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I have been a member of Scouts Canada since 1982 when I joined at age 13. Scouting is a central part of my life. I hope you enjoy the information here about my experiences as a Scout and Scout leader. |
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International Jamboree
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Scouts Canada
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I have been a member of this group since 1992. I have been mainly involved with Scouts and Venturers, but this year I am offically a group committee member. Here are some pictures of our group:
I have had many wonderful experiences as a Scout, Scouter in Training, Cub Leader and Scout Leader. Here are some of my favourites:
Haliburton Scout Reserve 1980's
I visited HSR every summer from 1982 to 1986 for 1 week (and in 1988). Haliburton is a paradise for boys. We spent our time canoeing, fishing, sailing, hiking, and snorkeling. HSR also has an archery range, rifle range and a trapper's cabin with many artifacts of the local trapping and logging history.
On my favourite trip to HSR Scouter Dave Gunn led us on a 3 day hike to Mislaid Lake and Drag Lake. I didn't think Dave would ever forgive Kevin and I for leaving the canoe behind. We just couldn't carry it that far. On the second day our cross country bush trip to the cliffs of Drag was phenomenal! On the way back we almost missed the lake but Dave's sharp eyes kept us from being lost. Craig caught and lost the largest trout ever seen in Mislaid lake; have you ever seen a 14 year old bawl unashamedly? Mercifully the next day was easier. I recall Dave cooked breakfast over his hiking stove without leaving his tent or sleeping bag!
Sunshine Beach Camp 1992 and 1993
Scouter Jim Clair of the 5th Waterloo Scouts made a special arrangment to use this closed trailer park just outside of Waterloo. In decades past, a large dump of sand had made Sunshine beach the most popular swimming spot in the K-W area. Now it was a small and somwhat swampy pond. It was perfect! For a little canoeing and swimming on a hot weekend. The beautiful fields and trees made a great campground for archery and wide games. We also took advantage of the adjacent sandpits for safe bonfires (even if they were a bit high), rifle shooting, and even an occaisional ride on the ATV. It's too bad the property was developed into luxury homes for the neaighbouring golf course. But we enjoyed it while we could!
CJ 93 - Canadian Jamboree in Kananaskis, Alberta!
The 5th Waterloo Scouts were kind enough to let me attend CJ with them even though I had already transferred from their group to the 422nd Agincourt. I had spent several years as a Cub leader with these boys and now I really wanted to go to Alberta with them. I owe eternal graditude to the parents who worked hard and raised funds to send me with their kids.
CJ was an unforgettable experience. We rafted the cold Kanaskis River on a home made raft - and Jamie eventually warmed up. We climbed Sulfur Mountain in Banff with Trevor and Mike in the lead. Chad was "attacked" by the friendly mountain sheep! It took 2 hours to walk up and only 7 minutes to ride down the gondola. We walked in the badlands and saw dinosaurs at the Royal Tyrell Museum. We met thousands of people from all over Canada. We traded hundreds of badges especially with the ever friendly Newfies. A jamboree is everything you hoped for and much, much more.
Algonquin Park Winter Camp March 1993
With 7 young Scouts along, leaders Brayn Babiarz, Kevin McCloud and I enjoyed a challenging winter weekend at Mew's Lake. Daytime temperatures were gloriously above zero. Warm sunshine kept our spirits high as we snowshoed through the bush and hiked part of the Highland Backpacking Trail. Nighttime temperatures plummeted to almost -20 Celsius. Obtaining water required a serious chop at the lake ice. Even the firewood was frozen stiff - we had to collect boughs to thaw them out. A brief snowsquall arrived just as we sat around the fire for dinner - beef stew is usually brown but it tasted just as good with a white snow covering! The door even fell off Andrew's family van! But we made it home intact and happy.
The Dillon Farm Annual Winter Camp 1994-1997
For 4 years in a row, we were priviliged to use the Dillon Farm and farmhouse near Mount Forest. The extreme temperatures, high winds and deep snowbanks give city kids a taste of the best and worse of winter. I'll never forget the experience of arriving on a deserted country road on a pitch black night and demanding that Scouts carry their gear over the mountainous 12 foot snow banks and through the field to a seemingly invisible farm house. The Scouts just didn't believe there was anything there but snow and darkness. Crossing the 1/2 mile open field (the Atlantic Ocean) to the forest is a challenge with 60km/hr winds pressing your right cheek. We found warm deer beds and many other animal tracks before making a return crossing of the great ocean.
The animal presence on the farm was staggering. Deer sightings were virtually guaranteed. Winter allowed us to read the story of their passing in the snow. One evening while skiing we happened upon fresh fox tracks. We followed his story in the snow, close enough to pressure his actions but never close enough to see him. Inadverdantly we drove him right toward the farmhouse. If only we had a walkie talkie we could have summoned the others to the porch to see a beautiful red fox emerging from the snowy wastes before hiding in the bush behind the barn.
The greatest factor in the success of our trips was the presence of bushman/hunter Mike Warnock. Mike's knowledge of the local area and it's wildlife ensured the success of our trips. Thank you Mike.
Algonquin Park Victoria Day Weekend at Whitefish Lake 1996-1998
During our three years at this camp we've seen an incredible range of differences from year to year : from 0 degrees to 33 degrees celsius, no bugs to swarms and swarms of blackflies and mosquitos, and empty campsites to swarms of loud campers. And yet we always have fun. Especially if the weather is bad.
Our first trip down Whitefish Lake was very exciting. Twice we had to rush to shore to avoid high winds and cold showers. Both times they passed quickly and returned to calm sunshine in minutes. For the young scouts we had with us this was trial by fire. And they passed with flying colours. Youth who had been afraid to step into a canoe just days before were now confidently paddling over the waves.
After that first year we were joined by the 2nd Agincourt. Scouters Mike, Ian, and Fred really helped with our canoe instruction. And our joint campfires were great! Scouter Mike knows some great songs but he's hard to scare, even with my best ghost stories. What did the boys think? Well none of them slept alone if that's any indication.