Nipissing Scouting News

Scouters Club News

2008-10-02T09:59:00.000-04:00

* Nipissing Area Scouters demonstrated their first aid skills on the victim of a motorcycle accident last Saturday during Woodbadge I/Mentor's Weekend at Camp Wirribara. A 25-year-old man crashed about a half-kilometre from the camp, suffering fractures of his femur and a thumb, but was quickly tended to by most of the 18 Scouters at the camp, which include several nurses, a volunteer firefighter, a half-dozen Scouters trained in wilderness first aid, and several Scouters trained in Standard First Aid. Ambulance paramedics, who picked up the victim at the Chisholm Fire Station, were impressed with the "packaging." Well done Scouters.

* Wilderness First Aid will be held Thursday evening to Sunday, Nov. 6 to 9, at Camp Wirribara. Cost and further details will be announced shortly by Scouter Gord Ford who will lead the training.

* Standard First Aid for Scouters will be held Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 22 and 23, at either the Kinsman Centre or the St. John Ambulance office. Details will be announced shortly by Scouter Gord Ford.

* Nipissing Area Winter Troop Camp, Feb. 27 to March 1, will not be at Camp Wirribara this winter as previously planned, but will be relocated to the Songis Road location of recent years.

* Scouter Norm Giroux presented his annual report on Camp Wirribara with the news no vandalism occurred at the camp this year, thanks in part to increased patrols by the Ontario Provincial Police. Improvements and repairs done this year included building a retaining wall to prevent erosion, renovations to BP House and replacing the gas regulators on the bunkhouses and mess hall. Plans for next year call for changes to the washrooms, including new flooring.

* After lengthy discussion, Scouters decided to talk with their group committees about increasing the area's camp fee to $10 from $5 effective next year, and whether proceeds from the area badge office should be dedicated to Camp Wirribara or some other endeavour.

* Northern Ontario Field Executive Allan Haley gave a presentation on risk management. Copies can be obtained from Scouter Ken Sitter.

New Program Help

2008-09-29T08:51:00.000-04:00

Two new online programming aids have been launched to help Canadian Scouters plan their programs.

Scouts Canada's Online Program Builder went live last week with a database of activities, an option for Scouters to contribute to the database, and an option to build, save and email your own program online. Scouters will need their MMS name and password to log into the Online Program Builder.

Scouters will not need a user name or password to access the new Scouter Wiki, which asks Scouters to do their best to be prepared by sharing, sharing, sharing to build a database of program activities and resources. As of the launch of Scouter Wiki had limited resources but was open to contributions.

Not Too Late to Register

2008-09-08T11:01:00.002-04:00

Relax, there's still time to register for the 2008-09 Scouting year.

Registrations will be accepted at regular Beaver, Cub, Scout and Venturer meetings throughout the year, beginning immediately.

BEAVERS (ages 5 - 7):

First Callander
Meetings every Thursday from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Ferris Glen Public School, Corbeil

First North Bay
Meetings every Tuesday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Trinity United Church, 111 McIntyre Street E., North Bay

Third Widdifield
Meetings every Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Sacred Heart School, 1516 McKeown Ave, North Bay

West Ferris
Meetings every Tuesday from 6:20 to 7:30 p.m.
St. Raymond's School, 22 Borge Street, North Bay

WOLF CUBS (ages 8 - 10):

First Callander
Meetings every Tuesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
St. Theresa’s School, Callander

First North Bay
Meetings every Tuesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Trinity United Church, 111 McIntyre Street E., North Bay

Third Widdifield
Meetings every Tuesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Sacred Heart School, 1516 McKeown Ave, North Bay

West Ferris
Meetings every Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
St. Raymond's School, 22 Borge Street, North Bay

SCOUTS (ages 11 - 14):

First Callander
Meetings every Monday from 7 to 9 p.m.
Ferris Glen Public School, Corbeil

First North Bay
Meetings every Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m.
Trinity United Church, 111 McIntyre Street E., North Bay

Third Widdifield
Meetings every Monday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Sacred Heart School, 1516 McKeown Ave, North Bay

West Ferris
Meetings every Monday from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
St. Raymond's School, 22 Borge Street, North Bay

VENTURERS (ages 14 - 18):

West Ferris
Contact Scouter Rhonda Rutherford 497-3297

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL:

First Callander - Marten Deforest, 752-3783
First North Bay - Bill Brownlee, 472-3326
Third Widdifield - Ken Sitter, 474-3235
West Ferris - Brian Trivett, 472-2914
Nipissing Area - Candy Stott, 474-0964, or Anna Wright, 472-4213

Knots for Everyone

2008-08-31T18:22:00.001-04:00

Colin Cleator, of First North Bay Cubs, paints a stick to be used as a knot board at Nipissing Area Scouts Canada's annual summer camp at Camp Wirribara on Little Clear Lake in Boulter Twp. last week. More than 40 Cubs, Scouts and leaders attended the week-long event that included traditional scouting activities -- hiking, canoeing, no-trace camping, knots and more.

Registration Schedule

2008-08-19T10:35:00.001-04:00

Registration Nights

West Ferris - Thursday, Sept. 4, 7 p.m. at Ecole St. Raymond, Borge St.
Third Widdifield - Monday, Sept. 8, 6:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart School, 1516 McKeown Ave.
First North Bay - Tuesday, Sept 9, 6:30 p.m. at Trinity United Church
First Callander - Thursday, Sept. 11, 6:30 p.m. at the Callander Community Centre

For more information,call

West Ferris - Brian Trivett, 472-2914
Third Widdifield - Ken Sitter, 474-3235
First North Bay - Bill Brownlee, 472-3326
First Callander - Marten Deforest, 752-3783
Nipissing Area - Candy Stott, 474-0964, or Anna Wright, 472-4213

Well Done to Our Scouts and Scouters

2008-06-23T11:32:00.001-04:00

Chief Scout Award
Jessica Rutherford, West Ferris
Josh South, Third Widdifield

Warrants of Appointment
Caron Boyington, 1st Callander
Danial Harling, Third Widdifield
Jason Belanger, West Ferris
Diane Brownlee, 1st North Bay
Isabel Churcher, 4th North Bay
Stephanie Duguay, 1st North Bay
Jane Haun, Third Widdifield
Linda Hockling, West Ferris
Kevin Laframboise, Third Widdifield
Pascal Maille, 1st North Bay
Ken Mathieu, 1st North Bay
Ralph Steel, 1st North Bay

Five Years Service
Jeff Cole, 1st North Bay
Karen Deveau, Third Widdifield
Dan Kuehl, Third Widdifield
John Marcil, 1st North Bay
Greg South, Third Widdifield
Lise Ouellette, West Ferris

10 Years Service
Karen Sanschagrin

15 Years Service
George Bishop, West Ferris
Rita Deschene

25 Years Service
Ian Buckham, West Ferris

30 Years Service
Laughlin (Red) Trowsdale

35 Years Service
Keith Finlayson
Terry Whelan

Ontario Volunteer Awards
Denis Lamarche, Third Widdifield
John Marcil, 1st North Bay
Dave McKenney, 1st North Bay
Lise Ouellette, West Ferris
Michael Ouellette, West Ferris
Bernie Stockermans, Third Widdifield

Scoutrees Award
First Callander

Scouters Club Notes

2008-05-11T10:06:00.005-04:00

Drake Dietrich, right, a six-year-old member of Elite Twin Dragons Kickboxing Club, leads the group in a warmup exercise as the 3rd Widdifield Beavers and some of their siblings took part in an introduction to kickboxing at the club May 3 as part of a program exposing the Beavers to different forms of sporting activity. (Photo reproduced with permission of The Nugget)

* All Scouters should note Mentors/Woodbadge Weekend, Sept. 26-28 at Camp Wirribara on their calendars. Planning is currently underway. The price has been set at $30 for the weekend or $15 per day.

* Motor Madness 2008 has wrapped up with a small deficit. Scouter Ken Sitter suggested the event be reorganized to have the Scout Truck Rodeo in the morning, followed by the Kub Kar Rally, to eliminate the need to serve lunch and supper and reduce food costs. The event attracted the highest number of participants in recent years. Approximately seven of the trophies will need new bases for next year. Scouter John Marcil offered to help upgrade them. No date has been set yet for the event to be broadcast on Cogeco TV.

* First North Bay Pack's efforts to learn about Africa and malaria, and raise money to purchase mosquito nets for children were reported on the Canadian Red Cross website.

* The St. Joseph Motherhouse is donating six picnic tables that they no longer require to Nipissing Area Scouts. Most of the tables will be taken to Camp Wirribara, though several may be placed at the Kinsmen Centre.

* Scouter Norm Giroux reported a donation of tents and other camping equipment has been received from Moe Bedard and will be made available to local groups once it has been sorted and checked.

* Section leaders are reminded to advise their youth that Nipissing Area's annual summer camp will be held August 11 to 15 at Camp Wirribara. Registration forms are available for download here (PDF). Anyone willing to volunteer at the camp, should contact Scouter Anna Wright.

* Scouter Denis Lamarche of Third Widdifield has been awarded the Medal of Good Service for his contribution to Scouting.

Motoring to Fun

2008-04-06T20:44:00.002-04:00

Nipissing Area's Motor Madness 2008 sped to success with a lot of happy Beavers, Cubs and Scouts Saturday.

Highlights of the day-long event included participation by Second St-Jean Baptiste Verner Castors and Louveteaux of L'Association des Scouts du Canada and a record number of Beaver participants. More than 175 youth and 30 Scouters participated.

Cogeco attended to record scenes from all three events - Beaver Buggy Bustout, Kub Kar Rally and Scout Truck Rodeo - while The Nugget posted a short video link the shortly after the event ended. The Cogeco broadcast will occur later in the spring and DVDs of the program will be available from Scouter Ken Sitter.

Read The Nugget story here (PDF).

Scouter Ken would like to thank event sponsors - Home Hardware, Union Gas, Canadore College and Cogeco Cable for their generous support in making the event a success.

Motor Madness 2008 Results

2008-04-06T20:38:00.000-04:00

KUB KAR RESULTS

Racer's Choice
Riley Major, West Ferris

Fastest Kar
1st - Sean Millar, Iroquois Falls
2nd - Jordan Penney, Third Widdifield
3rd - Caelan Briscoe, Third Widdifield

Original Design
1st - Bradly Sauve, Iroquois Falls
2nd - Riley Major, West Ferris
3rd - Kelsey Hallet, First North Bay

Best Effort
1st - Noah Sullivan, First Callander
2nd - Mathieu Newman, West Ferris
3rd - Callum Marier, Second Verner

Classic Design
Daniel Ouellette, West Ferris

Best Poster
Jonathan Marcil, First North Bay

Spirit Award
Second St-Jean Baptiste Verner

Fastest Leader's Kar
Marc St-Jules, Third Widdifield

SCOUT TRUCK RESULTS

Racer's Choice
James Kuehl, Third Widdifield

Fastest Truck
1st - Josh South, Third Widdifield
2nd - Eric Lamarche, Third Widdifield
3rd - John Knox, First North Bay

Design
1st - Josh Szydlyk, West Ferris
2nd - Eric Lamarche, Third Widdifield
3rd - Josh South, Third Widdifield

Workmanship
1st - Jonah Vignola, Third Widdifield
2nd - Liam Joiner, First Callander
3rd - Thomas Johnson, West Ferris

Fastest Leader's Truck
Greg South, Third Widdifield

It's Almost Planting Time

2008-04-03T23:00:00.005-04:00

Get out your shovels and buckets, it time for Scoutrees.

Beavers, Cubs and Scouts from Nipissing Area groups will plant about 4,000 trees in the Trout Creek area, Saturday, May 10.

Directions to the plant site:

* Head south from North Bay on Hwy. 11 to Trout Creek
* Turn west (right) onto Hwy. 522 in Trout Creek
* Turn north (right) on Black Creek Road
* The plant site is about 4 km north

Download directions (PDF) - Please note the directions were slightly cut off and Hwy. 52 should read Hwy. 522.

Groups will start planting according to the following schedule:

* First North Bay - 9:30 a.m.
* First Callander - 10 a.m.
* Third Widdifield - 10:30 a.m.

Don't forget to bring shovels and pails, if you can.

Time to Prepare for Camp

2008-04-03T22:59:00.003-04:00

Pre-registrations are now being accepted for Nipissing Area's Eighth Annual Summer Camp, August 11 to 15, at Camp Wirribara.

Leaders should distribute pre-registration forms to their packs and troops, or youth may download them here (PDF).

Registration is limited to 35 youth. The cost is $130 for youth members, and $165 for non-members.

Calendar Update

2008-04-03T22:52:00.000-04:00

April 26, 5 p.m. - West Ferris Scout Group roast beef dinner fundraiser, Holy Name Church. Tickets $12 for adults, $9 for children to 12, $5 for children 5 and under

May 10 - Scoutrees near Trout Creek, download directions (PDF). Note the directions in the bottom right have been cut off and Hwy. 52 should be Hwy. 522

May 10 - Jamboree on the Trails

May 16 - 19 - Rendezvous, Ojibway Park, Sault Ste. Marie

May 24, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. - West Ferris Scout Group carwash fundraiser, at Tim's Hortons/Wendy's on the corner of Lakeshore Drive and Marshall Avenue

June 21 - Scouters Annual Dinner, Cocktails at 6p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m., at King's Buffet. Contact Scouter Candy to book a chair(s) by May 1

August 11 - 15 - Nipissing Area Summer Camp at Camp Wirribara, download pre-registration form (PDF)

August 30 - Mall Registration Information

Sept. 26 - 28 - Woodbadge 1/Mentors' Weekend, Camp Wirribara

Oct. 4 - Apple Day

Nov. 6 - 9 - Wilderness First Aid

Dec. 6 - Annual Area Christmas Singalong at the Northeast Mental Health Centre

Feb. 21 - 22 - Winter Prep Camp for Scouters at Camp Wirribara

Feb. 27 - March 1 - Nipissing Area Annual Winter Troop Camp at Camp Wirribara

A Winter Camp to Remember

2008-03-13T18:48:00.001-04:00

If you haven't already, read The Nugget's story about this year's winter camp and the memories it recalled to columnist and former Scout John R. Hunt.

Also check out West Ferris's photo album, which includes several video clips of the adventure.

Scouters Club News

2008-03-06T15:32:00.003-05:00

* Scouters Gord Ford and George Bishop were unanimously re-elected chief organizers of Nipissing Area Winter Troop Camp 2009, following a successful event at the start of this month. Preliminary discussions for next year have the event returning to Camp Wirribara.

* Cogeco Cable will again record and televise an abbreviated version of Nipissing Area’s Motor Madness event, scheduled for Saturday April 5 at Canadore College. Copies of previous years’ shows are available from Scouter Ken Sitter.

* Motor Madness organizers are looking for door prizes and the loan of a laptop computer. The door prizes will be distributed at the event to Cubs, Scouts and possibly Beavers. The laptop is required as a backup to those operating the track timing software. Anyone who can assist, should contact Scouter Ken Sitter.

* Congratulations to Scouter Karen Sanchagrin on the arrival of soon-to-be Beaver George and Scout Jessice Rutherford on being nominated for an Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Award.

* West Ferris Scout Group will hold a fundraising roast beef dinner Saturday, April 26, beginning at 5 p.m. at Holy Name Parish Hall on Memorial Drive opposite Lee Park. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for children and are available from Ferris Scouters.

* West Ferris Scout Group will hold a fundraising carwash, Saturday May 24, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Tim Horton’s/Wendy’s outlet at the corner of Lakeshore Drive and Marshall Avenue.

* Plans are underway for Nipissing Area Annual Summer Camp, Monday, August 11 to Friday, August 15, at Camp Wirribara. Volunteer leaders are still needed for troop. Cost will be $135 for registered youth and $155 for non-registered youth. Contact Scouter Anna Wright for information.

Motor Madness Registration

2008-02-08T22:04:00.000-05:00

Motor Madness 2008 Registration package for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts are now available below for download.

All out-of-Nipissing Area groups planning to attend the April 5 event at Canadore College should confirm their attendance with Scouter Ken Sitter.

Troop registration – PDF
Pack registration – PDF
Colony registration – PDF

Calendar Update

2008-02-08T21:37:00.001-05:00

Feb. 16 & 17 - First Aid Course for senior Scouts, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. John Ambulance office. Cost $35.

Feb. 17 - Church Parade to mark Scout-Guide Week, 10 a.m. Trinity United Church.

Feb. 29 - March 2 - Nipissing Area Winter Troop Camp.

April 5 - Motor Madness, Canadore College.

May 10 - Scoutrees, location and time to be announced.
May 10 - Jamboree on the Trails.

May 16 - 19 - Rendezvous, Ojibway Park, Sault Ste. Marie.

June 20 - Scouters Annual Dinner.

August 11 - 15 - Nipissng Area Summer Camp at Camp Wirribara.

August 30 - Mall Registration Information.

Sept.26 - 28 - Woodbadge 1/ Mentors' Weekend, Camp Wirribara.

Oct. 4 - Apple Day.

Nov. 6 - 9 - Wilderness First Aid.

Dec. 6 - Annual Area Christmas Singalong at the Northeast Mental Health Centre.

The Roar of Motor Madness Returns

2008-01-15T21:38:00.000-05:00

Canadore College's cafeteria will host Nipissing Area's 2008 Motor Madness event, Saturday, April 5.

Beaver Buggy and Kub Kar racing will begin at 10 a.m. with simultaneous Grand Howl and Riverbanks ceremonies to open the Kub Kar Rally and the Beaver Buggy Bustout. Scout Truck racing will follow the Kub Kar Rally, at approximately 4 p.m.

The fee per participant is $9 for Scouts, Cubs and leaders, and $5 for Beavers and Beaver leaders. All participants will be given a Motor Madness crest and ribbon, and have the chance to win awards and door prizes. For Cubs and Scouts the fee includes lunch or supper.

The Beaver Buggy Bustout will end at about noon, and participants will have the option of purchasing lunch and watching the Kub Kar Rally.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Beaver Buggy Bustout

9:30 a.m. - Late registration
10 a.m. - Riverbanks ceremony
10:05 a.m. - Racing begins
Noon - Racing ends

Kub Kar Rally

9:30 a.m. - Late registration
10 a.m. - Grand Howl
10:05 a.m. - Racing begins
Noon - Lunch break
12:30 p.m. - Racing resumes
3 p.m. - Awards presentation and closing

Scout Truck Rodeo

3:30 p.m. - Registration begins
4 p.m. - Opening ceremony
4:05 p.m. - Racing begins
6 p.m. - Supper break
6:30 p.m. - Racing resumes
8 p.m. - Awards presentation and closing

Registration packages and further information will be posted and available for downloading in February. Race rules and specifications for each section is given in separate items below.

Scout Truck Rules
Kub Kar Rules
Beaver Buggy Rules

Leaders and youth should note there is one important rule change this year. Kub Kars and Scout Trucks cannot exceed six (6) inches/15 cm in height. The rule change is necessary due to the new optical timer installed on the track.

For further information on the Beaver Buggy Bustout, contact Scouter Karen Deveau.

For further information on the Kub Kar Rally and Scout Truck Rodeo, contact Scouter Ken Sitter.

Out-of-area groups can email Motor Madness.

Scout Truck Rodeo Rules 2008

2008-01-15T21:32:00.000-05:00

Cab length 19 cm max.;
Trailer length 32 cm max.;
Overall length of Cab & Trailer 35 cm min.; 45 cm max.;

6. HEIGHT: Cab & Trailer height (including load) 15 cm max.;

7. WEIGHT: Cab & Trailer total weight 21 oz / 600 grams max.;

8. AXLES & WHEELS: Axles may be polished. Wheels – plastic spurs and wheel seams may be removed but no other shaping or modification to the wheel is allowed. The contact surface of the wheel must be flat as it sits on the track. Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are prohibited. All 18 wheels shall spin independently, be "in contact" (as much as possible) with the track/table, and have solidly anchored axles.;

9. LUBRICANTS: No lubricating oil may be used. Only powdered graphite or powdered teflon are acceptable lubricants;

10. DESIGN:

Additional propulsion is not allowed;
Wheel or ride suspension is not allowed;
Cab and Trailer must be separate and be able to swivel;
Details, such as decals, painting and Trailer cargo, are permitted, as long as they are firmly attached and do not exceed the specifications listed above; and

11. TRUCK NUMBERS must be placed in place view on top of the truck or trailer;

Race Day Rules

1. Each Truck (Youth & Leaders) must pass a final inspection and meet all construction rules and specifications, before registration. After registration, trucks will be impounded;

2. All assembly, lubrication and adjustments must be completed PRIOR to final inspection. Repairs to Trucks damaged during racing may be permitted at the discretion of race organizers;

3. If a Truck leaves the track, the heat will be re-run. If a Truck leaves the track a second time in the same heat, it is up to the discretion of the race organizers as to whether the heat will be re-run again.

4. If a Truck interferes with another Truck, affecting the outcome of a heat, the heat will be re-run. If the same Truck interferes a second time, the Truck will be disqualified from the heat and the heat rerun;

5. All registered trucks will compete in 6 races (once in each lane of the race track):

Race times in these 6 races will be added up for total time to determine fastest trucks;
The fastest truck of each participating Troop is automatically entered into finals;
The next fastest ranked trucks will get the remaining spots in the finals; and

6. Each Truck in the final will compete in six races (once in each lane of the race track). Race times in these six races will be added up for total time to determine the fastest Truck.

Kub Kar Rally Rules 2008

2008-01-15T21:24:00.000-05:00

Construction Specifications:

1. Parents, guardians and leaders are welcomed and encouraged to provide support, encouragement, guidance and advice, as well as to demonstration how to do something, and help in using potentially hazardous tools, but the Kub Kar shall be the work of a Cub;

2. All Kars entered must be NEW and NOT from previous years;

3. Overall width, including wheels, shall not exceed 7 cm (2.7 inches);

4. NEW RULE -- OVERALL HEIGHT SHALL NOT EXCEED SIX (6) INCHES;

5. Length shall not exceed 17.8 cm (7 inches);

6. Weight shall not exceed 142 g (5 ounces) or be less than 130 g. The scale used at registration will be final;

7. The minimum distance between the wheels is 4.5 cm (1.8 inches);

8. Clearance between the chassis and the track should be 0.95 cm (0.4 inches);

9. Axles, wheels, and body shall be from the materials provided in the official Scouts Canada Kub Kar Kit;

10. Axels may be polished. Wheels – plastic spurs and wheel seams may be removed but no other shaping or modification to the wheel is allowed. The contact surface of the wheel must be flat as it sits on the track.

11. Wheel bearings, washers, and bushings are not permitted;

12. No lubricating oil may be used. Only powdered graphite or powdered teflon are acceptable lubricants;

13. The Kar shall not ride on any kind of spring. The Kar must be free-wheeling, with no starting or propulsion devices;

14. No loose material of any kind is allowed in the Kar;

15. All four wheels shall be in contact with the track; and

16. Race numbers must be placed on top of the Kar in plain view.

Race Day Rules

1. Each Kar must pass a final inspection and meet all construction specifications before registration. After inspection, Kars will be impounded;

2. All assembly, lubrication and adjustments must be completed PRIOR to final inspection. Repairs to Kars damaged during racing may be permitted at the discretion of race organizers;

3. If a Kar leaves the track, the heat will be re-run. If a Kar leaves the track a second time in the same heat, it is up to the discretion of the race organizers as to whether the heat will be re-run again.

4. If a Kar interferes with another Kar, affecting the outcome of a heat, the heat will be re-run. If the same Kar interferes a second time, the Kar will be disqualified from the heat and the heat re-run;

5. All registered Kars will compete in six races (once in each lane of the race track);

Race times in these six races will be added up for total time to determine the fastest Kars;
The fastest Kar of each participating Pack is automatically entered into finals; and
The next fastest ranked Kars will get the remaining spots in the finals;

6. Each Kar in the final will compete in six races (once in each lane of the race track). Race times in these six races will be added up for total time to determine the fastest Kar;

Beaver Buggy Bustout Back!

2008-01-15T21:19:00.000-05:00

Get out the glue and the paint, the Beaver Buggy Bustout is back.

Beaver Buggies will be busting down the track at Motor Madness 2008, from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 5, at Canadore College's cafeteria.

Registration will be $5 per participant and includes an event crest and a chance to win door prizes.

All Beavers need to do is paint and glue their buggies, no modification to the Beaver Buggy kit is permitted.

For more information, contact Scouter Karen Deveau.

We Have a Winner!

2008-01-15T21:10:00.000-05:00

Congratulations Aron Buchwald, of 1st North Bay Troop.

Aron's good deeds made him the winner of a refurbished computer system donated by PRS Computers for Nipissing Area's Good Deed Celebration.

Nipissing Area scouting youth were invited to perform TEN good deeds or turns to celebrate together 100 years of the scouting movement and enter the draw.

Congrations Aron!

A Golden Sponsor

2008-01-10T13:22:00.000-05:00

First Callander Scouting Group marked the 50th anniversary of sponsorship (1957 to 2007) by Royal Canadian Legion Branch #445 Callander by presenting a special plaque to the branch at its general meeting Jan. 3.

The top photo shows, from left: Branch President Don MacDonald, 1st Vice-President Brian Cantin, 1st Callander Commissioner Marten Deforest, and 1st Callander Scouting Special Event Coordinator and R.C.L. Branch #445 Public Relations Officer and Scout Liaison Glen W. Cameron.

The plaque, made by Gerry Voyer, the father of one of the group's scouters, features both the group and the Legion crests and reads: 1957 – 2007, In Recognition of 50 Years of “Sponsorship and Support”, 1st Callander Scouting Group.

Scouters Club News

2008-01-10T11:38:00.002-05:00

* Planning for Nipissing Area Winter Troop Camp is on-going, with plans to return to last year’s site near the end of Songis Road, Feb. 29 to March 2, with a back to basics approach. Contact Scouter Gord Ford for more information.

* The Wilderness First Aid/Survival Course has been shifted from Camp Wirribara to the site of this year’s winter troop camp on Songis Road. Would-be participants should attention the next Scouter’s Club, 8 p.m. Wednesday Feb. 6 at the Kinsmen Centre, for the HIV-AIDS presentation of the course and for additional details.

Scouters who attended the last course in November 2005 should attend this course to renew their certification before it expires this October. Contact Scouter Gord Ford for more information.

* North Bay and area Scouting and Guiding youth will celebrate Lord Baden-Powell’s birthday this February with a swim, movie and treats. Details – date, time and location, will be announced after conferring with our Guiding counterparts.

* Details on Motor Madness will be announced shortly, once the venue and date have been confirmed. In the meanwhile, all sections are invited to participate in the competition to design a new crest for the event. See our previous post for details.

* Senior Scouts and Venturers, those who will be 14 and older in September, will be invited to earn the new Scouts/Youth of the World Award. The local initiative will be organized by Scouters Ken Sitter and Greg South.

The award requires the youth as a group to research and select a Millennium Development Goal, and then to develop a project to advance that goal. Participants will attend the Global Development Village in late October in Toronto. For more information contact Scouter Ken Sitter or visit www.scout.org, Youth of the World, Youth of the World - Canada.

* Due to scheduling difficulties Woodbadge Training will be delayed until the fall and combined with a Mentor’s Weekend at Camp Wirribara. A date will be set before spring to give all Scouters and trainers sufficient time to keep their calendars clear for the event.

Motor Madness Crest Contest

2008-01-03T08:54:00.000-05:00

This year’s Motor Madness event comes with something new – a new event crest to replace our pennant of past years and a contest to design the crest.

The winning design will be reproduced as a crest and given to the 200 to 225 Beaver, Cub, Scout and Scouter participants at the annual event, April 5.

The winner will receive a plaque with his/her crest mounted on it, and a special prize.

The Rules:

- The crest should be section generic (ie. not just Kub Kars, or not just Scout Trucks or not just Beaver Buggies. It should be suitable for all three sections)

- The crest may be circular, semi-circular, square, rectangular, triangular or diamond shaped, but it can be no greater than four inches in diameter or along its longest axis

- Entries should be hand-drawn and coloured on an 8 1/2 by 11 inch sheet of white paper

- Please draw shape of the crest in a heavy line to ensure we can tell what shape you wish to use

- There can be a maximum seven colours in the crest

- Enter as many times as desired

- Each design must be on a separate piece of paper with the entrant’s full name, Group name and section PRINTED on the back

- Feel free to give any written details to help describe the design and colours

- The winning design may be amended to better suit the needs of the event

- All submissions should be forwarded to through a Section scouter to Scouter Ken Sitter

- All submissions must be received by Feb. 8, 2008.

- The winning design will be chosen by the Motor Madness organizing committee shortly after the deadline

For further information or clarification, phone or email Scouter Ken Sitter.

Gone Home

2007-12-04T11:32:00.000-05:00

Scouter Art Langley, long time badge secretary and supporter of Nipissing Area Scouts Canada, has gone home.

Scouters may call at the Martyn Funeral Home (across from city hall) on Wednesday, Dec. 5, afternoon and evening from 2 to 4 p.m., and 7 to 9 p.m.

Funeral services will be held in the First Baptist church, Cassells Street, on Thursday Dec. 6 at 1:30 p.m. Interment in St. John’s Anglican Cemetery.