Military Volunteers Help Scouts with Cabin Repairs

One scout leader and a number of volunteers got together to do a variety of much-needed repairs on the First Riverlake Scout Cabin, located off Perrin Drive, Miller Lake. John VanOosten is a Cub leader for the first Riverlake Scouts. His son Mitchell is a very active member of the scout troupe as well.

Most people in the HRM are familiar with the scout cabins on the island in Miller Lake, however not everyone is aware that the scouts have a few cabins located off Perrin Dr. as well. “The land has been leased from the province by Scouts Canada for years,” said VanOosten. “A number of different groups from around the HRM have built cabins on the property off Perrin Dr.”.

Each year, a work party gathers to do minimal repairs to the cabin owned by the First Riverlake Scout troop, but this year the cabin was in need of more than a band-aid fix.

VanOosten is a member of the Cdn. Armed Forces; he rallied a number of his friends and co-workers to help him do repairs and a few upgrades to the cabin owned by the First Riverlake Scout troop. Most of his helpers are also members of military headquarters called Joint Task Force Atlantic (JTFA). The men are part of a team and they assist wherever they are needed, in severe storms, in floods, and when fires strike, including the fires at Purcell’s Cove and Porter’s Lake.

“We are responsible for any military operative that happens in the Atlantic Provinces. Any operation where the military is helping the province goes through us,” said VanOosten.

When Greg Bucci, Bob Edwards, Tom Sladek, Scott Smith, Dennis Sawatsky, Steve Stuart, and Marc Cayouette heard about the 1st Riverlake cabin, they wanted to help. The men all came out to assist VanOosten get the scouts cabin back in good condition and ready to be used again. “It’s a worthy cause; the cabin is used year round,” said VanOosten. “The scouts, cubs, and venturers come in three or four times in the winter, and the cabin is used extensively in the fall and the spring.”

The volunteers replaced fascias, and replaced the leaky roof. They also repaired windows and bunk beds. “There was water damage inside the cabin, to the bunks,” said VanOosten. “We replaced three bunks.”
Supplies for the cabin repairs were purchased by the scout group “thanks in part to the Riverlake Lions Club,” said VanOosten. The Lions group is a sponsor of the 1st Riverlake Scout troop. “We use some of the money we get from them to do projects like this,” VanOosten added. “Barrett Lumber also gave us a helping hand with the purchase.”

Although it was a bright and warm fall day when the volunteers made the repairs to the scout cabin in Miller Lake, they are happy to lend a hand whenever they are needed, if it’s possible. “The military is always interested in getting involved in community services,” said VanOosten. “We help year round.”