The Fall Skills Camp takes place annually at Camp Barnard, and is widely recognised as one of the major Scouting events of the year. This camp aims to provide participants with a unique and diverse learning experience, with several stations relevant to Scouting. Unlike Spring Challenge, Fall Skills is geared to be a learning experience, where Scouts will practise and perfect their skills over a three day time period. 

Life is full of learning opportunities, and the weekend of October 18th-20th was certainly one of them. In a situation that could have gone horribly wrong, we managed to get everyone home safely, with ought a single injury or worse. This is due to all the teamwork and support shared by all who attended camp. 

In the days following the short lived Fall Skills Camp 2024, the Admin Team has met and conducted an in-depth review of camp, in consultation with Cascadia Council. One critical subject of that discussion, was how to better prepare for situations like the one we experiences at camp. More detailed and specific evacuation plans will be developed, explained to participant groups before camp begins, ket kept on site to be implemented if needle, in an evacuation kit. This kit will include resources to aid in emergency situations, and will be kept on site.

We will also be implementing more thorough registration procedures to ensure we have an accurate recored of all persons attending. All this will be ready by the time Spring Challenge rolls around. The Admin Team greatly values your opinions and any feedback or suggestions you would like to offer, so I have placed the link to a feedback form here. If you have a few moments and would like to put your thoughts forward, I encourage you to do so. 

One issue that has been brought to our attention, is the significant funds that were expended in preparation for this camp. We are prepared to issue full refunds for registration fees regarding camp, so please contact our Registrar, Alana Lamoureux to begin that process. All prizes purchased for camp will be used at Spring Challenge, and all the food purchased for the Cooking Skills Test was donated to local charity, and gratefully accepted. By now, most if not all of you should have received your badges, a tiny badge for a tiny camp. Those groups who have not yet received badges are encouraged to contact Alana Lamoureux if you were a participant group or Jessie Poilivere if you were a volunteer group. 

Fall Skills Camp 2024 will surely go down in Scouting history, not just due to the fact that our Force of Nature theme proved to be all too real, or for the unprecedented nature of an area camp evacuation, but for the true values of Scouting that shone through when we needed it most. 

I would like to take this moment to say a massive thank-you to everyone who attended camp, in any capacity. To all the members of the Admin Team, who worked tirelessly before, during and after camp to ensure that, despite a significant change in plan, all the loose ends were tied up. To the members of 33rd Greater Victoria Medical Services, who were prepared to provide medical care through the day and night, and who stepped outside of their scope of responsibility to assist in the evacuation of camp. To all the scouters who rose to the occasion and offered what assistance they could, working together to ensure everyone got home safely. Last but not least, to the Scouts who came to camp and despite the weather and midnight evacuation, still managed to have an amazing time. 

My sincere hope is that everyone who attended camp has found something to learn from. Experiences like these provide us with the opportunity to look back on what happened, and to better plan for a safe and fun future. Myself and the Admin Team look forward to seeing you all at Spring Challenge Camp 2025. Until that time, stay safe and be prepared!

Yours in Scouting,

James Petersen
Camp Chief
Fall Skills Camp 2024