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)

April 5th: Brownies and Beyond

What comes after Sparks? This week the girls will learn about Brownies, the next level of Guiding (for girls aged 7 and 8). 

Keepers and Crests!
Tonight, we'll be handing out some of the remaining keepers/crests your girls have worked so hard to earn this year. Please refer to the list we've attached to the email and let us know if your Spark is missing any badges.

Meetings/Events to year-end:

April 5 – Brownies and Beyond Keeper

April 12 – Zoe's Trek Around the World: New Zealand Challenge

April 14* - Second-year girls visit to Brownie unit (Thursday at St. Jerome)

April 19 – Chapman Mills Conservation Area Hike/Outing (weather permitting)

April 26 – Camp Prep Meeting / Rain date for Chapman Mills Hike

May 3 – NO regular meeting: 6:30-7:00 p.m. optional drop-in for parents who have questions about camp

May 10 – Year-end Bowling Party at Merivale Bowling Centre

May 13-15 – District Camp at Long Island RCMP Camp (Manotick)

May 16 -Second-year Sparks Advancement Ceremony: first-years are invited to attend (St. Leonard's School, Manotick)

*Second-year Sparks only

See you on Tuesday!

Moonbeam (Ellen)

March 29th: Sing Ontario Sing!

My apologies for the late post regarding tonight's meeting; our household was hit with a stomach bug. We hope you were all able to get out and enjoy the lovely weather this long weekend, Spring seems to be finally showing its colours, perhaps?

Tonight we will be wrapping up our Cookies Rising Keeper and Sing Ontario Sing challenge, should be a fun night for all!

Moonbeam (Ellen)

March 22nd: Cookies Rising Keeper

We hope you and your Spark enjoyed the welcome break from routine that is March break. With Spring upon us, we thought we would join the birds in song and take on the Sing Ontario Sing Challenge. We will also be finishing off our Cookies Rising keeper as we prepare for our next round of cookie sales (the highly coveted, classic, half-vanilla, half-chocolate variety!). Our cookie shipment will be arriving a little later than usual this year (late April) - details to follow shortly.

Maple Fest at Camp Woolsey - Saturday, March 26th

For families who are still thinking of visiting a sugar bush, below is some information about an upcoming event open to all girls, their family and friends. No registration required. 

Maple Fest for Sparks, Brownies,Guides,  Pathfinders and Rangers

March 26, 2016 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Camp Woolsey Woodlawn, ON

$5/person $20/family

Come out and join the Camp Woolsey Committee and the 12th Qu`Appelle Rangers for Maple Fest! All girls are welcome! Bring family and friends for a day of fun! Activities include: a walking tour of the sugar bush; pancakes and maple syrup; hot chocolate; maple toffee; outdoor fire for sugaring off sap; and tons of outdoor space to enjoy! No registration required!

 

See you on Tuesday!

Moonbeam (Ellen)

March 8th: International Women's Day

This week we are celebrating International Women's Day! Our Sparks will participate in activities that will inspire them to learn about: some of the countless girls and women who have made their mark in history, women who are currently achieving remarkable things, and ways that girls can write history for themselves and for their communities.

There will be no Sparks meeting on March 15th - enjoy your March break!

March 1st: Belated Valentine's Dance!

Who knows what Mother Nature has in store for us next, but this week we are moving forward with our (belated) Valentine's Dance! 

Dust off your dance shoes, come dressed in your best and get ready to dance dance dance with your Spark at our special Valentine's Dance Party! Sparks are invited to bring a parent, relative or loved one to join in the fun, and they can wear a fun outfit or party dress. Treats will be served.

Please bring inside shoes for everyone as boots must be left in the hall to keep our dance floor safe.

Still seeking volunteer leaders for the fall:
Are you interested in getting involved in Guiding as an adult volunteer? 3rd Riverside South Sparks is actively seeking unit leaders to ensure its programming can continue in September. 

If you would like to join us at an upcoming meeting to see what it's all about, please connect with one of us either in person (at the dance, maybe?) or via email. Please also extend this invitation/our contact information to any mums you know who may have girls wishing to join our unit in the fall.

Monday, Feb 22nd: Thinking Day

This week's meeting will be held on Monday night, so that we may participate in our district's World Thinking Day celebrations. World Thinking Day is a day of international friendship and is celebrated annually on February 22 by all Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. There will be no Tuesday meeting this week.

Location: St. Francis-Xavier High School (Gymnasium*), 3740 Spratt Road

Date: Monday, February 22nd

Time: 6:15 to 8:00 p.m. 

*Enter by the doors closest to the portables. Once inside, turn left and the gym will be on your right, about halfway down the hall.

If you wish to pick up your Spark early (7:30 p.m.), please advise us at drop off and we will ensure she is ready to go. 

What to Bring/Wear:

• 2 new or gently-used children's books: Sparks will get to choose one to take home, and the second book will be donated to a school in need
• Uniform, including badge sash and scarf
• Indoor shoes
• Water bottle

Note: The 4th Riverside South Guides will have some cookbooks for sale at this meeting (they typed out their favourite recipes and decorated the covers). Proceeds will go to the Friendship Fund. If anyone is interested, they are $3 each.

Thanks!

Ellen (Moonbeam)

POSTPONED: February 16th: Valentine's Dance!

Due to the weather system passing through today, we are postponing our Valentine's Dance until March 1st. There will be no Sparks meeting tonight (February 16). Safe travels, everyone!

Reminders:
Monday, February 22nd: Thinking Day Meeting, 6pm at St. Francis-Xavier High School
Tuesday, February 23rd: No Meeting!
=========================================================

Dust off your dance shoes, come dressed in your best and get ready to dance dance dance with your Spark! Tonight we're having a special Valentine's Dance Party and our Sparks are invited to bring a parent, relative or loved one to join in the fun. Girls can wear a fun outfit or party dress, and refreshments will be served.

Please bring inside shoes for everyone as boots must be left in the hall to keep our dance floor safe!

Seeking Volunteer Leaders for the Fall:
Are you interested in getting involved in Guiding as an adult volunteer? 3rd Riverside South Sparks is actively seeking unit leaders to ensure its programming can continue in September. 

If you would like to join us at an upcoming meeting to see what it's all about, please connect with one of us either in person or via email. Please also extend this invitation/our contact information to any mums you know who may have girls wishing to join our unit in the fall.

February 9th: Birthdays Around the World

Tuesday, Feb 9th: 

It's time to celebrate! This week's forecast calls for lots of fun and games with a good chance of a birthday treat! Tonight the girls will learn how birthdays are celebrated around the world as we finish off our World Around Me keeper. They'll learn about birthday traditions in other countries and we'll find out what our Sparks like to do on their birthdays. 

Upcoming Calendar of Events:

Tuesday, Feb 16th:  Bring a Loved One Valentine's Dance!

Sparks are invited to bring a parent/grandparent/other loved one to join our meeting for a special Valentine's Dance! Invitation to follow.

Monday, Feb 22nd: Thinking Day Meeting

World Thinking Day is a day of international friendship and is celebrated annually on February 22 by all Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Our special meeting will take place at St. Francis-Xavier High School, arrival time is 6:00 p.m, and this meeting will replace our Tuesday meeting. Details to follow.

Tuesday, Feb 23rd: No Meeting

Tuesday, Mar 1: Regular Meeting

February 2nd: Travelling to the Four World Centres

This week our Sparks will "travel" to the four Guiding corners of the world to explore our four World Centres: England (Pax Lodge), India (Sangam), Mexico (Our Cabana) and Switzerland (Our Chalet). Along the way, they'll learn a bit about what it is to be a Spark in each country.

January 26th - The World Around Me - Trekking to Brazil

This week our Sparks will be introduced to some of our fellow WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts) countries. The girls will follow the adventures of a new friend, Zoe as she treks and journals around the world, making a stop in Brazil this week.

January 19th - The World Around Me - First Nations

For the next three weeks our Sparks will be working on a new Keeper called The World Around Me. Tonight we will talk about how Canada is made up of both First Nations people and settlers from across the globe. We also hope to learn about the different cultures we have amongst our Sparks. 

To help the girls prepare for tonight, could you please remind them of their family history (ancestors' countries of origin)? We'll be asking them about this in our sharing circle.

January 12th: Constable Lemieux talks Safety!

This week the 3rd Riverside South Sparks will host a visit from our Community Police Officer, Constable Lemieux. Constable Lemieux will be talking to the girls about safety to wrap up our Emergency Preparedness Challenge, and we expect our inquisitive Sparks will keep her busy with questions!

Please remind your Spark to take a bathroom break before the meeting starts.

Thanks!
Moonbeam (Ellen)

January 5th: Teddy Bear Clinic

Welcome back and Happy New Year!
Tonight, girls should bring a Teddy Bear or stuffy as we'll be role playing first aid with them in our Teddy Bear clinic!  Working on our Emergency Preparedness Challenge, our Sparks will learn about First Aid, fire safety and 9-1-1.