deadline for march 31 coastlineslearning tips do you ever find yourself needing to give...
TRANSCRIPT
Summer Kwah-ee 2013
A week of carefree summer fun for girls from across the Province.
Staff applications are now online at
http://www.girlguides.ns.ca/ca-kwstaff.html
This year’s 2 weeks will be at Camp WoHeLo in Bridgewater, with 1 great theme
The Green Scene—Explore the Environment
and the World around us
Week 1—July 6-12 Week 2—July 13-19
Why don’t you join us?
Coastlines N O V A S C O T I A C O U N C I L M A R C H 2 0 1 3
D E A D L I N E F O R
A P R I L I S S U E
M A R C H 3 1
. I N S I D E
T H I S I S S U E :
Operation
Earth Action
Training
News
Trefoil News
Trees
Camp
Challenge
Cookies
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Pictured below are the 1st Windsor Guides doing Grocery Bagging to raise money for a Camping
trip to Camp Mockinggee coming up in March. Julia Parr 1
st Windsor Guides
Trees Spruce Trees have four sided needles which are sharply pointed at the tip. They grow on all sides of the twig. The bark is thin and scaly; the cones are pointed and drooping. The Pine tree is one of the most valuable timber trees. It has the softest, most delicate needles of all the trees. The needles grow in clusters of five and are 75 to 100mm long. The cones are 100 to 200mm long and slightly curved. Birch trees have smooth bark with horizontal markings and oval leaves with toothed edges. The birch tree has natural oils that make it excellent for tinder and kindling.
Maple trees are common throughout North America. There are several types, but all have winged fruit. Sugar maple is a valuable hardwood tree. It is the sweet sap that is gathered in the spring and condensed into syrup and maple sugar.
There are many species of Oaks. All of them have an acorn, a nut with a cup-shaped shell. It has leaves with smooth and rounded lobes or tips. It is excellent fire wood.
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Sherbrooke Lake camp is an ideal camp for Girl Guides. It is located between New Ross and
New Germany.
Our facilities include 9 sleeping cabins which can hold up to 10 people each, a main dining hall, a
large recreation hall and a 7 room leader's lodge.
We have a 1000' sandy beach at the end of Sherbooke Lake. At one end you will find campfire
point and at the other end Chapel Island.
We have a large playing field, many trails and lots of places to set up tents. It costs $7/person/
night and is available in the spring and fall.
If you're interested please contact Sandy Creaser at [email protected] or 543-2649.
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LEARNING TIPS
Do you ever find yourself needing to give “constructive” feedback to someone else? Of course you do! It happens to all of us from time to time. Here is an easy-to-remember guide for giving constructive feedback: 1—“When you…” Start with a “When you…” statement that describes the behaviour without judgement, exaggeration, labelling, or motives. Just state the facts as specifically as possible. 2—“I feel…” Tell how the behaviour affects you. If you need more than a word or two to describe the feeling, it’s probably just some variation of joy, sorrow, anger, or fear. 3—“Because I…” Now say why you are affected that way. Describe the connection between the fact you observed and the feelings they provoke in you. 4—(Pause for discussion) Let the other person respond. 5—“I would like…because…” Describe the change you would like the other person to consider and why you think the change will ease the problem. 6—“What do you think?” Listen to the other person’s response. Be prepared to discuss options and compromise on a solution. Example: “When you are late for our unit meetings I feel frustrated because I think it wastes time for the other Unit Guiders and the girls. It makes it hard to get through the evening’s activities. (Pause for discussion.) I would like you to see if you can find some way of planning your schedule so that you can get to the meeting on time. That way we can make the most of our time with the girls. What do you think?”
P A G E 6 Ask the Cookie Advisor
Q. The cookies arrived at our drop off location, but some were damaged—how do I make sure we aren’t charged for those cookies?
A. If you have any problems with your cookie delivery, fill out the Cookie Delivery Incident Reporting and Requesting Form—it should be sent immediately to your Area Cookie Advisor for processing. http://forms.girlguides.ca/Shared%20Documents/cookie/cookie-delivery-incident-reporting-form.doc Q. I’ve ordered a few extra cases of cookies, now I need some new ideas for selling—any suggestions? A. The ways to successfully sell cookies are limited only by the Girls’ and Guiders’ imaginations. There are the tried and true standbys of door-to-door blitzes and setting up at a local grocery store. But have you tried any of these ideas: -a cookie drive thru—set up in a parking lot with lots of advertising -make a cookie vending machine—or atm—what a novel way to get the girls out there -set up at half time during a local sporting event However you decide to sell—make sure you use the Cookie Finder map available on the National website, so everyone knows where you’ll be http://www.girlguides.ca/GGC/Cookies/Find_Cookies/Cookie_Sales_Event_Form/GGC/Cookies/Cookie_Event_Form.aspx?hkey=b46b576f-8071-4650-983b-39e20ca7509b Q. The girls have worked hard to sell all the cookies for our Unit. We give them the Cookies Rising badge, but is there anything we’re missing out on? A. Have you checked out the National reward program called Cookie All-Stars? There are various levels of rewards, depending on the number of cases sold as individuals or as Units—here’s the link to check it out—and to make sure your girls are getting their rewards https://memberzone.girlguides.ca/Important%20News/Cookie%20All%20Stars.aspx Q. We’ve sold all the cookies we ordered and still have customers looking for more—what do we do? A. Ask your Area Cookie Advisor—she can ask other Units within your Area and she also has access to information from across the Province. If that isn’t successful in getting you more cookies, fill out a request for Wish List cookies, using the Cookie Delivery Incident Reporting and Requesting Form. If there are cookies available from National, this is how you can get them. Q. I still have a few boxes of Mint Cookies left, can I sell those?
A. It is acceptable to sell leftover cookies from one campaign into the next. Please be sure to check the best before dates on your cookies first—the how to for this was in the November 2012 issue of Coastlines.
Q. When can I start to sell the Spring cookies—I know they’re going to start arriving the week of March 18? A. As soon as the cookies arrive at your drop off location, you can start to sell. This applies to both campaigns—we’ve been given a fairly large window for selling—delivery to the time when payment is due—so make the best use of it!
PROVINCIAL TRAINING EVENTS – ADVENTURE CAMPING TRAINING In case you missed this announcement in previous Coastlines… If you are a leader with experience taking girls on multi-night camping experiences and you are ready to expand your skills to camping in remote settings, then consider participating in an exciting new Outdoor Activity Leadership Training. Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are partnering to offer Guiders in both provinces the opportunity to experience the new Outdoor Activity Leadership Adventure Camping training. The dates will be May 29
th to June 2
nd and the location is Camp Whisong near Elgin, NB, just off Route 895 (Not too
far from Moncton.) This is an intensive training - Guiders will learn how to provide all the necessities, food, water and shelter naturally, but even more importantly, will deepen their skills for good judgment and decision making, solid leadership and competence in backcountry or wilderness camping skills. Since the focus is totally on outdoor camping, participants will be tenting for the weekend and need to be prepared for the outdoors – regardless of Maritime weather! Pre-requisite: OAL Tenting or equivalent. The last details of agenda/cost etc. are being finalized. If you would like to receive the full package of information as soon as it is available, send your name/contact email to Beth Campbell, the NB Provincial Camping Adviser at [email protected] COMING AREA TRAINING EVENTS Harvest Trail Area – is offering their Guiders 2 terrific learning opportunities: The first is a “mini-Conference” running from Friday, April 26
th at 6:30 until 4:30 on Saturday, April 27
th at the
Aylesford United Church. You can even stay over for a pyjama party in the Church Hall on Friday night. You will be able to choose the sessions that interest you from this list of topics: Dramatic Arts, Time Management, Conflict Management, Cookies, Financial Management, Guiding and the Promise and Law. And for the whole group: Girls United Anti-Bullying Adult training. The second is an Outdoor Activity Leadership (OAL) adult training at Hardwood Lake Girl Guide Camp from 6:30pm Friday, May 3
rd to 12:30pm Sunday, May 5
th.
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Full details and registration forms can be found on the NS website under the Area Training Calendar – here’s the link: http://www.girlguides.ns.ca/dev-cal.html Maplewood Area is offering Camping Skills/Outdoor Activity Leadership (OAL) Friday, April 27th to Sunday, April 29th. The full information package/registration form can be found on the Area Training Calendar page of the NS website. OPTION 1: OAL (Friday – Sunday) The OAL program is designed to give Guiders the tools and skills to feel comfortable in taking girls outside in a variety of settings. Two levels of training will be offered: Residential Camping Training is for inexperienced Guiders wanting to take their girls to a residential camp (inside a building). Tent Camping Training is for Guiders ready to take their girls camping at established camp settings (Girl Guide camps or Provincial Parks). In order to take the tenting training a Guider must already have either equivalency for or their residential camping training. The training will provide hands-on experience living in a camp setting. OPTION 2: Expanding Your Camp Skills (Saturday – Sunday) The sessions will be outdoor cooking, ceremonies, Promise and Law at Camp, planning a budget for camp, Safe Guide and program work at camp for different levels. Where: Gittens Lodge - Manganese Mines (just outside of Truro) Camp Fee: Option 1: $35.00 for full weekend. Option 2: $25.00 for Saturday & Sunday This includes food, accommodation, and resource materials to take home. **And as always - REMINDER TO ALL GUIDERS - if you are interested in particular learning topics, make sure you let your Area Training Adviser know! She absolutely needs to know that the Area’s training activities will meet Guider needs. Some training can even be done in someone’s living room or around the kitchen table if there a several potential participants in one community. Don’t hesitate to speak up if you have learning needs! Here’s the email address for your Area’s Training Adviser:
Ceilidh - Ceilidh Area is looking for a new Area Training Adviser. For the time being, send your
questions to Elizabeth Buffett, Area Commissioner [email protected]
Dartmouth Shore – Jo Swinemer [email protected]
Harbourside – Nicole Kreiger [email protected]
Harvest Trail – Claudia Porter [email protected]
Maplewood – Joan Ellis [email protected]
Not sure which Area you are in? Check with your District Commissioner. And remember to check the Area Training Calendar on the NS GGC website to find out about trainings in your Area.
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NEW ELEARNING COORDINATOR Welcome to Sylvia Thorne, our new ELearning Coordinator! Sylvia is a Guider in Bedford District, Harbourside Area. If you would like to take an on-line training module, have your District Commissioner email [email protected] to request a PIN for you. (Having the DC request the PIN provides the “OK” for the fee to be charged to the District.) We send a big “Thank you” to Darlene Duggan for her work as ELearning Coordinator over a 5 year term! ACCESSING THE ELEARNING VERSION OF SAFE GUIDE TRAINING And while we’re talking about ELearning, just a reminder that the online version of Safe Guide training can be accessed directly by linking on this link: http://www.learninglibrary.com/GirlGuides/indexnew2.asp Going directly to the Learning Library avoids having to log into Member Zone. So a brand new Guider can do her Safe Guide Training even if she doesn’t have her iMIS number yet. This link will be included in the information sent to the Guider along with her PIN.
Trefoil Guild News
NOTES FROM HARDWOOD LAKES TREFOIL GUILD Hardwood Lake celebrated Thinking Day on February 5
th. The guest speaker was Sarah
Sinibaldi, from Berwick. She is a Ranger who went to Australia in January. Hardwood Lake Trefoil Guild had helped her out with financing and she gave a great presentation about her adventures. She was very entertaining because when she thought of something new, her face would just light up and she couldn’t wait to finish what she was saying and get on with the new bit. Hardwood Lake Trefoil Guild had two enrollments to Tracy and Vickie Michon (way past due) and a presentation of a 30 year service pin to Betty Thompson. This Guild rejoices in each other’s accomplishments. Ten members of the Guild attended the Pancake supper on the 12
th that the Berwick units held
as a fund raiser for Hardwood Lake Camp. They had a wonderful meal and good fellowship. This event was also very well attended by the public.
Submitted by Barb Craig
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#5 GO GREEN- REDUCING-Good for the environment and your budget. This month we are on to the 2
nd “R”- Reducing- which means exactly what it says-
reducing the amount of waste and pollution we create, minimizing our negative impact on the environment.
We live in a society where our needs are at our fingertips. And it is so easy to buy too much stuff. We buy, consume, and throw out stuff on almost a daily basis. But do we need all of this? The lack of readily available goods in some lesser developed countries would suggest it is entirely possible to survive without a lot of what we have. Consider this, and then really think before you buy. Instead of buying impulsively set a time frame to let yourself think about whether you need it- or whether the money you would spend would be better off in your savings account.
Now, there are some things we will legitimately consider needs. But for many of these there are adjustments to our habits that can REDUCE the amount of waste or harm to the environment associated with the items. Here are some ideas. Avoid disposable goods, such as paper plates, cups, napkins, razors, and lighters. Throwaways contribute to the problem, and cost more because they must be replaced again and again.
When printing, make two-sided copies whenever possible.
At home, when I print things for my own use, I print on used paper- old school work, mail
Use electronic mail for your bill statements and banking.
Remove your name from the mailing lists of materials you no longer want to receive: Register
on Canadian Marketing Association's Do Not Contact registry and your name will be removed
from their members’ mailing lists.
Use cloth napkins instead of paper napkins
Use a dish cloth or rags instead of paper towel
Turn old clothes into rags
Use cloth grocery bags
Reduce your garbage by composting
Eat whole foods not packaged foods-they are WAY healthier
Use rechargeable batteries- they work better than the dollar store brand, and are cheaper
than name brands
Bring a reusable coffee mug to the coffee shop -sometimes you even get you a discount!
For coffee at home get a reusable filter instead of a paper filter
Turn off lights, the TV and computer as soon as you are done
Buy products in bulk- there is less packing and less cost
And one of my favourites, which I do at home, is to use baby face clothes (4 for $1.00) instead
of make-up pads- they work for toners, alcohol and make up removal. In almost every case REDUCING is not only good for the environment; it is also good for your
bank account! Why not pick three things off this list to start today?
Take action to show you care about the environment- Go green now!
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The 1st Colby Pathfinders took a 5-day trip to Maine in May 2012. We had made contact with a Girl Scout Cadet troop in Bangor who were interested in camping with us. They had the same number of girls as we did and were approximately the same ages. We corresponded with them throughout the winter through regular mail, e-mail and Skype. We left Cole Harbour on Thursday, drove as far as Saint John, NB and stayed overnight at the NB Guide House, taking time to explore their archives room and learn some Guiding history. On Friday we continued to Maine. We camped at Camp Roosevelt in East Eddington (about a 10 minute drive from Brewer-Bangor area). It is a Boy Scout campsite. We were amazed at how beautiful the site was. We slept in Adirondack cabins. We visited Bangor to do some shopping before going back to the camp to meet the girls from Troop 715. Our 2-day camp with them was full of activities and getting to know more about each other and dispell a LOT of myths about Canadians. Our girls were surprised that although we don't live very far apart, the American girls knew very little about Canada. After our camping together ended on Sunday, it was back to Bangor for more shopping and an evening of 10-pin bowling (using big balls). We had a LOT of fun and couldn't wait to do it again..... little did we know that we WOULD do it again only 4 months later!!! On our first trip, we had met some Boy Scout leaders who were so impressed by our girls that they invited us to attend the 50th annual Moosehorn Camporee in September in Baring, Maine (just outside of Calais). It is a Scouting skills competition camp. When our accounts from trip #1 were settled, we realized that we had enough money to take the 2nd trip... so we did! At the Moosehorn Camporee, we were one of only 3 Canadian groups and the only all girls group. There were more than 750 Scouts and leaders at the camp. We were surprised by certain Boy Scout routines such as having to have our campfire pit inspected before we could light our fire and being roused out of bed at 6am to the sound of reveille played on a bugle (although I did find that evening taps at 11pm played by the bugle to designate "all's quiet" to be quite relaxing!). The competition on Saturday consisted of 8 different stations: first aid, shelter building, lashing, signaling/communication, plant identification, knots, orienteering and fire building. Each station consisted of tasks to test their Scouting/Guiding skills. There were also many MANY other things going on- such as an ironman competition (biking/running while carrying a heavy backpack/portaging a canoe), archery, tomahawk throwing, Scouting museum, cooking competition (for both adults and youth). It was certainly a VERY busy camp with lots of activities to choose from. We were certainly very proud of our girls when the awards were given out at the end of the camp- they took first place in the stations for First Aid and Orienteering and won 3rd place in the overall competition! Even our Guiders came out with a 2nd place award in the adult camp cooking competition (for our Italian wedding soup with fried garlic bread and orange-chocolate fudge for dessert). Both trips were wonderful experiences and gave our girls a taste of what international Guiding/Scouting is all about. Not surprising that more than half of them have applied for this year's international camps! As Guiders, we were VERY impressed with our girls- they certainly represented Dartmouth Shore Area, Nova Scotia and Canada with great pride!!!!!!! If you'd like more details on how your unit could take an inexpensive trip like ours, contact us at [email protected]. I'd be happy to share our details. It was well worth it.
Ann Marie Siteman (other guiders were Darlene McPhee and Gillian Oxner)
Pictures are on page 12
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Pictured below are girls who attended the Ceilidh Area Event "Sparks and Brownies Travel the
World"
Eva Cann PR Adviser Ceilidh Area
P A G E 1 3 NS Camp Challenge The NS Camp Challenge Crest is a challenge put forth to get you out of doors. Not all challenges have to be done at camp. Some are camp prep activities. Some are just fun to do. Enjoy yourself. Invite a friend to come along. Each part of the crest can be purchased separately and you don’t have to complete all seasons prior to placing your order. The order form can be found on the site map – Challenges. Part A To complete each season challenge, do 2 challenges from the season list, plus the required number for your level from Part B Example: for the summer challenge a Brownie will do 2 from the summer section and 2 from the B section to receive her summer crest. To complete the whole Camp Challenge she would do two challenges from each season plus 8 challenges from part B. Summer *Sleep under the stars for a night. *Build a sundial and check it for accuracy. Use it while at camp. *Look for and identify animal tracks. *Identify 5 different trees. *Cook a meal or part of a meal on a stove or oven you made. *Go on a polliwog hunt. Carefully collect and watch them. Before leaving the pond, gently return them to their natural habitat. Spring *While on bike, look for what winter has left behind (e.g. nibbled twigs) and new signs of spring (e.g. new shoots). *Create a backyard habitat by making your yard, balcony, school yard or park into a garden that provides essential resources for wildlife. It should include food shelter, water, perches and hiking places for all kinds of wildlife. *Find and identify 3 different spring flowers. *Go star gazing. Identify objects/constellations (5-B,S; 7-G; 9-P; 10-Sr B and Adult) in the sky *Keep a log of the weather 5 days before your camp, Predict what the weather will be like at camp. *Identify 4 birds. What is the most identifiable feature of each? Fall *Find north without a compass. *Go on a night hike with half of the campers going on one night and the other half the next night. Compare your observations. *Get up early and watch the sun rise. *Make shelter and sleep in it one night. *While at camp practice environmental awareness. What can be done differently at your camp, to reach the level of ‘Leave no Trace Camping’? *Try a new to you method of cooking. Winter *Make an outdoor sculpture out of snow or ice. *Have fun in the winter while snowshoeing, skiing or skating. *Go on a hike. What wildlife do you see? What signs of wildlife do you see? *Make a batch of ice cream outdoors. *Build a bird feeder. *Prepare a ‘change in plans activity’ to do on a rainy day. Try it out at camp.
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Part B For each season do different challenges from the list. Sparks -1, Brownies -2, Guides -3, Pathfinders -4, Sr Branches and Adults -5 Keep track of what you have done by ticking off each challenge as it is completed. *Build a fire and cook on it. *Set up a weather station and record the weather while at camp. *When it rains, collect enough water to make some tea. *Make a kite and fly it. *Hide a treasure and give at least 5 compass clues to find it. *Bring a friend to camp. Teach them a camp song. *Learn to use a camp stove properly. Learn how to refuel your stove. *Learn a new skill to use at camp, such as pitching a tent, orienteering, purifying water, cooking in a way new to you, etc. *Learn where and how to build camp fires. Practice fire safety. *Learn 2 new knots and use them. *Make a tent care bag or two for your unit. They should be include directions on how to put up your tents, along with a picture of the tent (laminate or ziplock bag), seam sealer, small piece of soap to lubricate the zipper, needle and thread to repair rips, sand paper to remove rust from pole ends, rags to wipe pegs and poles dry, whisk to sweep out the tent and extra pegs and rope. *Help prepare a meal that needs no fire. *Have a race to see who can make a fire and boil some water in a can. *Make fire starters at camp. *Learn how to properly make and waterproof a bedroll. Practice keeping your bedding rolled when not in use at camp. *As a team make a larger camp gadget to use at camp. Wood storage rack, table, chair, etc. *Alone make a smaller gadget e.g. wash stand, towel rack, pot hanger for the fire, shoe drying rack. *With buddy or group be responsible for a flag ceremony. *Do a Guide’s Own or Reflections. *Participate in a team building game or activity. *Lead a star gazing activity by teaching how to find some constellations or planets. *Invite a Trefoil Guild member to visit your camp or meeting to share her camping experiences. What has changed? *With a buddy play a blindfold game. Identify things by touch or smell. *Go for a hike (Sparks 1-2km, Brownies 2-3km, Guides 3-4km, others 5-6km or more. *Make a craft or object from things you find at camp. *Use your compass and learn to do something new with it. Play a game using your new compass skill. *Learn to walk in nature. What do you see? feel? hear?, smell? *Take part in tent or adventure camps. Spark 1 night, Brownies 2 nights, all others 5 nights (not necessarily consecutive but within a 12 month period). *Teach an outdoor game to your peers. *Learn to light and refuel a lantern *Learn how to pack and what to bring to camp. Learn how to take care of your gear at camp. Are you a considerate tent mate?
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Cookies March 2012
Cookies will start arriving across the Province the week of March 18. Here are a few things to remember as you start selling Classic 2013 cookies Use the National Cookie Finder map to advertise your cookie selling events—here’s the link to the information https://www.girlguides.ca/GGC/Cookies/Find_Cookies/Cookie_Sales_Event_Form/GGC/Cookies/Cookie_Event_Form.aspx?hkey=b46b576f-8071-4650-983b-39e20ca7509b
Looking for resources to help your girls achieve their cookie selling goals? Try this link—there are many ideas and tools available https://memberzone.girlguides.ca/UnitSupportResources/cookie_selling_resources/SitePages/Home.aspx Don’t forget to input your Fall information into the Cookie All Stars site—then you’ll be ready for updating with the Spring info as soon as all your cookies are sold.
If your girls take cookies home to sell to family and friends, use the cookie distribution letter—parents sign so you have a record of who has taken what. It also helps if something goes wrong before the money or cookies are returned http://www.girlguides.ns.ca/pdf/fin-stds.pdf
CONGRATULATIONS TO:
Meghan Ernst from Bluenose Academy on achieving her Silver Award from the Duke of Edinburgh Achievement Ceremony on February 8th. Not only was Meghan one of the youngest to achieve this acknowledgement she was also asked to make the 'Thank You' to the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, His Honour Brigadier-General the Honorable J.J. Grant This achievement is no small feat and we know her Guiding experiences were definitely an asset. Requirements for Silver Award are:
15 Years or Older
Minimum 6 months (12 months direct entry)
Community Service: 30 (45) hours over 6 (12) months
Skill Development: 6 (12) months
Physical Recreation: 40 hours over 20 weeks Adverturous Journey: 3-day activity We are very proud of Meghan and your Guiding iMIS profile now also lists this accomplishment! For more information on the Duke of Edinburgh Program, please feel free to contact:
Denise Hirtle
Deputy Provincial Commissioner - Youth Support [email protected]
P A G E 1 6 Had a Devil of a Time – fanTAStic 2013 – Australia
Written by Brenda Harvey
Part 2—Part 1 appeared in the February issue Girls had the opportunity to meet and pet a Tasmanian Devil and learn about the disease Devil Facial Tumour which has threatened the survival of this species. It has caused the Devil to be placed on the endangered species list in 2008. Australia has developed an aggressive breeding program to increase the numbers of Devils and reverse the declining numbers. Unfortunately, the bushfires in January destroyed an area in Tasmania that contained some of the only non-diseased Tasmania Devils on the island. International Night was a highlight as our Canadian group teamed with an independent group from Ontario to educate camp about our girl branches (Australia does not have separate branches) and as a request sang O Canada. We were treated to a local drumming group, traditional dances from New Zealand and Fiji and what the US Girl Scouts have been doing in Japan. Activities for the remainder of the week had girls and Guiders
in individual activities with the younger group participating in a Bivouac night off site and the older
girls having an offsite overnight. Due to the fires a number of offsite activities were modified. Camp
organizers dealt with the challenge of placing everyone in safe areas. They worked extremely hard
ensuring that everyone had a similar activity to the one they had selected. My out trip was to be a
backpacking trip to the Walls of Jerusalem; however as that area was closed we were rerouted to
Mount Roland which provided a challenging 15 km hike up 1234 metres passing Mt. Vandyke on
the way. Having never experienced Arctic air, I can say that I know what Antarctic air feels like as
when near the summit, we had strong southerly winds that felt like ice on the skin.
Our week came to a peak with an all camp activity in the nearby town of Launceston for an
afternoon. All 1700 participants and staff congregated in the mall for a flash mob led by the
Sangam World Centre Manager and a local
radio personality. Not sure what the public
thought; however, many stopped to watch, take
photos and some joined in to the song and
dance. All together we walked to a nearby park
overlooking the river for “tea” (dinner) and
campfire featuring Canadians leading camp in
Land of the Silver Birch.
To say that camp was perfect would be unfair; however it was very close. We had high winds (strongest I ever experienced even beats Quest winds!) requiring tents to be dropped daily (some camps choose to drop all the tents and have girls sleep in the marquees for the second half of the week), hot daytime temperatures and a few cold nights (well cold for Tasma-nia in the summer). As with any camp there were challenges; however, the friendships that were made and the activities always overshadow any challenges we face at any Guiding camp. Leaving camp was bittersweet; it was time to head home. I am proud that I was able to share this experience with Sarah Sinabaldi from Harvest Trail area. She was definitely an excellent representative of her Ranger group, Nova Scotia and Canadian Guiding. It was great to travel with her from Halifax and back. My life is definitely enriched having had the honour to meet and get to know her and the other girls (and my co-Guider on this trip – Kate Johnston from Calgary). I am looking forward to the time our paths cross again! There is so much more that to share about this experience it would take pages to share it all. Please feel free to contact me should your Area or unit is interested in a visit to learn more about Guiding in Australia and/or travelling internationally.
Thank you to those that assisted supported me
throughout the preparation for this trip. Your
guidance and friendship was invaluable.
Reserve your tickets now! The World Famous Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their 2013 “You Write the Rules” World Tour to Halifax on March 21st 2013! Now in their 87th consecutive season of touring the world, the Globetrotters showcase a captivating assortment of trick shots, high-flying dunks, and ball handling wizardry… with a side-splitting array of comedy guaranteed to entertain both the young and young at heart! The Harlem Globetrotters would like to offer all family, friends, and leaders of Nova Scotia Girl Guides a special discounted ticket offer during the 2013 World Tour! Save up to $ 7 per ticket! For more information on tickets, contact Matt Blum at 800-641-4667 x115 or [email protected] No minimum purchase required to receive discount. Seating may be limited to certain sections. Ticket prices and discounts vary per city. All tickets and discounts subject to availability. DEADLINE TO ORDER: Monday, March 18th , 2013 Call in advance about opportunities to Take a Picture, Performance Opportunities , Magic Passes, meet-n-greets and more!
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Winter Kwah-ee 2013 What do Kool-Aid, maple syrup and butter have in common? Well, other than the obvious (all food of course!) all of these things were enjoyed by 25 Guides from across the Province attending Winter Kwah-ee 2013 at Anne Fraser House. As part of earning the Heritage Home Skills and Tasty Treats interest badges, the girls dyed wool with Kool-Aid, then wove it into fork flowers; enjoyed some tasty maple syrup candy made on piles of snow; and made their own butter (as they learned, not an easy task!). In addition to the activities above, the girls also had a Cookie Bake-Off, made international dessert recipe books, decorated cupcakes, and sang many songs throughout the weekend. Saturday was a beautiful day, and we had lots of time for outdoor playing. This included snow painting, sledding, making ‘snow-women’, and a night hike. It was a very busy day and everyone was in bed by 10 pm! Thanks to everyone who made Winter Kwah-ee 2013 a success!
Submitted by Lashauna Smith—Program Guider—Winter 2013
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