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Covid-19 Update October 15,2020

Dear Scouters,

Thank You for your demonstration of resiliency as we adjust to our environment by pressing pause on in-person Scouting and return to virtual meetings. Being an example of adaptability is another way you are contributing to preparing youth for success in the world. Guiding them to navigate risk, stress and challenges will contribute to the development of resilient youth who will become resilient adults.

We know that this pause comes with significant uncertainty about when in-person activities will resume and when it will be safe to re-engage in delivering fantastic outdoor programming to our members. To ensure that all Scouters in Quebec Council are provided with up-to-date information on our COVID response, we will be providing regular updates to all Scouters until we are able to return to Stage 2 activities and plans. These messages will continue to be emailed to all Scouters and will also be posted on our Council’s Facebook page.

While we previously stated that a decision would be made as of October 16 whether in-person activities will resume, this message confirms that we will pause in-person activities until further notice. We will be following the advice of federal, provincial, and municipal authorities and health agencies throughout this process, as we have from the onset of COVID earlier this year.

Thank you once again for all that you’ve done, all that you continue to do, and for all that you contribute to Scouting.

 

Yours in Scouting,

Marc Bourret, Group Support Scouter, [email protected]

Chris Drew, Group Support Scouter, [email protected]

Robert Schmitt, Group Support Scouter, [email protected]

Jeff Smith, Group Support Scouter, [email protected]

Ken Watson, Group Support Scouter, [email protected]

Mary-Pauline Vatsis, Scouting relationship Manager, [email protected]

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How to Run a Safe Meeting During COVID-19

The Return to in-person Scouting activities

Through many consultations over the last few months, Scouters and parents have voiced their concerns about the health and safety measures required to enable in-person outdoor Scouting meetings. They are looking for assurance that Scouts Canada will maintain our core value of Safety First, while providing fun and engaging in-person outdoor meetings.

 

To prepare our Sections and plan for the return of in-person outdoor meetings in the fall, Scouts Canada has developed a set of documents that will outline all the steps necessary to run a safe meeting during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

COVID-19 Preparedness Documents

 

 

During the next two weeks, we encourage you to read them and welcome your comments via the embedded webform. Your input will help us improve our protocols and ensure we can deliver safe, in-person outdoor activities in the fall.  

 

Thank you in advance for your consideration. Given the volume of feedback expected, we may not be able to return your emails with replies. Rest assured your feedback will considered as we update the document.

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Novel Coronavirus Update

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Covid Update October 24th, 2020

Dear Scouters,

Following the guidance from public health authorities in Quebec, we continue to recommend virtual programming for all Scouting activities.

We recognize that this pause has impacted fall plans and we sincerely hope we will be able to safely return to in-person activities soon. In the mean time, we encourage all of our members to participate in our monthly virtual events.  Each month from now until June 2021 we will be hosting a virtual event that you can participate in with your Section, or on your own.  Each event will earn you a piece of a crest that will tell everyone that you had fun in Scouting this year!  Our first event for Halloween will take place on Friday October 30, 2020!!

Virtual Halloween

Looking for other ideas for what your Sections could get up to during the in-person pause? Why not check out our second Pause Café Scouts in November?  Come and share program ideas, and learn form what others have been doing?   For a sneak peak, check out what the Trois Rivières Scouters have been putting together, https://gr1ertr.wixsite.com/scouts1ertr/activitesvirscoutsaventuriers

This message, as with our previous emails, will be made available on our on our Facebook page.

Thank you once again for all that you’ve done, all that you continue to do, and for all that you contribute to Scouting.

Yours in Scouting,

Marc Bourret, Group Support Scouter, [email protected]

Chris Drew, Group Support Scouter, [email protected]

Robert Schmitt, Group Support Scouter, [email protected]

Jeff Smith, Group Support Scouter, [email protected]

Ken Watson, Group Support Scouter, [email protected]

Mary-Pauline Vatsis, Scouting Relationship Manager, [email protected]

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Hello Québec Council!

We might be missing our weekly meetings where we can all gather, but we have come up with a fun idea that will let us all celebrate Scouting together!

So here goes! From now until June 2021 we will be hosting a virtual event each month that you can all participate in.

Each event will earn you a piece of a crest that will tell everyone that you had fun in Scouting this year!

Look for more exciting news in the days to come with our first event for Halloween to take place on Friday October 29, 2020!!

Hope to see you all there!!

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Covid update October 15th, 2020

Dear Scouters,

 

Thank You for your demonstration of resiliency as we adjust to our environment by pressing pause on in-person Scouting and return to virtual meetings. Being an example of adaptability is another way you are contributing to preparing youth for success in the world. Guiding them to navigate risk, stress and challenges will contribute to the development of resilient youth who will become resilient adults.

 

We know that this pause comes with significant uncertainty about when in-person activities will resume and when it will be safe to re-engage in delivering fantastic outdoor programming to our members. To ensure that all Scouters in Quebec Council are provided with up-to-date information on our COVID response, we will be providing regular updates to all Scouters until we are able to return to Stage 2 activities and plans. These messages will continue to be emailed to all Scouters and will also be posted on our Council’s Facebook page.

 

While we previously stated that a decision would be made as of October 16 whether in-person activities will resume, this message confirms that we will pause in-person activities until further notice. We will be following the advice of federal, provincial, and municipal authorities and health agencies throughout this process, as we have from the onset of COVID earlier this year.

 

Thank you once again for all that you’ve done, all that you continue to do, and for all that you contribute to Scouting.

 

Yours in Scouting,

 

Marc Bourret, Group Support Scouter, [email protected]

Chris Drew, Group Support Scouter, [email protected]

Robert Schmitt, Group Support Scouter, [email protected]

Jeff Smith, Group Support Scouter, [email protected]

Ken Watson, Group Support Scouter, [email protected]

Mary-Pauline Vatsis, Scouting relationship Manager, [email protected]

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Gatherings Suspended until October 16th

Dear members,

We hope all is well with you and your family during these exceptional times.

On Thursday September 24, 2020 the health minister along with the chief medical officer of Quebec released recommendations to limit non essential social gatherings.

The continued safety of the youth entrusted in our care and that of our volunteers is of primary importance. For this reason and following the recommendation made by our provincial health minister, we are recommending that all in person meetings cease until October 16, 2020.  At that time, we will re-evaluate and assess the guidelines in place, follow government regulations and recommendations as well as Scouts Canada standards before allowing in-person meetings to resume.

We will be sending this message out to all Scouters this afternoon.

 

Thank you,

The Quebec CK3 and Group Support Scouters

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Gone home – Geoff Greer

Gone Home

Geoff Governr General’s Caring Canadian Award

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Geoff Greer who’s Scouting career speaks volumes of to the work he did and lives he touched.

Geoff’s path in Scouting spanned a wide range of roles and titles, from Group, to District, to Provincial Council, to Group, to Area, and back to the Group again.

Geoff wore many hats and among them was being the Provincial Commissioner for Quebec Council from 1991 to 1994, and Director of Camp Jackson Dodds from 1995 to 1998.

In all of his roles he always put the youth and the volunteers first, whom he served so faithfully.

Committed to the Scouting movement Geoff truly lived the scouting promise to its fullest.  At the age of 80 Geoff decided it was time to retire as a Section Scouter, in his own words, he just wasn’t comfortable sleeping in a tent any more.

Geoff was a Former Regimental Sergeant-Major with the Canadian Grenadier Guards and in later years an Emeritus Lay Reader with the Anglican Diocese of Montreal.

Geoff was one of the kindest, most unpretentious Scouters one could have ever met. Geoff was passionate especially for the Cub Section, but ready to serve in any capacity whether it be Section, Area or Council.

He shall be sorely missed,

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Gone home Gordon Wallace Maclaren

Gone Home

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gordon Wallace Maclaren on April 22, 2020 at age 72. He will be greatly missed by his loving son Ian, his previous wife of 24 yrs, Sonia, his brothers Robert and Ross and will be remembered dearly by his sister-in-law, Doris and his nephews, Connor & Dylan. Gordon will be remembered by his kindness, his sense of humor, his good spirits and his love for food. Outside of family, he is remembered as a fun-loving person and always had a smile for everybody.Published on April 25, 2020To plant a tree in memory of Gordon Wallace MacLaren, please visit Tribute Store.

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How to Identify a safe Adult?

(from the Kids Help Phone website)

If you’re struggling with the changes the COVID-19 pandemic is bringing to your daily life, or if you’re struggling with abuse, substance use or anything else, remember to connect with a safe adult, you are not alone. There are things you can try to help make the situation better. It’s important to talk about what’s going on for you by reaching out to someone you trust A SAFE ADULT.

A safe adult is someone who is accountable, respects your boundaries and doesn’t ask you to keep secrets from others. Speaking to a safe adult can help you feel listened to and decide on next steps.

There are many ways to identify a safe adult in your life. A safe adult is:

  • Thoughtful: the person actively listens to you and believes you when you tell them something.
  • Trustworthy: the person is dependable, a confidant and someone you feel comfortable talking to.
  • Respectful:the person is mindful and considerate of your feelings — and your boundaries.
  • Helpful:the person provides guidance and helps you find solutions to problems.
  • Caring:the person does what’s best for you, puts you first and cares about your mental and emotional well-being and physical safety.

Who is a safe adult in your life? A safe adult in your life may be a relative, friend, teacher, guidance counsellor or anyone else you feel comfortable with and can trust.

Remember that support is available whenever you need it If you need a safe adult to talk to, you can always call a Kids Help Phone counsellor at 1-800-668-6868 https://kidshelpphone.ca/  or Tel-Jeune  at 1-800-263-2266 https://www.teljeunes.com/Tel-jeunes-en

 

Need help now? You can reach a counsellor

Kids Help Phone counsellor 24/7

What happens when you call or text or live chat?

First, you will hear a message that goes, “Hi! Welcome to Kids Help Phone.” You will then be asked to choose for service in either English or French.

Next comes a message about prank calls. Some young people are simply curious about what will happen if they call. Try to remember that our counsellors are here to help, but we need to keep the lines free for youth who need us.

Once you get through, a counsellor will ask how they can help you. Do not sweat it if you don’t know what to say. The counsellor will ask you a couple of questions to get the conversation going.

Call a counsellor at Kids Help Phone: https://kidshelpphone.ca/call

Text with a counsellor at Kids Help Phone: https://kidshelpphone.ca/text/

Live chat with a counsellor at Kids Help Phone: https://kidshelpphone.ca/live-chat/

At Tel-Jeunes 24/7 : https://www.teljeunes.com/Tel-jeunes

Call : 1-800 263-2266  / text : 514 600-1002 / live chat

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Taking care of yourself while sharing space during COVID-19

(from Kids Help Phone Web site)

People across Canada and the world are practising physical distancing to help slow down the spread of COVID-19. This means we may be spending a lot more time inside and, potentially, adjusting to sharing our living spaces with others 24/7. Although we’re all adapting to these changes differently, it’s important for everyone sharing a living space to find a way to work together. And sometimes, this means giving each other time to take care of our own well-being.

Here are some ways you can take care of your mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health while sharing a living space during the coronavirus outbreak:

  • create a schedule so everyone has a general idea of what to expect throughout the day
  • talk to the people in your living space about your boundaries and set guidelines, if it’s safe to do so (e.g. when I’m sitting on my chair, that means I’m having “me time,” etc.). Encourage the people you’re sharing space with to do the same.
  • plan time to connect with people outside your living space (e.g. with a call, text, email, video chat, etc.)
  • connect with your Scouting friends and hold virtual activities (e.g. with a call, text, email, video chat, etc.)
  • do Scouting at Home activities with your family, and share them on-line with your friends and contacts on social media (e.g. Facebook, Instagram etc
  • find a quiet, private place where you can spend time on your own(if you can)
  • switch things up by spending time in different areas of your living space
  • spend time outside connecting with the lands, waters and wildlife (while practising physical distancing)
  • camp or have a family picnic in your backyard
  • plan time to do things together (e.g. playing games, watching a movie, sharing stories, etc.)
  • try to be kind to yourself and allow yourself to feel your emotions rather than bottle them up (a tension release exercisecan help you manage feelings of anxiety or stress)
  • make a list of things you can do either together or on your own (e.g. learning a new skill/hobby, cooking/baking, reading, cleaning, arts/crafts, working out, etc.)
  • write a letter to other young people sharing how you’re feeling/encouraging thoughts (more details here!)
  • if you’re struggling with abuse, substance useor anything else, remember to connect with a safe adult
  • work together to protect yourselvesfrom getting sick (e.g. by washing your hands often, coughing/sneezing into your elbow, etc.)
  • remember this is a temporary situation — we can get through this together! Try to take things one day at a time.

If you’re struggling with the changes the COVID-19 pandemic is bringing to your daily life, you’re not alone. There are things you can try to help make the situation better. It’s important to talk about what’s going on for you by reaching out to someone you trust.

Remember that support is available whenever you need it — you can always talk about whatever’s going on for you to someone you trust or a resource like Kids Help Phone https://kidshelpphone.ca/ or Tel-Jeune https://www.teljeunes.com/Tel-jeunes-en