Coho Night Hike

The Coho Night Hike is a free night-time ramble around Mundy Park. It is usually on a Saturday evening in late-January or early-February. Typically there are 6-10 stations that involve practical skills or teamwork. The stations are put on my Coho area Scout and Venturer groups (including ours) and it takes a couple of hours to walk (5km or so) around to all the stations. The hike is open to all Sections. Scouts who are not involved in running the stations are welcome to attend and link up with Cubs or Beaver Sections.

The event is hosted by the Coho Area. After the hike, hot chocolate and cookies are provided, so bring a lug-a-mug. The starting location is on Hillcrest Avenue at the picnic shelters at around 5:30. The stations run from 6:00 to 9:00. Mug-up runs from 8:00-9:30.

The contact name is Rob Clayton robwclayton@hotmail.com with 1st Poco. Let him know the numbers in advance so they have adequate cookies and hot chocolate.

Patches can be ordered and are usually about $2.75 per patch plus a shipping charge. It is suggested that you order the patches at or after the event, so you know how many people were there and you don't end up order extras. We usually make one order for the whole Group. The cheque should be made out to “Scouts Canada - Coho Area” and mailed to Rob Clayton, 2050 Columbia Avenue, Port Coquitlam, BC, V3C 4W4. Delivery is usually around 4 weeks later. Rob will supply special OOS (Offer Of Service) patches free for the people who volunteer at a station (both Scouters and youth).

Scouters need the following paperwork:

• Pre-register with the hike organizer.
• Camping and Outdoor Activity (COA) form prepared and signed by the Scouter in Charge, and approved by the Group Commissioner.
• Registration forms and emergency contact details for all attendees (printout from myscouts, not just access to myscouts on your phone).
• Hold harmless forms for non-registered attendees.

Note the following:

• Eat before you come.
• As with all Scouting events, wear your uniform.
• Dress for the weather (cold and/or wet). Winter jacket, gloves, hat, boots, etc.
• Bring a backpack with what you normally bring on an outing including:
  • Mug for mug-up (they won’t have any available for you),
  • Flashlight,
  • Spare gloves,
  • Water bottle,
  • Snack (no peanuts).
  • Emergency kit if you made one in your Section,
  • Compass (optional as we may test the kids to read a map on the trail).
• Youth running a station can consider bringing a camp chair.

They always need help to run the stations. Annemarie often puts one on and needs Scouts/Venturers volunteer to help. With simple stations we can leave Knox Church at 4:00 and start setting up by 5:00. A more complication station may require more setup time. Some ideas for stations include:

• Orienteering (how to use compasses)
• Alternate communication methods (Semaphore, Morse Code with flashlights to transmit preselected messages to their partner down the trail), etc. In the locker, we have laminated sheets with morse code and some example messages. You will also need the Morse Code flashlights, o bring pens, paper and clipboards to decode the message.(done in 2016 and 2017)
• Stars (learn the constellations).
• Flip a tarp (whole patrol stands on a tarp and works together to flip the tarp over without stepping off and onto the ground).
• Suggest that the Troop or Company doing the station should practice the station before - how it works, who is doing what, practice how explain it to the participants, etc.
• Cross the river. Youth work in groups of 4 or so using only two 4' long pieces of 2x6 or 2x8 that the kids have to keep passing along to eventually get 30' down the trail without falling into the raging river. Need a method to mark the start and finish lines (edge of the river or lake of lava).
• Teamwork game using a ring and four ropes to carry a ball on the ring and place it on a pipe. (done in 2017)

For those running a station, consider bringing the following:

• First aid kit.
• Teaching materials for the station.
• 10'x10' pop-up shelter.
• Table.
• Lantern, fuel and lighter/matches.
• Spare lantern so when the first one leaks fuel, you have a backup.
• 12th New Westminster banner.
• Rope to hang lantern and tie banner.
• Camp chairs.
• Snack for the OOS.
• Drinks for the OOS.