WJ15? Heck yeah!

Well, while it seems a long way off, World Jamboree 2015 is in the planning and early registration stage.  Windsor and Essex Areas are looking at putting together a composite patrol to go to WJ15 in Japan.  We have been gathering all of the information we can and will be having a discussion about it Thursday November 21, 2013 at 7 pm at the Windsor & Essex Scout Service Centre.  If you are a leader who might have youth who are interested, you are who we are looking to communicate with at this meeting.   Once we gauge interest, we'll be scheduling additional meetings.  If you are interested, but can't make this meeting, email WindsorAreaScouting@gmail.com with the Subject of your email: "WJ15 - I want more info" and we'll put you on our email list.

Can't wait to share the information about this amazing opportunity - hope to see you then!

Need space themed activities?

To celebrate World Space Week, UK Scouting has published some cool crafts related to space....check it out: http://scouts.org.uk/news/2013/scouts-in-space/day-7-out-of-this-world-activities/

Website back up and information for Remembrance Day activities

Well, the website is back up and running (finally).  We have some content that still needs to be updated, but at least we are on the road to getting back to normal.  I spoke with Amy today and she indicated that the school flyers are now in the hands of the school boards, so we hope that all of the groups will be contacted by members of the public wanting to join the awesomeness that is Scouting in Windsor!

In other news, I found this posted to Facebook today and thought I'd share it with y'all:

We are again offering our suite of free Veterans’ Week materials with updated content to help engage young people in remembrance. The Take Time to Remember activity booklet (ages 5-7), as well as youth
newspapers Tales of Animals in War (ages 5-11) and the Canada Remembers Times (ages 12-18) are all back again this year. Our popular Postcards for Peace, bookmarks and posters are also available, as is the on-line
Veterans Week teacher’s guide. Check out the electronic versions and order your own bilingual copies today at no charge.

www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/veterans-week/educational-resources

While you are on our website, please explore our Veterans' Week web feature for lots more information like details about commemorative events being held across the country and social media tools to allow young people to share their thoughts.

www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/veterans-week

Never too early to plan for upcoming program!

ICG - I'm in!

The excitement is building and Scouts Canada is already being mentioned in the media for the role we are going to play in the closing ceremonies!  Obviously we are pretty excited about Windsor being a host for an international event and further that we'll get to party with the athletes too!

Take a look in the article about the closing ceremonies and the parade and check out the mentions we are getting already.  Won't it be an incredible experience leading a group of similarly aged youth into their closing ceremonies where they'll be celebrating their efforts?  Think about how cool its going to be to be a part of that!
http://shopping.windsorstar.com/SS/Page.aspx?secid=135863&pagenum=4&sstarg=&facing=false&

If you are a 3rd year Cub Scout, Scout, Venturer Scout (and sure, we'll take Rover Scouts too) and haven't told us you are interested, send us an email windsorareascouting@gmail.com with the subject line ICG - I'm in!

Sometimes I even post stuff I find interesting!

So, if you are a 3rd year Cub, Scout, Venturer or Rover, hopefully you've heard from your leaders about the awesome opportunity to carry a flag in the closing ceremonies of the ICG.  If you haven't, email WindsorAreaScouting@gmail.com and let us know you want more information!

I sometimes even find cool stuff on the internet.  I found these two items and I think they might be of interest to you (remember, you can't believe everything you find on the internet, but you can believe almost everything your parents tell you :)

http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/absolutely-essential-diagrams-you-need-for-camping and https://www.ibm.com/ibm/responsibility/initiatives/activitykits/ were my two cool finds for the week!

Hope you are having a great summer!

Meet-A-Machine

Kids and machines - they go together don't they?  Even the kids in us adults can get excited about some cool  machine.  Well, here's a free opportunity to have your youth go out and see "big machines" on June 15 at WFCU Centre.  Why don't you email your parents and let them know about the opportunity?  Its just one more touch point between us in Scouting and the youth in our programs.  Take a look at the flyer and last year's event here: http://www.citywindsor.ca/residents/socialservices-/Childrens-Services/Ontario-Early-Years-Centres/Pages/Meet-A-Machine.aspx

Super excited!

Hi all,

Sometimes I wonder if anyone reads my ramblings, but then I'm resolved to the idea that at least I can look back and see how certain things got me excited for Scouting again.

I wanted to first offer my sincere congratulations again for the Windsor Area Chief Scout and Queen Venturer award winners.  You've joined an elite group - welcome and great job!

Next, Windsor Area is working hard on starting up a Rover Crew.  If you are between 18 and 26 and are interested, shoot the Windsor Area an email - windsorareascouting@gmail.com and we'll get you in touch!

Last (for now :), the thing I'm super geeked about!  We've been offered an awesome opportunity.  Some of you might be heading to CJ or to some other summer Scouting adventure and you'll be meeting people from all over Canada or the country you are visiting.  Well, that has nothing on the opportunity coming up!

I'm still waiting for more details, but think about the opportunity to meet people from all over the world and they are in your backyard!  Think of Scout and Venturer aged people!  And then think about the best party you've been to with a Much Music video dance and food and friends your age.  And then think free - and you are almost there!

Leave Sunday August 18 open on your calendars!  More information to follow as soon as I can get it!

Introducing the new Windsor Area Youth Commissioner!

It is with great pleasure that I am able to announce the new Windsor Area's Youth Commissioner: Brad Renaud.

Here's what the Council Youth Commissioner had to say about Brad:

It is my sincere pleasure to announce the appointment of Brad Renaud as the Area Youth Commissioner for Windsor Area - effective immediately.

Brad is a very dedicated participant and Scouter within our movement, always approaching tasks with enthusiasm and energy. Over the past year, he has been a volunteer with the 95^th LaSalle’s Cub Scout Pack as a Scouter-In-Training and he is the secretary of the Group’s Venturer Scout Company.

Outside of Scouting, Brad is a member of the Essex Region Conservation Authority and is a part of his school’s band. I am confident that his vision, charisma and passion will create great things within Windsor Area.

Brad is excited to take on this role as Windsor Area Youth Commissioner. Please join with me in welcoming Brad to the Council Leadership team!

Yours in Scouting,

Heather Eskritt

Tri-Shores Council Youth Commissioner

Brad can be reached using the following methods:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SCWindsorAYN
Twitter: www.twitter.com/WindsorAYN
Email: SCWindsorAYN@gmail.com

Why don't you have your youth extend an invitation to have Brad come out and see the cool stuff your youth are doing?

News including a Scout looking for help

Hi all,

I wanted to thank those of you that visited the Scouts Canada display at the Home/Garden/Camping/Outdoor Expo near Windsor Raceway April 5-7.  We saw a great many of you while we were setup working to recruit new members to our terrific program.  I am hopeful that some of the interested parties will be in contact with your groups to come out and try the program; I know you'll make them feel welcome!

I also wanted to make you aware of a Chief Scout candidate's request for help.  He is looking for your eWaste.  A great environmental project and with your help, potentially a great opportunity to get your basement clean too! :)  The key date is April 26, 2013.  More information can be found on the Windsor Area calendar.

Program revitalization coming

Well folks, for those of you that follow this blog and suffer with the incessant blathering of the Area Commissioner, thanks.  Sometimes we'll get you information "hot off the presses".  This is just one of those examples: http://www.scouts.ca/canadianpath/
Take a look and let me know what you think via: windsorareascouting@gmail.com

For you CJ13 bound Scouts and Scouters...

I found this on the TriShores Council page, thought you might want to take a look: http://www2.scouts.ca/dnn/Info/Programs/CanadianJamboree2013/tabid/3102/Default.aspx

News update: March 21, 2013

A couple of news items for you today:
Scoutrees
We have confirmed Scoutrees location and dates. Your Group Commissioners will be receiving this information at tonight's Windsor Area meeting to pass along to you.

Wilderness First Aid
The Girl Guides have asked if there are any interested Scouters who want to join with them at Camp Bryerswood for Wilderness First Aid. The information can be found here: We are offering a Wilderness First Aid training at our Camp Bryerswood, on Texas Road, on April 12 to 14th. The cost of this certification course is $300 which covers all of the training, accommodations in the cabins and food. The course runs from Friday at 7pm to Sunday at 5:30 pm. It is being run by MediGlobe Synergy. Wilderness First Aid training is very useful to have when you plan to take youth out and EMS is not readily available. There are spaces available and we are inviting our “brothers and sisters” from Scouting to join us if anyone is interested. The only catch is that you must register right away, preferably before the end of this coming weekend (March 24). Could you please pass this information along to your members and see if anyone is interested in this training. Thank you for your assistance. Should anyone want to register or they have further questions, they should contact Ruth Wass (rwass@mnsi.net) or Kathi Poupard (rlp2722@mnsi.net).

Other news
We are looking forward to Council setting the dates for the Youth Awards Ceremony. It looks to be in June and it will be in Sarnia...more information to follow. Just a reminder that if your group is having a fundraiser, please complete the Fundraising permit found on the Windsor Area website: www2.scouts.ca/windsor_area/.

Beg from Area Commissioner
I recognize that your groups are involved with a number of fun and exciting activities - otherwise the youth wouldn't be coming to you every week with smiles on their faces! Please remember that members from Windsor Area devote countless hours to coordinating Area activities. If I had my way, I'd add that participation in at least 2 Area activities per year would be required to obtain the to the Quality Program Standards. As we look towards the end of this Scouting year's busy season, please consider planning to come out to the Area Cub Camp, Beaveree, Iditarod, Scout Trucks or any of the dozens of other activities that Windsor Area puts on. Those activities really are an easy activity for you to attend that meet a number of badge requirements.

Until my next blog, I remain at your service.
Scouter Mike
Windsor Area Commissioner
windsorareascouting@gmail.com 
www2.scouts.ca/windsor_area/

Windsor Express want us to play ball!

The Windsor Express, a new basketball team in the NBL Canada league, have been in touch with us to setup a Scouting night. The team plays at the WFCU Centre and have a game on Friday March 8, 2013 against the London Lightning. More information to come shortly, but we look like we will be getting tickets for around $13/ticket. Hope that you've had an opportunity to reflect about the reasons that you've remained active in the Scouting movement on BP's birthday - I have and I look forward to being involved for a number of years more! See you ScOUTing!

News - Feb. 21/13

A couple of items for you. First, the Windsor Area Dinner Dance tickets are pretty well gone, but if you missed getting yours, you can contact Scouter Andre from the 35th Tecumseh (aletarte@cogeco.ca) directly and he'll do his best to accommodate you. Same with the Windsor Spitfire tickets....there are a couple left at the Scout Shop, so if you didn't get yours, be sure to call Viki and reserve the few she has left for you! Next Windsor Area meeting (formerly called Group Commissioner's meeting, but there are no secrets; anyone can attend) is scheduled for March 21, 2013 at the Windsor and Essex Scout Service Centre at 7 pm. Lastly, I know that Scout/Guide/Founder's Week is a busy time. It has been such a joy for me to be able to see all of the happy youth partaking in our quality programs at Beaver Buggy races, Kub Kar races, the Scavenger Hunt at Devonshire Mall, etc. I hope that excitement of the youth helps to remind you how important you are to the development of those same youth. Thank you for your commitment to the youth and to Scouting!

Windsor Area Dinner Dance tickets

From the Windsor Area calendar, you'll see that the Windsor Area Dinner Dance will be held next Friday, February 22, 2013. We urge every leader to come out and join us for an evening of fun and fellowship. Our generous hosts, the 35th Tecumseh, have guaranteed us a great evening! This is a non-uniformed event; rather the theme is tailgating so wear your sports team gear and come out for a great party!

Saugwin Application Available

Saugwin Scout Reserve was a camp owned by Windsor District located on the Beatty Saugeen River. It was purchased in 1965. Activities at Saugwin included canoeing, swimming, hiking, pioneering and several other outdoor adventure activities. The camp was sold in 1984. The money from this sale was used to create the Saugwin Adventure Fund. Many happy camps and pleasant memories were formed at Saugwin. It is the intent of the Saugwin Adventure Fund to carry on the spirit of Saugwin Scout Reserve. For a copy of the 2012/2013 application, please obtain it here.

Looking for the next Windsor Area Youth Commissioner

Area Youth Commissioner (AYC)

Are you passionate about Scouting, and looking to take on a leadership role? TriShores Council is seeking nominations for Area Youth Commissioner (CYC) roles, servicing Bluewater, Sydenham, Frontier, Mindaamin, Elgin, Chatham-Kent and Windsor Areas.

The AYC is the recognized point of contact on issues of program satisfaction and evaluation between the youth, the Council Youth Commissioner and Area Commissioner. The AYC shall be a catalyst for promoting meaningful youth involvement within the Area and seeing that Youth initiatives are actively supported and recognized.

As the AYC, you will have the opportunity to take on new challenges and initiatives in the Area, and Council levels. You will have the chance to meet new people in and out of Scouts, and most importantly, you can be the voice that helps to grow and promote Scouting.

View Job Description here on pg 18.

Applicants Must Submit:

• Application Form

Please send applications to tscyc@scouts.ca
Application Deadline: February 8th, 2013 (or as soon as you can!)

Try #2

This is another attempt to go live.....here we go!

Hello World!

Hello World!  Thought we'd try to add some dynamic content to our website....hope this works! :)