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Our normal Ontario Jamboree is cancelled due to COVID-19, but Scouting continues online with Web-Jamboree 2020!

There are many activities available for you to complete between now and the end of July. The activities will be posted inside Google Classroom. Our Scouting Association has chosen Scouters who are available to help you from inside Google Classroom or you can contact your unit Scouters. Many of these activities count to your program badges.

The Canadian Traditional Scouting Association held its Annual General Meeting via teleconference on Saturday, May 2. All adult members had a vote at the meeting.

Rod Smith, National Commissioner, welcomed everyone to the meeting and congratulated everyone on continuing to provide Scouting during this time of isolation. The 2018/19 annual report and financial statements were presented. The report of the auditor was approved.

The meeting made several bylaw and policy changes:

Update: See the post-meeting AGM summary.

Dear Fellow Scouters,

One of my ancestors once said “may you live in interesting times”. I am not sure that a pandemic meets that definition. It is, however, an opportunity for our society to reflect on what is important in life and what is not. For example, I was impressed at how polite everyone was at the grocery store the other day; wait, why isn’t it that way all the time?

Posted March 13; updated April 26.

Yesterday, the Government of Ontario closed schools up-to and including April 5, 2020 (this was later extended). As we wrote in our last message, Executive Council has decided that when schools are closed, in-person Scouting stops. I was looking forward to a Scouting trip to New York City for March Break. That is cancelled along with regular meetings. We will continue to monitor the situation. If the situation changes, we will be in touch. You can read our post about Coronavirus / COVID-19.

Cancelled due to COVID-19: Join our Web-Jamboree that you can participate in from home!

Calling all Princesses, Knights, Kings, & Queens:

Queen Cayla Cornish of CTSA cordially invites you to the 2020 Canadian Traditional Scouting Association Ontario Jamboree.

By Kim Griffiths, BScN, Deputy Commissioner for Rovers

I have taken this initiative to address concerns around the coronavirus / COVID-19. The virus is known to spread in the following ways:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Scouting,

On the 22 February 2020, we will celebrate the 163th Birthday of our Founder, Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, Lord of Gilwell, and the 131th Birthday of Olave St. Clair, former World Guide Chief and Baden-Powell's wife.

At this worldwide and traditional day, we as the World Council, take the chance, to send Thinking Day and Founders Day greetings, that wish you peace and friendship with all brothers and sisters in Scouting and Guiding from across the world.

Race your Timber Car against other cars from across Ontario. Members of Scouting from all sections are invited to build their own cars and bring them to race in February. Register by Wednesday, February 19 (no on-site registration).

Our Winchester Scouting group won Best Overall in the 2019 Parade of Lights in Winchester, Ontario. Congratulations to all. For a video, see "1st Winchester Scouting Group tops Parade of Lights 2019 standings — and thank-you" in Nation Valley News.

It is the season where many, no matter their beliefs, wish for peace and goodwill throughout the world. One family did their best in this regard, in part as founders of the Boy Scouts of America.

After much hard work, Michelle Durham, Deputy Commissioner for Otters, has prepared a draft of the new handbook for the Otter program section. Now she wants your feedback. The most recent email newsletter contained a link to download the draft. If you did not receive it, you can contact Michelle to get a copy. Please read the draft Otter handbook and then send her your comments.

November 29 to December 1, 2019

You're invited to a fun-filled weekend with fellow Senior Explorers and Rovers done the Rovering way, that is to say: No dishes are required, bring your bathing suit and towel. You can pitch a tent or sleep indoors on a floor in a large common room. Bring your campfire ideas and hiking shoes.

Cost is $40

Arrival anytime after 7:00 PM.

Location: LutheRanch, 684138 Side Rd 30, Holland Centre

Wood Beads Part I is a training course for Scouters (adult leaders), usually the first training course taken. It is an introduction to the Scouting Movement and how we use its educational method to contribute to the development of young people.

All adult members of the Association are invited to attend and vote at the Special General Meeting on October 20, 2019. The agenda will include the association's new logo and the new Otter Handbook. You may attend the meeting in person, online, or by proxy (see the proxy form).

Date

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Time

14:00, Toronto time

Location

Waterloo, Ontario

Attend in person

The best way is to attend in person. Parking options:

The Stainsby Reunion is a gathering of adult members of Scouting for fellowship and the sharing of Scouting ideas. It is open to all who have earned Wood Badge/Beads Part I or higher from any Scouting association. (If you don't have a Part I, sign-up to take it this November and join us at next year's reunion!)

Many Traditional Scouting programs take place in and on the water. We are responsible for creating a safe environment for everyone. Part of this is knowing what it looks like when someone is drowning because it doesn't look like it does in the movies. That is why we have shared this article, “Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning” by Mario Vittone.

All adult members of the Association are invited to attend and vote at AGM 2019. The AGM is an important time when the Association hears reports, elects officers, and set the direction for the next year. All adult members are encouraged to attend. The AGM will be held as part of the Indaba 2019 Scouters' conference.

Join other Scouters for this day of learning and fellowship on Saturday, April 6, 2019 at University of Waterloo. The weekend will include:

Article in the Brampton Guardian on February 26, 2019, "Timber Car Races held at the Bramalea City Centre".

On February 22, we celebrate the birthdays of our Founder, Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell, and his wife, and his wife Lady Olave. Please read the message from the World Federation of Independent Scouts.

The Canadian Traditional Scouting Association is presenting another opportunity to take canoe training and receive Paddle Canada certification through Grand Experiences. The camp will be June 21–23, 2019.

At this time, we need to establish how many people are interested in participating. The following courses will be offered; follow the links to see details about each course:

The Ontario Timber Car Races are coming up on February 23. Please register by February 20; see the registration details. No registrations after February 20! (We need to enter everyone into the computer in advance.)

Race your Timber Car against other cars from across Ontario. Members of Scouting from all sections are invited to build their own cars and bring them to race in February. Register by Wednesday, February 20 (no on-site registration).

Dear Friends & Fellow Scouters,

At this time of year, Scouting takes an interesting turn. At our Christmas campfire, I get to catch up with all of the parents. I get to dress up as Santa and give out the timber car kits as presents. I am pretty sure they know it's me. I hope that all of you enjoy the season as well.

Registration is now open for Golden Arrow Youth Leader Training 2018. Golden Arrow is a training weekend members of the troop section, generally ages 12–14, who are in leadership roles such as Patrol Leader and Assistant PL.

During the weekend, participants will be challenged with activities which will help them develop and reflect on their leadership skills, both inside and outside of Scouting. They will return with the skills and confidence they need to built their patrols and troops into effective teams.

All adult members of the Association are invited to attend and vote at the Special General Meeting on December 8. We will be discussing some bylaw and policy amendments; see the notice sent to members by email on November 8 for the agenda and wording of motions. You may attend the meeting in person, online, or by proxy.

Wood Beads Part I is a training course for Scouters (adult leaders), usually the first training course taken. It is an introduction to the Scouting Movement and how we use its educational method to contribute to the development of young people.

The Stainsby Reunion is a gathering of adult members of Scouting for fellowship and the sharing of Scouting ideas. It is open to all who have earned Wood Badge/Beads Part I or higher from any Scouting association. (If you don't have a Part I, sign-up to take it this November and join us at next year's reunion!)

This year's location provides opportunities for paddling and row-boating on the lake, swimming in the indoor pool, hiking on the Bruce Trail, games, and campfires.

In a few days, many of us will be at Eurocamp18 in England. Others have their own summer adventures either coming up or already done. We're making great use of the summer for Traditional Scouting. With the summer almost half over, it is time to be thinking about the program for the fall and beyond.

The Traditional Scouting Association has a large number of events scheduled for the coming year. We hope you will mark your calendars now and attend. Most of these events are open to members of any Scouting association; please contact us if you would like to attend.

The Traditional Scouting Association's Jamboree 2018 will be June 15-17 at Brant Conservation Area. The park offers the camping, hiking, canoeing, and kayaking on the kettle lake. There will be programs for all ages of Scouting.

Wood Beads Part I is a training course for Scouters (adult leaders), usually the first training course taken. It is an introduction to the Scouting Movement and how we use its educational method to contribute to the development of young people.

All adult members of the Association are invited to attend and vote at AGM 2018. The AGM is an important time when the Association hears reports, elects officers, and set the direction for the next year. All adult members are encouraged to attend.

Date

Saturday, March 24, 2018

Time

12:00

Location

Room 1302, Davis Centre, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave. W., Waterloo, Ontario

You may attend the meeting in person, online by Skype, or by proxy.

Race your Timber Car against other cars from across the province. Members of Scouting from all sections are invited to build their own cars and bring them to race in February.