Canadian Jamboree 2013 (CJ’13): Next Summer!

(Document Updated Page 3, December 2012)

Next summer, Scouts ’s largest event, its National Canadian Jamboree is being held in the Province of . The Troop is still in the planning stage and we have many puzzle pieces left come together. However, even though the logistics are a work in progress, and we have almost a year, will want monies in by the end of this year and we will want as a Troop to register as soon as possible. This letter intended as a preliminary call for participation.

What is the Canadian Scout Jamboree? A Canadian Scout Jamboree or CJ for short, is a large jamboree run by Scouts Canada, where Scouts from other provinces and territories join and camp for a week of fun, camaraderie and adventure. One will also see Scouts from other countries joining in as well.

Canadian Jamboree’s are pinnacle events in a Canadian Scout’s career, but, they are also rare. In the last fifteen years only three CJ’s have been held in Canada.

Where will CJ’13 be held?

CJ’ 13 will be held at Sylvan Lake, Alberta July 3-13, 2013. The area is between Calgary and Edmonton and just east of Jasper and Banff National Parks and Kananaskis Country. Dates for travel and any additional Troop activities TBA.

When will registration be due?

Registration will be due around Christmas time in 2012.

What are the fees?

We are still working on that, but what we do know is that the early jamboree fee will need to be received by December. This is $650 per person. This is why we wanted to give as much notice as we can now so parents may budget. What we do not know yet are flight costs as the Troop will be flying, but, count on a normal flight to Calgary. We will not know the exact costs until we try to book flights. On top of the Scouts Canada jamboree fee the Troop will have incidental expenses as well. Troop Fees will be an estimated $350-$450, which will consider expenses like supplies, food, any rentals, equipment, transportation costs, badges, troop uniform and other allocated costs that the Troop may require. Extracurricular activities offered by Cascadia in the mountains are also being considered. Those activities are priced at $450 and will add 50% more time for the youth to participate in Alberta (Rafting, Glaciers, Dinosaurs, etc.) The Troop will be spending much effort to get the youth to CJ and we are already there!

Are there funds available?

The group has set aside some funds to be used for Jamboree years. Youth in the group more than three years would qualify. We will not be able to estimate at this time, as there are a number of factors that will come into play. There may also be a chance to do some fundraising during the year.

Who is eligible?

There are certain restrictions, but, for youth CJ’13 will be for the Scout section of qualified youth currently going into Grade 6 in 2012 and higher.

1st Whitby Scouts pictured in the front row during the opening of the last National Canadian Scout Jamboree in 2007, the 100th Anniversary of Scouting Worldwide.

Canadian National Jamboree – Alberta 2013 UPDATE DECEMBER 2012 The Troop has made plans to depart Whitby on July 6th on an early morning flight to Alberta. We will be landing in Calgary shortly after 11am, which will give us some time to eat lunch and make our way to the jamboree site. We will return to Whitby on July 17th in the late evening. This incorporates an extended adventure program after the Jamboree.

Since our last meeting one of the largest unknowns were the cost of flights. We have secured our flights on Westjet. We worked with the airline and cost is with taxes comes to $716 each person. Please note that Westjet has a limited baggage allowance included in the cost of the flight, therefore when examining this based on the Troop’s experience we are expecting some extra costs when it comes to checking personal gear/troop gear the Troop needs to factor in and is reflected below.

The following are the costs we are seeing. Some items have expanded explanations to follow. We are slightly under our original estimate from what we saw in September. CJ’13 Cost Summary Early Camp Scouts Canada Registration $650 (Regular $750 after January) Youth Flights $716 Baggage/Equipment $50 Base Cost $1416 Troop Expenses Food1 $125 Camp Jacket2 $55 Camp Shirts $15 Propane $10 Supplies $30 Spirit $25 Rentals $15 Crests $55 Incidentals $50 $380 Leader Costs3 $130 Alberta Adventure Program4 $450 Total Camp Fees Estimate $2376 The Total Camp Fee Estimate does not take into account any funds currently available or any future fundraising. This figure is an estimate of what the Troop will spend for each youth attending CJ’13.

1 This allows for supplement food for youth over a limited jamboree menu and additional meals 2 The Troop would like to make a Troop Jacket with each Scouts name embroidered and a custom crest. This is similar to what Scouter Jason still wears from the Troop’s trip to Holland. Youth may continue to wear their jacket after the jamboree with their uniform as appropriate. 3 This amount contributes to leaders flight costs and factors in remaining monies already being contributed by our jamboree fund over leader registration fees (~$100/). Other leaders costs are being donated by the leaders themselves. 4 The Troop has responded to the idea that we offer a post-jamboree high adventure program. Current estimate. 1st Whitby Scout Troop Registration Schedule Canadian Jamboree 2013 – Alberta

The troop has worked out a payment schedule to assist parents as follows.

Check list

o December 19, 2012 Non-refundable Deposit $350 o January 23, 2013 Payment1 $871 o February 20, 2013 Payment $385 o April 10, 2013 Payment $385 o June 1, 2013 Payment2 $385

1 The Troop will be making critical logistic decisions and non-refundable commitments early as we work toward the jamboree and at the same time in an effort to smooth out costs to parents, a deferred payment plan has been offered. For this reason these are payment notations. A non-refundable deposit is being made December 19, after which the following will apply should a youth need to drop from the roster; after January 25 a commitment of $1576 is locked in ; after April 24 a commitment of $1776 is locked in. 2 Last payments will be adjusted for any fundraising raised to benefit youth attending CJ’13.

To register for the Canadian Jamboree (CJ’13) please remit $350 by December 19, plus four post dated cheques for the above dates.

Notes: Based on issues in the past, the Troop must make the following statement regarding Jamboree registrations; it is expected that youth maintain good standing during the year to remain registered. This includes any program items, including badges, are up to date, any dues, and that youth maintain a level of participation within the Troop. It is also expected that the above payments schedule be adhered to and should a payment be returned, that payment will be replaced without delay.