Out & About Number 40

Zoo Moot or BUST! One of the challenges facing both Venturer and Rover Scouts today is arranging the rides they need for traveling to activities. For many ensuring that everyone can get to the moot or canoe trip is as major a stumbling block as last minute school assignments. Companies and crews in Toronto can face 3 or more hours one way to events they want to attend. Convincing parents to make the drive sometimes is impossible. Our company has attended Zoo Moot at Camp Samac in Oshawa for a number of years. This year I challenged them to arrive by public transit. In the end it took a little more to convince the parents that this was possible then the actual Venturer and Rover Scouts. When Friday, November 13th arrived, the youth members met at the GO Transit Station next to the Finch subway station in the north end of Toronto and took the GO Bus to the Oshawa campus of the University Of Ontario Institute Of Technology. From the campus it was a short hike to the camp. Challenge completed, the fun began!

This year’s Zoo Moot had a definite pre-historic theme, from the costumes worn by the moot staff at opening to the events themselves.

Last year we were lucky enough to win two events, one of which netted us a box of Mr. Noodle’s instant noodles, which we kept until this year’s camp. I don’t think anyone checked the expiry date, but then they fitted in with the pre-historic theme. Besides we were only biding our time and saving our appetites for Zoo Moot’s FAMOUS POT LUCK DINNER! For two of our Venturer Scouts, Michael and Bijan, Zoo Moot was their introduction to Moots. At the Saturday Night Feast, I mentioned to Michael and Bijan that not every Moot had a Pot Luck Dinner, Bijan responded “Then this is the Best Moot!” The way to a Venturer Scout’s heart is definitely through his stomach. Piled high with seconds and thirds. For the past two years we have competed in the archery event with little success. We would starve if we had to hunt our own dinner, but this year Bijan was able to hit the target. Of course it helps if you are able to bounce the arrow off the ceiling. The wild turkeys on site have nothing to worry about, they won’t need a Presidential Pardon from Mr. Obama. This year we won one event and the prize was Toronto Maple Leaf soap on a rope. It will definitely be around for next year and probably for years to come. Anyone got a recipe for Soap?

The furry guy in the middle you ask? That’s our mascot. Incidentally it was his first moot. Thanks to all the staff at the moot for putting on a Great Event. We will be seeing you next year! Now that we proved to ourselves that attending camp by public transit is possible and even advantageous, as all the members were on a PD day and that meant could leave even before their parents came home from work. What else is possible? The GO Challenge in Quebec, RoVent in Sudbury or ADVenture 16 in B.C.…

“Keep the Shiny Side of the Canoe Down”

John Kirby McCuaig 6th Willowdale Venturer/Rover Scouts

On October 24 2015, the Greater Toronto Council hosted the FAST (Fun Active Scout Training) Course at Edithvale Community Centre. FAST is a full day leadership training course offered to Scouts from all over the Greater Toronto Council.

Participants included around 25 Scouts from five different groups in the Willow Valley Area as well as one group from the Scarborough Area. During the training, the youth participated in six training modules. These six modules covered topics on important skills including: leadership, effective communication, teamwork, conflict resolution, problem solving as well as a description of leadership roles such as Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader. Youth had the chance to engage in fun activities to enhance their understanding of each topic. All in all, everyone had a great time! A special thank you goes out to all those who helped with the training course. This event would not have been possible without the help of the volunteers who gave their time to help train the youth, prepare meals and plan the event. The youth left the training course having gained valuable information on important skills that will undoubtedly be useful in the future.

Helen Ho Willow Valley Area Youth Commissioner

GTC Rover Round Table Moves Forward It’s been a busy start to the year for the Greater Toronto Council Rover Round Table. There just never seems to be any shortage of things to do or experience.

On November 4th, the Round Table sent representatives to the First Masonic Lodge of Toronto for a formal dinner evening. It was a chance for us to share the history of Scouting with the Lodge members, and a chance for them in return to share with us some of the history of their organization. New friends were made, and the Round Table effectively made itself known in the community once again.

On November 14th the Round Table held its first campfire at Woodland Trails Scout Camp for Rovers across GTC. The evening was enjoyed by all who attended as we formally kicked off our year by sharing stories and socializing around flames that chased away the slightest hint of the cool weather. The fire also allowed the 2nd Scarborough Rover Crew to clear out their Den property of old trees from their Christmas tree fundraiser from last year. The wood kept the fire burning for hours, and the remaining wood was donated to the camp for future Groups to use. The Round Table is now looking forward to future events and gatherings. March 5 th has already been locked in as a Council Unlimited Class Car/Truck Rally in Scarborough for any youth or Scouter who might want to participate. If you would like to make an entry or would like more information, please contact Rover Bill Bryan for details ([email protected]). The Round Table Needs YOU! If you are interested in becoming a part of the Round Table executive, and want to help make a difference both inside and outside of Scouting, we want to hear from you. Feel free to contact Geoffrey Ellis ([email protected]) for more details!

Yours in Rovering,

-Geoffrey Ellis Knight and Founder GTC Rover Round Table

Rover Venture Magazine Out & About

Hiking and Backpacking Survey!! First Name/Nickname: Crew/Company: Area/Province:

1) What hiking trail would you recommend as the best one(s) in your area?

2) What was your most memorable hike? And what made it so memorable?

3) Do you have a tip(s) for others when it comes to hiking/Backpacking?

4) When was the last time your group went on a Day Hike? a) This year

b) Last year

c) Two years ago

d) Three years ago

e) More than 3 years ago

5) When was the last time your group went on an Overnight Backing Trip? a) This year

b) Last year

c) Two years ago

d) Three years ago

e) More than 3 years ago

Send your responses to [email protected] Extended to January 22, 2016 .

Jamboree on the Trail (JOTT)

Join the World Wide Scouting Hike

On Saturday, May 14th 2016 Cost of badge is $2.00

*Jamboree on the Trail is a world hiking event held every year for ALL scouting sections at http://jamboreeonthetrail.org

**** For more information contact: Dave Wiebe: [email protected] Twitter - @jotthike #jott2016 Instagram - @jotthike Facebook – Jamboree on the Trail NEW Part of JOTT - Night Hike

Cost of badges is $5.00 and this is geared toward Venturer Scouts, Rover Scouts and Senior Scouts (and the badge glows in the dark) We suggest that you do a night hike on Friday night May 13 th Contact [email protected] for more details

Whistler Olympic Park Whistler Olympic Park is located just two hours outside of Vancouver, B.C. and is situated on the Madeley Creek basin in the Callaghan Valley, west of the town Whistler, B.C. The park was originally developed for the 2010 Winter Olympics and it boasts to having some of the best facilities for seasoned athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. With beautiful landscapes and rugged terrain, Whistler Olympic Park is the ideal setting for Venturer Scouts to create lasting memories of ADVenture16.

Near the park, you will find skiing, snowboarding and bobsledding runs that are world-renowned (there’s a reason why the Winter Olympics were hosted in Whistler). ADVenture Patrol Units looking for mountain biking and hiking trails, you are in some serious luck! During the warmer months, the Whistler area is surrounded by some of the best trails and paths that will challenge even seasoned athletes.

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Upcoming Local & Ontario Events Greater Toronto Council GTC Unlimited Class Car & Truck Rally Supported by GTC Rover Round Table Scarborough, Ontario March 5, 2016 [email protected] Scout Night with the Toronto Marlies Grand Rapids Griffins vs Toronto Marlies Ricoh Coliseum Toronto, Ontario April 2, 2016 www.Greatertoronto.scouts.ca

Ontario Focus Workshop Camp Samac Oshawa, Ontario December 5-7, 2015 [email protected] NOC – RoVent Christmas in July in January Wilabosca Scout Camp Sudbury, Ontario January 8-10, 2016 [email protected] Camp Wetaskiwin Venturer and Rover Service Camp St. Catherines, Ontario January 8-10, 2016 [email protected]

Battlefields Academy Presents: The FUNdamentals of Scouting Woodbadge Part I – All Sections Camp Nemo Burlington, Ontario January 8-10, 2016 [email protected] Trainer Development Train the Trainer Optimist Club Oshawa, Ontario January 9 & 16, 2016 [email protected] CanAm Backwards Venturee Camp Attawandaron Port Franks, Ontario January 29-31, 2016 [email protected] Ottawa 67’s Scout Appreciation Owen Sound Attack vs Ottawa 67’s TD Place Ottawa, Ontario January 30, 2016 [email protected] Snow Moot Camp Nemo February 5-7, 2016 [email protected] Llama Moot – Episode IV Camp Wetaskiwin March 18-20, 2016

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OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2015

Ontario Events Continued Venturer Assembly Camp Impessa Paris, Ontario April 1-3, 2016 [email protected] Music Moot Cobourg Scout Reserve Cobourg, Ontario April 22-24, 2016 [email protected]

Nameless Moot – Greek Myths Guelph, Ontario April 29-May 1, 2016

Venturer Vic Day Camporee Camp Nemo Mount Nemo, Ontario May 20-23, 2016 [email protected]

Redneck Country Venturee 2016 Everton Scout Reserve May 27-29, 2016 [email protected]

Goat Moot – Age of Whedon Camp Shegarayou Princeton, Ontario May 27 -29, 2016 [email protected]

Million Dollar Mania Goes Greek Manitou Scout Camp Burlington, Ontario June 24-26, 2016 [email protected]

Imagine Your Event Info HERE!! Send it To US and See your Event in Print!!

WELCOME TO

SCOUT APPRECIATION SATURDAY, JANUARY 30 SKATE 10 – 11 AM • MEET & GREET NOON – 12:30 PM

COME FOR A SKATE, STAY FOR THE GAME AND MEET & GREET RILEY THE RACCOON, BIG JOE AND SPARKY

13

$

FOR

JUST

1 PM Hot chocolate and coffee provided + your ticket purchase gets you a 67’s participation badge! To register please call Luke Denley at 613-232-6767 x8406 or email [email protected]

OTTAWA67S.COM

Venturer / Rover Executive Workshop Training for Youth Participants aged 13 +

Venturers, Rovers and Advisors Sunday March 6, 2016, 9:00 am- 4:30 pm Camp Samac, Admin Board Room at the Scout Shop,

The Tri-Areas are offering a Venturer / Rover Executive training course, open to all Venturers and Rover aged members. The Canadian Path suggests that all youth take a leadership role, this is a great opportunity to explore how this works and can be implemented into the event planning for your group. Participants will learn the skills necessary to organize and run a high performing Venturer Company/Rover Crew. The training will be held with social time built in to the schedule to share ideas and network with other Venturer Companies and Rover Crews, a great way to build your program calendar. We will also be discussing out of area events like Moots, Huck Finn and Offers of Service at DIBC as options for program events. Scouters are welcome to attend but this training is specifically to train, develop and encourage our youth leaders. Bring a bag lunch. Coffee, tea and water will be provided. Register Online: ViEW Venturer/Rover Exec Training Mar 6, 2016 http://www.whitbyscouts.org/machform/view.php?id=38937 Enquires: Brian Wick, 1101-711 Rossland Rd E, Whitby, ON L1N 8Z1 [email protected] | 905-922-5678

Venturer Vic Day Camporee, Camp Nemo May 20 -23, 2016 Venturer Vic Day Camporee 2016 will be Army Boot Camp theme.

With mud, water, ropes and tons of challenges, push your physical abilities to the fullest, test your limits, learn new skills, and prepare to get dirty. Plus, we’re toughing it out for one day off-site. If you have questions, contact one of our Camp Generals: Natalie Booth at [email protected] or (905) 648-6936 Gino Sferrazza at [email protected] or (905) 512-4558

AGE OF WHEDON May 27th to May 29th, 2016 Camp Shergaraynou Princeton, Ontario [email protected]

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Eastern Canada

DECEMBER 2015 -FEBRUARY 2016

Western Canada

RoVenture 2016 Centennial Park Rotary Lodge Moncton, New Brunswick January 15-17, 2016 [email protected]

The Oil Kings Scout Night Rexall Place Edmonton, Alberta January 9, 2016 [email protected]

Let’s GO Mooseheads! Sherbrooke Phoenix vs Halifax Mooseheads Scotia Centre Halifax, Nova Scotia February 21, 2016 Tickets available as Scout Office Only

2016 Winter Camporee Ventures & Rovers Joffre Lakes Provincial Park Mount Currie, BC January 15-17, 2016

Zombie Apocalypse Camp Harris Mineville, Nova Scotia April 8-10, 2016 www.hfzipt.ca/moot/

Buffalo Plains: The Amazing Race Winter Camp (Scouts/Venturer Scouts) Ernest Poole Camp Parkland County, Alberta January 29-31, 2016 [email protected]

New Brunswick Linking Camp Request for Service Venturers/Rovers Scouts All Sections Invited Yoho Scout Reserve June 24-26, 2016

RoVent 2016 Manning Provincial Park Cambie Creek, BC February 5-6, 2016 [email protected]

GO Challenge (Venturer Scouts only) Tamaracouta Scout Reserve Mille-Isles, Québec October 14-16, 2016 [email protected]

Nite Hike 2016 Vancouver, BC April 9-10, 2016 www.nitehike.org

Canada Wide ADVenture 16 Sea to Sky Whistler Olympic Park Whistler, BC July 2-9 2016

Skeeter 2016 Nanaimo, BC May 20-23, 2016 [email protected] KEN-KEE Area Camporee 2016 Manitoba & Northern Ontario Councils Cub Scouts, Scouts and Venturer Scouts Rushing River Provincial Park Kenora, Ontario June 3-5, 2016 [email protected]

Join us for another great year at Ro Venture 2016! When: January 15th -17th, 2016 Where: Centennial Park Rotary Lodge, Rotary Lodge Lane off of St. George Blvd. 811 St. George Blvd. Time: Arrive Friday @ 7pm. Depart Sunday @ 11:30am. Cost: $30 per person (covers cost or meals & lodge) Registration: Registration is due by January 8th. Register at Featuring: Murder Mystery, Casino Night, Skating, Snowshoeing, Campfire, Wide Games, Movies, Networking, Food Drive

Brought to you by the New Brunswick Youth Forum For additional information or have any questions please contact: Katie Beers: [email protected] or (506)227-0020 Maggie MacPhee: [email protected] or (506)466-8454

KEN-KEE AREA CAMPOREE 2016 @ Rushing River Provincial Park June 3, 4 & 5, 2016 Join us at the edge of the Northern Ontario Council for a fun weekend of camping and activities hosted by the Ken-Kee Area! This camp is for all Cubs, Scouts and Ventures and will be held at Rushing River Provincial Park (just outside of Kenora, Ontario). The theme for this year is still being worked on as we have many to pick from! The goals of this Camporee is to:  Building outdoor skills & teamwork  Interact with youth from other areas  Have tons of fun!! Our events include Canoeing, Bottle Rockets, Orienteering, Team Building and more! If your group is interested, please let us know as it will give us an idea of numbers which will help us for planning. More details will be available once they become official

For more information please email: Dustin Mason (Camp Chief) [email protected]

The Great Outdoor (GO) Challenge Who?

Venturers and senior Scouts 13 and older

Where?

Camp Tamaracouta, Mille Isles QC

When?

The weekend of October 14 to16.

Go Challenge is a competition designed for Venturers and senior Scouts, youth participants between the ages of 13 and 17. To participate, all Venturers, Scouts and Scouters must be registered with Scouts Canada and be fully compliant. Friends of your Venturers can also join in as long as they are between 13 and 17 years old and bring with them a “Hold Harmless” form. Teams of four youth hike and canoe around Lake Tamaracouta to designated checkpoints which they must find using their orienteering skills. At each station teams complete a challenge that involves skill, strategy and teamwork. Scouters assist by manning the checkpoints in pairs and scoring the teams. Each team is scored according to how well team members work together, how well they perform, and how many checkpoints they can locate. The winning team is the one that accumulates the most points. Prizes are awarded according to team placements. Venturer companies are responsible for preparing their own breakfasts and for bringing a bag lunch to eat on the trail Saturday. Saturday evening the GO Challenge committee provides a dinner. Sunday lunch is a cook off with Scouters competing to create a dish that can be made over a fire, on a fire pit or on a camp stove. Venturers sample and rate each meal, and the winning Scouter gets a prize. Each year we choose a different type of food for the competition. Costs include the rental of your campsite at Tamaracouta Scout Reserve and the GO Challenge registration fee. While costs for 2016 have not yet been determined, think in terms of about $18.00 per camper for two nights on the TSR campsite and between $25 and $30 per youth for GO Challenge registration. Scouters pay only for their campsites. For more information, contact the following Scouters: Marc Lagacé, GO Challenge coordinator: [email protected] Carole Reed, GO Challenge administrator: [email protected]

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DECEMBER 2015 - FEBRUARY 2016

International Events

th

European Guide and Scout Conference 2016 Oslofjord Conference Center June 2016 www.scout.no

15 World Scout Moot Reykjavik, Iceland th July 25 – August 2, 2017 [email protected]

Gilwell24 2016 (Venturers only) Gilwell Scout Park London, UK July 8 – 10, 2016 [email protected]

41 World Scout Conference & 13th World Scout Youth Forum Baku, Azerbaijan October 2017

Essex International Jamboree (Members of Scouts and Guides 14-17) Boyton Cross Chelmsford, UK July 30 –August 6, 2016 [email protected]

Roverway 2016 Paris, France August 3-14, 2016 www.roverway2016.org Jam 15 Cam 2 (Scouts and Venturers Scouts only) Park Los Samanes Guayaquil, Ecuador December 27, 2016 – January 2, 2017 [email protected] th

20 Australian Rover Moot Victoria, Australia December 27, 2016 – January 6, 2017 [email protected]

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Australian Venture 2018 Queensland, Australia January 2018 [email protected] III Moot Interamericano Cusco, Peru July 28 – August 4, 2018 #moot2018 24th World Scout Jamboree Hosted by US, Mexico & Canada Summit Bechtel Family Nat’l Scout Reserve Beckley, West Virginia, U.S.A. August 2019 www.2019wsj.org th

16 World Scout Moot Larch Hill, Ireland July 22 – August 1, 2021

Pamela Akplogan, the new voice of Africa’s young Scouts!

Last August, the 7th Africa Scout Youth Forum elected six new Youth Advisors to represent the voice of African Scouts – Pamela Akplogan Monbolade Urchelle (Benin), Solomon Idopise Etim (Nigeria), Christa Anita Sophie Marie (Seychelles), Jean Cedric Nsoa (Cameroon), Paddington Johannes (Zimbabwe) and Fred Ahimbisibwe (Uganda). In this interview, we speak to Pamela, to learn more about her as well as her aspirations for the next three years. Tell us a bit about yourself. My name is Pamela Akplogan and I’m from Benin. I’m 24 years old and a Master’s student in Social and Educational Sciences. I joined Scouting back in 2008 when I was in high school. Thereafter, I became more integrated into the movement, which enabled me to take part in the 7th Africa Scout Youth Forum where I was elected Chairperson of the Youth Advisors. What would you like to achieve for young people in Africa over the next three years? Africa has many challenges to overcome and Scouting is a movement which contributes greatly to the raising of the status of our continent. Scouting is a movement of young people and the youth form the backbone of Africa’s development. As the voice of all young Scouts of Africa for the next three years, would like, with my team of Youth Advisors, to: 

enhance the value of youth engagement and female leadership

  

raise the number of participants in the Africa Scout Youth Forum by working to have all NSOs in the region represented at the next Youth Forum in 2018 develop an effective communication system with all the five zones in order to inform in real-time about the progress of the activities by the Africa Scout Youth Forum secure support for youth-led Scouts initiatives/projects

I also ask all Scouts to take an active part in the MoP programme and extend it to others. How would you like to be supported in order to fulfill your mandate? To fulfill our mandate as Youth Advisors, we need financial and logistical support. I also count on the assistance of my team of Youth Advisors, my NSO, the Regional Support Centre and the Africa Scout Committee for mentorship and effective implementation of our activities and projects. A successful mandate will be the result of good communication and continuous evaluation of our progress. Thus, I wish to encourage all young people to engage constantly with their NSOs in ensuring the successful implementation of the various activities/projects. Do you have anything else that you would like to say to the young people? I would like to encourage the young people of Africa to be actively involved in Scouting in their countries; they don’t have anything to lose. It’s an ideal environment to learn how to express their full potential, to cultivate leadership, to become good and active citizens who bring about positive change. We are the future of Africa. also invite all young people to join Scouting. It’s amazing!

(L-R) Christa Anita Sophie Marie (Seychelles), Jean Cedric Nsoa (Cameroon), Pamela Akplogan Monbolade Urchelle (Benin) – Chairperson, Solomon Idopise Etim (Nigeria) – Secretary, Paddington Johannes (Zimbabwe) and

Source WOSM website: www.scouts.org

15th World Scout Moot Iceland The 15th World Scout Moot will be held in Iceland 25th July to 2nd August 2017. It is an official event of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), hosted and organized by the Icelandic Boy and Girl Scout Association, for young people aged between 18 and 25 inclusive. If you are a Scout in a National Scout Organization that is a member of WOSM and if you are born on or between the dates of 2nd August 1991 and 25th July 1999 you are eligible as a participant. If you are born on or before 1st August 1991 you are eligible to join the Moot´s International Service Team (IST). The plan is for 5.000 participants and 1.000 IST from 80 countries around the world to join the Moot in 2017. So come on – register and join a fantastic international event held in a country of natural wonders and bright nights. 15th World Scout Moot 2017 Address: Hraunbaer 123 Zip: 110 Reykjavík – Iceland Tel: +354 550 9800 E-mail: [email protected]

GET SET FOR THE 17th AUSTRALIAN VENTURE January 2018 in Queensland, Australia [email protected]

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World Scout Jamboree 2019 The Summit Experience: Join the Wild and Wonderful Adventure The Summit Bechtel Reserve, a world class, sustainable, Jamboree site, will be the site of the 2019 World Scout Jamboree. The Summit Bechtel Reserve is located in West Virginia, USA, and is comprised of more than 14,000 acres of beautiful forested mountains adjacent to more than 70,000 acres of national park in the scenic New River Gorge area of West Virginia. Our program will capture the four core values of The Summit Bechtel Reserve: adventure, service, sustainability, and leadership. The foundations of Scouting are as much a part of SBR as the zip lines, mountain bike trails, and BMX ramps. The Summit Bechtel Reserve is one of the most environmentally sustainable human habitats ever built for Scouts. The Sustainability Treehouse is a living education center for Scouts, not only providing information, but also immersing Scouts in the concept of sustainability. Between the local timber used to build the structure, the rainwater recovery system, or the wind- and solar-generated energy, the Sustainability Treehouse is not just a museum. Standing 126 feet tall and featuring 4,000 square feet of interactive exhibits, the Treehouse, along with the McAllister Family Sustainability Challenge Trail and other exhibits, will serve as the centerpiece of Scouting’s commitment to leave the world a better place. Sustainable practices

will be evident everywhere you look, as they are at the core of SBR’s infrastructure, and sustainability will be a core part of the 2019 World Scout Jamboree program. For the first time at a world Scout jamboree, participants can experience “wild and wonderful” adventures such as whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and mountain biking. Adventure Valley offers world-class climbing, mountain biking, and zip lining. The Rocks, one of the largest man-made climbing facilities in the world, and The Ropes, balance beams, cargo nets, and other challenges, are guaranteed to raise your pulse. SBR’s zip lines cover 5.45 miles and rank as one of the top sites in the world. The Low Gear and High Gear mountain bike courses provide more than 36 miles of cross country and downhill mountain bike trails. Add The Park, one of the largest outdoor skateboard facilities in the world, and The Trax, one of the largest BMX facilities, designed and constructed by the designer for ESPN’s X Games, and you start to get an idea of how unique this jamboree will be.

Source: 2019 wsj.org