Sunday, 27 September 2020

Fall 2020 Activities

Virtual Escape Room and Games Night

Check your emails for details for another fun night of escape rooms, games and campfire songs.

Wednesday November 25th, at 7:00 pm. 

This is the last regularly scheduled zoom meeting for the fall.  

Good News!

Both Scouts Canada and Burnaby Parks and Recreation have confirmed that outdoor scouting can resume. Scouts Canada has put all of BC back into Stage 2.

This means that our planned hike in two weeks can proceed.  There is one key change: All youth and volunteers must wear a mask at all times during the outing.

In two weeks on Dec 5th we will be doing our Baden Powell Trail part 2.

What’s Next?

Our next Zoom session will be on December 2nd for those who have registered for next year to plan what we wish to do.

There will be an all-sections Christmas Zoom Christmas Party on Saturday Dec 12th at 7:00 pm. Notices will go out for these additional activities.

Virtual Escape Room and Games Night

Check your emails for details for another fun night of escape rooms, games and campfire songs.

Wednesday November 4th, at 7:00 pm. 

Baden Powell Trail Hike - Oct 24

History (wikipedia.org)

The Baden-Powell Trail is a rugged but well-maintained 48 km hiking trail that traverses from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to Deep Cove in North Vancouver, BC. It was named after Robert Baden-Powell, Lord Baden-Powell, founder of the world Scouting Movement. The trail is about forty-eight kilometers (48 km) long, extending (west to east) from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver to Deep Cove in the District of North Vancouver. In between, the trail winds through the heavily forested North Shore mountains. It also connects with several other local trails. The trail was constructed in 1971 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of British Columbia's entry into Canada as a province. The project was initiated by the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides organizations of BC and much of the work of building it was done by their young members.

This Hike

Our goal is to complete the entire Baden-Powell Trail during this Scouting year, in multiple segments. This hike will cover approx. 1/4 of the Baden-Powell Trail, from Mt. Seymour Road to Lynn Canyon. The normal trailhead at Deep Cove is currently closed due to COVID-19.

Start Point - Trailhead

The trailhead is approx. 3 km (5 min) drive north on Mt Seymour Road from the turn off from Mt Seymour Parkway. There's a small parking lot (will likely be full but at least a good drop-off area) and it's well signed: Seymour Provincial Park - Baden-Powell Trailhead. https://goo.gl/maps/Ad56AzuFMPposkXv9

Departure time from the trailhead parking lot is 9:00 am. We expect the hike to last approx. 5-6 h, depending on our hiking speed, rest breaks, lunch time, and scenic stops along the way.

End Point - Rendezvous

Our hike will end at the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge (3690 Park Rd, North Vancouver). Parking is usually a little better in the Lower Parking Lot. We'll meet near the picnic tables across from the Lynn Canyon Cafe.

https://goo.gl/maps/koKywRLjoMzRx9KG6

Pick-up time from the rendezvous is 3:00 pm. Hopefully, we should arrive here a little early. If that's the case we'll do a little extra hiking around the Lynn Canyon Park.

Packing - What to Bring

For this day hike, Scouts should ensure they pack & carry the following.

  1. Raingear. We hope for the best and plan for the worst. The Scout's motto has always been 'Be Prepared'.
  2. Hiking boots. The Baden-Powell Trail is, for the most part, well-maintained and hard-packed. However there are some challenging sections, and some wet sections. Sturdy hiking boots are strongly recommended.
  3. Lunch & snacks. Each Scout will need to pack & carry their own lunch and trail snacks. We'll stop mid-trail for a lunch break.
  4. Water. Each Scout will need to pack & carry their own water. Recommended minimum is 1 L water for each Scout. There are very limited places to refill water bottles along our route. 

Packing - The 10 Essentials (https://www.northshorerescue.com/education/what-to-bring/)

In addition to the above personal gear, every person heading out hiking should always pack & carry the following 10 Essentials in the event of an emergency.

  1. Light (flashlight, headlamp, light stick, etc.)
  2. Signaling Device (whistle, bear bangers, etc.)
  3. Fire Starter (matches, candle, flint & steel, lighter, etc.)
  4. Warm Clothes (toque, mittens, raingear, extra layers, spare socks, etc.)
  5. Pocketknife (multitool, etc.) 4SW Scouts knife permit required!
  6. Emergency Shelter (large orange plastic bag, thermal blanket, etc.)
  7. Water and Food (extra water, extra snack, beyond the expected minimum, etc.)
  8. First-Aid Kit (basic personal kit should include bandages, blister dressing, antiseptic cream, etc.)
  9. Navigation (compass, GPS, etc.) 4SW Scout Troop carries an emergency locator beacon for most events.
  10. Communications (not required for Scouts youth) 4SW Scouters will carry mobile phones, and emergency locator beacons as required.

RSVP Required:

Scouts Canada does not allow us to have more than 16 youth at a single gathering. We presently have 22 registered.  In order to attend, you MUST reply, telling us the name of the youth who plans to attend.  We will accept cancelations after Thursday at 9:00 pm for reasons of injury or sickness or equivalent only. 

In short, by Thursday at 9:00 pm, you will have made up your mind that you are doing this activity and NOT something else. Changing your mind because you decided to do something else instead is unfair to any who may have been waitlisted.  Late cancellations for any reason other than injury, sickness or equivalent will guarantee your place on the waitlist for the remainder of the fall session.

When you RSVP, I will reply with your position on the list. You may be told you are waitlisted.  I will take RSVPs on a first-come-first-served basis, based on this email inbox.  If someone cancels and you are on the waitlist, I will change your position and email you that you are now in position ‘n’, ‘n’ being the position vacated by the person canceling.  If there is a late cancellation (after Thursday at 9:00 pm) I may email those on the waitlist for a confirmation from you that you can make it. I will confirm the first waitlisted person that responds.

I will take late additions, if there is room.

Night Scavenger Hike - Sat Oct 3

Our second in-person meeting for troop will be a night hike at Everett Crowley Park in Vancouver on Kerr street.  Details below:

Location:

Everett Crowley Park is on the east side of Kerr street, up from Marine Drive. Here is the google maps location for the parking lot:

https://goo.gl/maps/ReQ22PgRGS2rUVLL8

If the parking lot is full, there is street parking. Note that if you street park, you have to park over from the curb so as not to block the bike lane.

Drop off and pickup will be at this location.

The Activity:

The activity will be a scavenger hunt. We will likely divide up into two groups. One group will have the two smaller patrols and the other group will be the larger patrol. This is dependent on having 4 scouters attend.  Otherwise, we will do the scavenger hunt as a single group.

We will gather, spend some time discussing upcoming activities, provide instructions, and likely get going by 7:30.  Each group will have an hour to return to the starting point, by 8:30, where we will review who was able to find the most items.  Here is a map of the location that we recommend you print off for your use:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everett_Crowley_Park#/media/File:Trailmap.jpg

Alternately, if you have a device with GPS capability (smart phone) Apple Maps, Google Maps, and the Geocaching App all have a good trail map of the park. Make sure the device is charged, and if you don’t have a data plan, download the map to your device.

You must bring the following:

  • Warm clothing as it will cool off at night
  • Rain gear, if the weather requires it
  • Water bottle
  • Small pack
  • Flashlight
  • Your neckerchief (we’ll bring one for our new scout)

Optional:

  • Snack
  • Copy of the map and a compass
  • Device with GPS capability

 

RSVP Required:

Scouts Canada does not allow us to have more than 16 youth at a single gathering. We presently have 20 registered.  In order to attend, you MUST reply, telling us the name of the youth who plans to attend.  We will accept cancelations after Thursday at 9:00 pm for reasons of injury or sickness only. 

In short, by Thursday at 9:00 pm, you will have made up your mind that you are doing this activity and NOT something else. Changing your mind because you decided to do something else instead is unfair to any who were waitlisted.  Late cancellations for any reason other than injury, sickness or equivalent will guarantee your place on the waitlist for the remainder of the fall session.

When you RSVP, I will reply with your position on the list. You may be told you are waitlisted.  I will take RSVPs on a first-come-first-served basis, based on this email inbox.  If someone cancels and you are on the waitlist, I will change your position and email you that you are now in position ‘n’, ‘n’ being the position vacated by the person canceling.  If there is a late cancellation (after Thursday at 9:00 pm) I may chase you down for a confirmation from you that you can make it. If I don’t get that confirmation, I may move on to the next waitlisted person.

I will take late additions, if there is room.

Monday, 8 June 2020

Summer 2020 Schedule

Burnaby 4SW Willingdon Scouting Summer Schedule

This schedule is subject to change, but here's what we have planned at this time:

Pack and Troop, see below for Virtual Summer Camp (below LogJam)

All Sections - Wednesday's 7:00 - 9:00 pm:
  • June 3 - Meeting
  • June 10 – Meeting
  • June 17 – No Meeting
  • June 24 – Meeting
  • July 1 – No Meeting – Canada Day
  • July 8 – No Meeting
  • July 15 – Meeting
  • July 22 – No Meeting
  • July 29 – Meeting
  • Aug 5 – No Meeting
  • Aug 12 – No Meeting
  • Aug 17-19 LogJam Online for Beavers - see below
  • Aug 19 – Meeting (pack and troop)
  • Aug 20-22 LogJam Online for Beavers (2nd session) - see below
  • Aug 26 – No Meeting

Registration Extended to end of December, 2020

Note, if you are currently registered as a beaver, cub, scout or scouter (leader), your registration is extended by Scouts Canada to the end of December, 2020.  You will still get a chance to preregister for the new year (starting January 2021) for 2 weeks before registration opens to the general public.

Also note that there will be no in-person scouting activities through the end of August.

For more details visit the Scouts Canada COVID-19 Update page.

LogJam On-Line (Beavers)

 

Attention all Eager Beavers,

Camp LogJam 2020 is going virtual! This year, Camp LogJam has become LogJam On-Line!

LogJam On-Line has been created because Scouts Canada has closed all Scouts Canada camps until at least the end of August, 2020, so we have nowhere to go camping.

LogJam On-Line will continue to bring you exciting, adventurous programming right into your home. Create awesome crafts, take a hike in your own neighbourhood, sing with other Beaver Scouts, and more. Enjoy the fellowship as you meet other Beaver Scouts and Scouters, all on-line.

During LogJam On-Line, you will have the opportunity to earn two Personal Achievement Badges (PAB). You will also get a LogJam On-Line crest for your campfire blanket or poncho.

There are two sessions of LogJam On-line – August 17-19 and August 20-22.

For more information, check out the LogJam On-Line website at www.camplogjam.com.

Hope to see YOU at LogJam On-Line 2020!

Virtual Summer Camp (Cubs and Scouts)


Weekly Themes

Week 1 (July 6–10): Survivor: Camp ALL-Stars

Week 2 (July 13–17): An Online Prehistoric Adventure!

Week 3 (July 20–24): A Scouts STEM Extravaganza!

Week 4 (July 27–31): GAMETIME! (Camp Edition)

Week 5 (August 4–7): Out of this World: A Scouts Space Odyssey

Week 6 (August 10–14): Camp Goes Disney+ 

Week 7 (August 17–21): Exploring Earth 


Friday, 13 March 2020

Temporary Suspension of Scouting Activities

Temporary Suspension of Scouting Activities

In support of government efforts to control the spread of Covid19, Scouts Canada has mandated that all Scouting activities be suspended starting Monday March 16th until at least Sunday April 5th.  This includes section meetings and camps.

We will keep you posted on developments.


Saturday, 1 February 2020

Winter 2020 Update

Winter 2020 Upcoming Events


In this post we will be covering the following upcoming actvities:


  • Patrol Presentations on Emergency and First Aid
  • Scout Trucks
  • Scout Week Banquet
  • Swimming Sleepover
  • Stave Lake Camp
  • Australian Fire Relief

Patrol Presentations




By now, all of you will have received an email about different topics that we would like each patrol to present to the rest of the troop on.  Bear patrol did an excellent job of presenting and getting the troop to contribute to a discussion of Home Emergency Kits.  Please look at the calendar page of the blog to see your patrol's assignment.




Scout Trucks




This year we will again be making scout trucks. I've reinstated the Scout Trucks page on this blog, which you can see in the navigation menu at the top (or the scroll control in your mobile device).  While you can go to the Scout Shop and buy one yourself, if you get us your order by Feb 19 (extended the date) we'll pick up the order for you.  See the blog page for Scout Trucks for details. There may be a small cost for the Burnaby Area rally to cover cost of crests.


Scout Week Banquet


Our Scout Week Banquet will be on Wed Feb 19 in the Willingdon Connection, with all sections present.  We will take donations at the door to cover the cost.  The schedule will be roughly as follows:



6:00 - Doors open


6:35 - Dinner Service


7:15 - Start of program



7:55 - End of banquet 

8:30 - Scouts close, put flags away, brief follow-up meeting

Swimming Sleepover


On Friday Feb 21 we will be meeting at the church. We will meet at Willingdon at 6:00 pm, drive to the swimming pool, swim until 9:00, then return to the church where we will enjoy some snacks and a movie night in the Clubhouse room. We'll have breakfast in the morning then you will all be picked up at 9:00 am. 


The cost will be $5.00. Registration due Feb 19. Registration forms below:




Stave Lake Camp - Rescheduled to Mar 6-8, 2020



Our first camp of 2020 and our winter Camp will be at Stave Lake. This camp will be held in a lodge, however we will use the outdoors to do winter camping activities, so bring warm winter clothes and rain gear for the weather.  The cost is $35.00

 

Meet at Willingdon Church at 5:00 pm Friday, returning 3:00 pm Sunday. Registration deadline is February 26th, 2020.  We have no limitation on how many can attend.  I'm providing both a PDF and Excel form as some have requested the latter.


Stave Lake Camp Registration Form - PDF Form


Stave Lake Camp Registration Form - Excel Form



Australian Bush Fire Relief


Many of you are aware that Australia has had horrific issues with bush fires this year.  Scouting in Australia is raising funds to help the families of scouts who have lost their homes in Australia through sales of a special badge. The manufacturer of the badge is donating the proceeds from the badge to the reliefe effort. Our group has ordered one badge for every member, including scouters.  This badge can be worn on your campfire blanket.


Any family wishing to contribute funds to help cover the $6.00 per badge cost (which includes shipping costs) is encouraged to include a little extra in the donation box at the Scout Week Banquet.  Here is a link that explains more about this badge and the relief efforts that it funds: