoor restrictions: No capacity limits are currently set by the government. However, please ensure that you are maintaining physical distancing and operating in patrols. Sharing of equipment is permitted within Patrols only.
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Camping: Overnight camping for all Sections is permitted. Camping must continue to be conducted in cohorts and physical distancing is required. Self-serve buffets are not permitted. Sharing of equipment is permitted within Patrols only. See the COVID-19 Safety Guidelines for Overnight Camps and COVID-19 Safety Guidelines for Day Camps to review the comprehensive guidelines.
- All Voyageur Council Groups in the Outaouais/Gatineau region (QC) may operate under Stage 5 Scouting.
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Updated indoor restrictions: Capacity limits have been lifted for all indoor spaces, provided the space allows for 1 metre of physical distancing. Individuals 13 and over must present their vaccination passport in order to participate (however, please note that Scouts Canada’s vaccination policy requires that individuals 12 and over must be vaccinated to engage in in-person Scouting). Operating in patrols, physical distancing, and masking continues to be required indoors.
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Updated outdoor restrictions: Capacity limits have also been lifted outdoors. Individuals 13 and over must present their vaccination passport in order to participate (however, please note that Scouts Canada’s vaccination policy requires that individuals 12 and over must be vaccinated to engage in in-person Scouting). Operating in patrols and physical distancing is required.
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Camping: Overnight camping for all Sections is permitted. Physical distancing is required.
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.
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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.
Approval of Vaccines for 5-11 Year-Olds
As you may be aware, the Federal government has just announced the approval of COVID-19 vaccines for youth between the ages of 5 and 11. Scouts Canada has previously announced we expect to extend our vaccine mandate for all persons consistent with Federal guidance.
Due to this most recent announcement, Scouts Canada will be reviewing the guidance and adapting our policies accordingly.
We anticipate there will be an implementation period but as of now, there is no immediate change to our policy given that government practices and timelines on vaccination for youth have not yet been established. As such, youth 5-11 can continue to participate at Scouting activities in-person. Once we have more details we will communicate timelines, including aiming to provide a reasonable approach to allow for ample time for scheduling two doses. More updates will be available in the coming weeks.
Scouts Canada has consistently used guiding principles to shape our response and requirements. We continue to support the federal government and associated health authorities that widespread vaccine coverage is our best way to end the pandemic.
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 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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