Out & About Number 40 Zoo Moot or BUST! One of the challenges facing both Venturer and Rover Scouts today is arranging the rides they need for traveling to activities. For many ensuring that everyone can get to the moot or canoe trip is as major a stumbling block as last minute school assignments. Companies and crews in Toronto can face 3 or more hours one way to events they want to attend. Convincing parents to make the drive sometimes is impossible. Our company has attended Zoo Moot at Camp Samac in Oshawa for a number of years. This year I challenged them to arrive by public transit. In the end it took a little more to convince the parents that this was possible then the actual Venturer and Rover Scouts. When Friday, November 13th arrived, the youth members met at the GO Transit Station next to the Finch subway station in the north end of Toronto and took the GO Bus to the Oshawa campus of the University Of Ontario Institute Of Technology. From the campus it was a short hike to the camp. Challenge completed, the fun began! This year’s Zoo Moot had a definite pre-historic theme, from the costumes worn by the moot staff at opening to the events themselves. Last year we were lucky enough to win two events, one of which netted us a box of Mr. Noodle’s instant noodles, which we kept until this year’s camp. I don’t think anyone checked the expiry date, but then they fitted in with the pre-historic theme. Besides we were only biding our time and saving our appetites for Zoo Moot’s FAMOUS POT LUCK DINNER! For two of our Venturer Scouts, Michael and Bijan, Zoo Moot was their introduction to Moots. At the Saturday Night Feast, I mentioned to Michael and Bijan that not every Moot had a Pot Luck Dinner, Bijan responded “Then this is the Best Moot!” The way to a Venturer Scout’s heart is definitely through his stomach. Piled high with seconds and thirds. For the past two years we have competed in the archery event with little success. We would starve if we had to hunt our own dinner, but this year Bijan was able to hit the target. Of course it helps if you are able to bounce the arrow off the ceiling. The wild turkeys on site have nothing to worry about, they won’t need a Presidential Pardon from Mr. Obama. This year we won one event and the prize was Toronto Maple Leaf soap on a rope. It will definitely be around for next year and probably for years to come. Anyone got a recipe for Soap? The furry guy in the middle you ask? That’s our mascot. Incidentally it was his first moot. Thanks to all the staff at the moot for putting on a Great Event. We will be seeing you next year! Now that we proved to ourselves that attending camp by public transit is possible and even advantageous, as all the members were on a PD day and that meant could leave even before their parents came home from work. What else is possible? The GO Challenge in Quebec, RoVent in Sudbury or ADVenture 16 in B.C.… “Keep the Shiny Side of the Canoe Down” John Kirby McCuaig 6th Willowdale Venturer/Rover Scouts On October 24 2015, the Greater Toronto Council hosted the FAST (Fun Active Scout Training) Course at Edithvale Community Centre. FAST is a full day leadership training course offered to Scouts from all over the Greater Toronto Council. Participants included around 25 Scouts from five different groups in the Willow Valley Area as well as one group from the Scarborough Area. During the training, the youth participated in six training modules. These six modules covered topics on important skills including: leadership, effective communication, teamwork, conflict resolution, problem solving as well as a description of leadership roles such as Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader. Youth had the chance to engage in fun activities to enhance their understanding of each topic. All in all, everyone had a great time! A special thank you goes out to all those who helped with the training course. This event would not have been possible without the help of the volunteers who gave their time to help train the youth, prepare meals and plan the event. The youth left the training course having gained valuable information on important skills that will undoubtedly be useful in the future. Helen Ho Willow Valley Area Youth Commissioner GTC Rover Round Table Moves Forward It’s been a busy start to the year for the Greater Toronto Council Rover Round Table. There just never seems to be any shortage of things to do or experience. On November 4th, the Round Table sent representatives to the First Masonic Lodge of Toronto for a formal dinner evening. It was a chance for us to share the history of Scouting with the Lodge members, and a chance for them in return to share with us some of the history of their organization. New friends were made, and the Round Table effectively made itself known in the community once again. On November 14th the Round Table held its first campfire at Woodland Trails Scout Camp for Rovers across GTC. The evening was enjoyed by all who attended as we formally kicked off our year by sharing stories and socializing around flames that chased away the slightest hint of the cool weather. The fire also allowed the 2nd Scarborough Rover Crew to clear out their Den property of old trees from their Christmas tree fundraiser from last year. The wood kept the fire burning for hours, and the remaining wood was donated to the camp for future Groups to use. The Round Table is now looking forward to future events and gatherings. March 5th has already been locked in as a Council Unlimited Class Car/Truck Rally in Scarborough for any youth or Scouter who might want to participate. If you would like to make an entry or would like more information, please contact Rover Bill Bryan for details ([email protected]). The Round Table Needs YOU! If you are interested in becoming a part of the Round Table executive, and want to help make a difference both inside and outside of Scouting, we want to hear from you. Feel free to contact Geoffrey Ellis ([email protected]) for more details! Yours in Rovering, -Geoffrey Ellis Knight and Founder GTC Rover Round Table ver ure azine Ro Vent Mag Out & About Hiking and Backpacking Survey!! First Name/Nickname: Crew/Company: Area/Province: 1) What hiking trail would you recommend as the best one(s) in your area? 2) What was your most memorable hike? And what made it so memorable? 3) Do you have a tip(s) for others when it comes to hiking/Backpacking? 4) When was the last time your group went on a Day Hike? a) This year b) Last year c) Two years ago d) Three years ago e) More than 3 years ago 5) When was the last time your group went on an Overnight Backing Trip? a) This year b) Last year c) Two years ago d) Three years ago e) More than 3 years ago Send your responses to [email protected] Extended to January 22, 2016 . Jamboree on the Trail (JOTT) Join the World Wide Scouting Hike On Saturday, May 14th 2016 Cost of badge is $2.00 *Jamboree on the Trail is a world hiking event held every year for ALL scouting sections at http://jamboreeonthetrail.org * * * * For more information contact: Dave Wiebe: [email protected] Twitter - @jotthike #jott2016 Instagram - @jotthike Facebook – Jamboree on the Trail NEW Part of JOTT - Night Hike Cost of badges is $5.00 and this is geared toward Venturer Scouts, Rover Scouts and Senior Scouts (and the badge glows in the dark) We suggest that you do a night hike on Friday night May 13th Contact [email protected] for more details Whistler Olympic Park Whistler Olympic Park is located just two hours outside of Vancouver, B.C. and is situated on the Madeley Creek basin in the Callaghan Valley, west of the town Whistler, B.C. The park was originally developed for the 2010 Winter Olympics and it boasts to having some of the best facilities for seasoned athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. With beautiful landscapes and rugged terrain, Whistler Olympic Park is the ideal setting for Venturer Scouts to create lasting memories of ADVenture16. Near the park, you will find skiing, snowboarding and bobsledding runs that are world-renowned (there’s a reason why the Winter Olympics were hosted in Whistler). ADVenture Patrol Units looking for mountain biking and hiking trails, you are in some serious luck! During the warmer months, the Whistler area is surrounded by some of the best trails and paths that will challenge even seasoned athletes. R O VER V ENT URE M AGAZINE D E C E M B E R 2015 - F EBRUARY , 2016 Upcoming Local & Ontario Events Greater Toronto Council Battlefields Academy Presents: GTC Unlimited Class Car & Truck Rally The FUNdamentals of Scouting Supported by GTC Rover Round Table Woodbadge Part I – All Sections Scarborough, Ontario Camp Nemo March 5, 2016 Burlington, Ontario [email protected] January 8-10, 2016 [email protected] Scout Night with the Toronto Marlies Grand Rapids Griffins vs Toronto Marlies Trainer Development Ricoh Coliseum Train the Trainer Toronto, Ontario Optimist Club April 2, 2016 Oshawa, Ontario www.Greatertoronto.scouts.ca January 9 & 16, 2016 [email protected] CanAm Backwards Venturee Ontario Camp Attawandaron Port Franks, Ontario Focus Workshop January 29-31, 2016 Camp Samac [email protected] Oshawa, Ontario December 5-7, 2015 Ottawa 67’s Scout Appreciation [email protected] Owen Sound Attack vs Ottawa 67’s TD Place NOC – RoVent Ottawa, Ontario Christmas in July in January January 30, 2016 Wilabosca Scout Camp [email protected] Sudbury, Ontario January 8-10, 2016 Snow Moot [email protected] Camp Nemo February 5-7, 2016 Camp Wetaskiwin [email protected] Venturer and Rover Service Camp St.