Sent to: All Scouters in Voyageur Council |
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Voyageur Council Trail Guide
August 14, 2021
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Ontario and Quebec Groups in Stage 4 with Registration Just Around the Corner! |
Hello Scouters,
THANK YOU for all you've done to provide youth with program, adventures, and excitement through the past Scouting year! You have all contributed to the incredible resilience of our movement as we've made it through unprecedented challenges in 2020-21.
Many of you have likely seen announcements from the Ontario and Quebec governments over the past few weeks. While these announcements help us see the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, they do not have a direct impact on our Scouting stages at this time. To confirm, all Groups in Voyageur Council remain under Stage 4 Scouting.
As of July 16, all Ontario Groups entered Stage 4 with increased in-person capacity. The capacity rules in effect include a hard cap at 100 members outdoors and a hard limit of 25 members indoors, as required by Ontario legislation. Camping overnight is permitted for all Sections, using tents or outdoor shelters. 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). While the province of Ontario recently entered Step 3 (also called Green or "Open"), this has not had a material impact on our Scouting stage. For more details, please see the COVID stage information below.
Likewise, as of July 12, our Quebec Groups also entered Stage 4 Scouting with increased capacity. However, recent changes to capacity rules for Recreational activities have resulted in lower in-person capacities. Currently, outdoor recreational activities are capped at 50 youth members while indoor events are capped at 25 total members. For more information, please see the COVID stage information below. Camping and canoeing are also allowed in accordance with Scouts Canada's Stage 4 guidelines. Please note that in accordance with Quebec's sports and recreation guidelines, as well as guidelines for those singing or talking in indoor spaces, our 2m social distancing policy still applies.
New Info this Week: Volunteer Registration/Renewal, Refund Policy Update, Registration Support Update, & Council Commissioner Search
Other Info below: Fall 2021 - Explorers Needed Announcement, 2021-2022 Fundraising Calendar, Camp Opemikon Summer Family Camping, Call for Event Support Scouters, Behaviour Management Resources, 2022 Early Registration, Duke of Ed, 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 have moved into 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.
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): 50 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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Volunteer Registration and Renewal
It’s that time of the year and for those looking to recruit new Scouters, registration is now open for volunteers. Please see some process reminders below.
- August 9 – Scouter Renewal opens for current adult Volunteers
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August 9 – Registration opens for other Volunteers including current Volunteers under 181
- September 1 – Code of Conduct update for all Volunteers and Rover Scouts
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 renew on 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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Voyageur Council Commissioner Search
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.
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Around the World in 60 Days
Fall 2021 Program Advanced Announcement
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Explorers Needed!
Coming Soon, October 2021: A new challenge and an even bigger adventure. Covering five continents and eight countries… are you ready for an expedition unlike any other?
Check out the video above for a teaser of what's to come, and also click on the button below to see a preliminary schedule of what we have planned!
There will be lots more to come in the weeks ahead, but we wanted to give everyone as much notice as possible to make this fall program a huge success.
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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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Scoutcraft 1 & 2 Combined
September 17-19, 2021 @ AHSR
Chuck Fraser is leading an outdoor skills course for Scouters, September 17-19, 2021, sponsored by 1st Glen Cairn, and to be held at Apple Hill Scout Reserve.
To register, please email Chuck directly to confirm your intention to attend, then complete the training application form available through the button below. Once this form is complete, email it to Chuck and send the registration fee by mail to the address at the bottom of the registration form (cheque payable to "Scouts Canada - 1st Glen Cairn Group Committee", for $30).
This course is an updated version of our Scoutcraft 1 and 2 courses and it include resources in support of the outdoor Scouter Development cards for the Canadian Path Wood Badge 2. For more information, download the course brochure by clicking the button below. Questions for clarification? Email Chuck at fraserchk@rogers.com.
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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
In early September we will be running two fundraising townhalls to share with you all the details and information. If you have any questions in the interim, please email: laura.argument@scouts.ca.
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Camp Opemikon Family Adventure Camp 2021
New Booking Options at Opemikon!
Opemikon is now offering 3-night and 2-night cabin packages! For select cabins and weeks, guests may book a Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday night package OR a Friday and Saturday night package.
Those booking a Cub Field tent-site will now have access to a cub cabin as part of their booking! For more details, click here.
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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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Behaviour Management Resources
Are your sections struggling with challenging behaviours? Are you finding it hard to work with your younger sections? These are the resources for you!
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Scouts Canada Announces the Dates for Early Registration for 2022
Just in time to leverage an exciting fall program!
It is with great anticipation that Scouts Canada announces that we will open early registration for the 2022 Scouting Year on September 1, 2021. This is not a new process, for years, Scouts Canada has provided early registration for current and new members in May. The only difference this year is that the dates have changed due to the shift in Registration Year from (September-August) to (January-December).
As in years past, current registered members will have a two-week window to secure their spot with their Group. After which, on September 15, 2021, registration will be open for new and lapsed members. Everyone can register for 2022 when it is convenient for them - all the way into January 2022 and beyond.
The cost of the program will remain the same $230 per child for the year, with $15 per registered youth going back to the Group to fund their adventures (Some Groups may charge extra fees to cover programming)
Exciting Fall Program
Scouts Canada anticipates that most of the country will be able to return to in-person Scouting this September. In addition to the traditional Scouting program that helps develop critical leadership skills, Scouts Canada will be launching an exciting national event in October that invites youth to learn more about sustainability through fun “challenge” type activities. Sections and Groups will be competing for prizes and bragging rights.
In addition to the national event, Scouts Canada is preparing a Scouter and Group Commissioner program to help support our amazing volunteers throughout the fall and into the winter. More info will be released in June and later this summer.
Scouting is Needed Now More Than Ever
Throughout the 2021 Scouting Year, we have been inspired by our volunteers, staff and our youth who have continued to participate in program despite many challenges. Seeing those happy and wonderous faces, learning new skills and mostly just having fun has been rewarding. No other activity offers a non-formal learning program like Scouts. Scouting is not an activity or a setting—it’s a discovery. Leading a variety of fun adventures with friends, Scouts discover what they are capable of and how it connects with the communities in which they live.
For more information, and to check out the 2022 Early Registration FAQ, click on the button below.
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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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Duke of Edinburgh International Award
Calling all Youth 14+ and Scouters!
Calling all 14 + youth that want to step up their Venturing and Rover game! Now is the perfect time to sign up for the Duke of Edinburgh International Award. This is an internationally recognized Award. It can be done in parallel with your Top Section Awards.
You get the chance to build new skills, build in healthy habits when doing physical recreation, be of service to your community all while going on adventurous journeys. This award is open to any youth that are 14-25 years irrespective of you are a Scout, Venturer, Rover, or Scouter.
If you are interested in signing up as an Award Leader for your youth or a youth that want to work on the award. Let me know at kelly.logan@scouts.ca.
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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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