The Lighthouse -- November 1994
Scouts Canada -- Whitby District Newsletter
CONTENTS
Here we are again, well into yet another great year of Scouting in Whitby District! I must apologize for not getting a newsletter out earlier, but hopefully we're on track now. Already this year, we've seen participation by many of our members in several big events, including the Gilwell Reunion, a Sixers' Pow-wow Camp for the Cubs, the JOTA camp, and the Regional Venturer Gathering.
If you've been reading the newspapers lately, you'll know that a large housing development is being proposed right on the borders of the Lynde Marsh. Approval of the development has been delayed for the present time, but the controversy has provided us with an educational opportunity.
A new group opposing the proximity of the development to the marsh accidentally booked a meeting into the same place as last month's district council executive. John Eadie, a biologist with the University of Toronto's Scarborough campus, told us that we have the only ``Class I'' marsh still existing between Hamilton and Cobourg. If you'd like someone to take your kids on a tour of the marsh with an explanation of what makes it special, contact John at his home in Whitby (668-0114) to arrange it. He says he'll explain things to the kids without getting political.
Despite numerous new patches, Scoutworks is still not working 100% for everyone. For most groups, it was okay at the group level, but there are problems combining groups into districts, etc. For other groups, there are problems even at the group level. The province is asking for paper records for regitration. If your group's registration has not yet been turned in, be sure to get it in to Trudy Simmons right away. Computer registrations are not necessary.
The National office has reportedly spent about half a million dollars on Scoutworks so far, and Ontario is recommending that no more be spent.
The World Scout Jamboree is being held this coming summer in the Netherlands. It looks like the attendance from Canada will be fairly low compared to other recent World Jamborees. Applications from 39 adults and 159 youth have currently been received for the province of Ontario. The quota dictates that only 15 adults may go, so a decision will be made shortly. From our own Lakeridge Region 10 youth and 3 adults are going to Holland.
If you're planning any kind of Scouting activity outside of Ontario, this will affect you. Scouts Canada previously offered travel insurance through the provincial council office, but it is no longer available. The insurance company was only offering $150 per day of coverage, which is no longer adequate since the changes were made to OHIP. Scouts Canada could not continue to provide sufficient coverage at a reasonable price, so they now require you to get your own insurance.
Proof of insurance for each member must now be provided before a tour permit will be issued by the Scout office. Dave Smith is looking into getting recommendations of a carrier who can provide insurance on a group or individual basis.
Any fund-raising projects that you do, need to be approved by the district council. Your group's district council representative should now have a copy of the council's policy on fund-raising.
The district's new administrative committee is designed to support the group committees and offer assistance for them to make their decisions. Four representatives each have four groups to offer their services to. If you need any help, contact your rep or call Jennifer at 668-7680.
Ten group committee members attended an informal group committee information night recently. A non-residential "Group Committee Scouters' Training" course will be held in Whitby January 27 and 28, 1995. It will consist of an introduction on Friday night, followed by 12 hours (9 am to 9 pm) on Saturday. This is an excellent opportunity for group committee members to learn more about Scouting. Contact Jennifer to register.
December 3 is the Whitby Jaycees annual Santa Claus parade. The District has registered an entry into the parade. If you'd like to participate by adding a float or marchers to our entry, you need to assemble at St. John's School between 8 am and 9 am on December 3.
If you have been newly registered as a "key" section leader, you should start receiving The Leader Magazine within a couple of months. Other leaders wanting to get the magazine should have been listed on the supplementary form included in the registration kit.
Lakeridge Region (of which Whitby District is a part) is proposing a new regional uniform badge. Previously available was a large non-uniform cloth crest. This new version would be around 2 inches by 2 1/4 inches. Approval of the districts is required before these can be ordered, because the region doesn't actually have a budget to spend. The cost is estimated at 70 cents per badge. Lakeridge is one of the only regions in this area that doesn't have a regional badge on member's uniforms.
The next really big event for Whitby District Beavers is the SkyDome sleepover to be held November 26 and 27. Whitby is sending 300 people on 6 busses, including eight Venturers on Offers of Service.
A successful Sixers' Pow-wow was held this fall. There were 103 youth and over 50 adults in attendance.
A rather unusual Jamboree-on-the-Air (JOTA) camp was held in October. Due to a last minute cancellation by the South Pickering Amateur Radio Club, no radios were available, but reports are that everyone had a great weekend at camp even without the radios.
There are about 150 youth in Whitby's Scout section and 50 adults. Between Scouts and Venturers, the camp drew 149 youth and 49 adults--an excellent turnout for sure.
Whitby will be hosting the Chief Scout's awards this year on Friday, November 25, at Faith Baptist Church on Taunton Road. The Lieutenant Governor is coming this year to present the awards and uniformed adults are available for duties such as marshalling and serving refreshments afterwards. If you are available, contact Dave Archer to volunteer.
The Venturers of Whitby have been very busy so far this fall. Most recently, four members attended a regional Venturer Executive Information Workshop (VEIW) weekend. I'll leave it to Assistant District Commissioner (ADC) for Venturers, Jack Welsh, to give you the rest of the report (prepared in October):
VENTURING OUT
Well, the weather has been great and the Whitby Venturers have taken advantage! Regional, International and Local camps have seen participation from our groups.
The Lakeridge Region Venturer Gathering saw youth from across the region participate in a great fun event featuring dancing, driving (at Family Kartways), dodging (at the egg toss) and dragging (at the tug-o-war).
Scouter Greg from the 5th O.P.P. Venturers even raised an eyebrow or two when he popped in at lunch time in the "company" car.
Wellesley Island, New York, was the location of the Brotherhood camporee and the 2nd Whitby Fire Venturers headed off to camp. They even managed to coax our D.C., Scouter Red Beard, to drive. The Scout badge and memorabilia trading went fast and furious and again provided valued training in bartering for those future trips to the new car showroom.
Most recently the J.O.T.A. camp was attended by most of the companies including our newest unit at 4th Whitby. Welcome gang!!
Friday's Sappers Game saw some Venturers participate as good guys with Scouts while others opted to be bad guys with the Scouters. There's a message here somewhere!
Training looms on the horizon in November but that's another story. Yes, Venturing is alive and well and living in Whitby!!
Scouter Jack
The 2nd Whitby Fire Venturers are hosting an open badge trading night on Monday, December 12. All section youth (all ages), as well as Scouters, are invited. The event will be held on the second floor of the fire hall at the corner of Manning Rd. and Thickson.
Everyone is invited to bring along Scouting memorabilia, pins, badges, and other items to trade. The trading will go from 7 pm until 9.
Dave Archer, with the honours and awards committee, would like to remind everyone to nominate those who are eligible for honours and awards. Many group committee people who may be eligible for long service awards (usually after 10 years) probably haven't been getting them. It is not necessary to be registered in Scouting to earn service time for helping out. Please help us to find everyone who sohuld be recognized for service to Scouting.
The provincial council has instituted a task force on cost efficiency. The provincial budget has been running at a deficit, so if costs can't be cut there will need to be an increase in fees. If you have any ideas on ways that the provincial operation could be more cost-efficient, submit them to District Commissioner Steve Simmons, who is taking suggestions on behalf of this district.
Scout-Guide Week is coming up in February. Now is the time to start thinking about how you could increase Scouting awareness at that time. Maybe you could put up a photograph display at the place where you meet. I'm sure you can come up with more ideas.
Contact your service team member for more details.
- Nov. 25
- Chief Scout's Award ceremony
- Nov. 26-27
- Beaver SkyDome Sleepover
- Dec.
- No Whitby district council meeting in December
- Dec. 3
- Whitby Santa Claus parade
- Dec. 12
- Open Badge Trading night
- Jan. 16 and 18
- Child abuse sessions
- Jan. 19
- Whitby District Council meeting
- Jan. 21
- Emergency First Aid course
- Jan. 27-28
- Group Committee course
- Feb. 4
- Region youth forum. The district will be represented by two Scouts, two Venturers, and one or two Rovers
- Feb. 4
- Regional Beaver Sharing Session at C.O. Bick Police College
- Feb. 4
- Introduction to Training course
- Spring
- There will be a camp certificate course held in the spring. Contact Kevin Tomlinson
- Feb. 16
- Whitby District Council meeting
- Mar. 23
- Whitby District Council meeting (one week later in March, due to school break)
- Apr. 20
- Whitby District Council meeting
- May 18
- Whitby District Council meeting
See the contacts page.
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