Advisors Ramblings

Another year gone by.

Advisor — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 08:05:51 +0000

It is well past the end of another Scouting year and the almost to the end of the current one. Where did the time go? The last member of the crew has reached 26 so we are currently without youth members. How did we get here? A good question, which has a long process of looking. I do have some ideas though. The crew, as the numbers dropped and ages grew, were less active than, I think, would have been desirable. Not enough visibility in the Scouting. Life gets in the way sometimes. Lack of mobility, a second job, new interests all affect the crews visibility. Lots of things to consider.

The group committee and I have decided to take the year off and reflect. Spend some much needed time with out families and other interests. We are not sure what the 2012/2013 year will bring. If there is interest youth who want to form a crew, We are willing to carry on if there is a need and the youth, if not, we will all still be rovers in spirit and in deed even if not officially registered in Scouts Canada any more.

The program is wide open as the youth set their own program with guidance and advise from the advisor. If you are interested, send me an email.

Yours in Rovering

Scouter Ron

Where have all the Rovers gone?

Advisor — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 19:11:30 +0000

It is the beginning of a new scouting year. The crew is down to it’s last Rover who is in his last year. We will focus this year on Service and on recruiting. If we are unsuccessful then this may be the last year for the crew.

The crew has it’s roots in giving Rural Rovers a crew to call home. There are many crew’s in the city but almost none outside. There will be lone rovers, and the idea of the crew was to give those Lone Rovers a crew to call home. I invite any Lone Rovers out there to consider the advantages of being a part ofth a crew and if you think there is value, contact me or the mate to see about joining up with the crew.

The program is up to the crew members, so it can grow and change as the membership directs. Rovering is about service and self development. It is having the younger ventures,scouts, cubs and beavers look up to their big brothers in scouting and say “I want to be a Rover when I grow up” It is about 18 to 26 year old youth developing themselves, doing service and having fun while developing leadership qualities through the outdoor experience.

You are not required to have been a member of Scouting to join, you just need to agree with the aims and objectives of Scouts Canada and have a willingness to develop yourself and to do service for Scouting or your community.

If you are interested contact me or the Mate and let us know. We would be happy to explain more about the crew, the program, Scouting and how it can fit into your life.

Yours in Rovering

Scouter Ron

Even an Advisor can Learn

Advisor — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 16:51:37 +0000

The crew went on a quad camp last weekend to Chambers Creek, Alberta. Shane, the Rover, acted as my guide and instructor as he has had significantly more experience than I on a quad and in the area we went. I learned a few things on this camp and a couple of them from Shane.

1. Mosquitoes, like Bacteria, must be able to develop immunities, like to DEET. I had layers of DEET on my arms and exposed flesh and still came away with a copious quantity of very itchy bites.

2. Bacon and eggs in a paper bag works better if you have a grill over the coals, or the stone you want to use is hot enough. Thank Goodness for a frying pan and backup plans for breakfast. This will be tried again.

3. Shane taught me about picking paths through water spots while quading. Sorry, this was secret information only given to the initiated few and I can’t divulge it here.

4. There are lots of good people out there. When we showed up to camp the site we hoped for, it was taken. The person who was set up there invited us to set up our camp anyways.

5. Clouds don’t always tell the whole story. When we arrived, the sky was grey, it even rained a little, but we stuck it out and true to Alberta weather, it got nicer out and we had a great day quading the next day . It was not too hot and did not rain.

6. A camera only works if you use it. I tried to take pictures along the route. When we came to the show stopper, I looked, we pondered, Shane decided and we turned around and headed back. It was not till later I realized that I had neglected to take a picture of the waterhole that ended the trip for the day. The rest of the pictures are in the gallery. We may have to go back to get a shot of the show-stopper, but that will be another camp.

Be prepared and do something nice for someone,

Yours in Rovering

Scouter Ron

What have you done for someone, today?

Advisor — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 05:19:19 +0000

What have you done today to be of Service to someone else? Did you smile at a stranger, perform a random act of kindness, picked up a piece of litter and threw it out, call a family member, give directions to a stranger who looked like they might be lost? Perhaps it was something bigger like volunteer to work at a camp.

Remember if we all did little things like some of the examples above, they would add up to be something much bigger. They don’t cost much in time or money and they help make the world a better place. Part of Service is to “Be prepared” to “Do a good turn daily” for that is the “Challenge” of “Service” . Remember to “Have fun , Work hard and help your family and friends” while you are doing them.

Your in Rovering
Scouter Ron

Rover Uniform Options

Advisor — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:31:44 +0000

There is an on-line petition to allow Rovers to modify their uniform to allow us to wear traditional Rover trappings. It is well worth looking at and if you so feel, sign. http://www.petitiononline.com/rsunifop/

It may seem inconsiquential that someone would want to wear boards on their epelets or to have other traditional trappings onthe uniform, but to an organization that has traditional root, it is a small way of keeping us tied to our founder BP and his ideals as well as help us standf out in the crowd of uniforms as unique.

Yours in Rovering

Scouter Ron

What is a Rover?

Advisor — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:25:31 +0000

A Rover Scout is a youth member 18-26 in Scouts Canada. The Program is run by the youth and typically service based. A Rover program may contain elements of high adventure, community service, Service to Scouting and Service to self through self development. The advisor is there to offer advice, sometimes guidance, ideas , resources and even an ear should it be needed. The actual program is designed and run by the crew. Typically found in large urban areas although the KOTCC are trying to appeal to the rural rover to build the crew through use of internet meetings, mailing lists and face to face meetings as well.

If you are interested in learning more about Rovers or the KOTCC feel free to send me an email to “advisor at kotcc.org”

KOTCC begins to Blog

Advisor — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:47:13 +0000

BP told us to make “wise Use” of a available resources. The internet is definitely a resource that is available. To that end, The mate (http:// mates-blog.kotcc.org) and I are going to take a stab at Blogging about the crew starting this year. I look forward to your comments and discussion of the points that get brought up.