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!
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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.