The Lighthouse -- September 1995

Scouts Canada -- Whitby District Newsletter

CONTENTS

COMMISSIONER'S REPORT

Back to school and Scouting is going full blast!

This is my first year as district commissioner and the whole thing is rather overwhelming. Meetings, phone calls, etc., can really fill a schedule, but hey, the kids invited me to camp this weekend and scouting outings are always fun!

The new year has brought a number of changes on the service team, not the least of which is the retirement of Steve Simmons as our commissioner. I'd like to thank Steve for his service to this council for the last four years and for his help in making the transition an easy one.

Cathy Harker will continue as ADC Colony, while Larry Webb takes over as ADC Pack. Thanks to Kees Stolk for his service as ADC Pack and for continuing on with Pack Service Team. Kevin Tomlinson returns as ADC Scouts abd Dave Archer returns to service team as ADC Venturers/Rovers.

There are many new faces on the service team this year plus lots of familiar faces and if we can help, give us a call.

In closing, I'd like to thank the members of 2nd Whitby Fire Venturers and 5th Whitby OPP Venturers for their help at the CNE Warriors Day Parade.

Good Scouting
Scouter Jack

AN INVITATION

The Whitby District Cub Service Team would like to invite any interested people to come to observe the Sixers' Pow-Wow Camp which will be help from the evening of Friday, September 29 until Sunday, October 1. The gate to the group camping area will be locked as Heber Down Conservation Area requires, but you can find out the combination to the lock from any member of Whitby District's Cub Service Team.

The Service Team for this year consists of Larry Webb (ADC 655-8884), Carla Scholten (666-5766), Dave and Nancy Worman (668-0609), Richard Halsall (1-416-461-5689), Ron Robertson (579-0128), John Peacock (668-8060), and Kees Stolk (666-8592).

SYD: SCOUTING FOR YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES

How many of you have a youth member with some form of a disability?

How many of you realize there are numerous disabilities out there?

Some of the most common are asthma, dyslexia, and food allergies.

Ever wonder if you could receive a youth with a disability into a section and ensure the youth is getting the most out of the program?

If this applies to you, and you don't know where to look for help . . . look no further. Help or assistance is available in Whitby District from our SYD Representative, Jill Tomlinson, at 430-8524.

DISTRICT REGISTRATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

This year, for the first time, Whitby District is hosting a special night for prospective members who haven't registered with their individual groups.

The night is September 28 at the Whitby Municipal Building on Rossland Road in committee room 1 from 6:30 to 8 pm. One representative from each group is expected to be in attendance. In addition, it would be helpful if a Beaver representative could be available. There's not much space in the committee room and we've had dozens of phone enquiries, but there are many prospective Beavers in particular as well as potential Beaver leaders.

Speaking of registration, a clarification: the fee for this year is $23 (provincial and national fees) plus a $6.70 Whitby District levy. Any group levies are in addition to this amount.

CAMP SAMAC 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Calendar year 1996 will mark the 50th year of Camp Samac in Oshawa. Over the last 50 years, thousands of Scouts from Whitby have made use of its excellent facilities.

The Oshawa District Council says, ``The years however, have taken their toll. New ordinances, environmental concerns and health regulations demand that our facilities be updated or replaced . . . . A consulting firm (Woods-Gordon) studied the conditions of the buildings and developed a course of action to preserve this `jewel' for the future use of generations to come.''

The board has begun a $600,000 fund-raising campaign. Donations can be sent to The Camp Samac Foundation, 1711 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa, ON L1G 4Y1. Charitable donation receipts are available on request.

Some special celebration activities are upcoming. We'll keep you informed.

NEW LAKERIDGE REGION BADGE

The new Lakeridge Region badges are now available. These are to be worn on the uniform just below the District badge. See your books for details. Our initial supply for the district is at a special price. The price at Camp Samac (once you add taxes) is slightly higher.

ONTARIO STRUCTURAL REVIEW

The recommendations of the structural review committee, which suggested eliminating group committees, among many other things, were turned down by the Provincial Council at its annual meeting last spring. The council has appointed a new committee to investigate further.

TRAINING, TRAINING, TRAINING

Whitby District's V.P. for Training, Jennifer Ackland, has been busy this summer lining up a long list of training opportunities for all our adult volunteers. There's a long list in this month's coming events section at the end of the newsletter.

In particular, note the Introduction to Scouting, which should be taken by everyone who is new to Scouting in Whitby. It's being held on two different nights so that you the choose the one that is most convenient for you.

Keep in mind that courses are sometimes cancelled due to lack of registrants and many other courses are often filled up well in advance, so plan ahead and get yourself registered as soon as you can.

Courses that are listed are sponsored by Whitby District Council, the adjoining councils to the west (Owasco), north (Pine Ridge), and east (Oshawa), the Greater Toronto Region (GTR), or the Ontario Provicial Council. Contact phone numbers are listed for many of the courses, otherwise contact Jennifer at 668-7680 for more details.

Whitby District Council will pay 100% for Scouting courses costing up to $15 and 75% for courses over $15. Your group committee will cover the other 25% in most cases. Keep your receipts and submit them for reimbursement.

COMING EVENTS

Rather than just reading an old list of coming events which may be out-dated by the time you read this, you can go to a Current List of Coming Events for Whitby District.

WHITBY DISTRICT SERVICE TEAM

See the contacts page.

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