8TH Pickering Scout Group

"Scouting is a game with a Purpose." (Baden Powell)

Intro Letter 2009 / 2010 Season

Dear Parents,

 

            Welcome to another year of Scouting at the 8th Pickering.  The leaders for the Pack have planned a very exciting year ahead.  Note that our leaders are volunteers and we are always looking for additional leaders to join the Group. If you are interested, please call me.  I am pleased to welcome Rick Meraw (now Bagheera, the Black Panther) and Kyle Watson (now Baloo the Bear) to our leadership team.  Louis Vranches is back as Mang (the Bat) and Travis Jaffaray we have bribed to return as Kaa (the Python).

            Scouting has developed many policies nationally to reduce risk to children and to “due diligence” in ensuring that our programs are safe and enjoyable for everyone.  All of our leaders undergo a screening process (interviews, reference checks, police checks) and training process as leaders.  We always welcome parental involvement at all of our meetings. If you plan to attend our camps, please complete the police record check form at our local police division at Brock and Kingston Road.

            A draft Year plan will be distributed at the first meeting. Our regular meeting will be at Maple Ridge from 6:30-8 pm. Please consult our Group Web Page regularly for updates at http://www.freewebs.com/8thpickering. 

Regarding our Program, the Year Plan will be circulated soon.  Note these dates now:  Oct 3-4  – Camp at Snake Island, October 16-17 is Apple Day.   

            Regarding uniform, we are requesting that our Cubs wear a complete uniform that consists of Scout Shirt, Sash and Blue Pants.  The uniform can be purchased at the Scout Shop. There are two – one at Camp Samac in Oshawa, the other at 265 Yorkland Blvd (DVP / Sheppard) in Toronto, 2nd floor. You can also order online through www.scouts.ca.    The cost of the new Scouts Canada cargo pant is $34.99 (they are nice Pants) or if you’d rather you can simply pick up a pair at a local retailer, likely for far less.. Please assist us with enforcing the uniform and also a Cub Book to each meeting (also available at scout shop). This year, we will be enforcing consequences for youth not in full uniform.

            Regarding fee’s,  it is important that parents realize that Scouting is fully volunteer and we rely on fundraising to support our Group.  Most of our registration fee ($145 of $165) is given to Scouts Canada national office to cover insurance and membership.  Our Group’s only source of income is through fee’s and dues and fundraisers.  We expect that all of our youth support our fundraisers – typically three per year (Apple Day, Popcorn, TBA).  The funds raised are used to: a) operate programs, b) subsidize outings and camps, c) purchase of badges, scarves and program supplies, d) to register our adult volunteer leaders and e) purchase of camp equipment.  We typically operate several FREE programs such as our Year End banquet and Christmas party with funds raised through our Group. To emphasize, please ensure that your child supports our fundraisers.  Saying this, its important to stress that no child should be denied Scouting participation due to financial difficulties. Please speak to a Leader if you are in this situation.

            Regarding participation, I realize that it can be difficult to get your child out to every event.  In Scouting, we are working towards earning certain badges and stars and the program is designed as a three year plan.  Missing outings will often result in missing requirements that were achieved resulting in your child missing out on achieving stars and badges.  Its also important to stress that your child will be placed in a “Six” (small group of peers) that will work together. Frequent absences will disrupt the team building within the Six.  I have seen on occasion, that youth sometimes tend to “pick and choose” events they find to be fun.  I request your support in encouraging your child to attend our program regularly when you can. If your child cannot attend an event, please notify a Leader. In terms of attending camp, this is an important element of our program.  For first timers, in my experience it is often more the parental anxiety rather than the child’s anxiety in attending overnight camps that prevents participation.  Rather than not participating, consider coming along and helping out.  Lastly, my biggest issue as a volunteer is the frustration of NOT knowing about participation, especially at camps.  The Year Plan is put together well in advance to allow families to plan their calendars.  Please RSVP at least one full week before events (e.g. camps) to let me know if you are or are not participating.  This year, we may be cancelling events (at a financial loss to our Group) if we do not have enough participation.

            Regarding Pack Leadership, in Cubbing we focus on developing leadership.  The adult leaders will be selecting Cubs to serve in leadership roles (called Sixers and Seconds).  The criteria for selection is based on several things that include age, experience, attendance, wearing the uniform, setting an example, etc.  The most important of these is attendance.  A sixer cannot be an effective leader if he/she is not at the meetings. 

            Regarding transportation,  due to Scouting policies, leaders are not suppose to be transporting youth in their personal cars unless there are two adults (policy known as Two Deep leadership).  Unfortunately, due to insurance issues we also cannot set up the car pools, however, we can with your permission share all of our members contact information and email addresses so that parents among themselves can make these arrangements (e.g. trips to outings, meeting hall or camps). Please let me know if you do NOT wish your phone number / email address to be shared with others.

            Luckily, there has been a change this year in Scouting policies with our Forms in that parents are only required to fill out one form for all events within the year. Only activities deemed as High Risk require additional forms so … this means we do not have to have a form signed every time we leave the school!

            Lastly, please feel free to speak to me or any of the leaders about any personal issues related to your child so that we can ensure that he/she can enjoy their time with us.  Thanks.

 

Yours in Scouting,

 

 

 

Mark McDermid

AKELA