Venturer Jamboree at Haliburton in 2012?

I heard that there may be a national Venturer jamboree in 2012 at the Haliburton Scout Reserve. Anybody have any information on this?


Allan.
http://www.1stmerrickville.ca

I heard the same rumour from HSR staff at check out time last Friday but without further details. My guys have already put it on their calendar -- they just need the dates

John

I asked two different people from National and neither had heard of this. It may be a provincial event but there's apparently no national event.

Garth

HSR says the contact at national is Ian Mitchell.

From Ian Mitchell:

Yes, we are considering a National Venturer Event for the summer of 2012. However, we are awaiting the final approval for the event. When, or if, we get the green light I would be more than happy to hear what your groups thoughts were on the concept. At the same time I would be very happy to hear from the Venturers themselves.

At this time we are in a holding pattern. As soon as we get the green light I will contact you and perhaps I can attend a meeting to speak to the event.

The meeting referenced is the Venturer Advisor Forum (http://web.ncf.ca/ad554/)in Ottawa.

If people have some thoughts or ideas, I would suggest sending them to Ian.


Allan.

Interesting! One of the two people I asked is on the BOG and he hadn't heard of it! I wonder who they're waiting for approval from?

Garth

Latest tidbit received as of last night at a council meeting "Probable Venturer Jamboree/possibly a challenge race format, summer 2012. Questionnaire to all Venturers coming re: format."

The online survey was sent out today for input on what kind of event would appeal to Venturers and their Advisors. Currently, no decison has been made as to the location, we are looking at various possibilities. The type of camp that we have envisioned, a 5 day 'Challenge Race' will play a big part on where we can hold such an event. I would encourage all Venturers to complete the survey and provide their feedback on this concept.

Doug Reid
DNC - Program Services

A five day adventure race does have some really good possibilities. Some comments I mentioned in the survey (and a few more):

• See http://www.apexchallenge.co.uk/ for a really good Venturer adventure race in the UK.
• See http://web.ncf.ca/ad554/reports.htm for an Ottawa based single day Venturer race.
• Venturers want to meet kids from other countries and hang out with them too.
• Think beaver dams, swamps, wet, muddy, tiring, cold, rough, rocky, etc. Venturers enjoy it hard, not easy.
• Not every Venturer should be able to complete the course; if they all succeed then its not hard or complex enough.
• Need more information on outdoor skills portion to comment. Could easily be too boring.
• Each section should be 4-6 hours long.
• At least one night should be away from the main camp (assuming there is a main camp).
• Orienteering should be a proper orienteering course. See http://ottawaoc.ca/. They also have computerised timing equipment for rent. Though some geocaching could be added too.
• Venturers should be responsible for navigation and route finding, not just following a road or flagged course. Don't want them following each other either.
• Many Venturers are very well training in many activities. Can't baby them. Note that existing Haliburton activities are way too coddling for Venturers (as a comparison).
• Biking should be off road, with steep rocky trails.
• Venturers should be off on their own, not adults or other people keeping watch over them.
• Given the number of Venturers that would be expected to participate (quite a few I assum), not sure how the activities could be arranged such that Venturers aren't tripping over each other.

Keep the information flowing, and people can keep providing feedback as the plan progresses.


Allan.

I've forwarded info on the survey to my Company President who has already sent it to the rest of the Company. I'll keep encouraging them to take part in the survey and have their say about the event.

During this past weekends' National Scout Conference, held in Montreal, the National Service Team, Council Commissioners, National Youth Network, made a decision to hold the 2012 National Venturer Event at the Haliburton Scout Reserve, Ontario.

The recent survey was very clear, there is overwhelming support to hold such an event built around a 'race' type challenge camp, with a different leg to accomplish each day. Based on the program planned, this site best meets the program objectives.

The offical dates have yet to be confirmed and other information, such as costs still have to be completed. Please look for this information to follow over the next few months.

Doug

Hey Doug
Thanks for posting this info so quickly and explaining why the decision was made. I wish everyone was willing to give info as they got it instead of waiting until all of the details have been finalized.

Here is a very good website describing an upcoming Venturer jamboree in Australia: http://www.wilddayz.com


Allan.

Here is an update on the National Venturer Event, schduled for Haliburton Scout Reserve in 2012.
An overview article on the NVE will be in the next issue of Scouting LIfe, appearing sometime this month!

Look for job postings for the initial positions including event chair, program, transportation etc...to be released in the next few weeks.

The plan right now is to have the details on the camp available for May, including dates, fees etc...and the registration process.

Doug

Correction - The next Magazine is for late March,

Doug