April 29 - Camping Prep!

Hi Families,

Just a reminder that this week I will host a 10 minute chat about camp for parents at the beginning of our meeting (6:15). We will go over what the girls should bring for camp and I will try to answer any questions you may have.

 After the parent meeting, the leaders will be taking the sparks outside for a short hike. Please ensure your girls dress for the weather. They may also wish to bring a water bottle.

 Thanks and see you Tuesday,

Jen

 

April 22 meeting and a few other reminders

Hi Families!


Apologies for not updating the blog last week -- we had a busy guiding week with camp planning and I just ran out of time. Funny story: at last week's meeting we were going over some of the things we should bring to camp and one of the Sparks said, "You're going to put all of that on the blog so my mom can read it, right? There is no way I can remember all of this stuff!" Too cute. :)


Last week we went over some of the standard duties girls are required to do at camp: wash their dishes, roll up their own sleeping bag, and look after a buddy while hiking. The girls also put together their own ditty bags for their dishes: a big thanks goes out to Abby P's grandmother for sewing all of the bags!!


I also wanted to ask a quick favour: as is the case at this time every year, the girls have started to get a bit rowdier during the meetings. They have become good friends, which is great, but at the same time it does make it more difficult to cover some of the activities we are supposed to do at our meetings. At our end, the leaders have been trying to do activities in smaller groups to help keep things calmer, and we try to keep the girls busy so that they don't get bored. If everyone could remind their Sparks to listen to the leaders though (e.g. come to the circle when asked, stop running in the room because it isn't safe), it would be really helpful. Thank you!


Here's what is coming up:


April 22: This week we are celebrating Earth Day with some crafts, a story about treating nature nicely, and a recycle relay. If all goes well (e.g. no snow, exceptionally muddy conditions or rain), we plan to spend the last few minutes of the meeting outside in the community centre playground area. So, please make sure your Spark dresses for the weather! Also: please note that this is the last night for turning in camp forms.  We cannot accept any more girls after the 22nd.


April 29: This week we'll finish up the requirements of Going Camping Keeper. We'll also be going on a short neighbourhood hike, so please make sure your Spark is dressed for the weather. We also recommend that she bring a water bottle. ** Parents are invited to stay for the first 10 minutes of the meeting to talk about the camp kit list and camp expectations. Please feel free to bring your questions: I'll bring a sample ditty bag and the equipment my girls and I usually take to camp.


May 6: Our last meeting as a unit! We have a fun carnival-themed party planned for the girls.


May (9), 10, 11: Camp


May 15: Flying up ceremony for those girls moving to Brownies.


Happy Easter!
Jen

April 8 and April 10

Hi Families,


As mentioned in our last post, this week the girls will be doing the Sing Ontario Sing! Challenge. It's a great one -- the Sparks get to learn a whole bunch of great songs that we will definitely be singing at camp and in the years to come.


Also, just a reminder to the 4 girls moving to Brownies next year: they are invited to the 2nd Riverside South Brownie meeting this week, on Thursday from 6pm to 7:30pm in the St. Jerome gym. I was talking to the Brownie leaders, and boy, do they have a fun evening planned! Please let Hearts and Marigold know this week if your Spark is not attending.


Camp
Thanks also to all those who have responded to the email asking whether your Spark will be coming to camp. If you haven't done so, please drop Jen/Marigold a quick line.  This camp is certainly optional, but we hope that all the girls can make it out.


For those of you who have asked about having your Spark come for the day: that will be fine, but we ask that she be picked up at 7:30pm Saturday evening, as the campfire is finishing. This has proven the least disruptive in the past for the others staying -- the less they see parents coming and going, the less homesick they tend to be.


Finally, please see the info letter posted below from the two organizers of the camp -- Diane and Jean, our community guiders. The permission slips will be circulated via email soon, but this letter gives you an idea of what camp is all about. In addition to the permission slips that will be sent via email, we will also be having a short info session about camp at the beginning of the April 29 meeting (we'll show you what to pack and answer any questions you may have).


Here is Diane and Jean's letter:

March 31, 2014

To Parents/Guardians of Guiding members in Manotick/Riverside South

Dear Parents,

Guiding provides lots of new experiences for girls, and one of these opportunities is to go to camp in a safe environment, with girls and supervisors that they are familiar with.  This letter is being written to provide you with information about our upcoming Spring Camp.


First the date of the camp is May 9-11, which is Mother’s Day weekend, however our camp will end at 9:30 on Sunday morning to allow you to spend time with your daughter(s) and family.


The location of the camp is at the RCMP campground on Nicholl’s Island Road, just off River Road, between Manotick and Riverside South.


The camp is open to all girls in guiding in the Manotick/Riverside South area.  We know that in a few cases we will not have enough leaders to cover the girls attending from a unit, and will need to ask a few female parents to assist us.  Any Parents attending camp must have a current Police Check with the child vulnerability section completed.  You also need to understand that you are at camp for all the girls in your group, not just for your daughter.  Giving your daughter space is important if she is to be able to have the same experiences as others with no parent attending.  If you are interested and available to attend camp, please let your unit leader know.  If she needs assistance she will ask you.


Our staff at camp are our unit leaders and members of guiding.  All have current police checks and many have current First Aid training.  We are required by girl guides to provide ratios of adults to girls depending on ages, and these ratios are met at our camp.


Camp provides an opportunity for girls to learn to live and work with other members of our organization.  They learn new skills in a safe and supportive environment, and they have lots of fun.  Our program provides time for active group games, some outdoor cooking (age related), campfires, crafts, and outdoor program work. 


A kit list will be provided for camp and we request that you follow the list.  Rain gear is required because the program goes on outdoors even in the rain.  Camp hats are often overlooked, but they are important and each child and adult leader must wear a hat at camp. 


If your child requires medication at camp, she must bring it in it’s original container with her name and the dosage clearly marked on the container.  You will be requested to complete a form for the administration of any medication sent to camp.   We do not provide any medications, so if your child is prone to headaches and might need a Tylenol, you must have this marked on her health form, and must send the Tylenol in case.  If your child requires an epi pen or an inhaler, she must carry it with her at all times, so please provide a suitable fanny pack type carrier, and inform her leaders that she has this item.  All medications with the exception of the inhaler or epi pen, will be collected by a first aider and stored in a safe location in the kitchen, out of the reach of others, but convenient for dispensing.


A little about the camp: the camp is located by the water, however, we rope off the access to the water, and all girls are told that they will be sent home if they cross the rope without permission.  We do not take chances with water.


                : The Sparks sleep in the two large rooms of the main building, with indoor flush washrooms.  We have a camp cook to assist them with meal preparations.  The leaders also sleep in the building.


                : The Brownies sleep in smaller, unheated cabins that have two bunk beds in one room for the girls, and a separate room for the leaders, with the door access.  Washrooms are also flush, but are not in the cabins.  The girls will have some meals prepared by the cook, and they will have the opportunity to try some food preparation too.


                : The Guides will sleep in tents, normally two to a tent, and will assist with cooking outdoors.  They will also have the opportunity to cook breakfast on a tin can or in a cardboard box.  Please have the girls remember to bring two ground sheets.  One from each girl will go under the tent and the other will be used inside the tent.  Please pack these groundsheets at the top of the bag, or in an outside pocket so that they can be easily accessed.


                : The Pathfinders will also sleep in tents, normally two to a tent, and will do their own cooking in groups outdoors.  They will have opportunities to practice their leadership skills, and the younger girls watch carefully to see what the older ones can do, so they act as role models for the camp.


Camp begins on Friday with arrival time at 6:30.  Sparks that are not camping on Friday night should arrive at camp at 7:30 am on Saturday so that they are in time for breakfast. 


We have a busy schedule planned, and  all food and snacks are provided.  Please DO NOT SEND candy, chips, or other treats with your child.  We do not permit food in tents because food attracts wildlife.  You will be provided with a copy of the menu, and if for dietary reasons there are foods your child cannot eat, you may be required to supply an alternative.  Our camp is NUT FREE.


If you have any questions, or are hesitating about sending your daughter to camp, please contact one of us named below and we will try to help.


Diane Arbuckle                                                                                                 Jean Mowat


613-692-2459                                                                                                   613-692-4632