Rolling up to Camp-A-Lot

Ouch, get a chiropractor for this poor guy

We're now counting down the days both to Camp-A-Lot and the end of this year's Beaver programme.  At the upcoming meeting; our last regular meeting at the school, we will be decorating the groups Herald Staff that I am putting together from an 8' tall pole with a square piece of birch plywood...meaning it weighs next to nothing but is (hopefully) sturdy enough for the boys to take turns carrying it from activity to activity.  The boys will each be able to colour in a small medieval representation of themselves that they will be glued to the plywood and protected with a plastic coating.  This means that even if your child is not going to camp, well...they will still be there in their own way.

The Scouts are putting together a decoration scheme for our campsite that will enforce the Medieval theme.  Apparently there will even be a crown on our...er...throne (loo).

Drop-off at the Orangeville Fairgrounds is at 7pm in the area called Nottingham.  It's a very short walk to our campsite from there, which is E2.  Let us know if you need to come earlier or later than this time so we can have someone meet you.

  We will not be feeding anyone that night other than for a quick mug-up before bed so please ensure you've fed your child before drop-off. 

Pick-up will be 1pm on Sunday.


Here's a map to where you are going (give yourself just over an hour depending on traffic from Alcona):  Both 5th Line and Hockley Rd are nice drives.  Or you could take 89 west through Alliston to 10 and go south to Hockley Rd.  Just consider rush-hour traffic.

 

The Google Map is: https://www.google.ca/maps/place/247090+Side+Rd+5,+Mono,+ON+L9W+6K5/@43.9501039,-80.0786695,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x882b001515a5d40b:0x345a2fdd35d739ee!6m1!1e1?hl=en

 

 

I myself will not be at camp.  Tic-Tac will be our main contact during the event.

 

Any questions, please let me know.

 

Ringtail

Craft This Week

This week (May 20th) we will be back at St. Francis of Assisi for what should be the second last time for this Scouting year.  My plan is to do a spring craft, so if as many people as possible could bring an empty egg carton that would be wonderful.  I have 2 18-egg cartons that I'll be bringing, and that will make 6 caterpillars...so we need at least 7 more 12-egg cartons to have enough supplies for everyone.  The cardboard ones will work the best for this, but Styrofoam ones will work in a pinch (the clear plastic ones could be tricky to decorate).

I will shortly be sending out a packing list for Camp-A-Lot, and we will be focusing our final at-school meeting on May 27th about this event.  Even those who are not going to camp will have a good time and learn a lot about camping so hopefully they join us on next years camping events.

Any questions, please reach out to me anytime.

Ringtail

All at once you're lighter than air

On Wednesday, we will meet at Innisfil Beach Park where we will learn about flying kites, weather permitting!  We will be supplying each Beaver with a beginner level kite...and if parents wished to stay to enjoy this great activity with their child they would be more welcome!



Following this meeting, there will be only two more meetings leading up to Camp-A-Lot....and at least one will include a craft.  If I could ask, could everybody try to collect an empty egg carton, which, time permitting we will create a small caterpillar friend from?  If we don't get to it, these could always be donated to a local kindergarten class for cut and paste, or they could be used again in the fall.

The other craft I was planning, more specific to Camp-O-Lot will be a Pool Noodle Lance, which the boys who will be attending can bring with them as part of the group's honour guard.  We will be supplying everything for that.

Next to last, our last meeting will be on June 3rd....which is planned for a bonfire / BBQ event to celebrate the end of the Scouting Year.  Location TBD.  Could everybody plan to bring something small to share, and please keep in mind we do have an egg allergy in the group so be mindful of that.
We will supply hot dogs and buns.

Finally, I want to mention some good news.  The price of registration for next year is dropping to $175 as an early bird price, to fit a Canada wide Scouting mandate.  After July 1st the price will go up to $190...which is still cheaper than last year.  The registration section of Myscouts.ca for 2015-2016 is now online...and we've already had our first new Brown Tail register just today!  As part of that, we will be looking for new leaders as at least three of our current leaders will likely be leaving us for differently coloured pastures.  I don't want to see a repeat of this years situation where we struggled to keep ratio up for the first while so if you've been thinking of possibly coming on as a leader, either full or part time to help us out please let me know.

Yours in Scouting,

Ringtail

Pitch-In Day and Swim-Up Ceremony

We are slowly heading towards the end of this Scouting year, but still have some fun times ahead.  This week we do not have the gym as St. Francis of Assisi have an event occurring in the school at that time.  So, I figured we would get a jumpstart on the Innisfil Pitch-In Day and take a hike by the school - focusing on picking up and trash that can be found.  Please consider appropriate footwear, bring a small garbage bag and if you have any gardening gloves for your child to wear, that would be great.  I have already coordinated with the town that we can just leave the garbage at the side of the road.

I still highly encourage you and your family to be involved with the actual Pitch-In day on Saturday.  For Alcona, the meeting place is the Fire Hall at 780 Innisfil Beach Rd, by 9am.

Garbage bags, gloves and morning refreshments will be supplied along with Safety tips

Sign-up at your local Fire Station by 9:00 a.m.
  All high school students participating will receive 3 hours of community support hours.  Please bring your Community Involvement Activity Forms for signature by a Volunteer Firefighter, Mayor, Deputy Mayor and/or Town Representative “upon completion” in order to receive acknowledgment. 

An appreciation BBQ with Displays, Games for kids & face painting will be held on May 9, 2015 at 12:00 p.m.  The first 100 people will receive a Civic Pride Button!  Location: Centennial Park (corner of 7^th Line & 10 Sideroad - 2870 7th Line).


1st Alcona will have its Advancement
ceremony on May 14th at Holy Cross Catholic School.  For us, this will be for the White Tails specifically, symbolizing them "Swimming-up" to Cubs.  However, all members of the colony are certainly invited to come and cheer on their colony mates and learn a bit more about the Scouting program.






YiS,

Ringtail

Flight Week #1 and more!

Saturn, here I come!

This Wednesday we will be at St. Francis of Assisi, where we will run a craft activity.  Flight Week #1 will involve the boys building their own toy rocket.  As part of this, I ask if everyone could please send their child with a 500ml or 750ml water/pop plastic bottle, which we will use as the foundation of the toy.  I will have a large selection of construction paper that we will cut into the shapes needed...and from experience I think we will go with scotch tape vs glue to hold everything together.  We then still have lots of stickers and crayons that the boys can use to personalize them.

Another aspect of the craft that actually fits a Scouts Canada agenda is the concept of recycling.  From today to May 3rd, Scouts Canada are endorsing a Good Turn week...where we encourage all members of Scouting to be helpful to others - whether that be their friends, family or the community at large.  It also fits that Tree Planting is on May 3rd!!!


A reminder to the White Tails that they have one more Cub meeting that they may attend this session....this Tuesday the 28th at Holy Cross Catholic School.  6:45 - 8:15.  We only had one Beaver come to the last one, so it would be great if we can get more so they get to know you!  Last weeks hike was postponed, so they may be doing it this week....please bring options for outdoor OR indoor play depending on weather.  If you have specific questions about the evening, you can contact Sandra Slade at sanslade@rogers.com.


One more thing before I sign off.  Another major aspect of Scouts Canada that we need to endorse more is outdoors play...whether that be sports, hiking, camping or anything that will keep that great big ball in the sky shining good Vitamin D on your child's skin.  Many families don't actually have the supplies that could encourage the kids to play more so I will begin posting local deals that I'm hearing about to help you out.  If you have one for me that you'd like to share, please send it to me!

• Ethan's dad Craig contacted me about a deal at http://www.kingsdistribution.ca/ in Barrie, where they had an Coleman 8 person tent on sale for $100.00.  Supplies may be limited.
• There is a Mountain Warehouse at the Tangers Mall, and they are having a Summer Event sale on April 30th from 3pm-10pm.  They will have demos as well.  I already sent out an e-mail to everyone...but if it's been lost and you'd like to see it again, please let me know and I'll get that to you right away. 

Goofy Outfit night and more!

Wear your goofiest outfit at the meeting this week.  Mismatch the socks, wear plaid with a Hawaiian outfit...whatever you like.  Want to wear that Halloween costume one last time...go ahead!  It's a good night to be goofy!
We're at St. Francis of Assisi as usual - 6:45.


Our White Tails (3rd year Beavers) have some great weeks ahead of them.  They have been invited to join the Cubs at their regular meetings for the next two weeks.  For this Tuesday the 21st, the plan is to go on a hike...so please dress accordingly.  If there has been any rain (which is being forecast at the moment), I recommend boots or shoes that you don't care will get dirty.  The 28th will be a game name.  Please meet at Holy Cross at 6:45...and their meetings go to 8:15.

For those that will be participating in our Scout Trees programme, the May 3rd planting location for Innisfil is confirmed.  The site is along Lover's Creek off the 10th sideroad and south of Centennial Park.   (7140 10th sideroad S of 7th Line).  Parking and access to the site is in the field just north of the house which will be marked with the South Simcoe Streams Network volunteer work party day sign.  The time is between 1pm - 4pm, and from what I hear lunch will be provided.  Stay as long or as short as you feel.  I've ensured the last couple of meetings have focused a bit on what tree planting or plants in general are all about...so hopefully the Beavers will learn much from this. 

Any questions, please let me know!

Ringtail

Bird House Craft and White Tail Camp

Build me a house, please!

The meeting on April 8th will find us back at the school, where the plan is to build bird houses.  Our first source of bird house kits has fallen through but I will be aiming to deal with a secondary source tomorrow.  If that doesn't work then I will come up with an alternate craft program.  Volunteers would be appreciate to help the boys put kits together...please bring a hammer.

White Tail Camp is back on at a new location!



Camp Neekaunis

This camp will be for the third year Beavers to prepare them to join Cubs.  The camp will be at Camp Neekaunis, which is about fifteen minutes east of Midland. 

The dates are May 1st - May 2nd OR May 2nd - May 3rd.  The cost of the camp will be $35, which covers camp rental, food, badges and craft materials.  Arrival time is 7:15pm on the evening of whichever session is picked, and pick-up time is normally around noon the next day (exact time will be determined).

I need to know this week who is available either date so we can plan to go together.  Please discuss in advance.

If you have any questions, please reach out to me.

Ringtail