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Sent to: All Scouters and Rovers and Venturers in Voyageur Council | |
Voyageur Council Trail Guide
November 15, 2024
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Hello Scouters, Rovers and Venturers: Welcome to your latest Trail Guide. Cut off for this issue was November 13. Deadline for the next issue is November 27, 2024. If you have something you would like included in an upcoming Trail Guide (and on the Council calendar), click here to provide the information. Questions? Comments? Contact dave.stremes@scouts.ca.
What's New:
- Camp Opemkon March Break Adventure, March 10-14, 2025
- Scoutcraft for Scouters Outdoor Skills Course, April 4 -6, 2025
Reminders:
- Scouter All-call recording now available
- Range Safety Officer training at Apple Hill Scout Reserve, November 23
- Winter Outdoor Skills - January 3-5, 2025 at Apple Hill Scout Reserve
- YouthCon - May 23-25, 2025 at Camp Sheldrick
Save the Date:
- RSVP 2025, May 2 - 4, 2025, Camp Opemikon
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Camp Opemikon’s March Break Adventure
Looking for an unforgettable March Break adventure for your child? Look no further! Camp Opemikon is hosting an exciting March Break Camp from March 10th to 14th, 2025, for youth aged 8-14 (Cubs and Scouts). With transportation included from Ottawa, this is the perfect way for your child to experience the outdoors, connect with new friends, and build skills—all under the guidance of an experienced camp team.
Spaces are limited! This camp is ideal for Cubs and Scouts, but it’s open to all youth within the age range (members and nonmembers). Whether your child is new to camping or a seasoned Scout, there’s something for everyone.
Cost: $600 + taxes/fees
We Need Volunteers!
Our camp thrives thanks to the dedication of amazing volunteers. We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to assist with programming, supervision, and camp activities. If you’re available from March 9th to 14th and love working with youth, we’d love to have you join the team!
How to Volunteer:
- Must be 15 years or older.
- Must be available for the full camp duration or select sessions.
- Must be screened as scouters.
- All volunteers will undergo a brief orientation before the camp
If you’re interested in volunteering, contact us at MBC@opemikon.org by February 15th, 2025.
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Scoutcraft for Scouters Outdoor Skills
SAVE THE DATE!! The Scoutcraft for Scouters Outdoor Skills Course will be hosted at Apple Hill Scout Reserve, April 4-6, 2025. See the information brochure and application form below. This is for adult and youth Scouters, and Guiders of all experience levels. This is a combined Scoutcraft 1 and Scoutcraft 2 weekend.
Scoutcraft 1 is basic outdoor skills for outdoor activities up to day outings. Scoutcraft 2 is advanced outdoor skills, for activities up to two consecutive nights. The program offers excellent tips, tricks, hacks, hints for all manner of camping skills, including use of knives, stoves, lanterns, axes and hatchets, saws, and match and firecraft.
We are especially proud of our Risk Management and Emergency Action Planning. BP&P and Scouts Canada's expectations for how to conduct safe outdoor adventures will be covered. There will also be lots of discussion and practical sessions for learning by doing.
More details can be found in the information brochures. Download and complete the training application form and email it to Scouter Chuck Fraser, the Course Lead. He is also the point of contact for any questions for clarification. This also provides excellent resources for those working on their Canadian Path Wood Badge 2.
Registration is open now, bring friends, and make sure you save the date to avoid conflicts with other Spring plans!
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Missed the All-Scouter Town Hall?
If you missed the September 26th call, the recording is now available here. Meet the Council team, get an update on registrations, learn about the Ontario Incorporated Body and an opportunity to represent Voyageur Council on it, get a recap on Scouter Expo, get an overview of what a "Pending Scouter" means, and other upcoming events.
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More New Programs at Camp Opemikon
Explore the Magic of Camp Opemikon – Year-Round Adventures Await!
Camp Opemikon has exciting updates for your next outdoor adventure! Whether you’re looking for a peaceful escape, an action-packed weekend, or a memorable group event, we’ve got you covered.
New Trip Packages and Event Bundles
We’re thrilled to offer Trip Packages and Event Bundles designed to make your camp experience easier than ever. Plus, check out our Backcountry Camping Sites for those seeking a true wilderness adventure!
Win a Free Weekend
Follow us on social media for details on how you can win a free weekend stay and catch up on all the latest exciting news happening at Camp Opemikon!
Year-Round Accommodations
We are proud to offer a wide variety of accommodations for every group size and need:
- 7 cozy year-round bookable chalets
- Over 15 rustic cabins
- Endless tenting sites for that classic camping experience
- Catering Services; No need to worry about meal planning! Enjoy our catering services at fantastic rates, designed to make your weekend getaway even more relaxing. Groups report getting catering provides more time for them to focus on program activities at camp.
Take a Tour
Interested in seeing Camp Opemikon up close? Schedule a tour today! We’d love to show you around. If you have any questions or would like to arrange a visit, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@opemikon.org.
Visit our website at https://camp.opemikon.org/ for more details and to book your next adventure.
We look forward to welcoming you to Camp Opemikon!
Yours in Scouting,
The Camp Opemikon Team
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Vertical Skills Camp – POSTPONED to May 23 to 25, 2025
The aim of this weekend camp is to provide an opportunity for youth to gain knowledge to help them complete the competency requirements in the Vertical Outdoor Adventure Skill. This camp is for 3rd year Scouts, Venturer Scouts and Rover Scouts participating with their Troop/Company/Crew.
After instruction, the youth will have opportunities to demonstrate safe practices while they climb and belay on Ope’s high ropes challenge course and the McManus rock face. We expect to cover many of the skills of the Vertical OAS from levels 1 to 5.
Costs vary between $60 and $75 + HST and fees, and catering is available.
Please check out the detailed listings on our Program page here.
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YOUTHCON 2025
Calling ALL 4th year Scouts, Venturers and Rovers! We are hosting an OutCon event just for you! Introducing YOUTHCON 2025!!!
This will be a Friday night to Sunday morning event for all senior youth to network with other youth and discover how to bring bigger adventures to your section! Our Saturday morning will be about sharing what makes your section rock, sharing your favorite adventures, how to attract new members, and get the most out of your youth leadership team. Our afternoon has been named “Adventure World!” You will get to explore workshops dedicated to building your next adventure, preparing for your next adventure, and how to take your adventures to the next level. All of this tied together with a handful of special guests to speak about some amazing opportunities and great adventures!
This event will require some help, we are looking for a handful of facilitators and support team members to help run some of the workshops and make this event a memorable one, if you are interested in helping to facilitate, please contact declan.longfield@scouts.ca
Save the date for YouthCon on May 23rd - 25th, Hosted at Camp Sheldrick, 2921-3129 Webb Rd, Winchester, ON K0C 2K0
If your Section is interested in attending, please fill out this form and share your anticipated numbers before, to help our planners prepare for this amazing event. https://forms.gle/sBRifuq2EKx9i4W96
More information to come!
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Winter Outdoor Skills - January 3-5, 2025
Registration is now open for the Winter Outdoor Skills course, Friday January 3 to Sunday January 5, 2025, at Apple Hill Scout Reserve. Cost is $40.00. Course materials will be provided on a USB flashdrive, and a pocket booklet AideMemoire.. A very cool crest provided to surviving participants. The course is a combination of indoor and outdoor sections. 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. More information and the registration form is available by clicking below:
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COUNCIL VOTING REPRESENTATIVES
Alan Clapp, Cam Thomas, and Rebecca Norman (Youth Member) have been elected as voting members for the Voyageur Council for the next year (August 2024 to July 2025). As voting representatives, we will be attending the Annual General Meeting of Scouts Canada November 15-17 in Ottawa representing the council. Along with other voting reps across the country, we will be voting on various items that come to the AGM for approval (reports, financial statements, appointment of auditors, etc.) and taking part in various meetings on the future of Scouting in Canada.
Voting representatives are not directly involved in policy making decisions with the Board of Governors nor are they involved in the overall management of Scouts Canada. However, they do have one very important additional role which was set up by the Board of Governors. They are meant to be a liaison between the ordinary members and members of the Board of Governors if there are any issues members of Voyageur Council would like brought to the Board’s attention. If you have any issues that you would like highlighted or that you are concerned about, please contact one of voting delegates and we will be pleased to discuss it further with you, and if applicable, the Board. You can reach out to any of us:
We look forward to hearing from you and welcome your input.
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GROUP NEWS
Join the BP Guild
The 7th BP Guild (Bytown) is growing and accepting new members. It's ideal for Scouters who want to stay involved, but don't have the time or energy to be active with the youth. If you have left Scouting, but would like to enjoy the fellowship in a relaxed environment, you are welcome to join us as well. We do welcome active leaders as well.
The Guild meets monthly from September to June at Scout HQ in Ottawa. We assist the Scouts Canada National Museum, as well as undertaking occasional tasks for the National Council, and supporting Scouting wherever we can.
We have members from age 27 and up. You must be 18 or older to join. If you want to know more, head over to https://7thbpguildbytown.ca/ Join us for some enjoyable Fellowship. We look forward to seeing you.
You can send us a message there, via Facebook, or via email 7thcanadianbpguild@gmail.com
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The Scouts Canada Network
All active Scouters in Voyageur Council are invited to join "The Network!" This is a place that brings together Scouters from across the country who are eager to connect, collaborate and make our program even more impactful. This Network is housed on the Workplace platform from Meta. By joining the Network, you will have unique opportunities to:
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Connect: Any active Scouter is welcome to join! The Network will expand your community with access to thousands of Scouters from different parts of Canada, with broad skillsets and perspectives.
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Collaborate: You will have access to unique opportunities to co-design ways to improve the Scouting program, reach Canadians in new ways, and engage diverse communities.
- Innovate: You will be involved in finding innovative and creative solutions to the challenges Scouting in Canada faces and help pursue emerging opportunities.
- Take Action: Your ideas will be uplifted, and you will be empowered and supported to try new things in your Sections.
JOINING is easy!
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Please register by filling out the form here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/406c9ffa96fc4b3b9f23857e5b8a79aa
- Once you have completed your registration, you will receive an invitation to join the Workplace platform within 5 business days.
- When you receive your invitation link, please click it to complete your profile! You will be greeted by a Welcome Bot, that will guide you to some key spots within the Workplace for you to check out.
- As soon as your profile is completed, you can start checking out the content and engaging with Scouters across the country!
Once you're in The Network, be sure to join the Voyageur Council group!
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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Join the Voyageur Council support team!
As a very large Council within Scouts Canada, we want to add some additional roles to our Support Team. We're looking for both adults and youth members who want an opportunity to make a difference across the entire Voyageur Council.
Event Support: Do you love bigger Scouting events? Help us create unforgettable experiences to achieve event excellence by providing guidance and support to event organizers through the Events Management Playbook.
Social Media Team: Digital natives and seasoned communicators alike, we need your creativity to amplify our voice online! Help drive engaging social media strategies, mentor youth in digital communications and help local Groups to learn how to manage their own online presence.
DEIR Team: Join our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Reconciliation team to champion a welcoming environment for all. We're on a mission to ensure Scouting is a place for everyone, and we need your voice!
Please contact any member of the CK3 if you're interested in joining the Voyageur Council support team, or if you want to recommend someone that might be interested.
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Voyageur Council Key 3 (CK3)
Council Youth Commissioner – Declan Longfield
Council Commissioner – Leo Caisse
Council Relationship Manager – Brittiny Catalano
Please do not reply to this email. This email address is not regularly monitored.
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