Sent to: All Scouters in Voyageur Council |
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Voyageur Council Trail Guide
September 10, 2021
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A note for all Scouters: Please ensure to renew your registration for the 2021-2022 Scouting year! Not sure how? Check out our section below on "Volunteer Registration and Renewal". |
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Registration Opens for All on September 15
Ontario and Quebec Groups in Stage 4
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Hello Scouters,
We're full swing into registration season, and we've got some exciting announcements in store (please fill out our Scout/OutCon survey)! Next week, on September 15, registration will open for anyone interested in joining us for the 2022 Scouting year. Until then, youth active in 2021 can renew, providing them the opportunity to secure their spot for all the exciting program that will take place in 2022!
Any youth that registers as of September 15 (or later) will be able to begin participating in Scouting program straight away, meaning they will be able to take part in up to 16 months of program! We think that this opportunity is incredibly exciting for our Groups and for new Scouting youth, and we hope that we will all be able to return to fun, engaging, in-person activities for the fall.
A reminder to all Scouters ahead of registration: be sure to renew your registration now for the 2022 Scouting year! Not sure how? Check out our section below on "Volunteer Registration and Renewal".
New Info this Week: Explorer's Needed/Around the World Update, "Let's Get OutCon" 2021 Announcement, Council Properties Update, Voyageur Council Commissioner Search: Deadline Extended, 1st Voyageur Virtual Group
Other Info below: 2022 FireVent Program Open House, Volunteer Registration/Renewal, Refund Policy Update, Registration Support Update, 2021-2022 Fundraising Calendar, Eastern Ontario Badge Trading Event, Call for Event Support Scouters, 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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COVID Stage Information
All PHUs in Voyageur Council can currently operate under Stage 4 Scouting. Please see additional information below about the Scouting Stage of your public health unit.
We will do our best to provide continued updates that detail the Scouting Stages of all of our regions as additional news is released. We anticipate that we will be able to provide more guidance in the coming weeks as government agencies make firm decisions about policies and procedures for return to school, including regarding the implementation of vaccine passports in Quebec and other provinces.
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 Stage 4 Scouting.
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As of July 16: Hard cap at 100 members outdoors and a hard limit of 25 members indoors. Camping overnight for all Sections is permitted. Canoeing is permitted. Scouts Canada requires camping to be conducted in cohorts (see the Stage 4 Standard for specific details, in accordance with Ontario regulations for organized camps). In line with our principles and acceptable risk tolerance, some other Stage 4 requirements are stricter than new provincial requirements, such as maintaining social distancing at all times. These additional restrictions remain in effect. Remember, in all cases, the most restrictive requirement applies.
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For additional clarity, the following is taken directly from the government of Ontario's Step 3 policies:
- Face coverings in indoor public settings and physical distancing requirements remain in place throughout Step Three.
- Everyone must maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from others (except for other members of their household or their caregivers):
- in indoor area of business or facility that is open to the public
- at an indoor organized public eve
- Everyone must wear a mask or face covering (indoors) that covers their mouth, nose and chin
- inside any business or place that is open
- at an indoor organized public event and within two metres of another individual
- at some outdoor public events or settings.
- Indoor organized public events and social gatherings are permitted up to 25 people.
- Outdoor organized public events and social gatherings are permitted up to 100 people with limited exceptions.
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Camps: https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/docs/2019_summer_day_camps_guidance.pdf
- All Voyageur Council Groups in the Outaouais/Gatineau region (QC) may operate under Stage 4 Scouting.
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Current restrictions: Hard cap at 50 youth members outdoors and 25 total members indoors per updated guidelines. Camping is allowed in accordance with Scouts Canada's Stage 4 guidelines. 2m social distancing must be maintained.
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.
The governments of Ontario and Quebec both recommend against travelling between provinces or between zones/regions at this time except for essential reasons.
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Groups under the following Public Health Units can operate under Stage 4 Scouting:
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Groups in Voyageur Council within the province of Quebec can operate under Stage 4 Scouting. This includes all Groups under:
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Modified Stage 4 Information |
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For Ontario Groups:
- Size of gatherings (current): 100 people maximum outdoors, 25 indoors
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Patrols: 8 youth maximum
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Sharing of equipment: permitted within Patrols only
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Camping: All Sections may camp overnight indoors or outdoors in Patrols only. Large buildings are not permitted. Tents or shelters preferred. Must follow Ontario regulations for organized camps.
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For Quebec Groups:
- Size of gatherings (current): 50 youth maximum outdoors, 25 total individuals indoors
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Patrols: 8 youth maximum
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Sharing of equipment: permitted within Patrols only
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Camping: All Sections may camp overnight indoors or outdoors in Patrols only. Large buildings are not permitted. Tents or shelters preferred.
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Around the World in 60 Days
Scouter's Guide Available Now!
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The world is waiting, are you ready to rove around the world with Scouts Canada?
Over eight-weeks from October 4–November 28 2021, Scouting youth will visit eight different countries, develop new skills through fun challenges and support their communities and the planet by leading exciting Scouts for Sustainability activities.
Get ready for a new adventure-filled challenge that will connect youth with Scouts from around the globe as they work towards bettering their communities!
The Scouter’s Guide is your game plan for all of the activities.
Plan ahead, prepare your Section’s supply list in advance and have a blast!
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Sessions for the Next Two Weeks
To register for any of the sessions taking place during the second and third week of September, please click on the links below:
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September 13: Fall Challenge Info Sessions (West) -- @10:00pm ET
- https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIlfuivpj4sE9yzC31tGb4RvQKaEPJP6ApQ
- Join us for an overview of the Around the World in 60 Days Challenge. We'll touch on information included in the Scouter's Guide for the Challenge and we'll get into the details, including approaches for Scouters and Youth to successfully add the weekly challenges into your Section's fall program as well as how to best showcase these adventures on social media!
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September 15: Fall Challenge Info Session (East) -- @8:00pm ET
- https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUqcumhrzIqG9WJbz9iKgeS6sd5oneS3R1G
- Join us for an overview of the Around the World in 60 Days Challenge. We'll touch on information included in the Scouter's Guide for the Challenge and we'll get into the details, including approaches for Scouters and Youth to successfully add the weekly challenges into your Section's fall program as well as how to best showcase these adventures on social media!
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September 22: Week 1 Skills Night for Scouters (East) -- @8:00pm ET
- https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkf-mvpzkrGNLFlWJcguwKDe-AYzExUFSH
- As humans, we depend on oceans, rivers, and lakes every day for transportation, food, and enjoyment and so much more. This week, we are focusing on sustainable methods of water transportation, which is a big component of the Life Below Water goal. Learn how to think outside the box to build buoyant boats, develop Outdoor Adventure Skills and to involve your youth in taking challenges beyond the basics and how they can help protect our waterways.
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September 22: Week 1 Skills Night for Scouters (West) -- @10:00pm ET
- https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqceyoqz4pHdzE4zTldEh3KZcks3H1HXtS
- As humans, we depend on oceans, rivers, and lakes every day for transportation, food, and enjoyment and so much more. This week, we are focusing on sustainable methods of water transportation, which is a big component of the Life Below Water goal. Learn how to think outside the box to build buoyant boats, develop Outdoor Adventure Skills and to involve your youth in taking challenges beyond the basics and how they can help protect our waterways.
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September 23: Scouter's Mug Up -- @8:30pm ET
- https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEvc-iorTsiG9MztGE4U62TOR8Vn9Pk1ZEd
- An hour-long opportunity in the evening to take-part in conversation, guided by a timely general theme or topic. Whether you come with questions or ready to share tips, tricks and experiences; grab your mug and join virtually along with fellow Section Scouters across the entire Country!
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September 26: Being a Scouter: the FUNdamentals (West) -- @10:30pm ET
- https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwkdOCsqzIuHtG6XjZ-6fJU35-siOPQZd5Q
- Many Scouters have joined Sections in the past few years and many more are being onboarded for this fall. If you are a Scouter in your 1st to 3rd year of Scouting, come and participate in a session designed to help bring understanding of what it means to be a Scouter and how to put theory and concepts into practice.
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"Let's Get OutCon" 2021 Announcement
The weekend of October 23-24, 2021
We've got exciting news to share: we're planning an in-person hybrid ScoutCon/OutCon which will take place the weekend of October 23-24, 2021!
While there are still a whole host of details to work out (such as location, cost, and exact date), we wanted to share the news with you that we're planning an in-person training event in October. We're currently working out venue details (it will be outside with an attendance limit of 100 people) and we'll firm up the date, but we wanted to give everyone as much notice as possible.
The course will feature a Skills Fair, some joint sessions, and an opportunity to meet up with your fellow Scouters in person! The course content will be focused on offering less experienced Scouters new skills, tips, and tricks, but it will also be a great opportunity to refresh old skills and get back to outdoor, in person Scouting.
To help get things rolling, we'd like to ask anyone interested in potentially attending the course to click the button below and fill out our survey. We're looking for feedback on potential sessions and to gauge overall interest. We're also looking for those who might have a skill or an activity they'd like to share with others!
Because we're looking to plan things in short order, we'd ask that you please fill in the survey as soon as possible!
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We can't wait to see you all again in person! |
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Council Properties Update
Voyageur Scouters,
On behalf of the Voyageur Property Operations team, I'd like to thank everyone for their patience. We are moving to make our facilities available to you for camping. This chart will be updated on a weekly basis. I appreciate the frustrations with bookings. While not all of our facilities are currently available to book, I encourage you to look at other Scouts Canada camps nearby. Over the summer I have been visiting camps, which I have never been to before, and I am impressed with what we have to offer.
All listings may be found at scouts.ca/camps with additional details about each camp.
Geoff Priems
Property Support Scouter for Voyageur Council
Property Operations, Scouts Canada
C 613.329.5815
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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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Volunteer Registration and Renewal
Have you renewed your registration yet for the 2021/2022 Scouting Year?
To Renew, Register, or accept the Code of Conduct, please log into your MyScouts account on or after the applicable start date.
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To renew2, click the “Volunteer Renewal” link in the left side menu then indicate that you will be returning as a Scouter for 2021-22. (If you will not be returning as a Scouter, please choose that option.)
- To register – yourself or your child as a volunteer, click the “Register as Volunteer” button in the left side menu. This is also the option to choose to volunteer with a new/different Scout Group.
- To accept the Code of Conduct, you must first have a 2021-22 Scouter or a current Rover Scout role; the CoC will appear when you login on or after September 1. (If you renewed before September 1, you may need to refresh your browser or logout then in again for the CoC to appear.) Review and click to “Accept” the Code of Conduct.
All Volunteer roles are created as “Pending” by default and require Commissioner approval of the appointment or reappointment (GCap).
*Note 1: Youth Volunteers under 18 must be registered annually by a parent.
*Note 2: The “Renew” option is available for a limited time. Any adult volunteer who does not “renew” during the eligible period will need to use the “Register as Volunteer” option to continue as a member.
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Refund Policy Update
Scouting Year 2022
Scouts Canada will be offering the same refund policy as last year with regards to early registration (before Jan 1, 2022). Parents who register their children in Scouting this fall for the 2022 Scouting Year will have until January 30th to request a refund. The information below will be added to the JOIN and FAQ sections of Scouts.ca
Refund Terms
A parent may apply for a refund by selecting the “Request a Refund” option from their MyScouts account.
Refunds will be issued for 2022 registrations completed:
- On or before 1 January 2022, if refund request is received on or before 31 January 2022
- After 1 January 2022, if request is received within 30 days of registration completion date
No refunds outside above stated time-frame. Refunds are issued in the manner in which the original payment was made.
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Registration Support Update
Scouts Canada is enhancing its customer service and moving to a national queue for all registration support and requests. Your one stop shop is to email: registration@scouts.ca.
As of August 16th, a new, single email address will be in place to support members, volunteers and parents with any registration related inquiries. This new email address will replace the three regional email addresses that are currently in use:
- Atlantic.membershipservices@scouts.ca
- westregistration@scouts.ca
- centralregistration@scouts.ca
We will be updating the Join FAQs to promote this new email address as well as providing links to it on the Join page, so parents can easily find it and use it if they have registration questions.
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1st Voyageur Virtual
1st Voyageur Virtual’s Beaver Colony remains open for youth who do not feel comfortable returning to in-person Scouting. If your Group knows of any Beavers who may be interested in continuing to participate in Scouting in a virtual capacity, please encourage their parents to register in this Section.
Additionally, if you have any Scouters who have not returned due to concerns with in-person Scouting but may be interested in running a virtual program, Relationship Manager Cassandra Campbell (cassandra.campbell@scouts.ca) would be happy to discuss how they can take part in supporting the Group!
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Voyageur Council Commissioner Search: Deadline Extended
Would you like to make a difference in the growth and development of Scouting in Voyageur Council? Do you have leadership, problem solving, and relationship management skills? Are you looking for a new challenge in Scouting?
If so, Voyageur Council is seeking its next Council Commissioner. The Council Commissioner works in partnership with the other members of the Council Key 3, the Council Relationship Manager and the Council Youth Commissioner, to support Groups in achieving Group health and high-quality programs.
To learn more about the role or to apply, check out the position advertisement on scouts.ca. If you have any questions, please reach out to any of the Council Key 3 members or your Relationship Manager.
Candidates can submit their resume and cover letter to publicappts@scouts.ca by September 15th (deadline extended).
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2022 FireVent Program Open House
October 13 from 7:00pm to 8:00pm and 8:00pm to 9:00pm
Do you have an interest in Fire Services? Are you interested in a Fire Service theme program? Are you up to the challenge?
Answer the Call!
***For youth aged 14 to 17***
The Ottawa Fire-Incendie Venturer Company is hosting an Open House on Wednesday, Octboer 13 from 7:00pm to 8:00pm and 8:00pm to 9:00pm at the Ottawa Fire Services Training Centre (898 Industrial Ave, Ottawa, ON).
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Eastern Ontario Badge Trading Event
September 17-18, 2021
The Eastern Ontario "Getting Back to the 'New Normal'" Scouting Memorabilia and Badge Trading Event will take place at Scouts Canada HQ on Friday, September 17th and Saturday, September 18th (location subject to change). Trading starts at 6pm and continue through 9pm on Friday, 9am to 2pm on Saturday.
This is a great event for families and Scouts of all ages to come and visit with members of the Canadian Badgers Club to talk about the different kinds of collectables and learn about trading ethics.
If you donate 1 badge at the event, your name will be entered into a draw where you could win "all the patches" at the end of the event!
All auctions support the Scouts Canada National Museum.
Sellers and traders can book a table for $5.00, and there is a pizza supper on Friday for $10.00.
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2021-2022 Fundraising Calendar
Scouts Canada Fundraising team is happy to announce the national fundraising dates for 2021-22 Scouting Year. Not only do we have two time-bound campaigns, for the first year ever we will be launching an ongoing campaign for Scout Coffee! As you look to budget for your AWESOME adventures, please build in the below fundraisers as an opportunity to support your Group’s financial health:
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Scout Coffee: Year-Round Campaign – End of Summer 2021 (Release date to be announced soon!)
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Scout Popcorn: October 1st – November 31st, 2021
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Scout Seeds: February 1st – March 31st, 2022
On September 12 and 19, we will be running two fundraising townhalls to share with you all the details and information. To sign up for these sessions, check out the Explorer's Needed calendar.
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Call for Event Support Scouters
Want to help support incredible events?
We are looking for enthusiastic Scouters to join our Event Support Network. As an Event Support Scouter, you will work on a regional basis with event planning teams to help support the development of both local and large events.
The Events Support Scouter role provides subject matter guidance and experience to help Event Management Teams deliver fun, safe and high-quality events that meet or exceed the expectations of the Event Standard. Event Support Scouters may be assigned support roles for large, 'higher-risk' events like CJ, AJ or PJ (large jamborees) or more local 'lower-risk' events within a Council. By supporting event organizing teams as they progress through the event management process, they function as the liaison between Event Management Team and the Approval Team to ensure events meet the minimum threshold outlined in the Scouts Canada Events Standards.
If you're interested, check out the Event Support Scouter position description attached below and submit the embedded form.
Really really love Events? Scouts Canada is also looking for our next National Events Commissioner! Check out the position description below and apply today.
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Scouts Canada National Museum
Although the Scouts Canada National Museum (SCNM) is closed due to Covid, donations of Scouting artifacts are still welcome. They can either be mailed to the National Museum at 1345 Baseline Road, Ottawa, ON, K2C 0A7, or dropped off after making arrangements in advance with Eric Hansen, Facilities Manager. His phone number is 613-818-5375.
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First Aid
For Scouters in the province of Ontario, the WSIB (which governs first aid providers) has extended the certification of all individuals whose first aid expired or will expire during the pandemic to December 31, 2021.
This means that re-certification will not be necessary until this date, and Groups can continue to deliver in-person program on that basis. For more information about this COVID extension, please click here.
As restrictions continue to ease, the Council will look to coordinate first aid courses, and you can expect more information to be shared here at a later date. If you have any questions about first aid certifications or future courses, please reach out to me, Alex Gazaleh, Council First Aid Lead, at alex.gazaleh@scouts.ca.
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Voyageur Council, Scouts Canada 1345 Baseline Road, Ottawa, ON, Canada K2C 0A7
© Scouts Canada
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