Troop 93 and Venture Crew 93 Birchbark Expeditions Kickoff Meeting

Agenda ► Birchbark Program Overview ► Birchbark Schedule ► Expectations of Participants and Route Planning Overview ► Menu Planning Overview ► Crew Training ► Border Crossing Requirements (US/Canadian Gov) ► Awards: 50 Miler, Historic Trails, Kodiak Leadership Training ► Remaining Payment Schedule ► Birchbark Videos ► Q&A

Birchbark Program Overview ► 7 Day Adventure – Sat July 25 – Sat Aug 1 ► 5 Days on the water ► 1 Shakedown/training day in June ► 1 Day visit to St. Marie-among-the-Huron in Midland Ontario ► Algonquin is approximately 10x the size of Toronto

Birchbark Program Overview

Birchbark Schedule ► Birchbark Expeditions Program Schedule ► Birchbark Expeditions Trek Schedule

Expectations of Participants Route Planning Overview ► Open Discussion ► Need a note taker ► Ok, now your Trek Begins…. ► What do each of you want from the trip?  Are you interested in seeing wildlife? (no guarantees)  Do you want to fish?  Looking to get your 50 Miler Award?  Historic Trails Award?  Looking for one “layover day”?  Basically why are you going on this trip? ► This information will be used to help build your trip ► Remember your Crew is a team and not everything you want to do may be part of your team’s Trek ► Each Crew should design it’s own Trek based on input from all members ► NOTE: Each Crew if possible should not go on the same route. Doing so will lead to a better experience for all participants

Menu Planning Overview ► Birchbark Expeditions uses Richmoor as its food supplier ► It’s the same food you have used at Philmont ► Supplemented with other dried foods/snacks ► KEY: Know your Crew! Any food allergies or special needs should be discussed with the Crew Leader PRIOR to selecting Trek Menu ► Crew members should agree on menu – remember team work is give and take ► Each Crew Leader will be given a packet in January with Map and menu planning paperwork ► Paperwork must be turned in on or before Feb Birchbark meeting

Crew Training ► All Crew members – Youth and Adults but be a BLUE Swimmer to participate in Birchbark and complete a BSA Class 3 Physical Form ► Each Crew must have:  A Crew Youth Leader  An Assistant Youth Leader  An Adult Advisor  A Quartermaster  Someone trained in First Aid – preferably Wilderness First Aid  All Advisors and Youth are encouraged to take the ON-LINE Classes: ► Safety Afloat ► Safe Swim Defense ► All Adults must complete the ON-LINE Youth Protection Class ► Each Crew should have a few people certified in Liquid Fuels ► All Crew Members should participate in the June Training Session at Scouthaven in June

Border Crossing Requirements (US/Canadian Gov) ► Starting in June ’09 everyone traveling across the border into Canada must have Picture ID and either:  A valid Passport  or an enhanced NYS Drivers License “ Beginning June 1, American or Canadian citizens who are entering or re-entering the United States from anywhere in the Western Hemisphere will be required to show one of the following forms of ID: “ Beginning June 1, American or Canadian citizens who are entering or re-entering the United States from anywhere in the Western Hemisphere will be required to show one of the following forms of ID: A passport book, which must be manually scanned by a bridge inspector. A passport book, which must be manually scanned by a bridge inspector. A new U. S. passport card, which is the size of a credit card. A new U. S. passport card, which is the size of a credit card. One of the new enhanced state driver’s licenses. One of the new enhanced state driver’s licenses. One of the federally issued “trusted traveler” cards, such as the NEXUS or FAST card, which have been available for several years.” One of the federally issued “trusted traveler” cards, such as the NEXUS or FAST card, which have been available for several years.” Buffalo News 11/25/08

Awards: 50 Miler, Historic Trails, Kodiak Leadership Training ► 50 Miler Award The 50-Miler Award is presented to each qualifying individual for satisfactory participation in an approved trip. In order to qualify for the award the group of which the individual is a member must fulfill all of the following requirements. Make complete and satisfactory plans for the trip, including the possibilities of advancement. Cover the trail or canoe or boat route of not less than 50 consecutive miles; take a minimum of 5 consecutive days to complete the trip without the aid of motors. (In some areas pack animals may be used.) During the time on the trail or waterway, complete a minimum of 10 hours each of group work on projects to improve the trail, springs, campsite, portage or area. If after checking with recognized authorities, it is not possible to complete 10 hours each of group work on the trail, a similar project may be done in the unit's home area ( There should be no unauthorized cutting of brush or timber.) Unit or tour leader must then file a 50-Miler Award application with the local council service center. This application gives additional details about planning the trip.50-Miler Award application

Awards: 50 Miler, Historic Trails, Kodiak Leadership Training ► Historic Trails Award To Earn this award, members of your unit must plan and participate in a historic activity. A unit historic activity requires members to: Locate a historic trail or site and study information relating to it. (The information may be obtained from an adult historic society, public library, or people living near the trail or the site.) Hike or camp 2 days and 1 night along the trail or in the vicinity of the site. Cooperate with an adult group such as a historic society to restore and mark all or part of this trail or site. (This may be done during the hike or overnight camp.) Or cooperate with such a group to plan and stage a historic pageant, ceremony, or other public event related to this trail or site -- such event should be large enough to merit coverage by the local press. Your unit leader must then file the Historic Trails Award application with your council service center.Historic Trails Award application

Awards: 50 Miler, Historic Trails, Kodiak Leadership Training ► Kodiak The Kodiak Venturing leadership course is unique in that it is offered in an exciting and challenging atmosphere using whatever high-adventure resources you have available. Kodiak teaches leadership skills in a fun way that is internalized by the participants who take the course. In other words, it is a challenging high-adventure trek with a simple and fun leadership course included. Kodiak is not taught indoors or in a classroom; it is done completely outdoors using nature’s examples of leadership. ► Course Methods It is taught by two instructors (one adult and one youth if possible) in an "instructor team." Only five skills are taught. They are called "commissions." The five commissions are: Effective Teams Values/Vision Communications Decision Making Planning It is based on symbolism using the Kodiak bear. Commissions are introduced with a hands-on exercise. It creates an older teen leadership fraternity.

Remaining Payment Schedule ► Total Program Cost: $375 ► Remaining Payment Schedule:  Jan 15 th - $100  Feb 15 th - $125  Apr 15 th - $100 ► Crews can runs fundraisers to bring down costs of Trek ► Estimated cost for Kodiak training - $20

Birchbark Videos ► Troop 290 Troop 290Troop 290 ► Troop 483 Troop 483Troop 483 ► Scout Canoe Trip (not Birchbark) Scout Canoe Trip (not Birchbark)Scout Canoe Trip (not Birchbark) ► Moosie in camp Moosie in campMoosie in camp

Q&A Birchbark Expeditions June Training Session – Buffalo News 6/08