Winter Amidships 2008
Get the official Council packet here

When

The 33^rd annual Winter Amidships will be on Saturday, February 16, 2008 from 8:30am to 11:00 pm

Where

It will be held at Marion College in Fond du Lac (45 S. National Ave., Fond du Lac, WI at the Stayer Center, South end of campus)

Cost

Includes competition dinner, awards, dance, and event patch.
$15.00 per person, postmarked by February 1, 2008
$17.00 per person, postmarked  February 2, 2008 or later
(Late fee applies to anyone registering after the due date, even if your unit registered on time)
Only the first 20 units to register will be accepted.

Schedule of Events

Events

Knots Relay

4-member team, timed event. Each person crosses start line, chooses a card with the name of a knot on it, ties knot, returns to start line and tags the next person. No talking is allowed. Eight knots will be tied. A (*) following the knot means the knot must be tied on a horizontal bar (broom stick). Knots: square, bowline, sheet bend, figure eight, clove hitch*, two half hitches*, taut-line*, marling hitch* (a separated clove hitch is not acceptable). Ropes used are 4 feet long. Eight ropes provided. 1 knot per rope. 2 knots per person. 10 minute time limit. 30 seconds added per mistake.

On the following images, click once to run an animation showing the knot being tied.  Clicking on it a second time will reload the image of the finished knot.  If you click on another knot while the animation is running, it will stop on the current frame while the other animation runs.

Compass Board Relay

4-member team, timed event. Each person crosses start line, chooses one of 32 compass point tags, places it on the compass board, returns to start line and tags the next person. No talking is allowed. North will be marked. You may place tags on top of one another, but you may not uncover tags (the one on the top is the one that is scored). No tag can be moved once you turn away or take two steps from the board. Each team member will place 8 tags on the board. There is a 10-minute time limit. 30 seconds added per mistake.

Lifejacket Relay and Alumni (Leaders) Life Jacket Relay*

4-member team, timed event. Each person properly puts on and takes off a regulation Coast Guard approved collar type life jacket, then returns to the start line and tags the next person. A full bow (2 loops) will be required on the tie.

*Leaders may combine with another unit’s leaders to put together a team of 4.

Heaving Line and Alumni (Leaders) Heaving Line*

3-member team. Each person attempts 3 throws of a weighted rope (monkey's fist) in a 1-minute time limit. The target consists of point sections valued at  1 - 3 - 5 - 3 - 1  at a distance of approximately 25 feet. The total of the 9 throws will be the team's score. Time will be used to break ties. For practice refer to the section on "throwing assists" in a life saving/water rescue book.

*Leaders may combine with another unit’s leaders to put together a team of 3.

First Aid

4-member team. Score determined by points accumulated. Format used is decided on by the judge and may include a relay format. You may have to demonstrate something, using supplies provided. May include CPR. Time will be used to break ties. There will be a time limit.

Tug-of-War

Weight limit: 750 lb.  Weigh-in will be during registration, 8:30 AM. An outdoor event. Gloves and boots are strongly recommended. No spiked or cleat type shoes allowed. You may not wrap any part of the rope around your body. Opponents will be paired-up by random drawing at the 9:30 AM meeting.

International Code Flags

4-member team. Each team provides 2 readers and 2 scribes (recorders). Each reader/scribe pair will compete separately and the two scores will be added for the team's score. Readers are expected to know all 26 alphabetical and 10 numerical (0-9) code flags. Alphabetical flags will be 12" x 18" (numerical flags are slightly narrower and longer) and will be official international colors. Flags will be randomly arranged and toggled together horizontally. Flags are read from left to right. Each reader will have up to 1 minute to announce the code to his/her scribe. You may use phonetic alphabets. The scribe, who has his/her back to the flags, records the code on a score sheet.  You may skip 1 or more flags, but you must skip the corresponding blank(s) on the score sheet. You will not be allowed to fill in the blanks that you skip. The scribe is not allowed to ask questions during the competition. Time will be used to break ties.

Note: all flags will be hanging down, 6 rows with 6 flags in each row.

Obstacle Course

4-member team, timed event. An outdoor event, conditions permitting. No spiked or cleat type shoes.

Rolling Bowling

3-member team. Lanes will be set up in the parking lot. Each person will attempt 5 rolls of the ball at ten pins for a possible score of 50. The 3 team members' scores will be added together for the team's score. Must use balls provided. Each team will reset pins for another team.

Surprise Event

4-member team. (No leader assistance!) This event will open immediately following the flag ceremony and close at lunch (12:30). Teams may come in anytime in that time period. Teams may not re-enter once they leave the room. Each team will be given a bag of items and an allotted space at a table to create their interpretation of this year’s theme: “SHIP SHAPE”. Each team will be given a 5” x 8” card on which they can write something about their entry (title, inspiration, details, etc.).

Judging will be based on theme, creativity, sturdiness, dimensions, etc.

Awards

Your unit will compete in either the Girls division or the Guys/Co-ed division.

Each unit will receive a WAM participation ribbon.

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbons will be awarded for each event in both divisions.

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies will be awarded to the top scoring units in each division.

 Point distribution: 1st = 20, 2nd = 15, 3rd = 10, PARTICIPATION  = 5

 Participation in all events is strongly encouraged!  Participation points can make a difference in your overall scoring!

 The WAM over-all traveling trophy will be awarded to the top-scoring unit based on a second set of scores.  This scoring system awards 1st, 2nd, 3rd and participation points to units (girls and guys/coeds) as if they were all competing against each other.

Every Effort will be made to break ties.

These things will make the day run smoother, and be more fun:

Read “Winter Amidships Rules of the Road” with your unit before you come.

Please check-in as soon as you arrive.

Please have your Tug-of-war team weigh-in as soon as possible. Units that arrive late cause a delay in the start of competition, as we need to pick the "tug" brackets during the general meeting.

Units are invited to bring cards, board games, and other activities to fill time while waiting for competitive events.

Please do not bring "boom boxes", as they interfere with announcements and cause "boom box wars"!

Rules of the Road

Eligibility
All youth participants need be at least 14 years of age OR have completed grade 8, and be current members of the Girl Scouts-USA or Boy Scouts of America (Troop, Crew, Ship, or Post participant). Registered Venture and Explorer youth may compete through age 20.

Adult Leadership
Each unit need to provide a minimum of 2 adults, one at least 21 years of age. Co-ed units must provide one male and one female adult leader. Units are required to meet their own council's adult: youth ratios. Adults must be present for all activities, and are responsible for the actions and dress of their unit members and themselves.

Outdoor Competition
All participants - youth and leaders - will go outside for the outdoor events. Dress appropriately!

Smoking Policy/Drug use
Smoking is not permitted. The use or possession of drugs and/or alcohol by any participants is prohibited.

Youth Permission Forms
All youth are required to submit a Winter Amidships permission form. This is in addition to whatever your council requires. Forms should be submitted when you check in.

Dress Code
Wear comfortable clothing or your unit's uniform for indoor events. Outdoor events require suitable protection from the elements: Extra layers, boots, hats, gloves, etc. Check the weather forecast/ Be Prepared! Remember, Everyone goes outside! Proper attire for the dance excludes torn or immodest clothing, sweat suits, flight suits, and T-shirts.

Small units/Large units
Units with low membership may combine as one. Any combination of units needs be approved by the Winter Amidships committee. Small units may "borrow" youth from another unit for an event as long as: (1) your entire unit is participating in the specific event, and (2) the person/s you choose are not competing in the same event for their own unit, and (3) you clear it with the WAM committee.  Large units may not divide into 2 or smaller competitive teams.

Non-compliance
Any violation of the Winter Amidships Rules of the Road, or state and local laws and ordinances, will result in action which may include one or more of the following:

TRAVEL INFORMATION

From North or South on US 41- Exit Hwy 23 East (Johnson St.). Go approximately 3 miles to National Ave. Turn right (South) onto National Ave. Go 6/10 mile to 2^nd St. Turn East (left) on to 2^nd St. The parking lot for the Stayer Center is the first left.

From East on Hwy 23, turn left (South) onto National Ave. and follow directions as above.

The address is Marian College, Stayer Center, 45 S. National Ave., Fond du Lac, Wi., 54935. The Stayer Center is located at the South end of campus.

Venturing Crew 9213 is based in Neenah/Appleton Wisconsin
E-mail the advisor at mmmailand@sbcglobal.net with questions

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