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

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

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…

3rd Ottawa Venturers Trebuchet build

The 3rd Ottawa Venturer company got together for a few hours on the weekend to work on a Trebuchet for the upcoming ROVENT.

 

A variety of raw materials were turned into a mobile trebuchet.

With a bit of tuning we are now ready for medieval madness!

Trebuchet tuning video

Here are a few images