Scout Meetings on Jan. 23 and 30

Jan. 23 – survival kits and personal gear report back

1. I need a confirmation by Jan. 23 of who is attending winter camp. Please also bring the camp fee of $45 or contact Scouter Beth at beth@kapn.net or 647-224-2384 if you need a subsidy to be able to attend.
2. I hope by now you have all at least read the winter camp equipment list I posted a few weeks back and handed out at our first meeting. It is very important that you have all the equipment designed to keep you warm. We are outside all weekend. The weather can be exceptionally cold. Some years it has gone down to -30C overnight.
3. If there is something you are missing, borrow it from a friend or family member. Ask around. If you aren’t able to borrow what you need, you need to talk to a Scouter by Jan. 23. Do not just come and announce that you don’t have such and such item. That will not get a friendly response. Bring a list of what you are missing and be prepared to tell us what you have done to try to get it. If we have an extra item that you can borrow, we will loan it to you. We may have suggestions about what you can do instead of a particular item (e.g. a sleeping bag and two blankets instead of two sleeping bags). However, it is imperative that these issues are dealt with this week.
4. We’ll be making survival kits at this meeting as part of preparing for camp, Scouts have been asked to consider this list and look around the house for items they might add to a basic survival kit. There is no need to go shopping, but look at what you already have. Also, this is not a definitive list. You don’t hve to have everything there, and there may be something that you think is important that isn’t on the list. The point is to think about the kinds of things you might need in an emergency or if you get lost. UPDATE: Here’s a better survival kit plan: pocket survival kit
5. We will be planning the menu for camp and making a shopping list. Some of the Scouts will be expected to do the shopping before the next meeting.

Jan. 30 – personal gear check in

1. All Scouts must bring their personal gear all packed to this meeting, so we can be certain everyone is prepared. Winter camp is fun, but it’s not very fun, and can even be dangerous, if you are not properly equipped. If you do not bring your gear to be inspected on Jan. 30, you will not be permitted to go to camp. I do not want to hear junk like, “my mom didn’t pack it”. It is your responsibility as Scouts to pack and carry your own equipment. Your family can help you get the things you need, but you are the one responsible for your equipment, not your family!
2. The shopping for camp must be done before this meeting as we will be packing all our gear for camp and loading Scouter Andrew’s trailer.
3. One item not on the gear list is toboggans. We will be tobogganing, so you may bring a toboggan, however, you need to be prepared to leave it behind at the church if we do not have room in vehicles. If your toboggan will be useful for hauling gear into camp, we will work harder to make sure it fits in the vehicles.