Campsites list and contact info updated

Our Campsites Page lists many (most) of the local camps that we tend to use as a Group, along with links to their websites and GPS coordinates, as well as Google Maps links where practical.  

Over the course of the past few years, some of those camp websites have undergone changes and some of the more “wilderness” locations (like Algonquin Park) were missing. 

We have updated our Campsites page to reflect the new links from our local Scout, Municipal and Provincial campsites to reflect their updates wherever possible.  One local campsite, Impeesa at Lac Des Loups, may no longer be in operation and we are checking on that with the Scouts de l’Outaouais, who were operating it previously.  

If you see any errors or omissions to this list, please let us know at registrar@thirdottawa.com

New adventure gear for 2022

Our Scout Troop has grown both in size and in capability, and our youth are looking for more real adventure – moving away from ‘car camping’ and getting into multi-day, self-contained trips.  Our current gear, like our 4-season Eureka tents are both in good repair and very usable, however they have one feature that is not desirable – weight.  The aluminum poles make for a heavy and bulky load when hiking into a wilderness.  

As a result, we have invested in a significant number of kits for our Scouting Patrols.  Our Scouters in the Troop section are experienced in outdoor adventure and in some cases have military training and background, and were confident in their choices of equipment.  

Platypus Gravity water filtration systemThe first consideration when moving into wilderness camping is a reliable water source.  The Platypus GravityWorks filtration system enables filtering up to 1.75 litres of water a minute without pumping – the youth just hang the bags at different heights and let gravity do the work, filtering out bacteria and protozoa and enabling water on the go.  

Following water, food is a necessity and carrying Coleman stoves and large pot sets is again both bulky and heavy.  Our new pot sets and single-burner stoves from MSR will give each patrol what they need for a safe, hot meal after a long hike. 

 

Finally, we have invested in some lightweight Big Agnes Copper Spur 3-man tents with footprints (ground sheet custom fit to the tent).  Coming in at just 1.5 Kg (about 3lbs 8oz), compared to the 4.9 Kg (10lbs 11oz) for our Eureka El Capitan tents.  Made of rugged, lightweight materials with storage pockets and head room to sit up inside, as well as being freestanding and easy to setup and take down, the Copper Spur makes for a great high adventure addition to the 3rd Ottawa camping arsenal. 

Whether camping at Camp Opemikon or in the middle of Algonquin Park, the 3rd Ottawa is ready for adventure! 

Yours in Scouting 
Tim Welch
Group Commissioner

Welcome to 2022-2023

The 3rd Ottawa is in full swing already this year with a Junior Sections (Cubs and Beavers) camp last weekend and a Scout camp running this weekend (Oct 1-2).  We have 94 youth and counting and are working towards increasing our volunteer team, as are many groups.  While we ran program through the pandemic – both virtually and in-person (when permitted), it is great to be back into the swing of outdoor adventures.  

This year, we are investing in some lightweight camping kits for our senior Sections (Scouts and Venturers), as well as continuing our now 10-year old program of ‘evergreening’ our standard and winter camping and outdoor adventure gear.  We are so fortunate to have Westminster Presbyterian as our sponsor and that they have provided great indoor storage areas for our gear.  Now more than ever, youth are looking to get outside, work together as a team, and experience real adventure – something we are happy to enable.  

We are this year also going to grow our Group Committee in order to ‘lighten the load’ for our Section Scouters and our Group Committee Scouters.  We are looking to reduce the volunteer workload and also add more Section Scouters (volunteers) in every Section working with the youth.  If you enjoy recruiting new volunteers, helping to onboard volunteers by getting them through our important safety and Scouting training, are adept with simple financial work, love managing an equipment store (quartermaster), we will soon be posting these and many roles. 

Finally, we are continuing to follow the Covid-19 guidelines published by Scouts Canada, which as of Oct. 1, 2022 are in Stage 5.  The Stage 5 pandemic Standards effectively lift all internal restrictions for all Scouting activities while deferring to all municipal and provincial public health restrictions.  You can review the full Stage 5 Standard here.  We are looking forward to some great outdoor fun and adventure after a long pandemic period. 

Watch our blog for more news soon, and welcome back to Scouting!

Heritage Area Klondike Derby 2015

On Sat., Feb.07 2015 the 3rd Ottawa Scouts entered  in the annual Heritage Area Klondike Derby which took place at Lac Beauchamp, QC this year.

This event is in its 51st year, with over 20 challenges ranging from hill traverse and fire skills to physical challenges like the infamous gully crossing. Success demands a high level of teamwork and cooperation.

We are proud to say that our team of Scouts, a mix of first, second & third year scouts competing as “mongoose patrol”  won FIRST PLACE in their category for the event! (Intermediate Category) Congratulations Scouts on a great effort and fantastic result.

3rd Ottawa Venturers supported the event this year, serving 70 litres of hot chocolate at morning & afternoon stations, paying back for their past years of lounging at the HC station.

Go 3rd Ottawa!

Venturer Winter Camp

The 3rd Ottawa Venturer Company held their 2015 Winter Camp Jan 30-Feb 1 at Johnson Lake in the Pontiac.

We had classic winter weather with lows in the mid -20s.  Activities included building a super quinzhee (slept 7), doing some ice fishing, and inventing a new sport…Quinzheebogganing.

Click this link to see a video….Quinzheebogganing

Scout Winter Camp 2015

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3rd Ottawa Scouts enjoyed a brisk winter camp Jan 16-19, 2015.  With the temperature plunging to -30 Saturday AM, it was one of our coldest winter camps to date.   We had to scrounge a bit to find enough snow for our quinzees, but they set up solidly!

With the colder weather, a bit more energy was spent staying warm, but we managed to get in  a spectacular star hike with the milky way clearly visible (no moon), some stories around the campfire, and a bit of tobogganing too.

Click through the slides…

 

Great Canadian Chill 2015

Leaders from all sections (Beavers, Cubs Scouts & Venturers) and 3 members of the 3rd Ottawa Venturer Company participated Jan 1st, 2015 in the Great Canadian Chill…..a quick dip in the Ottawa river.

This event is a great way to start the year & raises funds to support research & services for families affected by Childhood cancers.

3rd Ottawa was the top group fundraiser for the event!

 

 

ROVENT 2014

 

Despite some borderline weather, ROVENT 2014 was a great experience for our Company, 003 Venturers.  We arrived in darkness to Camp Opemikon swarming with almost 350 Guides, Venturers & Rovers.  We managed to find a few square feet to pitch our tents & mingled with the masses at mug-up after munching some brownies (didn’t quite make it to the tastiest treat competition)…

Saturday featured a noble quest, medieval tests of bravery, agility & strength, testing of catapults (the range was a bit short for ours) and a bit of a siege!

 

The day ended with a banquet, dance/campfire and as much of The Hobbit movies as the Company could stay awake for….

 

Sunday started with an offer of service that included transporting the OPE docks for winter storage..apparently they steer just like you’d expect…That’s our guys at the stern.

 

 

Overall an awesome camp, I’m sure we’ll be back next year….

Some more pictures are here…

Fall 2014 Scouts Investiture Ceremony

 

On October 06 (a breezy fall night) 3rd Ottawa Scouts hiked down to an investiture ceremony on Westboro beach.  Members of the 003 Venturer company provided some ambiance with a beachside fire (well contained of course…we are the good guys).   New members of the troop sweated over recitation of the Motto, Law and Promise