Season'sSeason's GreetingsGreetings

Editor - J Kirby McCuaig Graphics - James Kam R O VER V ENT URE M AGAZINE

This past season my regular canoe mate, Andy Baxter, and I embarked on an insane 220 mile (350 kilometer_ canoe trip around Algonquin Provincial Park. It’s titled The Meanest Link and is made up 55 lakes, 6 rivers (3 of which had to be paddled upstream), and 93 portages (adding up to 42 miles [68 kilometers]).

It was one crazy trip; one I wouldn’t do again but an experience I’m glad I had. I lost 10 lbs., gained muscles I've never seen on my body before and had mosquito bites all over my body. Doesn’t sound pleasant - and some of it wasn’t. The most prominent silly portion was going up the Big East River. Never again! Four days of walking up rapids 80% of the time - sometimes up to your waist. The Meanest Link is exactly that - mean. Problem was, my main focus of the trip was to promote more people to get out and paddle wilderness areas for long periods of time. I think the trip accomplished that. By the time we had reached the halfway point on the Nippissing River Andy and I had gained over 10,000 people following our trip on line, all having the urge to be with us.

One of my favorite parts of the trip, however, was the Nippissing River. To reach the Nippissing and the point of our trip around Algonquin where we headed east and finally downriver, we paddled and portaged through a lesser maintained area of Algonquin, camping on a weedy pond titled Lagoo Lake. The 4.5 miles (7 kilometers) of uphill, mud-filled portages were worth the solitude we got from this obscure area of the park. Four moose were sighted by the time we reached the upper reaches of the Nippissing, and after snaking our way through a labyrinth of alders growing in from the narrow river bank, we spotted four more. Andy and I even had to chase a noble bull off a campsite, one we desperately needed. It was late and this was the only prime place to stay for the night. The moose left the site, but not before peeing on the tent pad.

I was ecstatic to be back on the Nippissing. I’ve paddled this river several times and have fond memories of fishing its trophy brook trout and paddling under majestic pine. Problem was, the mosquito population seemed to have tripled in numbers by the time we reached the river. Andy and I would soon discover that June of 2013 was a record for bug populations in the park due to the wet spring. We’ve paddled many places, including the James Bay lowlands, and never seen so many blood-thirsty mosquitos. It made for a huge downer for the trip. Our days were spent paddling out on the river, hoping for some type of breeze, or lathering bug juice all over ourselves and running across the portages. The campsites were the worst. Thankfully I had brought my Eureka bug shelter with us and after a frenzy few minutes of putting the camp together, Andy and I would spend the rest of the evening inside the protective mesh enclosure, cooking up dinner and sipping a coffee - and praying we didn’t have to use the outhouse before bed.

It took us only two and a half days to paddle the Nippssing, a free flowing and continuously twisting waterway that makes its way straight across Algonquin. With the mosquitoes the way they were there was no interest in fishing or exploring all the historic artifacts found along the way. We just wanted to be done with the river and paddle out into the expanse of Cedar Lake where the wind might knock the numbers of bugs down a bit.

Our second food drop was picked up at the Algonquin Outfitters store in Brent, run by Jake Pigeon who’s an Algonquin legend and recently received the 2013 Director’s Award from the park. He hadn’t changed much since last time I paddled through and stopped for a visit. Jake is all about promoting the more secluded northern parts of Algonquin but is also hesitant to let any inexperienced trippers venture here. He’s right though; this area is not for the timid. Cedar Lake itself can create dangerous wind and waves in minutes, something it managed to do on out crossing. Andy and I were glad to make it to the Brent docks without capsizing.

We picked up our food package Algonquin Outfitters had delivered for us and made some minor repairs to our canoe. The gunwales had come free in some places where the screws hadn’t held. It was more of a cosmetic defect but eventually it would cause problems, especially if we had to wade up another river. We later found out the manufacturer had experimented on screwing the gunwales on from the inside rather than from the outside. It didn’t work obviously, and we were thankful Jake gave us the use of a drill and a few longer screws to fix things. Unknown to Andy and I, we had gained some celebrity status by being interviewed on CBC radio a few times by way of satellite phone. I had also posted Facebook updates by way of a wireless router that attached to my iPod and Global Star satellite phone. Sending photos and updates each night didn’t seem much of a big deal to us (it was also something I didn’t overly enjoy either). We could send but couldn’t receive and had no idea the Facebook page was getting 11,000 visits every few days. By the time we finished the trip Andy and I were minor rock stars on social media. Cool.

What kept us going was the sheer magnitude of Algonquin. This is one big and beautiful park. By day 12 we were more relaxed, more in shape. The area we were paddling in also didn’t see many people. We were alone and truly enjoying the wilderness solitude. It reminded me so much of a quote I like from Robert Perkins film One Man in a Boat. Perkins looks out at a remote wilderness section and says “I feel like rolling it up in a ball and swallowing it so no one else can have it.” Ending the trip was just as consequential as starting it. We unknowingly chose the day of the big Huntsville bathtub races to finish. Helicopters buzzed overhead, speedboats and Jet-Skis churned up the water around us, and even a police boat pulled us over for a ride check. In the confusion Andy and I found ourselves in the centre of the bathtub race and had the organizer belittle us from the loudspeaker.

Hundreds of people lined the Huntsville docks, but only a handful were there to witness Andy and I complete our epic trip. Gord Baker from Algonquin Outfitters, and a couple of his staff, helped us unload and portage through the fans of the bathtub race. The ending was perfect for us, really. Rather than have banners hung and people cheering for us at the finish line, our accomplishments were overshadowed by a bunch of locals propelling themselves across the water with motorized bathtubs. How ironic.

You’d think of course that we would be craving the company of other people, or at least a feast on a greasy burger and fries. The whole ordeal, however, was an absolute culture shock. Both Andy and I missed the wilderness and were having a very difficult time adjusting. There were definitely countless times during the trip where we wanted to give up on battling the bugs and long portages. But now we had this strange desire to paddle away from the comforts of Huntsville and do the foolish trip all over again.

That was the proof I was looking for — that feeling of association with the natural world after spending a long period of time amongst it. It was the verification that the desire to immerse oneself in a wilderness setting overpowered the addiction to civilized comforts. That’s what happened to Andy and me.

We weren’t normal, of course. The average person is not playing out in the woods for long periods of time any more. Back in the 1930s, outdoor guide books had a typical trip rated to be one month. In the 1970s it was 10 days. In the early 1990s it dropped to five days. Now, the standard trip is a mere two days.

To quote John Muir, “Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over- civilized people are beginning to find out going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity…”

If we continue this trend then I’m afraid there will be a mass disconnect with the wilderness — which in turn will be the disintegration of wild areas due to our lack of association with them. I’m not saying you have to complete an insane three-week canoe journey around Algonquin to feel the connection — but trust me, go beyond a weekend outing and you’ll never be the same again.

Out & About

Number 32

“Travel a thousand miles by train and you are a brut; pedal five hundred on a bicycle and you remain basically a bourgeois; paddle a hundred in a canoe and you are already a child of nature.”

Pierre Elliott Trudeau

Company & Crew Visits

While I agree with our late Prime Minister that you can more completely submerge yourself into nature through travel by canoe, it just wasn’t practical, and by practical I mean it would have been all portaging and no paddling to visit the companies and crews of Willow Valley this fall.

A Big Thank You goes out to all the groups that took time out of their busy schedules to allow me to visit them in October and November. I enjoyed taking part in your meetings. As a DAC it showed me just how different each group is and how that difference affects how each group operates. As an Advisor it made me pause and consider how our company, 6th Willowdale operates in comparison. Lots to be learned from each other, best done by shared experiences.

Happy New Year to All, I’ll be back around to see you all again in the New Year!

Scout Craft II

On October 26th I drove out to Camp Samac to attend White Pines Council’s Craft II training session. As Pizza Ville is fond of saying “it was a rainy day”, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of those in attendance. We had a packed house for the course when Jim Pearce and Mike Hurley put us through our paces.

The courses, Scout Craft I & II are traditionally for new leaders who want to be confident about their skills when out into the great outdoors with , Cub Scouts, Scouts, etc. in tow, but it’s also a great opportunity to share skills and experiences with other scouters.

In February (8th and 9th) the courses will be repeated for those who missed out, my recommendation is to book now, so as not to be disappointed.

Thank you to the White Pines Council training staff for arranging the training session: Jim Pearce, Mike Hurley and Brian Wick.

Open Air Books and Maps

Have you always wanted to know where Indiana Jones did all his research on all those long lost artifacts? The journey begins at the south-east corner of Adelaide West and Toronto (25 Toronto Street) by descending a staircase down below street level into the basement of an old building. Pull open the door and you are confronted with stacks of books from floor to ceiling. Requirements for any trip to Open Air Books and Maps: plenty of time (you’ll need it), a GPS, and an Avalanche Beacon (be extremely careful removing books from the shelves).

If you are planning a trip anywhere in the world or just around the corner or have a hobby that includes any kind of outdoor activity, this is the best place in Toronto I know to purchase books on any topic. Case in point: on my trip to Colorado I was able to select from about 20 books on hiking or backpacking in the state, most other bookstores you can find one book on travelling in the Western United States ( I purchased 4 books).

This is the only store that I’ve ever seen that you have to remove books from the front of the self to see the books at the back of the self (hence the avalanche warning!) And oh, don’t forget to check out the piles on the floor in front of the shelves too.

When you close the door behind you, you’re immersed into another world. Check it out, it’s worth the trip. Fedora and whip optional…

J Kirby McCuaig DAC Older Youth – Willow Valley

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Upcoming Events

Willow Valley Area

Summer Dazzz Llama Moot Willow Valley Camporee Camp Wetaskiwin *Offer of Service* March 21-23, 2014 July 11-13, 2014 [email protected]

Winterama 2014 Around the World *Offer of Service* Brant Area Venturer Assembly Woodland Trails Camp Impessa January 18, 2014 Ayr, Ontario April 4-6, 2014 Kub Kar Rally www.venturerassembly.com Venturer & Rover Category March 22, 2014 Goat Moot Camp Shegardaynou Princeton, Ontario Greater Toronto Council May 23-25, 2014 [email protected] Midnight Madness at Laser Quest Laser Quest Toronto East Toronto, Ontario Highpoint Camp 2014 December 14, 2013 Goodyear Memorial Scout Camp [email protected] Orangeville, Ontario May 30-June 1, 2014 [email protected] Ontario

High Adventure Clinic Venturer Survival Camp Camp Bel Camp Nemo st 1 Dorchester Rovers January 3-5, 2014 May 30 – June 1, 2014 [email protected] [email protected]

Scout Craft I & II Million Dollar Mania Camp Samac Goodyear Memorial Scout Camp Oshawa, Ontario Orangeville, Ontario Scout Craft I February 8, 2014 June 27-29, 2014 Scout Craft II February 9, 2014 [email protected] [email protected]

BYOT (Bring Your Own Theme) Moot Snow Moot Langley Scout Reserve Nemo Scout Camp Peterborough, Ontairo Burlington, Ontario September 26-28, 2014 February 14-16, 2014

“What is Highpoint ‘14” you ask?

It is the seventh offering of a joint camp for Central Ontario HIGHPOINT CAMP FOR SCOUTS and VENTURERS

May 30 – June1 2014

Cost is $20 per Scout includes program and crest $25 per Venturer includes pizza lunch, program and crest

Place: Goodyear Memorial Scout Camp, Orangeville

Some of the intended programs for Scouts and Venturers:

Potato Cannons, Obstacles, Bridge over the River Why?, Orienteering, Target Frisbee , 1812 at Fort Goodyear, Cardio Vascular Challenge, Beat the Clock, Treasure Hunt, The Triad, Badge Display Knot challenge, Social, Campfire, Relay, Scouts Own and many more to come.

Please complete the attached Letter Of Intent and email as indicated on the letter.

If you have any questions about next year’s camp, please email [email protected].

See you there!

HIGHPOINT 2014 May 30 – June 1 2014

To: Troop Scouters Venturer Advisors

Highpoint 2014 is only a few months away – time for your troop/company to start the process required to attend. “What is Highpoint 14” you ask. The sixth offering of a joint camp for Central Council youth. To ensure that you get all the pertinent information as it becomes available, tell us that you are interested in participating by completing the form below. All participants must be members of . If you need more information, call: Bryan Cowell (Director of Administration) at 905-858-0220, or email: [email protected]

HIGHPOINT 14 May 30 – June 1, 2014 Intent To Participate

Please complete fully and email to JAKE Forsyth the registrar at [email protected] We intend to participate in Highpoint 2014 and here are the details:

Section Number and Name ______

Troop ____ or Company ____ (Please mark one)

Area: ______Council:

______

Contact Name: ______Telephone: (____)-(____-______)

Address: ______

E-Mail Address: ______

Approximate # of:

Female Youth ______Male Youth ______Total Youth ______

Female Scouters ______Male Scouters ______Total Adults ______

Total Participants ______

R O VER V ENT URE M AGAZINE P A G E 4

Quebec & Eastern Canada

th NB RoVenture 2014 12 World Scout Youth Forum Centennial Rotary Lodge Rogla, Slovenia Moncton, New Brunswick August 4-7, 2014 January 10-12, 2014 [email protected] [email protected]

May Moot 2014 Moot of Thrones Wings 2014 Arundel, Quebec Windsor Great Park May 16-19, 2014 Berkshire, Scouts & Venturer Scouts August 2-9, 2014 Canada Wide [email protected]

Scouts Canada Scholarship 1345 Baseline Road 16th Australian Venture Ottawa, Ontario Woodhouse Activity Centre st Deadline: April 1 , 2014 Adelaide, South January 2-13, 2015 www.av2015.scouts.com.au Adventure 14 Newfoundland: Journey to the Edge of the Earth JAPAN 2015 Camp Nor’Wes August 2-9, 2014 (Venturers 14-17 only) (see flyer) July 28-August 8, 2015 www.23wsj.jp [email protected] International

WAM (Western Australia Moot) 15th World Scout Moot 19th Australian Rover Moot Reykjavik, Woodland Point Camp July 25-August 2, 2017 Fremantle, Western Australia December 30, 2013 – January 10, 2014 [email protected] 24th World Scout Jamboree Hosted by US, Mexico & Canada Jamboree On The Trail Summit Bechtel Family Nat’l Scout Reserve May 10, 2014 Beckley, West Virginia, U.S.A. www.Jott.org August 2019

Willow Valley Area Rally 2014

th Saturday March 22 2014, 9:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.

A Rally Open to all Areas and Sections featuring:

Beaver Buggy Races Kub Kar Races Scout & Venturer 18 Wheeler Races

Please read and observe all the rules for each section entry. • Please register with a list of entrants. • $5.00 for each entry. • Multiple Tracks. • Snack can be purchase from the Snack Bar.

There will be a Friday night final registration and check in at the race location from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. No entries (except prearranged) will be accepted on Saturday morning! Please download the registration form for your section, group and Leaders and email back to the Race Coordinator. In the subject line please include Willow Valley Area Rally 2014 Registration. We need to know the section and numbers of youth and leaders attending and participating in order to be adequately supplied.

Please register as soon as possible. See you at the races.

WORLD SCOUT JAMBOREE SCOUT MONDIAL JAPAN 2015 JAPON

Your World Scout Jamboree During your time as a Scout, you have one opportunity to attend a World Scout Jamboree. This is your chance to travel to Japan, where you’ll meet other Scouts from around the world and make new friendships that will last a lifetime. You can attend with your group, or join a composite Troop. 23rd World Scout Jamboree Kirara-hama, Japan In 2015, tens of thousands of Scouts will converge on Kirara-hama, Japan, the venue for the 23rd World Scout Jamboree. The kanji character “wa” means harmony, unity, friendship, and peace. It is in this spirit that of Japan will welcome Scouts from around the world to the 2015 World Scout Jamboree, Wa: A Spirit of Unity.

Date July 28 – August 8, 2015 Location Kirara-hama, Yamaguchi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan Who > 30 000 Scouts from 161 countries around the world Website http://23wsj.jp/

The Canadian Contingent is comprised of Scouts from l’Association des Scouts du Canada as well as Scouts Canada, and will contain Jamboree participants, members of the International Service Team, as well as organizers of the Canadian Contingent. Get in early by signing up for our mailing list.

To be eligible to attend as a participant, you must be born between July 28, 1997 and July 27, 2001. These ranges are not flexible.

Early Expression of Interest Use this code to express your interest in attending and subscribe to updates from the Canadian Contingent to the World Scout Jamboree 2015 in Japan. We will contact you directly as soon as online registration is ready to go. Scouts.ca/japan2015