Welcome to 3rd Riverside South Sparks!

We have an exciting year ahead planned for the girls, and can’t wait to get started! Our Sparks will be involved in many activities that will help them strengthen their potential, meet new friends, and help them get to know themselves and the world around them. Through these activities, the girls will work towards earning "keepers" and several "challenge" badges - all of course, while having lots of fun!

Meet our Unit Leaders:

Janine Kaye "Sunshine"

I have been involved in guiding for over 15 years, 5 as a girl and the last 10 as a leader at various age levels in our neighbourhood. I'm looking forward to my second year working with the Sparks. I have always thought the Guiding program at all levels does a great job of teaching the girls to be good to themselves, their community at the larger world around them. My daughter Arya will be a second year Spark and I also have a two year old son who may make an appearance or two over the year as an honourary Spark. I'm looking forward to using my background in Science and Engineering when planning the Exploring and Experimenting Keeper activities this year! 

Krista Hanniman "Maple" 

As a girl I participated in the Guiding program for 6 years.  I learned many valuable skills and enjoyed being a part of the sisterhood of Guiding.  Fast forward a few (or more than a few) years and I have had the pleasure of sharing these experiences with my oldest daughter as her Brownie leader.  I now look forward to enjoying the same with my youngest as her Sparks leader, and to helping all of our Sparks learn and grow.

Nicole Grimes "Giggles"
As my daughter Lily heads into her second year as a Spark I am very excited to be making my debut into the Guiding program as a first time leader. I am quite impressed with the organization and its values. I come from an athletic background, work as a professional accountant and enjoy photography, knitting and sewing to name a few. I can't wait to meet the girls and have a great guiding year!

Ellen Nadarajah da Silva "Moonbeam"

Guiding for me began as a Brownie in Brockville, where I was introduced to camping, nature exploring and photography. In May, I volunteered at our spring camp, and I'm excited to be joining the Unit Leaders for the full Guiding year. I'm a mum to three, and my daughter Soraia is a returning Spark. I've been an English teacher in Portugal, and now work for the Public Health Agency of Canada. I look forward to sharing my love of culture and languages as we work with the girls on achieving their "The World Around Me" keeper. Who knows, they may even learn a little Portuguese! 

Meeting Schedule and Location:
Our meetings are held at the Rideauview Community Centre in the front meeting room on Tuesdays, from 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. This year's program will run from September 22, 2015 to May 3, 2016 for a total of 30 weeks. There will be no meeting on December 22, 29 or March 15. There may be additional meetings for camping trips and other activities throughout the year and you will be notified of these dates as they are confirmed.

Drop Off / Pick Up Procedures:
All Sparks must be signed in at drop-off and signed out upon pick-up. We will review this procedure with you at our first meeting.

Communication:

Details of the coming week's meeting activities will be posted on this Blog weekly, and will help your Spark to come prepared! The easiest way to stay informed is to sign up for automatic notification by email when a new Blog entry is posted. You can do this by simply entering your email address in the box at the top of our home page and clicking submit.  

As our primary form of communication with you regarding meeting activities will be via this Blog, please advise us if you do not have regular internet access or access to email. Permission forms will be emailed to you or provided in hard copy. Leaders are available to answer questions before and after each meeting, and you are more than welcome to contact us by email or phone.

Uniform:

All Sparks and Leaders should wear their uniforms to meetings and special events. The Sparks uniform consists of a Sparks t-shirt (either the new blue one or the older pink one), a scarf and a sash, with dark bottoms when possible. These items are available for purchase online at www.thegirlguidestore.ca.

We ask that you attach all keepers to your child’s sash. Some, but not all of the keepers and crests are iron-ons. Other earned crests could be attached to the sash or a camp blanket or poncho if you wish.

Dues:

Dues will be collected at the start of the program to cover our weekly activities (crafts, snacks etc.) The amount is $1.00 per week for a total of $30.00 per girl. Please make cheques payable to Girl Guides of Canada, Ontario Council, noting 3^rd Riverside South Sparks in the memo line. Thank you!

Health Forms, Allergies and Special Needs:

We require that a completed "Personal Health Form - Girl Members (H.1)" is on file as of the first meeting. Please bring it to the first meeting. Hard copies will also be available on-site and must be submitted before you drop off your Spark.

If your child has allergies or special needs, please notify the leaders. 

Final Reminders:

1. Please send a pair of indoor shoes when the weather is wet outside. It will help keep the floor clean and safe for everyone in the room.
2. Your Spark may wish to bring a water bottle. The girls tend to get thirsty and this will help reduce trips to the water fountain.
3. Please ensure your Spark goes to the washroom prior to the start of each meeting. If we can minimize washroom breaks the girls will get the most out of our short time together.

We welcome your feedback and suggestions throughout the Guiding year, and donation of craft supplies are always appreciated!

Your leaders for 2015-16

Sunshine, Maple, Giggles and Moonbeam