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

Christmas Party and Section Update

The 1st Alcona group as a whole will be having our Christmas Party on Thursday, December 10th.  As a result, the regular meeting on Wednesday the 10th is cancelled (we don't have the school that night anyway).  Due to issues that occurred last year where the balance of Chips & Desserts far outweighed regular dinner dishes I am asking if everyone could consult the list I will be sending out via e-mail and sign up with me as to which dish you could provide.
If you could RSVP with me as well as to whether you can attend, that would be appreciated.

Also, I just wanted to open the curtain for a second and let you in on what is happening with the colony.  With 28 youth we have surpassed maximum capacity and it is beginning to become difficult to plan activities that will keep all of the youth properly motivated and entertained throughout the rest of the year.  Furthermore, we have a waiting list of other youth who want to join - which our area governance is frowning upon (they don't want anybody turned away).  So, I have begun discussions with our Group Commissioner and Area support staff to assist me with creating a second colony...whom we hope will meet at the same time in a different location.
Step One will be determining this new location, which we have begun.
Step Two will be working out the new leadership team, including a new section leader.
Step Three will be determining which youth move from colony A into B.  Your own input will be taken into account.

No matter what happens, I will continue to assist with planning for both sections, so it's not like the new section would be left high and dry.  This is for the good of all youth and is taking into account the tremendous amount of growth that has taken place in and around Alcona...and more is yet to come.

As always, I value your input here, and more information will be provided each step of the way.


Finally, I want to thank all of you who were able to attend the Santa Claus Parade, and most particularly a big thank you to Kole Hicks, who designed and built our new float, and Dan Ritchie for driving the truck.  Every person we have spoken to is incredibly impressed with the float, and we've even just received new sign-up requests as a result (going back to the last point). We've had some nice floats in the past, but none with the full billboard quality that this one presents.  We should have this for many more Santa Claus Parades to come.
The youth all seemed to have a good time and even received some treats to take home.





Yours in Scouting,

Ringtail

Investiture and Remembrance Day

This week we will be investing our new youth into the program...providing
them with their neckerchiefs, woggles, tails and badges.  Due to the amount of youth in the colony this could potentially take up the entire meeting...some extra patience for the youngest ones especially may be necessary.  :)  Full uniform is requested.

During the ceremony each Beaver in turn will be asked to place one hand on our flag and raise the other in a Beaver salute.  They then will be asked to repeat after the officiating leader (likely Malek or myself) our Beaver promise:

"I promise to love god and help take care of the world".

We invite everyone to attend and take lots of pictures!

On Sunday the 8th of November we will be taking part in the Belle Ewart Legion Remembrance day ceremony.  We ask that the Beavers arrive by 10:30 at the latest to the Legion at the corner of Robinson St. and Ewart St.  The parade typically starts on Arnold St...we will walk together up there.  If you don't see us there...pop just up Emily St. or Goldie St where the line up begins.
Following the parade we are asking that the Beavers all stay together with the rest of the Scouts for the ceremony that follows.  Following the ceremony they will have snacks inside the Legion (normally hot dogs, juice and cookies).

Any questions, just reach out!

Ringtail

WoodBadge 1

Woodbadge 1 Top Up on November 7th 9am-9pm at St. Georges Anglican Church, 9 Granville St, Barrie, ON   $30.00
Pre-Requisite is module 1 & 2 online

For our new leaders, though only module 1 is a requirement before you can be counted as ratio, the entire WoodBadge is required within one year to remain as a leader.  This is a wonderful opportunity to network with other leaders and really get the gist of what being a Scout Leader is all about.

This course is a hybrid.  Our trainers have recognized the advantages and disadvantages of online and in-person training.  In short, on line training is very helpful in covering the drier subjects, however it fails to adequately build the skill base of our scouters so that they can support a strong program.  Traditional residential, in-person training helps scouters develop the network of relationships in scouting, provide them with hands-on, practical skills they can bring back to the group, and increases retention of scouters (a.k.a. less likely to leave scouting!).  However the drier content limits the time available to do the more program-related training.  So, by relying on the online training to deliver modules 1 & 2, and focusing our in-person training to those aspects that will build their skills as scouters and make them want to stay in scouting, the trainers have come up with a great model for WB1 training!
With respect to the program itself, the training will have a strong emphasis on the Canadian Path; as we have to all adapt to it this year, this training is very timely and the more scouters you have trained on the Canadian Path, the easier it will be for your group to make the transition.
One of the fringe benefits of this is that the time required for the training is less than before (one day), and accordingly, the cost is much less as well.  Scouters who take this training will greatly benefit your group!  This applies to new scouters to a section, as well as scouters who completed their online training previously but do not have residential WB1 training.

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).

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

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

Winter Brr wrap-up and more

Most of the boys from 1st Alcona attended Winter Brr on Saturday, March 7th, and had a lot of fun playing in the snow.  They worked as a team to pull Rusty around in our specially decorated toboggan, and had an opportunity to meet two members from the Barrie Colts, who came out to help with hockey.  The texture of the snow was not completely cooperating with building snow forts, so that activity was replaced with a hybrid version of snow Soccer.  They also managed to work their ways inside for a snack and some hot chocolate to listen to me telling a fun story about a Bear, a Moose and a Beaver having a canoeing adventure called Up The Creek by Nicholas Oldland (highly recommended for your bookshelf).  It was a great day!

If you have not yet given me your boys sizes for T-Shirt orders, please drop me a note or come see me at the meeting on Wednesday.  These are being specially printed for our group (Scouts, Cubs and Beavers) with the 1st Alcona logo...and will be great as an addition to our uniform for group activities.  Our section is absorbing the $10.00 fee for this.

Camp-A-Lot is fast approaching (May 29-31), and I need to get a $25.00 non-refundable deposit (Total is $45.00) for those boys who will be attending the camp.  I also need final numbers this meeting to satisfy our Council's attendance records.  Please take the time to inform me Yes or No if you have not done so already via e-mail or in person.  I normally have a spot in the sign-in sheet for your convenience.

Finally, if you have not done so already, give a hearty welcome to Rusty and Chip, our two newest leaders.  Rusty has been with us for a few months but certain technology issues were stopping him from being official.  Well, they both are official now and we are delighted to have them with us helping out.

This meeting will be our last before March Break, and will be in the school.

Any questions, please let me know.

Ringtail

Winter Brr

For those Beavers who will be joining us at Winter Brr on Saturday, March 7th, here is what you need to know:

The location is at: Westside Lutheran Church, which is located at the corner of Ferndale Dr. and Livingstone St. W.  Best route would be to take 400 to Dunlop - go west, and then go north on Ferndale.

It is vital to be there for 12 SHARP so we can get organized.  They will give us our armbands by 12:30 and then opening ceremonies will start at 12:45.

They are asking the Beavers to all know this little song...it's easy.  If you could just show them this in advance, that's great...otherwise I will run them all through the song before we start.

Tune: "I’m a Little Teapot"

l’m a Little Beaver, short & stout (crouch)
Here is my tail, (exaggerate pulling a tail)
Here is my snout (big gesture to touch nose)
When you pull my tail (exaggerate pulling tail outwards)
Hear me shout
I'm a Little Beaver, now cut that out

 

The first activity will be the Leader Pull, which all groups will participate in together

 

We will then split into a rotating schedule, where our activities include:

 

Hockey (possibly refereed by actual Barrie Colts players)

Long Ski's

Storytime (run by yours truly)

 

Closing ceremonies should start at 3:05, and pick-up is listed for between 3:30pm and 4pm.  Each child will receive a special Winter Brr 2015 Mug and Patch for participating.

 

Any further questions, please let me know!

Ringtail

 

 

 

Tobagganing Night

Our Feb 4th meeting will be held at Innisfil Beach Park where our Beavers will enjoy a Tobogganing night.  Please ensure that your child is dressed in layers and pay particular attention to the weather forecast just in case of a freak change in weather.  It's expected to be somewhere between -4 and -10 degrees Celsius with a small windchill which is quite balmy compared to what it's been lately but you never know.  As we say in Scouts..."Be Prepared".

Yours in Scouting,

Ringtail

Next meeting: No Toboganning due to weather..back indoors...

Since mother nature is not quite cooperating with us, we will have our January 28th meeting back indoors at St. Francis of Assisi.  If all goes well, we will retry for an outdoor meeting on the following week.

I have the rest of the popcorn orders and will be handing them out at the meeting, along with crests for those who participated.  We raised quite a few dollars that will go towards other events in the year.  Great work!


We have been invited to join the 14th Barrie group and hopefully a bunch of our groups for a Mini Winter Brr on Saturday, March 7th (1- 4pm).  I would like to get some numbers from you as to who would be available at that time.  The location is at Westside Lutheran Church in Barrie (corner of Ferndale Dr. and Livingstone St.).

We will also be participating in the council-wide camp "Camp-A-Lot" from May 29th - May 31st.  It will be hosted at the Orangeville Fair Grounds (247090 Side Road 5).  Please let me know if you are planning on having your child attend.  A deposit of $25.00 is required.  We will be looking for a couple volunteers across all of our sections (Scouts, Cubs, Beavers) to help our Treasurer Bonny plan out our menu and grocery plan.  If you have some time to offer, please let me know!

YiS,

Ringtail

Next Meeting: Mind Your P's and Q's.

We are back at St. Francis of Assisi on Wednesday, January 21st for our "Mind Your P's and Q's" themed meeting.  6:45pm.


I'm working on organizing some options for a Winter event for our group and hope to have plans ready for that soon.  I'm also hoping for some good snow so we can do a toboggan night in Alcona.  Though we often hope for the snow to stay away...let's look forward to a little bit so we aren't all just trying to slide down ice.

Thank You!

Ringtail

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.

Firehall visit

On Wednesday the 19th of November, the 1st Alcona Beavers will be visiting the Innisfil firehall in Alcona to learn about fire safety and the amazing vehicles and devices that firefighters use in their duties.  We ask that the parents stay with us just in case the attending firefighters are called away for an emergency.

Take care,

Ringtail

Dinosaurs!

Between Remembrance day and planning for the Christmas parade we have decided to give the boys a change of pace and have them stretch their imaginations a little bit.  Our theme for this meeting will be Dinosaurs!

I'm planning out a little craft for them and there will be games to play...and time permitting a little story to tell.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to me!

Ringtail

By the way, I still have leftover scissors from our last craft.  Please see me if you are missing yours.