Apple Day 2016

The 1st Alcona Scouting Group (Beavers, Cubs and Scouts) will be out tonight, Friday the 14th from 6-8pm and tomorrow, Saturday the 15th from 10-2pm at multiple locations in Alcona and Lefroy handing out apples in support of our yearly Apple Day program. All apples are free, though we do accept donations on behalf of the Scouting program. All proceeds go towards our programming for the year - purchasing patches, crafts supplies, going on camping trips and other outdoor excursions.

It sounds like such a small thing, but every youth takes away the memories of the exchange you have with them, knowing that they are an important part of the community and in the Scouting movement as a whole. If you have some change you can donate, it would make such a large difference in these young kids lives.

Fundraising for Fort McMurray

Many, if not all of you are likely aware of the horrible events that are taking place in Fort McMurray, Alberta.  The wildfires have caused substantial damage to the city and more than 80,000 people have been evacuated...which is the entire city. 

Can you imagine what it would be like for that to happen to our small town?  The worry we would face, with fear for our homes, our families, our pets, our very livelihoods?  I personally couldn't even begin to fathom it.  Not many of you likely could as well.

Malek reached out to me today with a request that we kick off fundraising efforts to ask if every people could donate $5.00 each.  This money will be part of what we hope to be a much larger donation generated by all the different sections of 1st Alcona Scouting.  Through bottle drives, BBQ's and other methods we are doing what we can for our fellow citizens (which includes at least three Scout Groups, btw). 

For the Beavers, if you could bring your donation to your regular meeting on Wednesday we would greatly appreciate it.  Furthermore, Malek is reaching out to our local grocery stores to see if we could have a charity BBQ on their locations sometime within the next month, which we will need help with...most particularly our Beavers, Cubs and Scouts to sell Burgers or Hot Dogs.  As these locations rarely donate the use of a BBQ we would be asking that if anyone out there has portable BBQ's that they would be willing to loan us for the cause.  Please let me know if you could help here (or in any other fundraising capacity for that matter), and I will keep you up to date on the particulars of when and where.

We at 1st Alcona thank you all in advance for any help you are able to provide in this.

Yours in Scouting,

Ringtail

2015-2016 Registration Night

The 1st Alcona Scouting group will be having a registration night on Wednesday, September 9th from 7-9pm at the Innisfil Recreational Complex (7315 Yonge Street). Leaders from all three available sections will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. Boys and Girls are both welcome into our programs.

Our Beaver Scout program (ages 5-7) opens the door for your child to discover the world. It is filled with a little bit of everything – outdoor activities, games, music and sports. Along the way, Beaver Scouts meet new friends, learn cooperation and teamwork while developing self-confidence and most importantly as their motto states "Sharing, sharing, sharing".

With the Cub motto of "Do Your Best" front and centre, Cub Scouts (ages 8-10) are encouraged to try new and more challenging activities. Learning important first aid skills, paddling a canoe for the first time, or leading a game at camp will open the door for Cubs to try other adventures they never thought possible.

Our Sea Scouts (ages 11-14) continue to develop their leadership and community service skills, while enjoying outdoor adventures like sailing, rock climbing and lots of camping. Their motto is "Be Prepared", which they use in working together with other young people to accomplish thrilling challenges.

Scouts Canada provides a safe environment for youth to develop into healthy, helpful and engaged citizens of the world. Our promise is to help youth develop the tools and strategies they will need for success. We are always looking for new leaders. Please reach out to our registrar Terry-Lynn if you have any questions or would like to participate (toybiz4u@yahoo.ca).

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. 

Innisfil 2014 Inauguration

This evening, 1st Alcona Scouting were proud participants for the inauguration of our new Mayor, Gord Wauchope, new Deputy Mayor Lynn Dollin and all the ward counselors - both new and returning. 

 

Mason Hicks and Daniel Weichel were there to represent our colony and did a great job (albeit a comic-relief one) of escorting a couple of the new counselors to their seats following their swear-in.

 

The entire ceremony went extremely well, and all of the boys and girls from both 1st Alcona and 1st Stroud did a fantastic job in their duties.  I'm very proud of them all.

 

Being involved with the community, whether as a Beaver/Cub/Scout, a Fire Fighter, a Police Officer, a Town Counselor, a Mayor or many of the other important roles that various volunteers and employees take on is an incredibly important thing.  It's my hope that the boys will learn more about service during their terms with the group and beyond.

 

We wish the new Mayor and the entire council great success over the next four years and hope to be there to grant support in any way possible.  May you continue to be an inspiration to us all.

Hike with Cubs - Tuesday, September 16th

We have been invited by the 1^st Alcona Cubs to join them on their Trans-Canada Trail hike this coming Tuesday.  The section we would be hiking apparently has some Beaver Dams so it would be a great opportunity for the kids to see.  This is an Optional meeting, not replacing our regular meeting on Wednesday.

Drop off is at the entrance to the trail on the 5th Side Rd. of Essa (just before the 11th Line of Essa) at 6:45pm.  Pick up will be in the parking lot of the Cookstown Foodland near the Tim Horton's at 8:15pm

Please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather (the forecast currently shows that day to be 16 degrees and sunny).  Also, please bring a water bottle and a flashlight.

Trail Map - 5th sideroad to Cookstown

Here is the google map:

https://www.google.ca/maps/place/44%C2%B012'54.6%22N+79%C2%B042'57.6%22W/@44.2151635,-79.716011,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0?hl=en

Hope to see you there!

Ringtail