Monday, May 16th: Advancement Ceremony

Tonight we will be recognizing our Sparks who are advancing to Brownies, so please join us in marking this special moment! All Sparks and their families are invited to attend our Advancement Ceremony:

Location: St. Leonard School (gymnasium), 5344 Long Island Drive, Manotick
Date: Monday, May 16th
Arrival: 6:15 p.m. Ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Sparks should come in uniform, including badge sash.

We'd like to thank you all for your support and encouragement throughout the Guiding year. It's been wonderful getting to know your girls; they are a wonderful group, and we look forward to seeing them either next year or the year following as Brownies.

Giggles (Nicole), Maple (Krista), Moonbeam (Ellen) and Sunshine (Janine)

Camp Reminders!

A few reminders about this weekend's Sparks camp:

• Arrival time on Friday is 6:30 p.m. 
• Girls should have dinner before they come; we will be providing a snack
• Girls who chose to join us on Saturday should arrive at 7:30 a.m.
• Pick up time is Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
• Camp t-shirts are to be worn on Saturday. If you don't think your Spark can keep it clean Friday night, we advise you pack it instead of having her wear it on Friday. Note: One Spark left her t-shirt behind the night we made them, so please let me know if you're missing yours.
• Rain gear! The forecast is showing a chance of showers all weekend so please send waterproof outerwear - rain boots, rain/splash pants and hooded rain jacket, as we will be spending the majority of Saturday outdoors. I recommend throwing in several changes of socks.
• Indoor shoes or slippers will make the girls much more comfortable inside the building as no outer footwear is permitted past the front entrance.
• Label ALL items you send, including the bin and lid that you pack everything in

Can't wait to see all of our happy campers!

Moonbeam (Ellen)

May 10th: Year-end Bowling Party!

Tonight we're celebrating the end of the Guiding year with a bowling party! Girls should be dropped of at 5:30 p.m. at the Merivale Bowling Centre, 1916 Merivale Road. Pick up time will be our usual 7:15 p.m.

Dinner will be provided!

Note: 
If you have an outstanding camp ($10) or cookie ($60) payment, please contact Giggles (Nicole) to confirm your payment arrangements. Extra cookie cases will be available for pick up on Tuesday if you are interested.

Thanks, and see you at the lanes!
Moonbeam (Ellen)

May 3rd: 6:30 p.m. Optional Drop-in for Parents

There is no regular meeting tonight, but leaders will be available from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. to answer any questions you have about the upcoming Spring Camp and to collect any final permission forms/payment. We will also have a few extra cases of cookies on hand for anyone interested in purchasing another; workplaces on Friday afternoons seem to be a great time for cookie sales!

Upcoming Events:
May 10th - End of year Bowling Party (Merivale Bowling Centre)
May 13 to 15th - Amazing Race Spring Camp
May 16th - Sparks Advancement Ceremony

If we don't see you this week, we'll catch you at the year-end bowling party!

Moonbeam (Ellen)

April 26th: Camp Prep, Cookies and 2016/17 Registration

Spring Camp Prep
Our upcoming all-unit Amazing Race Spring Camp will be held May 13 to 15, 2016. The camp info letter and forms will be forwarded by email. Please return the SG2 permission form with payment by April 26th to secure your spot.

This week's meeting (our final full meeting at the community centre!) is going to focus on getting the girls in the camping frame of mind - learning what (and how) to pack their gear, what activities we'll be doing at camp and what they'll be expected to do (their own dishes, gasp!). 

Every Spark will be receiving a camp t-shirt tonight which we'll be decorating and taking home. Please bring a large plastic bag (kitchen/garbage bag) to keep in your vehicle so you have something to lay the wet shirt on for the commute home.

Cookies are in!
Please see one of the leaders tonight to purchase your case of Girl Guide Cookies. Cases are $60 (payment by cash/cheque/online) which you then sell for $5 per box. If you'd like to get your case before Tuesday, please email Krista.

Registration for 2016-17 Sparks/Brownies
On Thursday, April 28th registration will open up for all girls who are changing units or advancing to Brownies. Girls returning to the same unit may continue to register. On May 30th registration will open up to new members.

Note: All four of our leaders will be leaving the 3rd Riverside South Sparks Unit as our daughters are advancing. Most, if not all of us will be leading/supporting the 2nd Riverside South Brownie Unit, which meets on Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m at St. Jerome. Girls advancing to Brownies who wish to join this unit should register as soon as possible to secure their spot.

Upcoming Events:
May 3rd - 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. (Optional) parent drop-in meeting for camp Q&A. No meeting for the Sparks, but girls are welcome to come and play while the adults chat.

May 10th - 5:30 to 7:15 p.m. End of year Bowling Party 
May 13 to 15th - Amazing Race Spring Camp
May 16th - 6:15 p.m. Sparks Advancement Ceremony

Thanks!
Moonbeam (Ellen)

April 19th: Chapman Mills Walk!

Meeting Location:
For tonight's walk we will be leaving at 6:15 p.m. from Claudette Cain Park (the parking lot closest to the bridge, right across from the traffic light to Moncion's). Please arrive on time so that we can head out straight away, and note that if you have not turned in your A2 permission form, your Spark will be unable to participate.

What to wear/bring:

• please use the bathroom before arriving! we can't stress this enough!
• dress for the weather - no uniforms tonight
• white Sparks scarf can be worn over your jacket to identify as a Spark
• rain boots are advised as parts of the trail are sure to be wet/muddy
• A2 permission form for the walk (if outstanding)
• Bowling Party (A2) permission forms are due tonight

We'll be crossing the Vimy bridge and walking along the Chapman Mills Conservation Area board walk/trail then back over the bridge. Pick up location will be the same parking lot as drop off, at 7:15 p.m.

Cookies are arriving Wednesday!
All GGC members are asked to sell one case of cookies each spring. We will bring the cases to next week's (April 26th) meeting, but if you wish to arrange to pick yours up this week, please email Krista Hanniman. Each case contains 12 boxes (6 chocolate, 6 vanilla), which are to be sold at $5/box. Please bring pre-payment for your case ($60) to the April 26 meeting.

Thanks!
Moonbeam (Ellen)

April 12th: Zoe's Trek to New Zealand

Our Sparks are keen to earn one more crest so we'll be starting a new Zoe's Trek around the World challenge tonight, this time, destination New Zealand! The girls will have fun learning about this beautiful country and the Sparks (Pippins) who belong to our global Guiding network.

Upcoming Deadlines:

Due April 12th:

Chapman Mills Walk (SG2) Permission Form, attached. Walk information is in the SG1 form, including drop off/pick up location and rain date information. Please return the SG2 at our next meeting.

Let us know your Sparks' t-shirt size! (youth S/M/L/XL). We are ordering camp shirts for our Sparks and will be placing the order next week.

Due April 19th:Year-end Bowling Party (SG2) Permission Form, attached. Party information is in the SG1 form, including drop off/pick up location. Please return the SG2 by April 19 so we can order enough food.

Note: Spring Camp information and forms will be sent out shortly.

Moonbeam (Ellen)