PCC Camp Rainbucket - Venturers - Nov 11 to 13

PCC Camp Rainbucket - Venturers - November 11 to 13, 2022

Location: Camp MacLean 20315 16th Avenue, Langley, BC.

Start: Friday November 11th 8:00 pm (changed) - setup camp, have mug-up

End: Sunday November 13th 10:00 am - pick up at parking lot

I will send out an RSVP to see who is able to make the camp.  If you can't make the whole camp, there is a Saturday day only option.  The cost will be $25 and will need to be paid by cheque, cash or Interac transfer to 4swgroup@gmail.com (the group account), labeled with the youth's name and "Rainbucket".

Please note that some of you have camp credits, including from our last scout trucks rally. Email me if you want to use them.

We will need to distribute group gear on Wednesday November 9th to be brought and then returned the following Wednesday November 16th. I've put the group gear list at the bottom of this post.

The current Rainbucket schedule on their website is here.

And here is the google maps link for the camp.

Company Gear:

Looking for people to help bring some of these items:

• 1 Large Tarp

• Tents 2 venturers per tent (4 new tents), individual scouter tents (two Tarn 3)

○ Praise's tent for venturers instead?

○ Spare tent pegs

○ Small tarps for Tarn 3s

○ Twine for pegging tarps

• 3 full, small propane tanks

○ 2 Stoves - check for regulators

• Patrol box (HQ room)

• Group box (HQ room) 

• Spare sleeping bag (HQ room)

• Folding table

• Water jug

• Gray water bucket

I'll probably bring the tarp, a couple scouter tents and maybe the Group box, and go early to get a better spot.

See email I sent to attendees of items I can't fit in my car...

Alice Lake Camp - Oct 21st to 23rd - Troop and Company

Alice Lake Camp - Oct 21st to 23rd 

On Friday Oct 21st, we will be meeting at Alice Lake group campsite at 7:00 pm.

Here is the Google Maps Link for Alice Lake Provincial Park Campground.  Please note that the link points to the public campground not the group campground. Once in the park, look for signs for "Group Campsite A" or "Site A" (or something like that).  Here is a map of the campsites, you can see "Site A" on the lower right of the map.

Pickup will be at 2:00 pm on Sunday.  Checkout is at 11:00am so we will likely move our gear to the parking lot just beyond Site A and enjoy the day area for our lunch.

On Saturday afternoon we will be hiking the Four Lakes Trail Loop, an easy 1 1/2 hour hike.  We will have a campfire time on Saturday evening.  Because of a campfire ban that is in effect until the end of October, we will likely use a propane fire ring for the "campfire".

We are hoping that some campers can stop at Willingdon Church and help us unload gear. In good traffic the drive from the campsite to Willingdon should be just over an hour.

Personal Gear List for Camp:

Please make sure you have the appropriate equipment, which includes:

• Sleeping bag – see notes below
• Pillow (optional)
• Sleeping Pad – highly recommended
• Mess kit (cup, plate, bowl, knife, fork, Spoon) – the cub pack supplied these, we don’t, you don’t want to be eating soup with your hands!
• Flashlight (headlamp recommended) and spare batteries
• Refillable water bottle
• Clothing:
• Uniform – if you are still waiting for your uniform to arrive, the necker is OK.
• Rain gear
• Warm jacket
• Hat or toque
• Toque for sleeping
• Changes of:
• Shirt
• Pants 
• Shoes (hiking boots preferred in case of wet weather)
• Socks (3 changes minimum)
• Gloves (optional but recommended, can be cold in the morning)
• Shorts (optional, weather permitting)
• Toilet Kit:
• Soap in container
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Hand towel and face cloth
• Optional:
• Campfire blanket
• Staff for hiking
• Camp chair – highly recommended unless you like to stand all the time
• First Aid Kit
• Knife, if you have a knife permit and are invested – 10cm max blade length, folding only, locking preferred
• Notebook and pen/pencil
• The following are NOT to be brought:
• Electronics
• Snacks other than what the patrol is bringing – you don’t want a coyote or racoon tearing your tent and pack apart to get at your bag of skittles!
• Medications must be in a Ziplock bag with the scout’s name and clearly labeled dosage instructions.  Parents MUST notify the scouter in charge of all medications. Parents may elect to have the youth keep and administer their own medication, otherwise they should be given to the scouter in charge at the beginning of the camp.
• All items must be in a single large backpack. (camp chair can be separate) DO NOT USE A GARBAGE BAG!  We have had people’s gear thrown away in a dumpster.
• Label everything you bring to camp. It’s amazing what scouts and venturers are able to lose! 😊

Note that a sleeping bag that works for a summer indoor sleepover is not going to work for October. Long range forecast shows lows for our weekend in the mid to lower single digits. We strongly recommend that all youth have a sleeping bag rated for -10c (-15 is better). Buy an adult size and a smaller scout will grow into it and get a lot of use out of it.

Also note that they will need warmer clothing than for running around in the city.  There is no warm building to go into so make sure that they have lots of sweaters, hoodies and other warm layers that they can add or remove.

2022-10-05 Deer Lake Night Hike - Troop and Company

Deer Lake Night Hike - Troop and Company

Because we cannot use the gym this coming Wednesday due to a Prayer Summit, both Troop and Company will be doing a night hike at Deer Lake Park.  We will start and end at the small parking lot at the West side, right off of Royal Oak. Please note that this is the opposite side of Deer Lake from where we do the canoeing, and you can only get into this parking lot when heading north (down the hill) on Royal Oak.

Here is the Google Maps Link for the location.

Wear your uniform (as much as you have - necker at least) and bring the following items:

• Water bottle, filled
• Flashlight - preferably head-lamp style but any flashlight will do
• Good boots
• Clothes appropriate for the weather - it cools down at night

We will provide hot chocolate and some cookies at the end of the night.

Drop off is at 7:00 pm and pick up is at 9:00 pm.

Mud Bay Bike Ramble - Troop and Company

We are planning a bike ramble at Mud Bay on Saturday October 1st.

Here is the google maps link for our starting and ending point.

We will meet at the starting point at 9:00 am.  We will likely break into two groups. One group will be for those who want to go fast and far.  The other group will be those who want to take their time and take it a bit easier.  All parties will turn around and start their return trip at 10:30, so we have time to be back for pick up at noon.

Bring a bike in good condition. You MUST have a helmet (we won't let you ride without one).

These items are mandatory:

• Bike
• Fits you properly – must be your size
• In good condition
• Multiple speeds
• Not a BMX bike
• Helmet
• Must fit you
• Must be worn when riding
• Day pack or side-bags on your bike
• Water bottle, filled
• Clothing appropriate for the weather (e.g. rain gear if necessary)
• Necker (Uniform if you have one)

These items are optional:

• Snack <- recommended
• Emergency kit
• Pocket knife and permit (only if you have a knife permit)
• Personal first aid kit
• Riding gloves

We will send out an RSVP email through ScoutsTracker. 

4SW Troop Fall 2022

Registration

Note: All scouts who were registered as of June are registered through to the end of December.  The current registration (Aug 15 to 31) is for existing members to register for the 2023 Scouts Canada registration year (January to December).  Starting September 1, registration will open to the general public.  If you have not registered for 2023 by that time, it is likely that your spot will be taken by someone else. Please note that we do NOT control the registration process and cannot remedy that if you allow it to happen.

Starting Up - Location and Times

Our first meeting will be on Wednesday September 7th. Our meetings will be from 7 pm to 9 pm.

Because the cub pack can't use Cascade school on that first date, we will let them use the gym from 7 to 8 and we will start in the two 1200 rooms. We will switch with them at 8 pm.  The following and subsequent weeks we will simply meet in the gym as the beavers will be done with it by 7 pm.

Please note the group calendar page for a list of upcoming camps and activities.  Of note, we have an all-sections canoeing day on Saturday September 17 at Deer Lake park.  Details are on the Group blog site.

Spring 2022 4SW Troop

Victoria Biking Camp - Fri June 10 to Sun June 12

Updated 2022-05-26 - changed gear pickup on return:

We are doing a bike camp in June. We will be staying in a scout lodge for the 2^nd Fort Victoria Scout Troop.  The cost will be $75.00 per scout.  Payment can be made by cheque or by eTransfer to willingdonscouting@gmail.com.  If you use eTransfer, please put your scout's name(s) in the memo field and send me an email letting me know you have done so.  For cheques, please put them in an envelope with your scout’s name on it. If you have a camp credit, you may reduce the amount paid and submit the camp credit to cover the difference.

Here are some logistics to consider (some minor changes are possible):

• Overnight gear (packs, sleeping bags, foamies, etc…) will need to be dropped off at Willingdon church after the Warner Loat wind-up barbeque, or you’ll need to get them to whoever is driving the gear truck.
• Drop off will be at the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal between 5:00 and 5:20pm on Friday June 10^th – you must be dropped off before 5:30pm as that is the deadline for our group booking.
• Pick up will be at the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal on Sunday at approximately 4:35pm (we'll be catching the 3:00 pm ferry from Swartz Bay), likely a few minutes later as we have to walk our bikes off the ramp

 We will be doing the following fun activities – note all of this is subject to change:

• Friday
• All scouts to arrive by 5:15 pm at the latest so we can check in by 5:30 pm
• Take 6:00 pm Ferry from Tsawwassen
• Arrive at Swartz Bay about 7:35 pm
• Ride to Victoria on the Lochside Trail (2 1/2 hours - 10:00), then to our lodge (20 minutes) arriving sometime around or before 10:30pm (estimated)
• Mug-up
• Bed
• Saturday
• Breakfast
• Beacon Hill Park, or downtown Victoria, or inner harbour
• Lunch
• Beacon Hill Park (depends on the weather)
• Walk to Crystal Pool 2:45-3:15
• Crystal Pool Family Swim 3:30-4:30 - outside by 4:45
• Tailgate Pizza Supper 4:45-5:15
• Walk 1 block to stadium 5:15-5:30
• Tour of stadium, possibly meet coaches and players of Victoria Harbour Cats Baseball team
• Take in game with the Kelowna Falcons
• We’ll be part of the activities between innings
• Fireworks at the end
• Walk back to lodge
• Mug-up
• Bed
• Sunday
• Breakfast
• Pack lunches
• Start riding
• Eat bag lunches at the BC Aviation Museum parking lot 12:00-12:30
• BC Aviation Museum 12:30-1:30
• Arrive at Swartz Bay Terminal 2:00
• Take ferry to Tsawwassen Terminal 3:00-4:35 - walk off the ramp by 4:45 meet parents
• Parents pick up scouts and gear at Foot Passenger Terminal <-- Changed
• Scouters go home and collapse in exhaustion
• 
  

Deer Lake Canoeing May 25

This coming Wednesday we will be meeting at Deer Lake Park to go canoeing.  Meet at the parking lot at the east end of the lake.  Here is the Google maps link.

For the benefit of those parents with kids in other sections, we will be meeting at 6:45. In theory you could drop a beaver off at Willingdon, then run to Deer Lake to drop your scout off, then run back to Willingdon and drop your cub off.

Pick up will be at 9:00 pm.  We will go rain or shine, so if it’s wet, be prepared with rain gear.. 

Muskrat Meadows Camp - Fri May 13 7:00pm to Sun May 15 2:00 pm

Our spring camp this year will be at Muskrat Meadows group camp on Deas Island, drop off at 7:00 pm Friday, pick up at 2:00 pm on Sunday.  This will be a 2 night camp. We will all arrive at 7:00 pm on Friday night to set up our tents for the night.  

Fee: $30 - you can pay by cash or cheque (put it in an envelope with the scout's or cub's name), or eTransfer to willingdonscouting@gmail.com (put the scout or cub's name in the memo field). Payment in either of these manners will constitute confirmation of registration.  We must receive this payment no later than Saturday May 7th to give the scouts time to plan the quantities for their menus.

Here is the google maps link for the camp: https://goo.gl/maps/AKmLZ6z3EwaJF7vb9

We will do games in the field next to the big parking lot. Pickup will be at the gate to the group camp area in the main parking lot at 2:00 pm on Sunday.

Linking Camp for Howlers:

We are inviting our howlers from pack, who will be joining the Troop in September, to participate in this camp. You will be assigned to different patrols who will take care of you.

Patrol leaders, we will let you know who is joining your patrol the week before so you have time to adjust your quantities. As usual you will also be cooking for one or two scouters as well.

Be aware that unlike with cubs, scouts don't provide a "mess kit". You should bring a non-breakable plate, cup, bowl, knife, fork and spoon.  Ideally, these would be in a mesh bag that you can hang up to dry.  We have some spare parts, so let us know if you need to borrow any of these items for this camp.

Activities:

At this camp we will do lots of fun activities including:

• Canoeing
• Learning fire lighting
• Hiking
• Campfire with songs and skits
• Lots of fun games

Equipment for Camp:

Please make sure your scout or cub has the appropriate equipment, which includes:

• Sleeping bag – please note, a summer sleeping bag, or one you use for a sleepover in a home may NOT BE ADEQUATE.  We can have very cold temperatures in May (and very warm).
• Pillow (optional)
• Sleeping Pad
• Mess kit (cup, plate, bowl, knife, fork, Spoon) – the cub pack supplied these, we don’t, you don’t want to be eating soup with your hands!
• Flashlight (headlamp recommended) and spare batteries – there’s no city lights out there
• Refillable water bottle
• Sunscreen (optional, depending on weather)
• Clothing:
• Uniform – if you are still waiting for your uniform to arrive, the necker is OK.
• Rain gear
• Warm jacket
• Hat or toque
• Toque for sleeping
• Changes of:
• Shirt
• Pants 
• Shoes (hiking boots preferred in case of wet weather)
• Socks (3 changes minimum)
• Gloves (optional but recommended, can be cold in the morning)
• Shorts (optional, weather permitting)
• Toilet Kit:
• Soap in container
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Hand towel and face cloth
• Optional:
• Campfire blanket
• Staff for hiking
• Camp chair
• First Aid Kit
• Knife, (scouts only) if you have a knife permit and are invested – 10cm max blade length, folding only, locking preferred
• Notebook and pen/pencil
• The following are NOT to be brought:
• Electronics
• Snacks other than what the patrol is bringing – you don’t want a coyote or racoon tearing your tent and pack apart to get at your bag of skittles!
• Medications should be given to the scouter in charge at the beginning of the camp and must be in a Ziplock bag with the scout’s name and clearly labeled dosage instructions.
• All items must be in a single large backpack. (camp chair can be separate) DO NOT USE A GARBAGE BAG!  We have had people’s gear thrown away in a dumpster.
• Label everything you bring to camp. It’s amazing what scouts are able to lose! 😊

Queensborough Bike Ramble - Sat April 30th

Please note that this bike ramble is in preparation for our Lochside Trail ride to Victoria in June.  This time around, we plan to do the 28 km ride in under 2 hours of riding.  While some of our scouts will have no problem doing this, I may need to push others to keep up the pace.   We will likely stop for a snack at a park, but we should still be able to do this in 2 hours.  The Lochside Trail is considered 2 hours at an easy pace for older kids (which is what our scouts are) and it’s a 33 km ride, so at only 28 km, this one should be doable in under 2 hours.

In order to attend the June bike camp you MUST attend one of these bike rambles and demonstrate your ability to keep up a reasonable pace of bike riding.

We will meet at 9:00 am at Grimston Park.

We will ride to the 22nd street station and take the Queensborough Let's Go Biking trail, returning to Grimston Park.

Pick up at Grimston Park at noon.

 

Here is the Grimston Park Google maps link. 

I've put a picture of the route we are taking at the bottom of this post.

These items are mandatory:

• Bike
• Fits you properly – must be your size
• Appropriate for long bike rides
• In good condition – we will do a talk about bike maintenance
• Multiple speeds
• Not a BMX bike
• Helmet
• Must fit you
• Must be worn when riding
• Day pack or side-bags on your bike
• Water bottle, filled
• Clothing appropriate for the weather (e.g. rain gear)
• Necker (Uniform if you have one)

These items are optional:

• Snack
• Emergency kit
• Pocket knife and permit (only if you have a knife permit)
• Personal first aid kit
• Riding gloves

4SW Burnaby Scout Troop Winter 2022

South Langley Trail Bike Ramble

Sat Mar 5 9:00am to 2:00pm

On Saturday March 5th, we will meet at the Campbell Valley Regional Park south parking lot. The Google Maps Link to it is here.  Drop off will be at 9:00 am and pickup at 2:00 pm, same location.  We will send out an email with an RSVP button from our ScoutsTracker system this week.

We will have several opportunities for you to ride bikes on rambles before we do our Victoria bike adventure. You must attend one of these rambles in advance if you wish to attend Victoria.

These items are mandatory:

• Bike:
• Fits you properly
• Appropriate for long bike rides
• In good condition (we advise having it's condition checked)
• Multiple speeds
• Not a BMX bike
• Helmet - we will not let you ride without one
• Must fit you
• Must be worn when riding
• Day pack or sidebags on your bike
• Water bottle, filled
• Clothing appropriate for the weather (rain gear)
• Mask - not required when riding
• Necker (Uniform if you have one)
• Bag lunch

These items are optional:

• Snack
• Emergency kit
• Pocket knife and permit (if you have a knife permit)
• Personal first aid kit
• Riding gloves 

Burns Bog Hike - Sat Feb 12 9:00am to Noon

On Saturday February 12th, we will meet at the Burns Bog Delta Nature Reserve Parking Lot. The Google Maps Link to it is here.  Drop off will be at 9:00 am and pickup at noon, same location.  We will provide a GPS and compass for each patrol, and we will find some geocaches, and do some compass work. We will send out an email with an RSVP button from our ScoutsTracker system this week.

These items are mandatory:

o        Water bottle, filled

o        Mask

o        Clothing appropriate for the weather (rain gear)

o        Footwear appropriate for hiking

o        Necker (Uniform if you have one)

o        Small day pack

·                  Optional items:

o        Emergency kit

o        Snack

o        Pocket knife and permit (if you have a knife permit)

o        Walking staff

o        Personal first aid kit

o        Smart phone with GPS capability or GPS *

* The group will provide 1 GPS device per patrol, but smart phones make navigation easier.

Upcoming Camps, Hikes and Activities

Please put the following activities on your calendar. Group blog site calendar will reflect these.

• Sat Mar 5 (TBC) Bike Ramble (TBC = To Be Confirmed)
• March, Scout Truck Building and Racing
• Fri April 29-Sun May1 Chilliwack Lake Camp
• Fri May 13-Sun May 15 Muskrat Meadows Camp (and canoeing)
• Stay tuned for June Bike Hike to Victoria (dates still TBC)

Tynehead Regional Park Geocaching Adventure

On Saturday January22rd, we will meet at the Tynehead Regional Park's Serpentine Hills Parking Lot at 8:00 am.  The Google Maps Link to it is here.  (This has been changed).

The hike ends at noon at the same location. 

This hike can be done in 2 hours if you walk it fairly steadily.  Because we will be stopping to hunt for multiple geocaches, we are likely to need. Here is the link to the trail. You may need to zoom in to see the actual trails. This is the portion we will be focusing on:

·                  These items are mandatory:

o        Water bottle, filled

o        Mask

o        Clothing appropriate for the weather (rain gear)

o        Footwear appropriate for hiking

o        Necker (Uniform if you have one)

o        Small day pack

·                  Optional items:

o        Emergency kit

o        Snack

o        Pocket knife and permit (if you have a knife permit)

o        Walking staff

o        Personal first aid kit

o        Smart phone with GPS capability or GPS *

* The group will provide GPS devices, but smart phones make navigation easier