The Lighthouse -- Jan/Feb 1997 The Lighthouse -- Jan/Feb 1997Happy New Year to everyone! Firstly, a tip of the beret to Scouters Phyllis Webb and Phil McKeown. They have each been recognized by Scouts Canada with the Medal for Good Service. Thank you to both of these Scouters for their work with the youth of Whitby.
CJ'97 is fast approaching and this will be the largest contingent ever from Whitby. Most or our troops and companies will be participating and it's not too late to join in the fun! If there's any youth interested in going, I can place them with another group. A big part of any jamboree is ensuring that we recruit enough volunteers to help run the programs. If you are aware of any adults who would enjoy a week in the outdoors with 12,000 other campers, give me a call. The Offer of Service charge is only $25 and includes a souvenir t-shirt plus tent accommodation. Remember, the Canadian Jamboree only happens once every four years but the memories last a lifetime.
Part of the re-organization of Ontario Scouting is the implementation of a youth forum to make it possible for the youth to have their ideas heard. The format of the forum is that twice a year all members 14-26 years of age would meet to discuss issues in the district or other areas that are of interest to these young people. Part of their responsibility would be to bring forward the concerns of the Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts in their group. Scouters Bob Dempster, Kevin Tomlinson and myself will facilitate the first meeting, however subsequent meetings will be youth-run as per our mission, principles and practices.
I recently received a communique regarding high risk activities. The message here is that if you want to participate in an event that requires your group to sign a waiver in case of an accident, you may not participate!!! This is not going to stop you from running exciting programs but we need to be aware of our risk management. Fourth Whitby recently too their guys out flying in glider planes with full Scouts Canada approval. It just took some advance planning, so let's talk.
This time of year sees a number of camps in all sections, which may involve parent helpers. Please make sure that they know that, while at camp, they must comply with Scouts Canada policies. As trip leader, it is your responsibility to check that all drivers have valid insurance and licence and that although a glass of wine at dinner may be the norm at home, there is to be no alcohol at any youth activity.
Good Scouting,
Scouter Jack
The upcoming regional conference has met minimum early registration figures and is proceeding. If you got in on the early registration, the session assignments have been determined for those. Speak to D.C. Jack Welsh to find out what sessions your in.
If you haven't yet registered for the conference, be sure to get your registration in to Maureen. The conference promises to be very informative and a lot of fun, too.
There are still some groups who haven't submitted their reports for last October's Apple Day. Those groups must get their reports in immediately.
The province requires that the new region with have three executives and 5 support staff. The fee to the provincial office for next year will be $4.00 per member.
As the commissioner says in his report, we have a record number of members from Whitby attending the Scouts Canada Jamboree this year. A special jamboree jacket for Lakeridge region is planned and we'll likely be able to customize it for Whitby as well, as was done for that last CJ. The first event for jamboree attendees is the mandatory pre-camp, which will be held May 30 to June 1 at Paul Lynne Park in Ajax.
Some of the Venturers are proposing a Whitby District contingent badge for trading at the jamboree. It would be cheaper to incorporate the district badge into this design. With the coming of the new region next year, and given that we have to order a new supply of district badges, now is the time to consider revising or re-designing the district badge. The possibility will have been discussed at the council meeting by the time you read this.
As the commissioner's report says, two local Scouters were recently honoured with awards from Scouts Canada. The latest recipient was Phyllis Webb, who was presented with her medal at a special ceremony in front of the 2nd Brooklin Cubs. Scouter Phyllis was a leader with 2ndBrooklin Cubs during their first years of existence, before starting Whitby District's very first Beaver colony. After serving the Cub pack again in recent years, she is now a member of the district's Cub service team.
Several other award applications are in the works. If you know someone who deserves an award, please speak to District President Dave Archer, who will tell you how to proceed. Groups are reminded again that long service awards are only given for the years that committee members (or anyone else) is registered.
There has been no group committee training recently, but President Dave Archer is trying to organize a region-wide training session in order to get the volume of registrants that's needed.
Speak to Dave about
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