Fall 2012 - Girl Guides of Canada.

CANADIANFALL 2012VOLUME 82, NO 36Revitalizinga Campsite10Surviving YourFirst Guiding Year40GGCScholarships23More BareEssentials16Girl GreatnessAwards

Voices: Chief’s MessagePhoto: Donna Tuckdear Guiders . . .Iam honoured and humbled to begin my term as Chief Commissionerof Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada.When I became a Brownie in the paper mill town of GrandFalls, Newfoundland and Labrador, little did I realize that Ihad begun a journey that would see me taking on the senior leadershipposition in the most dynamic organization for girls andwomen in Canada.When I was a girl, my Brownie Unit became my entire world.It was the place where all the wonderful experiences I had throughGuiding began, from being a girl Member to becoming a Guiderwith several branches to working as a Commissioner, and finally toserving in several national leadership roles. Girl Guides is still thecentre of my world, and I love attending Guiding events wheneverpossible and spending time with my Trefoil Guild. Of all my positions,however, one of the most rewarding is my current role as aUnit Guider working in a shelter for women and children.In my term as Chief Commissioner, I commit to enabling theempowerment of girls and young women to be all that they can be,to make a difference in the world, and to become tomorrow’s leaders.This empowerment and leadership development must happenin Guiding, and we can make it happen if we have the will. Aswomen in Guiding, we need to trust that girls can take the lead; weneed to let them lead; we need to encourage their involvement onall our committees and councils; and we need to show them thatwe take their leadership seriously.In this issue . . .Autumn is a time of new learning opportunitiesand challenges, for both girls and adults.Whether you are a seasoned Guider or havejoined a Unit for the first time, it’s quite naturalto be a little nervous at the beginning ofa new Guiding year. On page 10 of this issue,we help you ease into your first Unit meetings.For other information to help you inwhatever GGC position you hold, check outMember Zone on girlguides.caIn keeping with the season, as storesbegin to stock back-to-school fashions, wehave been busy with a few “fashion” makeoversof our own. Check out our new uniformpieces on the back cover, and our newcookie boxes on page 31. Isn’t it great tostart the fall with a fresh new look?Yours in Guiding,Sharron Callahan2Canadian Guider FALL 2012

Calling all Photographers . . .Photo: Marlene GrahamCanadian Guider is always in need of great images to promote Girl Greatness. Onceagain, we are publishing advice on how take and submit those images. This time,we sought help from Marlene Graham, a Guider in Delta, British Columbia. If youlook over some past issues, you will find many of her photos there, including, mostrecently, on the cover of our Spring 2012 issue. The image to the left on this pageis also one of hers. Marlene kindly condensed her fabulous photography know-howinto Ten Tips for Taking Terrific Photos on pages 18-19 of this issue!Cover photo by Craig CooperFeaturesSubmissions from across the countryand around the worldChallengesChallenges, contests and issuesfor Girl Guides todayFocusThe business of Girl GuidesIdeasIdeas, thoughts and activitiesVoicesGuiders and girls6 Rangers Revitalize a Girl Guide Campsite by Anita Gerlinsky20 Global Guiding: Sponsored and Independent Tripsby Denise Buchel-Rainford32 The OAL Training Program by P.J. Borghardt and Adele Cooshek34 A Super Sewing Service Project by Marg Bohne44 A Community Service Project by Jaime Myslik8 The 2012-2013 National Service Project10 Ask a Guider: Surviving Your First Guiding Year by Stephanie Bangarth12 Put Your Guiding Skills to Work by Lisa Donnelly18 Ten Tips for Taking Terrific Photos by Marlene Graham28 Pathfinders Tackle a STEM Challenge by Angela Scott30 Cookie Bits & Bites: Girl Greatness Cookies! by Pat Mahon31 Cookie Bits & Bites: Cookie Boxes Get a New Look40 The GGC National Scholarship Program42 The 2012 GGC Scholarship Recipients45 fyi14 A Story, a Craft and a Service Project by Lisa Donnelly23 Outdoor Guider: More Bare Essentials by Darlene Clark26 Outdoor Guider: The No-Jeans Rule by Darlene Clark27 Ideas to Go: A Scheduling Incentive & A Unit Communications Centreby Kaarina Mooney36 Artzooka Crafts2 Chief’s Message4 A Guider/Mother Speaks Out by Erin Sheldon16 The 2012 Girl Greatness Awards Winners22 Global Guiding: A Mexican Adventure by Judy O’Keefe41 What Scholarship Recipients Say About GuidingCanadian Guider, Volume 82, No. 3, FALL 2012 • ISSN 0300-435X Published three times annually (Winter, Spring, Fall) byGirl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada, 50 Merton Street, Toronto, ON, M4S 1A3 416-487-5281 • 1-800-565-8111.Web site: www.girlguides.ca • E-mail: cdnguider@girlguides.ca • Chief Commissioner: Sharron Callahan • Patron:Her Excellency Dr. Sharon Johnston, C.C. • Chief Executive Officer: Deborah Del Duca • Publisher: Girl Guides of Canada-Guidesdu Canada • Chairwoman, Editorial Committee: Stephanie Bangarth • Manager, Marketing & Communications: MargaretValois • Communications Coordinator: Mary Vincent • Editor: Sharon Jackson • Art Director: Geraldine Withey • Associate ArtDirector: Ross Woolford • Annual membership fee includes a subscription to Canadian Guider. It is sent free to all registeredadult Members and Rangers. If you are a Member and have an address change please notify iMIS in your provincial counciloffice. If you are a paid subscriber and have an address change please notify the Canadian Guider directly, enclosing yourCanadian Guider mailing label if possible. Send changes to Canadian Guider, Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada,50 Merton Street, Toronto, ON, M4S 1A3, Canada.Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada (GGC) recognizes and values the richness of human diversity in its many forms, andtherefore strives to ensure environments where girls and women from all walks of life, identities, and lived experiences feel a senseof belonging and can participate fully. This commitment to inclusion means GGC’s culture, programming, and practices encourageself-awareness and awareness of others; room for difference; and environments where girls and women feel safe, respected,supported, and inspired to reach their potential.SUBSCRIPTIONS RATES: $12 per year inside Canada, $15 to USA, $20 overseas. Single copies $4.25 each. CanadianPublications Mail Product. Sales Agreement No. 40065172. With the exception of our own merchandise, Girl Guidesof Canada-Guides du Canada does not endorse the advertisers found in this magazine, or their products or services.All submissions to the magazine become the property of the Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada unless other arrangementsare made prior to publication. Most articles and artwork in this magazine are owned by Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada.Canadian Guider FALL 20123

VoicesThe Value ofEvery GirlPhotos: Gillian GoodA Guider/Mother Speaks OutBY erin SHeLdOnI am a Guider and the mother of Maggie, who is holdingthe iPad in the above photo. Maggie is an eightyear-oldBrownie, who has a huge group of friends, withwhom she enjoys regular play-dates, sleepovers, andother activities. She also has significant disabilities.My husband and I recognizewho Maggie is as a person andencourage others to do thesame. We don’t introduce herby the name of the syndrome she happensto have or by listing her disabilities. She issimply a girl, a Justin Bieber fan, a daringexplorer, a student, a sister, a communicator,a problem-solver, an electronics geek,an occasional couch potato and, of course,a Brownie.Maggie is completely genuine in herinteractions with other people, and neverteases or bullies anyone. She is a truefriend and a patient listener who appearsto withhold judgement. Don’t we all needmore people willing to simply listen, ratherthan to impose their own assumptions andopinions on everyone else? Aren’t our true4Canadian Guider FALL 2012

with ice cream treats. We include other girls in everything we dofrom going to see movies to taking out-of-town trips to just hangingout in our living room.Friendship is not charity.We get assistance from The Canadian Association for CommunityLiving, which helps us find volunteers to support Maggie. Wedo not ask those volunteers to be her friend! That would be charity.We ask volunteers to support her in her friendships, such ascoming along to Brownies or joining us for a movie date.I am concerned by the assumption that children who have disabilitiesare not likeable and that adults can’t make children befriends. No, we can’t, but we can decide to be a support or an obstacle.I can’t tell you how many times I have seen adults praise childrenfor being “good” with my daughter. That is poison to a friendship!Since when do we praise children for liking each other? When wepraise the typical child for being such a good friend, we send theclear message that they are providing charity – that liking the disabledchild is somehow unexpected and therefore noteworthy,which does nothing more than undermine their natural affection.friends the ones who will listen empathetically,rather than carelessly offer uninformedadvice?Inclusivity fosters friendship.Maggie has an iPad that she takes wherevershe goes. Others can see all her picturesand stories. As she zips through her photosand her iPad apps, they can see that she hasa rich life and is full of intention and determinationto enjoy it. We have a mini-van,which means we can invite other girls tocome along wherever we go. Running anerrand that involves pushing a wheelchairthrough all conditions, including inches ofsnow, can be a tedious chore; but we canchange it to an exciting adventure when weinvite another child to join us, and makethe outing fun, especially when we end itAdults play a key role.Teachers, youth leaders and other adults can support friendshipsby helping children interpret what a child who has disabilities isdoing, and by communicating this in understandable terms of reference.When that child is struggling with a challenge, we can sayto the other children, “I think she is frustrated and isn’t enjoyingthis activity; how do you think she might tell us what she’d ratherdo?” We can also not be surprised when kids seek each other out.We can not set the disabled child up to be the classroom or meetingplace “job” of other students. Rather, we can ensure that the disabledchild is presented to the class as a fully-contributing member,not as a charity case. For example, Maggie is often the photographerand videographer for our Brownie Unit. She records the girlslearning to sign the Promise and Law and makes digitalbooks about our Unit activities.Girl Guides lead the way.There is so much others can do to ensure that kids whohave disabilities are actively included and can developgenuine friendships. It begins with the presumptionthat every child has something valuable to offer. Organizationssuch as Girl Guides of Canada are at the forefrontin the battle against exclusivity, leading the wayto inclusivity by offering a welcoming environmentthat is open to all girls and women. Maggie recentlyadvanced to Guides in the 2 nd Kingston Unit. Formerlya multi-branch, funded Unit, we are now growing intothree separate Units.The Canadian Association for Community Livinghas just published an article called “Guiding the Way to Inclusion,”which highlights the role that Guiding is playing in Maggie’s and ourvision of her future. We are convinced that vision will come true!Erin Sheldon is a Guider in Kingston, Ontario.Canadian Guider FALL 20125

FeaturesPhotos: Anita Gerlinskyl l lScouting Trails: April 2011Clearing Trails: April 2011Identifying Fauna: August 2011The Sandy BeachBioBlitzRangers Revitalizea Girl Guide CampsiteSuBMiTTed BY aniTa GerLinSKYIn January 2011, the 140 th Edmonton Rangers appliedfor a Youth Environmental Stewardship grant from theAlberta Ecotrust Foundation to restore and enhanceSandy Beach Girl Guide Camp. Our goal was to reestablishtrails, to identify flora and fauna in the areaand to develop resources to enable others to explore thebiodiversity we have always cherished at the campsite.We have long regarded Sandy Beach Girl Guide Campas a second home. We love hiking the trails, admiringthe wildflowers and watching fireflies at our campfireson the beach. However over the years, those trailshad become overgrown and the water level at the beach had loweredconsiderably.We called our project T.R.A.I.L.S. (Together Revitalizing AnImportant Living Sanctuary), and were thrilled when we receivedour stewardship grant. We used the money to purchase pruners,loppers, work gloves and goggles for clearing the trails, suppliesfor nature journals and field identification kits for guests, and adigital camera to record the progress of our project. We also beganplanning BioBlitz 2011, an event to which we invited all Girl GuideUnits in Edmonton.Clearing the TrailsOn a beautiful Sunday afternoon in April we did an assessment ofthe campsite to tag where the trails were, and to determine howmuch work had to be done. To our surprise, the ground was stillcovered in two feet of snow and we had to do our hike in snowshoes!We soon realized the job would be too big for us to handlealone, so we put out an invitation to other Rangers to join us for aday of trail clearing.6 Canadian Guider FALL 2012

lIdentifying Flora: August 2011On April 30, in a group of 17, we beganclearing trails, a task that was made morechallenging by still-lingering snow anddeep water along the paths. We cut backovergrown shrubs, cleared fallen treesand established a distinct trail. We gotthe job done that day, but we wondered ifnew spring plants would begin growing intime for our BioBlitz, which was only threeweeks away.BioBlitz 2011We designed the nature journals and puttogether the field identification kits, beforetaking another trip out to Sandy Beach toplan our guided trail for the BioBlitz event.We also created a menu, booked buses, anddecided on activities for the day. We hadeverything on track for our estimated participantnumbers, when we discovered thatmore than 100 people had signed up! Withassistance from the 6 th Oriole Rangers werecruited more helpers and added morestations to keep the numbers manageable.When the BioBlitz weekend arrived, wewere relieved to see young plants growingand flowering along the trail. Last-minutepreparations included clearing yet anotherpath down to the lake, setting up a waterfrontstation, conducting a practice sessionfor our guided nature hike and bakingbanana bread for our hungry hikers. Wewere rewarded when May 22 dawned as abeautiful sunny day, which was perfect forour biodiversity adventure to begin.Two buses brought 117 participants, alleager to explore our great campsite. Alllevels of Guiding were represented, fromSparks to Rangers to ExtraOps Members.We assigned participants to patrols androtated them through the activities. TheselBioBlitz: June 2012included a guided nature walk to identify and sketch plants, natureart, games and activities, a pond study, geocaching (locating cachesfilled with nature questions) and a conservation project (makingbrush piles for smaller animals). The event was a huge success, andgirls and Guiders went home with a new awareness of the naturaltreasures that surround the Sandy Beach Girl Guide Camp.Maintenance and Planning for BioBlitz 2012Following BioBlitz, we made regular trips to the campsitethroughout the summer to take pictures and identify everythingthat grows out there. On a weekend in August, we camped out anddid maintenance, marking plants we had identified and clearingthe trails, which were again becoming overgrown with branchesand grasses.By September 2011, we had put more than 300 collectivehours into our project, spending pretty much the entire springand summer wearing rubber boots! We also made a “to-do” list ofchores for the next spring, including trails that require attentionon an ongoing basis and plans to host a second BioBlitz, which wesubsequently held in June 2012.Needless to say, we realize that this is a never-ending adventurein environmental stewardship. Every time we go out toSandy Beach, we discover something new. We hope our work willinspire others to explore the biodiversity at our campsite, and tohelp maintain the trail system in the years to come. For ongoinginformation about T.R.A.I.L.S., check out our website at:sites.google.com/site/rangertrails/homeAnita Gerlinsky is a Guider with the 140 th Edmonton Rangers inAlberta.Canadian Guider FALL 20127

ChallengesGirlGREENnessStarts Here!The 2012-2013 NSPPhoto: Van ChauGGC’s National Service Project (NSP) providesopportunities for Girl Guides to takeaction on the issues that matter to them, andto make an impact on our world. Launchedin 2010, the NSP is an annual challenge forGGC Members that is aligned with one of theUnited Nations’ Millennium DevelopmentGoals (MDGs).The 2012-13 NSP – Operation EarthAction, encourages Girl Guide Membersto demonstrate Girl GREENness, basedon MDG Goal 7: Ensure EnvironmentalSustainability. Girls in Units can earnNSP crests by completing their choiceof the following activities:• Plant a tree.• Build an animal habitat.• Map your meal.• Make a natural beauty/householdproduct.Get in on Girl GREENness!GGC is keeping an online tally of everyOperation Earth Action our Memberstake across the country, so please logyour activities at:nationalserviceproject.ca8 Canadian Guider FALL 2012

Challenges: Ask A GuiderOpeningnightJittersSurviving Your First Guiding YearBY STePHanie BanGarTHFirsts are always challenging. The first day of school,the first day of a new job and your first time as a GirlGuide leader! It is natural to be nervous aboutall of these firsts, but the following bits ofadvice may help to alleviate some ofyour opening night jitters.Photo: ©iStock/DRB ImagesPhoto: Marlene Graham10Canadian Guider FALL 2012

First and foremost, be prepared. This is not asdaunting a task as you might imagine, if youbreak your preparation down into manageablesections.TrainingTraining is a vital component of the volunteer process.We have a great many resources designed to help youdevelop your leadership skills and available in formatsthat best suit your interests and needs. GGC provincial/territorialwebsites have details about a wide varietyof trainings, led by experienced Guiders, who canhelp you to become a confident and creative leader.You will also meet other leaders-in-training, which willbroaden your Guiding network and enhance your leadershipexperience.PlanningPlanning Girl Guide meetings sounds like a lot ofwork; but with all the available resources, this part ofleadership preparation is easier than ever. Again, ournational and provincial/territorial websites can providegreat ideas for sample meetings and other ways tofill your weekly program.Create a calendar for the year with your co-leaders.Address questions such as:• Will you skip any meetings due to holidays?• What will you do at your meetings? You do not haveto plan every detail; but tentatively planning whichbadge or project you and your girls want to do willhelp all leaders know what to expect week to week.• What field trips do you want to take and when?Visits to the library, fire station, police station, andanimal shelter or a local veterinary clinic are all freefield trips that the girls will love. They also providea great alternative for weeks when you and your coleaderswill be too busy to prepare a regular meeting.• When and where do you want to go camping?• Do you want to do a community service project?• When do cookies go on sale? How and where do youwant to sell them?• Do you want to organize a Thinking Day party?Thinking Day is February 22.• On what date or dates will you have your end of theyear party or camping trip?A planning calendar will also help you to delegate tasksin advance and to engage the girls and their parents/guardians from the start of the Guiding year.SupportAsk for help. Make connections with other Guiders inyour community, and get involved in Guiding activities asthey arise. Take advantage of the knowledge and experienceoffered by GGC trainers and advisers, and check outthe GGC Member Zone and provincial/territorial websitesfor more information and assistance. If you don’tknow or understand something, ask for help; your sisterGuiders will be there. Whenever you can, attend Guidingdistrict/community meetings; they are designed soyou can ask questions and keep informed. Check out yourprovincial/territorial website for information on mentors.GGC Mentoring is the pairing of a Member wantingto learn and an experienced Member willing to share.It’s a great way to brainstorm, to strategize, and to learnfrom a seasoned Guider. Last, but not least, communicatewith your Unit Guiders. Lean on each other for helpand for comfort.InvolvementJump right in! Remember that the girls often won’tknow the difference between a seasoned Guider anda novice leader, as long as they are having fun. Theyare going to like you and appreciate you, whether youare called Rainbow, Brown Owl, or Guider Kay. NewSparks, Brownies, Guides and Pathfinders are oftenmore scared than their new leaders. And the girls generallylove our mistakes, becausethey offer them a chance to giveinput and correct us!Let the girls show you howthings are done. Empower themto take ownership of their programby sharing their ideas about whatthey would like to do at meetings. Also, think backto all the things you liked to do at their age. Being aGuider provides an opportunity to indulge in a secondchildhood, complete with singing, creative games, storytelling,outdoor adventures, camping and just plainfun! Just because you are their leader, doesn’t meanyou can’t enjoy yourself as much as the girls do fromyour very first meeting!In researching this article, I owe a debt to GGC’sFacebook fans for their suggestions and advice.We always want input. Please join us at:facebook.com/GirlGuidesofCanada.GuidesduCanadaStephanie Bangarth, of Cambridge, Ontario, is Chairof the Canadian Guider Editorial Committee. As aSpark, Brownie, Pathfinder and Ranger Guider, shehas had her fair share of opening night jitters. In ournext issue, Stephanie will write about how Guiders canhelp alleviate their girls’ first-time fears.Let the girlsshow you howthings are done.Canadian Guider FALL 201211

ChallengesRevisit Your RésuméPut Your Guiding Skills to WorkBY LiSa dOnneLLYGuiding immerses us in a unique world of leadership,creativity, friendship and innovation. Just ask anyGuider, Ranger or Pathfinder. She will likely give youa whole list of skills she’s honed and knowledge she’sgained in Guiding, just as you have. But how do youtranslate these abilities into “résumé-speak”?If you haven’t already included Guidingskills on your résumé, revisit itto emphasize your volunteer experienceas a critical component of yourprofessional ability. Listed below is just asampling of ways your Guiding activitiestranslate into concrete examples of theskills and experience you can put in frontof potential employers.In Guiding you...lead Unit meetings, facilitate discussionsand delegate tasks to other Guiders or girls.act as a role model for young girls.devise a year plan for meetings, eventsand special activities.always have a back-up idea or twofor a meeting on the fly!balance the Unit books, collect cookie moneyand organize Unit cookie sales.have won an award, for example,a Lady Baden-Powell, a Gold Thanks,a Unit Guider or a Merit award. . . the list goes on.have volunteered to help plan a district/communitycamp, helped out at a sisterhood gathering, andbaked desserts for an advancement ceremony.have organized a service project in your community,which now continues each year.have thought of creative ways to use recycledhousehold materials to make a useful object.Photos: Danielle Ambshave promoted Guiding in your neighbourhoodand got three of your friends to join as leaders.have led impromptu yoga lessons, organizedwide games and refereed several sports matches.12 Canadian Guider FALL 2012

IdeasFor TheLoveofFrugglesA Story, a Craftand a Service ProjectBY LiSa dOnneLLYPhoto: Danielle AmbsHave you met a Fruggle yet?At a community camp held atCamp Ma-Kee-Wa in Ontario,more than 250 girls and Guiders did,when Wendy Wong, author ofFor the Love of Fruggles, visitedto tell her story and to help thegirls make this cute little craft.14Canadian Guider FALL 2012

Wendy Wong was accompanied by her namesake, WendyMorriss, who illustrated the book. To the delight of girlsand adults alike, she read the story aloud and sharedthe inspiration for writing it. When her young daughtercame home from school one day very upset that her friend wasmoving away, Wendy remembered her own mother making littleyarn dolls to provide her comfort when she was a child. That night,she wrote her story, and the Fruggles were born!Wendy describes a Fruggle as “not quite a hug, not really a cuddle,but a friend to help you through your troubles.” Fruggles are easy tomake and require only a few lengths of yarn, some googly eyes andleftover odds and ends. Each one is as unique as its creator, becauseit can be personalized with different colours of yarn, individual hairstylesand accessories attached with a glue gun.Wendy has helped make hundreds of Fruggles at dozens of schools,Girl Guide Unit meetings and Guiding events, where she also spreadsher book’s message about the importance of friendship, kindness andcelebrating diversity. Her connection to Guiding groups is especiallystrong. She and her mother were both Girl Guides themselves, Wendyhere in Canada and her mother in Jamaica.Friendship, Bridging and ServiceThe great thing about these adorable crafts is that they appeal toall age groups and work as both a bridging activity and a serviceproject. The girls at Camp Ma-Kee-Wa each made two. In the truespirit of Wendy’s book, they kept one and gave the other away aspart of a service project to help local children in need. Their universalappeal is apparent in Wendy’s description of her first sessionin Fruggle-making with a group of Pathfinders. “I was quitenervous when the Guider asked me to come to the Unit meeting,”she said. “I thought these girls might find this craft and my story alittle too juvenile, but they got right into it and ended up makingseveral Fruggles each.”Using the story and the step-by-step instructions included inthe book makes a great Unit meeting for any branch. For bridging,older girls can easily facilitate Fruggles workshops for Sparksand Brownies. Trefoil Guild Members can do the same, and, ofcourse, the more Fruggles the girls make, the more can be sent tochildren in shelters and hospitals or to seniors’ residences as mealtray favours. They can also be used as thank you gifts for peoplewho support your Unit directly or Guiding in the community and,of course, as traders at Guiding camps and events. Talented craftersmight even come up with Girl Guide Cookie Fruggles to attachto gift boxes of cookies for retailers, mall managers and other communitybusiness people who give us space to sell cookies. Really,there’s no limit to what the love of a Fruggle might do!You will find full instructions and wonderful illustrations forthis craft in For the Love of Fruggles. The book is available at librariesand in bookstores, or you can purchase it directly from Wendy’swebsite: wendybooks.caLisa Donnelly, a Unit Guider and Administrative CommunityLeader (ACL) in Toronto, Ontario, sits on the Canadian GuiderEditorial Committee.Canadian Guider FALL 201215

VoicesShineFor Girls WhoThe 2012 Girl GreatnessAwards WinnersIt’s no secret to us that our girl Members are, quite simply,great. They demonstrate it in all the Girl Greatness thingsthey do! But too often, their achievements go unrecognized.That’s why we launched the Girl Guides of Canada-Guidesdu Canada Girl Greatness Awards in 2012.Inspired by our Mission, the awards recognize girls in eachbranch in the following categories:• Making a Difference• Resourcefulness• Courage• ConfidenceHere is what four of the 2012 Girl Greatness Awards winners haveto say about themselves and the impact Guiding has on their lives.Mirjana V.Making a Difference AwardI decided to use my birthday to raisemoney to build a house for a family inParaguay, when I realized that I haveeverything that I’ll ever need here inCanada. This was a big endeavour, andenough money couldn’t be raised in onebirthday. So, I convinced people aroundme to use their birthdays to support thecause as well. Finally, I took a 24-hourvow of silence, collecting pledges toraise the last bit of money needed. I’vealways heard about people in developingcountries who are much less fortunatethan we are here in Canada. I wanted tohelp make a difference in their lives, ifeven just for one family, or one teenagegirl. It felt amazing when I finally did!16Canadian Guider FALL 2012

Sarah R.Resourcefulness AwardGuiding has given me the opportunity to make great friendshipsand to travel to new places with those friends. I’m reallyexcited about our upcoming trip to California, where we willattend the Girl Scout Jamboree near San Francisco. ThroughGirl Guide travel, I have learned to take responsibility formyself, to pack a tidy suitcase, and to organize my schedule.Guiding has also given me many outdoor activities to enjoy,like canoeing. I might not have discovered these adventuresoutside of Girl Guides.Makayla F.Courage AwardI was bullied by a girl atschool who kept telling meshe was better and smarterand prettier. One day I hadenough, and I looked right ather and said, “I don’t care ifwe never become friends, butI just want to get along withyou.” She didn’t talk to mefor two weeks, and I heardher gossiping about me to other girls, but I just ignored it.Finally, she came up to me and apologized for everything shehad done. We still aren’t really friends, but now I don’t have tocome to school scared of what someone might say to me.Isabella W.Confidence AwardI am seven years old and have beenan amputee from birth. Before I joinedGuiding, I was nervous about speaking infront of strangers because of my missingarm. Working towards badges and makingproject presentations in front of otherBrownies has inspired confidence in me.I have made many new friends, and theysee that I can do anything they can do,even with a missing arm. Sometimes Ido things differently and sometimes I dothem the same. I have proved that anygirl can participate in Guiding, even ifshe has a disability.To meet all our other 2012 Girl Greatness Awards recipients,please visit: girlguides.ca/girl-greatness-awardsShining Forward . . .The 2013 Girl Greatness AwardsStay tuned for details on when nominations will open for the2013 GGC Girl Greatness Awards. Guiders are asked toencourage the girls in their Units to start thinking about whothey would like to nominate. And don’t forget, this is anawards program for girls, by girls! Nominations can only besubmitted by girl Members. Final voting is open to all GGCMembers, both girls and adults.Canadian Guider FALL 201217

Features: Global GuidingTravelIllustration: ©iStockGirl Guide Style!Sponsored andIndependent TripsBY deniSe BuCHeL-rainFOrdIn the Fall 2011 issue of CanadianGuider (pages10-11), we broughtyou a broad range of tips on planninginternational trips. In thisissue, we focus on tips to help youapply for sponsored trips and toorganize independent trips.These tips apply to you and to the girls who want to plana trip with you, so please share them. You can participatein a sponsored trip, or you can plan an independenttrip. Sponsored trips are planned by National or ProvincialCouncils and offer some amount of financial support for theselected participants. For independent trips, you plan an adventureto the destination of your choice.Sponsored TripsYou can research sponsored trips in two places:GGC National Sponsored Trips• On the current girlguides.ca website, click on the Memberstab, on International Opportunities, and on InternationalEvents in the side bar. (On the new girlguides.ca website,which will launch this fall, go to the International Guidingsection and follow the links.) Fact sheets for national sponsoredtrips are posted there, and new trips are posted at varioustimes during the year.• Note that some of these trips are for girls with Guiders to accompanythem, and some are for WAGGGS conferences andseminars for adults only.GGC Provincial Sponsored Trips• Visit your provincial website to see what international opportunitiesare available. New trips are posted throughout theyear.For all trips, pay attention to the deadlines, so you won’t be disappointed!20 Canadian Guider FALL 2012

Independent TripsYou have a number of options for researching independent trips:girlguides.ca• GGC sometimes posts information about events being hosted byWAGGGS Member Organizations (MOs), for which Memberscan apply. (These events may not be sponsored.)wagggs.org• WAGGGS MOs post their events on the WAGGGS website(wagggs.org) for Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting Membersfrom all over the world to consider.• Most often, these event opportunities are listed on the WAGGGSRegions’ webpages, which have links on the WAGGGS website.You can also link to the websites of all WAGGGS MOs to seewhat events they have planned.World Centre Websites• The World Centres (Pax Lodge, Our Cabaña, Our Chalet, andSangam) all have programs running throughout the year thatyou can participate in as a group. Check out their websites to seewhat programs are available and when they are being offered.• You can Google the names of the World Centres, or find links tothem on the WAGGGS website.Next StepsFor Sponsored Trips• After checking out the fact sheets for the trips being offered,and making sure your girls meet the age requirements, fill outthe application forms (available on the National website).• Do some research to make yourself stand out. Express who youare and why you feel you are a good candidate to join the eventto which you are applying.• Tell the people you select as references something about thetrip and why you think they should refer you.For Independent Trips• Decide where you want to go and getthe early planning pieces in place so youcan submit the Travel Preauthorizationform to get the ball rolling.• Figure out what type of trip your Unit isready for. If you’re a pro at hiking, then atwo-week trip to the Alps might be great;but if the closest you come to hiking iswalking around the block, you shouldprobably choose a different kind of trip.• Consider how you can make your tripmore enlightening and meaningful.Howcan you give back to the community youare visiting? What skills and experiencedo you and your girls have that might beput to use in a service project with a localcharitable agency or organization?• Begin planning an independent trip atleast 24 months in advance, so you haveenough time to raise funds and to makesure the planning pieces are in place.Contact your Provincial InternationalAdviser to get a ‘Travel Mentor” who canhelp with the planning and paperworkprocess.• Use the International Travel Planner inSafe Guide to help you navigate the tripplanning process.Bon Voyage!Denise Buchel-Rainford, of Stoney Creek,Ontario, is National International Adviser.Canadian Guider FALL 201221

Voices: Global GuidingPhoto: Judy O’KeefeexpandingOur HorizonsA Mexican AdventureBY JudY O’KeeFeInternational trips offer wonderful prospects forexpanding our horizons, and Guiding’s unique travelopportunities truly give girls and young women a globalperspective. Last year, the 24 th Willowridge Rangers,in Calgary, Alberta, decided to learn about the culture,lifestyle and history of Mexico, and to offer assistancein a service project there. Here’s how extensive planning,fundraising and preparation, led these girls andtheir Guiders to a memorable travel adventure.In Mexico City we stayed at Ticalli, aGirl Guide hostel, which is really alittle Guiding oasis in the midst of avery busy city. The staff are extremelyhelpful and knowledgeable. We also metGuiding groups from England and Japanthere, with whom we shared Guiding storiesand swapped “traders.” Bus tours eachday took us to locations in and aroundMexico City. We were truly awed by the history,architecture and people we met, andwe especially enjoyed an evening at theFolkloric Ballet.Our CabañaFrom Mexico City, we took a two-hour busride to Our Cabaña. This WAGGGS WorldCentre is a quiet and welcoming sanctuary,with bright flowers, a swimming pool, single-storeybuildings and tall shade trees.After being warmly greeted by the staffand volunteers (and the resident cat), wewere joined by other Guiding groups fromEngland, the United States and Alberta. Foran amazing eight days, we visited churches,town markets and two sets of pyramids;took salsa lessons; made crafts; swam inthe pool; and ended the week with a fiesta,including a piñata, traditional food, dancingand a Mariachi band!VAMOS Service ProjectA highlight of our trip was a service projectwith the children from VAMOS, agrassroots charity (vamos.org.mx). Eachgroup was asked to prepare an activity todo during the children’s visit, which alsoincluded lunch and sports games. Ourassignment was team-building activities,for which we prepared three tarp challenges.We also gave each child a notebook,a pencil and a Canada flag pin.It would take many pages to documenteverything we saw and experienced on thiswonderful adventure. We have 2,000 picturesto prove it! I encourage Units everywhereto take the leap into internationaltravel. It really is the experience of a lifetime!Judy O’Keefe is a Guider in Calgary,Alberta.22 Canadian Guider FALL 2012

Ideas: Outdoor GuiderTheWildernessWardrobeMore Bare EssentialsBY darLene CLarKDid you check out The BareEssentials – BackpackingTips in the Outdoor Guidersection of the Winter 2012Canadian Guider? In thisissue, we give you somesupplemental information,specifically addressing clothingthat is suitable for wildernessadventure activities.Photo: PhotoSpinCanadian Guider FALL 201223

Ideas: Outdoor GuiderPhoto: Victoria MacDonaldWhen the Dalvale Pathfinders in Kamloops, BritishColumbia, considered trekking adventures, theyfelt they needed a little extra advice on their wildernesswardrobe choices. So, as part of the PathfinderWinter Wonderland Challenge, the girls booked some time withNeil Trouton, a local expert on the subject. Neil works at True Outdoors,a wilderness adventure equipment and clothing companythat has locations in Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton and Kamloops.Outdoor enthusiasts in British Columbia consider True Outdoorsto be a Mountain Equipment Co-op match. Another company ofsimilar similar to Mountain Equipment Co-op and to the formerCoast Mountain Sports, now called Atmosphere. All three organizationsspecialize in quality outdoor equipment and gear, and provideexpert advice to help customers purchase the things that willbest suit their needs.The girls met with Neil after store closing time one evening, sohe could focus his attention on taking them around the store andexplaining the different styles of clothing and equipment. In theprocess, he reviewed the basics of dressing in layers (see the sidebaron page 25).Photo: Darlene ClarkAsk theExpertsAs the buyer forTrue Outdoors, Neilattends an annualconference in SaltLake City, where heviews all the productdemonstrationsbefore orderingmerchandise. Hemakes these purchasingtrips a year before the merchandisehits the store shelves. In addition, productrepresentatives frequently come into thestore to demonstrate new and innovativeproducts for him to consider. Customers inwilderness outfitting stores can get a goodidea of the products that best meet experiencedoutdoor enthusiasts’ requirementsby asking a retail expert, such as Neil, whatdoes and doesn’t sell and to explain why.24 Canadian Guider FALL 2012

Essential LayeringThe Key to ComfortBase LayerThe base layer is thin and worn close to the skin. Made up ofa shirt, long-johns and socks, this layer provides warmth andwicks moisture away from the skin. Two types of base layersare recommended:• Merino wool is a natural fibre that is fire-resistant and antibacterial,which means it doesn’t smell.• Synthetic fibres, such as those made from recycled plasticbottles, are generally less expensive; however, they areneither fire-resistant nor anti-bacterial.To choose between the two options, you will need to balancecost with your specific comfort needs. Merino wool isdefinitely your best choice for socks, because in additionto wicking moisture and reducing odour, these socksfeature various levels of cushioning, which is an importantconsideration if you intend to carry a heavy pack.Shop for Your NeedsDo not be fooled by price; it guarantees neither quality assurancenor a fulfillment of your specific needs. Rather, look for the productsthat will work best for your activities and adventure levels.For example, if you are looking for gloves to use for two Girl Guidewinter camps a year, the $14 pair may suffice. If you are lookingfor gloves to wear for bouldering in minus 40 degree temperatures,you will need a pair that features less seam work, more flexibilityand a price tag in the range of $300.Try Before You BuyPurchasing outdoor equipment can be intimidating, but you canstart off slowly. If possible, borrow equipment from family andfriends, so you can try different types to see what you like and whatyou don’t like before you commit to a purchase. For deals, checkout websites such as Craigslist, Kijiji and eBay, and visit your localthrift and consignment stores. (When it comes to essential safetyequipment, such as helmets, buy new, in case that second-hand“deal” you find has been damaged and will no longer give protection.)And, whether or not you actually purchase your wildernesswardrobe at the store where you do your research, make sure youthank the expert who helps you with a box of Girl Guide Cookies!Thermal LayerThis middle layer keeps you warm, and can be shed when youbecome overheated. The universally recommended materialfor a thermal layer is polar fleece.Rain/Snow LayerThis outer layer protects you from wind and rain. There area number of fabrics you can choose from, and you may evenwish to carry other options with you on the trail.One very popular material is Gore-Tex ® , which will staywaterproof and breathable for 10 years. Companies featuringthat brand name on their clothing must submit their productsto Gore-Tex ® for rigorous testing, which guarantees theirstandards have been met.Another popular outer layer is a down jacket. Many downjackets will fold and condense very compactly for carrying ina backpack. However, while down is an excellent insulator indry cold conditions, it readily absorbs moisture and clumps inwet conditions.Most seasoned hikers carry both types of outer layer, usingtheir waterproof shells when working up a sweat or in rainyconditions, and their down jackets to provide warmth whenthey stop for a rest or are in dry cold conditions.Canadian Guider FALL 201225

Ideas: Outdoor GuiderA Denim DilemmaPhoto: Darlene ClarkThe No-Jeans RuleMaterials• selection of pants made of various materials- one pair for each group of girls• a kitchen scale• a large bowl or bucket for each group• a measuring cup for water• paper and pen for each group to recordthe results• a ruler for each group• waterDirections1. Have each group record each type ofpants, the material from which theywere made and their weight when dry.2. Measure four cups (one litre) of waterinto each large bowl/bucket. Stick thepant legs into the water, to approximatelyfour-inches (10 centimetres) indepth. Do not press down or squeezewater into the pants.3. Record the start time; leave the pantsin the water for 30 minutes; record thefinish time.4. Remove the pant legs from the waterand weigh them. Record the weight.5. Using a ruler, measure how far up thepant leg the water travelled. Recordthe results.6. Discuss which pants collected themost water weight.When I give a hiking or camping kit list to Guides, Pathfindersand Rangers, I typically run into what I call “a denim dilemma.”The girls love their jeans, but as their leader, I have a “no jeansfor camping or hiking” rule for a very good reason. Jeans wick upmoisture much more readily than pants made of synthetic materials.And when they are wet, they get heavy and take a long timeto dry. When I explain this to the girls, I always expect the usualrolling of the eyes and sighs of resistance.A while ago, I heard about an experiment someone createdfor girls to use science to compare the practicality of jeans withnon-denim pants for outdoor conditions. I thought this wouldbe the perfect test for my girls to discover for themselves why theno-jeans rule should “rule.”Spoiler Alert!If you want to try this experiment withoutknowing the results, note that the followinginformation from our findings is a spoiler:Group 1: Jeans(99% Cotton 1% Spandex)• Dry weight: 1 lb. 4.9 oz.• Start time: 6:45 p.m.• Finish time: 7:15 p.m.• Wet weight: 2 lb. 19 oz.• Distance moisture wicked up the leg:16 inches (41 centimetres)Group 2: Yoga Pants(86% Nylon 14% Spandex)• Dry weight: 1 lb. 0.4 oz.• Start time: 6:40 p.m.• Finish time: 7:10 p.m.• Wet weight: 1 lb. 1.4 oz.• Distance moisture wicked up the leg:4.5 inches (11.5 centimetres)Group 3: Pants with Removable Legs.(95% Nylon 5% Spandex)• Dry weight: 14 oz.• Start time: 6:50 p.m.• Finish time: 7:20 p.m.• Wet weight: 14.4 oz.• Distance moisture wicked up the leg:less than 1/32 inch (one millimetre)When the groups had presented their findings,we discussed the following key questions:1. If you took five pairs of pants on abackpacking trip to Europe and yourbag got wet, how much extra weightwould you be carrying for each type ofpants?2. You were out in the rain all day inyour jeans setting up camp. Now it’sbedtime. After changing into your drynight clothes you throw your jeans ontop of your other clothes. How quicklywill they make other cotton clotheswet? What would happen if you didthis with the other pants?3. Why is hypothermia a greater risk ifyou are wearing wet or damp clothes?To conclude this session, we talked aboutwhere we could buy economical campclothing. Our purpose in presenting theexperiment was not to encourage girls to goout and spend a lot of money on new outfitsfor camp, but to get them to see how ineffectiveand uncomfortable denim fabriccan be for outdoor adventures. The girlsbrainstormed some great places to look forbargains, including local thrift and consignmentstores, garage sales, and the closetsof their mothers, aunts, sisters andfriends. I also made sure to let the girlsknow that my $50 Mark’s Work Wearhousepants with the removable legs were muchless expensive than my $80 WarehouseOne jeans.Darlene Clark is a Pathfinder Guider inKamloops, British Columbia, where she isalso opening a new Trex Unit.Editor’s Note: GGC has some great graband-gocamping resources available online,including sample itineraries and kit liststhat will help you with your camp planning.Check them out at: http://bit.ly/Kz0hS826 Canadian Guider FALL 2012

IdeasGoPhoto: Kaarina MooneyA Unit Communications CentreOur Unit has 20 Sparks, which means I need to communicatewith 20 sets of parents/guardians. One of my best investmentsever was a simple hanging shoe rack. It has 20 slots, eachlabeled with a Spark’s name on masking tape. Here’s how this“grab ‘n go” message centre can work for your Unit, too!At the beginning of the month, parents/guardians will findtheir Unit newsletter in theirgirls’ slots. They will alsofind handouts, forms andinformation updates throughoutthe month. These materialsare put in the slots beforeeach meeting, so the parents/guardians can get them whenthey drop their girls off,hopefully read them while theirgirls are in the meeting, and askany questions when they pickthem up.The shoe rack was inexpensive, and we can re-use it for yearsto come, simply by replacing the masking tape names. I no longercarry around unclaimed newsletters in my Sparks binder, and I amable to see at a glance which girls have missed the meeting or whichparents/guardians have not picked up their materials at the end ofthe night, so I can e-mail them, if necessary.A Scheduling IncentiveDo you receive email after email asking, “Where is the meetingtonight?” or “How much is it for the sleepover?” Are youfrustrated because you’ve already put all that information inyour monthly newsletters? Here is a simple solution from two ofmy co-Guiders: Ask a question in the newsletter and follow itwith: “If you email Sunshine with the answer to this question,your daughter will receive a special crest.” It seems that whencrests are involved, parents/guardians are more likely to readour newsletters, and their girls are more likely to remind themto. We only have to do this a couple of times a year, to get themin the habit of reading, and our inboxes tend to be considerablyless cluttered as a result.Kaarina Mooney (a.k.a., Sunshine), Prince George, B.C.What’s your secret to keeping your Unit running smoothly? We’relooking for ideas, tools and tips that will help other Guiders improveparent/guardian communications, organize special activities, promoteinclusivity and accessibility, handle bullying, boost energy andfun in meetings, and anything else you can think of to help girls bethe best that they can be! Please share your ideas to go with us:cdnguider@girlguides.caCanadian Guider FALL 201227

Challenges&Pathfi nders Tackle a STEM ChallengeresearchroboticsBY anGeLa SCOTTLast February, at Acadia University,in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, the NarwhalNerds (a.k.a., the 2 nd BedfordPathfinders) competed in the regionalchampionship of a robotics competition,sponsored by the First LEGO ®League (FLL). The seven-memberNarwhal Nerds was one of 28 teamscompeting in the event.Photos: Angela Scott28 Canadian Guider FALL 2012

In the FLL, the teams’ coaches do not need any technicalexperience. The participants do the work, which involvesprogramming an autonomous robot (using the LEGO®MINDSTORMS® robot set) to score points on a thematicplaying surface and to create an innovative solution to a problemas part of their project, guided by the FLL core values.For the project, our girls had to come up with a solution to afood contamination problem. They decided to research the possibilityof cars running on sewage (methane gas), rather than oil andgas (petroleum), to reduce the emissions that cause mercury contaminationaffecting marine species in Halifax Harbour. The girlsdid all the research on their own, spoke with a marine biologistfrom the Bedford Institute of Oceanography, and created an informationboard and skit to present to the judges at the competition.The robotics component of the challenge required the girls toprogram a robot to complete different tasks, each of which wasworth a set number of points. They had a variety of differentLego® models to set up, each based on the theme of food contamination.They were tasked with building any attachments theyneeded, also out of Lego®. For example, they needed a scoop/plough attachment on the robot’s arm, so they could manipulateitems, pushing them around and bringing them back to the startingpoint. The girls enjoyed working with the robot so much theyquickly named it Norbert, and referred to it only by its given name.First in Core ValuesAt the competition, the girls’ teamwork was constantly observedand assessed by the judges. As they completed a task, they had todemonstrate how well they worked together, and throughout theday, they were also assessed on how well they interacted with theother teams. They were delighted and proud to receive a first-placetrophy in the core values portion of the competition.The challenge demandsa commitment of timeand energy from the girlsand their Guiders, but therewards are well worth it.Commitment andOpportunityThe FLL challenge demands a commitmentof time and energy from the girlsand their Guiders, but the rewards are wellworth it. In addition to regular Pathfindermeetings, the girls met on average an additionalthree hours each week, as well ascompleting research on their own time athome. They estimated that they spent 40hours preparing for this competition, andthey all felt it was an excellent investmentof time and energy and a fantastic learningopportunity.If you and your Unit are interested infinding out more about this great challenge,visit the First Lego® League websiteat: http://firstlegoleague.orgAngela Scott is a Guider in Bedford, NovaScotia.Canadian Guider FALL 201229

Focus: Cookie Bits & BitesA Sweet DealGirl Greatness Cookies!BY PaT MaHOnI am delighted to contribute my thoughts to this Canadian Guider seriesabout the many opportunities Guiders and girls are able to enjoy becauseof the funds they raise through Girl Guide cookie sales. As National CookieAdviser Debbie Stackhouse and Manitoba Cookie Adviser Michelle Barclaynoted in the Spring 2012 issue, Girl Greatness Cookies do offer avery sweet deal.Photo: Pat MahonIn British Columbia, Girl Guides hasUnits within districts within areasthat are hundreds of miles apart.Without the revenues received fromthe sale of Girl Guide cookies, girls andGuiders would not be able to travel tomeetings and special events held evenwithin their own areas. Girls and Guiderswho live on Vancouver Island and want toattend Guiding events on the mainland arefaced with the additional challenge of coveringferry tickets, which are very expensive.Cookie revenues have long helpedmany girls get their first trip off the islandto explore the big city of Vancouver and toparticipate in camps and events with otherBC Units.Hands Across the BorderCookie revenues help our girls to participatein larger gatherings, such as HandsAcross the Border. This annual celebrationfeatures a meeting of Guiding andScouting Members from Canada andthe United States at the InternationalPeace Arch on the Canada/United Statesborder near Surrey, British Columbia and30Canadian Guider FALL 2012

Blaine,Washington. We proudly take partin the parade each year, which is often ledby the Royal Canadian Mounted Policeand the Washington State Police, andalso includes participants from Cadetsand a number of veterans’ organizations.During the celebration, thousands ofgirls and women from GGC and GSUSAmeet, share stories and, of course, tradecrests. We use cookie revenues to purchasecrests for trading, as well as to cover ourtransportation costs to the Peace Arch.Chief Commissioner’sGold Awards CeremoniesCookie revenues also enable BC GirlGuides to host the Chief Commissioner’sGold Awards ceremonies held each year atGovernment House in Victoria. In additionto funding the event itself, the money helpsus to purchase the awards and to bring girlsfrom mainland Units to Vancouver Island.Guide HouseGuide House, in Vancouver, is run solelyfrom the profits of Girl Guide cookies. Thisis the place we all can go to for trainings,meetings, events and assistance. The staffthere are also a tremendous help to me inmy role as Provincial Cookie Adviser, puttingtogether press kits for all the mediaoutlets in the lower mainland, sending outmemos and placing cookie ads.On a personal level, Girl Guide cookierevenues have enabled BC Council to sendme to two Guiding Mosaic events in Ontario,and both my daughters have used the moneythey raise to attend National, Provincial andInternational Girl Guide camps. We sell ourcookies everywhere we can think of, includingfrom a classic 1956 car, knowing that allthe guys who stop to look it over won’t beable to resist buying a box or two of theseclassic Girl Guide treats!Pat Mahon, of Duncan, British Columbia,is BC Provincial Cookie Adviser.Dressed to Sell!Cookie Boxes Get a New LookThis fall, Girl Guide cookie boxes aregetting a bold new look! Featuring freshillustrations and our stylish new uniformshirts, the chocolatey mint and classiccookie boxes showcase the excitingjourney girls take through Guiding,from Sparks to Rangers. The boxes alsoprovide our cookie-loving customerswith great information on how theycan get involved in Guiding. Whatcould be tastier than that!Illustration: Marcos ChinCanadian Guider FALL 2012 31

Features“The real lifescenario storieswere amazing!”“This weekendinspired me towant to learn moreand to want to goon the expeditiontrips.”“Outdoor adventureis probably thesingle mostoutstanding GirlGuiding experiencethat made me aleader.”Photo: Adele Coosheka DreamCome True32 Canadian Guider FALL 2012

The OAL Training ProgramBY P.J. BOrGHardT and adeLe COOSHeKGetting outside, enjoying nature and challenging ourselves in wildernessadventures are among the best parts of the Guiding experience, andare central to the Girl Guide philosophy and program. The new OutdoorActivity Leadership (OAL) training program is designed to empower Guidersto create great outdoor opportunities for girls in a variety of settings.The foundation of the OAL trainingprogram begins with encouragingGuiders to embrace “GettingOutside” with their Units, by trainingthem to plan outings such as walks tothe park with Sparks or one-day camps.It then extends to Residential and TentCamping with Brownies and Guides andon to Adventure Camping, including expeditionsand winter camping for Pathfinders,Rangers or Trex Members. Tocomplement the program, we have createdextensive resource guides, sample camp itinerariesand gear lists, which are available inthe Camping and Outdoors section ofMember Zone on the GGC national website:girlguides.caThe Getting Outside, Residential and TentCamping trainings and resources havebeen available for a number of months.Have you already taken one or more ofthese trainings? If so, likely you are lookingforward to this fourth training – AdventureCamping.Adventure CampingWe had a dream – to build our Members’camping knowledge, confidence and skills,so they could better facilitate adventurecamping experiences for our girls. Aftertalking and consulting about it across thecountry for seven years, we made thatdream come true, and the OAL AdventureCamping training program was born.There is nothing quite like adventurecamping to help girls experience the greatoutdoors up close and personal, as they gainconfidence, become resourceful and takeon exciting challenges. Adventure Campingtraining is typically for Pathfinder, Rangerand Trex Guiders who have prior tent campingexperience and who wish to developskills and knowledge in the delivery of activitiessuch as backpacking, canoeing, kayaking,cycling, and winter camping.Adventure Camping Training• The OAL Guide to Adventure Campingresource for Guiders is the basis for thetraining modules.• The training program includes sevenknowledge sessions, at least two expeditionsand the completion of a participantskills checklist (a detailed list ofadventure camping skills, knowledgeand tasks).• By completing the adventure campingtraining program, participants becomeeligible to act as trip assistants on a SafeGuide Red level trip.Adventure Camping TrainingTeams• Adventure camping training teamsconsist of at least one trainer, as well asadventure facilitators and expeditionleaders. Individuals must have a widerange of knowledge, skills and competenciesto support the participants’learning and development.• Members interested in learning moreabout becoming an adventure facilitatorand/or expedition leader should contacttraining@girlguides.ca.Building Adventure CampingCapacityThis program is truly a game changer forGirl Guides of Canada. Previously, we didnot have this level of training. We wentadventure camping, but we often had toturn to outside facilitators for training or toactually lead us on our adventures. Thereare many Guiders throughout the provincesand territories who do have everything theyneed to meet the Safe Guide requirementsfor adventurous girl activities, and some ofthem can also facilitate adventure trainingsessions and lead expeditions. In this newprogram, that is what they will do, and asa consequence, we can offer more frequenttrainings at considerably less cost. In short,this program will build the capacity withinour organization to ensure that adventurousactivities are accessible to as many ofour Members as possible.Guiders who attended the first OALadventure training launch weekend inLougheed Area, in British Columbia, cameaway empowered with new skills andexcited about the possibilities that wereopened up to them and to their girls. Askyour camping or training adviser aboutOAL Adventure Camping trainings in yourarea or province.Adventure camping is fun, challengingand inspiring. Those of us who have experiencedit have long dreamt of helping allGuiders and girls have the chance to travel aroad they’ve not been down before, to hikeup a mountain and gasp at the site of thevalley below, and to marvel at the sun risingabove a deserted beach. The OAL TrainingProgram has made our dream come true!Former National Camping Adviser P.J.Borghardt, of Port Coquitlam, BritishColumbia, is Chairwoman of the GGC OALAdventure Working Group. Adele Cooshekis a GGC OAL Adventure Working GroupMember, B.C. Red Level Assessor and aGuider in Vancouver and Port Coquitlam.Canadian Guider FALL 201233

FeaturesPrettyPillowcasedressesPhoto: courtesy Marg BohneA Super SewingService ProjectBY MarG BOHneAre you and your girls looking for a projectthat combines fashion, recycling, sewingskills, service and the fun and satisfac-tion of creating something pretty? Lookno further . . .34 Canadian Guider FALL 2012

Recently, the WOW (Women ofWisdom) Trefoil Guild, of PrinceGeorge, British Columbia, decidedto make pillowcase dresses asa service project. Several of our Membersteamed up to search for pillowcasesin every thrift shop in town. Their effortspaid off handsomely with the collection of30 gently-used pillowcases.Meeting at our Guide Hall early oneSaturday, we set up an assembly line tomake the dresses. We enjoyed measuring,cutting and sewing, especially as we wereworking together. Following a pot-lucklunch, we finished our work, and at the endof the meeting, we had 30 pretty pillowcasedresses ready to donate to a charity helpingchildren in Kenya.Pillowcase dresses are easy and economicalto make, and there are a number ofways this project fits nicely into the Guidingprogram. The sewing skills fulfill GGCbadge and challenge requirements. TrefoilGuild Members and older girls can teachyounger girls how to make them in a bridgingactivity. And the dresses can be donatedto a charity directly, as were ours, or theycan be sold or raffled to raise money for theCanadian World Friendship Fund (CWFF).Also, if you decide to shorten some dressesfor smaller girls, the extra material can beused to make dolls’ dresses, which can bedonated or sold with the matching dresses.On this page, we have included basicinstructions for creating these charmingdresses. You can also find patterns and moredetailed instructions on a number of websites,some of which feature video instructions.We adapted the pattern and directionsfrom: littledressesforafrica.orgMarg Bohne is a Member of the WOW(Women of Wisdom) Trefoil Guild, inPrince George, British Columbia.How to Make aPillowcase DressMaterials• colourful pillowcase (new or gently used)• 12 inches (30 cm) of ¼” (6 mm) elastic• 2 yards (2 metres) of double-fold bias tape• scissors• safety pin• thread to match pillowcase• sewing machine• ruler• sewing pins• marker1. Cut open the top of the pillowcase for the top of the dress.The finished border of the pillowcase will become thebottom hem of the dress.2. Lay the pillowcase flat and cut matchingJ-shaped sections four inches (10 cm) infrom the top corners and down the sides (seediagram).3. Make a casing on both front and back byfolding and ironing under ¼ inch (6 mm)then ½ inch (12 mm) to the wrong sidealong the cut edge. Sew close to the bottomfold to make the casing.4. Cut two 6-inch (15-cm) strips of elastic.Use a safety pin to thread one elastic stripthrough a casing, stitching it in place ateach end. Repeat for the other casing.5. Cut two 36-inch (90-cm) pieces of double fold biastape. Fold each one in half and mark the centre with apin. These will be the bindings for the armholes and theshoulder ties for the dress.6. Envelope the raw edge of each armhole inside the fold ofthe bias tape, starting by lining up the centre pin with thebottom of the armhole. Pin in place.7. Fold under raw ends of tape twice and pin.8. Starting at one end, sew across the folded end, down thebias tape (to close the open edge), around the armhole,then up the tape and finish off the other end. A zigzagstitch is decorative and better at catching both sides ofthe bias tape than a straight stitch. Repeat for the otherarmhole.9. Tie the bias tapes in bows at the shoulders and yourpillowcase dress is complete!Canadian Guider FALL 201235

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FocusLighteningthe LoadThe GGC National Scholarship ProgramWhether you are enrolling in college, university or a trades program forthe first time, or heading back to school part-time as a mature student,beginning a post-secondary program can create a whirlwind of things toconsider: classes, career objectives, new friends and, of course, the cost!When it comes to costs, look to the GGC National Scholarship Programto help you lighten the load.The GGC National Scholarship Program makes postsecondaryeducation more accessible to GGC Members byoffering awards ranging from $1,000 for part-time studyscholarships to $2,000 for other scholarships.Do you think scholarship applicants have to be:• Students scoring the top grades? Think again! We’re lookingfor Members who have a passion for Guiding. Your passion willmake your application stand out.• Students in engineering or science? Think again! We do havetargeted scholarships for education (Norma Osler EducationScholarship), first-year engineering (Col. Karen Ritchie Scholarship),and science, technology, or math (Dr. Roberta BondarScholarship and Energizer Canada Now That’s PositivenergyNational Science Scholarship). However, our other scholarshipsare open to everything from speech therapy to forestryto political science to marketing to plumbing to electricity towhatever other field of study you want to pursue!• Full-time students? Think again! If you are heading off toschool part-time, check out the GGC Scholarship for Part-timeStudies ($1,000).• Girls heading to university right out of high school? Thinkagain! Our scholarships are open to all Members – girls andadults, alike. Whether you are a mature student heading backto a college or university, are studying for a Ph.D, or are enteringa college, university or a trades program straight from highschool, there’s a scholarship that’s right for you!Thank youScholarship Supporters!For their generous support, we wishto thank the individuals, families,Guiding Units, Trefoil Guilds,companies and foundations whosupported our 2012 scholarships.• CIBC• Bayer Inc.• Dare Foods Limited• Energizer Canada Inc.• The Equitable Life InsuranceCompany of Canada• The Masonic Foundation of Ontario• Pinchin Environmental Ltd.• The Family of Norma Osler• Supporters of the Col. Karen RitchieScholarshipIn short, the single thing you need to know about about GGCscholarships is that you should apply.40 Canadian Guider FALL 2012

Voicesin TheirOwn WordsWhat Scholarship Recipients Say About GuidingWe have selected four of our 35 scholarship recipients to share their passion for Guidingwith you. Here is some of what they told us, in their own words . . .Kristen McNaughton, ONPost Grad, Ph. D. in Plant AgricultureNational Scholarship (Part-time)The two main words I use to describe Guiding are sisterhood and achievements –the personal achievements that are meaningful only to you. I was never so proud asthe day I completed my Gold Pathfinder Camp. For the first time, I felt the awe and prideI’d seen on the faces of others who had achieved a goal. I never tire of seeing that look, orof hearing a girl tell her parents at the end of a camp, “I cooked bacon by myself!”Who could argue with that passion?Alison Thomas, ABFirst Year, Earth and Ocean SciencesEnergizer Canada Now That’s Positivenergy Science ScholarshipGuiding inspires me to explore new experiences. I travelled to Guiding Mosaic 2006with a group of people I barely knew. I had to get to activities by myself and tomanage my own time. That camp taught me to handle unfamiliar situations and totake responsibility for myself. Through Guiding, I discovered my love of learning aboutthe outdoors. These passions are why I will be studying Earth and Ocean sciences. Guidinghas shaped my life – past, present and future!Michelle Quaye, ONFirst Year, Medical SciencesNational Scholarship (Full-time)My number one goal has always been to improve this world, and I have tried to succeedat this throughout my life. I present myself with honour at all times, even ifthat means letting someone else succeed ahead of me. I am especially passionate aboutthe environment, and am doing everything in my power to improve the state of sustainabilityin our country. This scholarship will allow me to learn more about what I can doto make this world a better place.Lauren Taylor, ONFirst Year, Recreation and LeisureNational Scholarship (Full-time)In Guiding I have discovered a place to go once a week where I can really be myself,talk to my friends, get away from the pressures in life and just have fun. I have alsohad the chance to help younger girls grow more confident and become more comfortablewith themselves. Guiding has given me the ability to share with others opportunities toenjoy the simple joys in life and to take the time to laugh and smile.Canadian Guider FALL 201241

FocusGirl Guides of Canada-Guides du CanadaScholarshipsThe 2012 GGC Scholarship RecipientsWe congratulate the 35 recipients of our 2012 national scholarships.These women were selected from a total of 429 applicants.The Masonic Foundation of Ontario ScholarshipsThe EquitableLife InsuranceCompanyof CanadaScholarshipSandra Brownlee, ONFirst Year, BPHECarolyn Oddy, ONFirst Year, Applied MathKylea Shropshire, ONFourth Year, InternationalStudies and ModernLanguagesJessica Routliffe, ONFirst Year, ArtsCassandra Herbert, BCFirst Year, BusinessAdministrationDare Foods Limited ScholarshipsBayer Inc.ScholarshipDr. Roberta BondarScholarshipBrittany Long, NLFourth Year, EducationJessica McElroy, BCThird Year, GlobalStewardshipJanessa Moores, NLSecond Year, NursingShaylee Peterson, BCThird Year, PharmacyMelissa Collins, NLFourth Year, CivilEngineering42Canadian Guider FALL 2012

Energizer Canada Now That’sPositivenergy Science ScholarshipsHumber Glen Trefoil Guild Scholarships(In Memory of Marie Amos)Sarah Brooks, ONFirst Year, SciencePatricia Smith, ONFirst Year, Education(Arts and Sciences)Jenna Evans, ONPost Grad, PhD, HealthServices ResearchSarah Schumann Johns,ONPost Grad, Master ofEducationCIBC ScholarshipsDanielle Alvares, ONFirst Year, Cell andMolecular BiologyMarie Chandler, ON,First Year, NursingCheyenne Jewhurst, SK,First Year, Bachelor ofEducationRachel Montanaro-Yavnai, ONFirst Year, PsychologyMeaghan Reaman, ONFirst Year, Child and YouthWorkerNational Scholarships (Full-Time)Kathleen Frank, ONFourth Year, CanadianStudies & ConcurrentEducationKaitlin Whitehouse, NSSecond Year, EducationEmily Moloney, ABFirst Year, Animal HealthTechnologyTristen King, NBFirst Year, PracticalNursingRebecca Parra, NBFirst Year, Animal ScienceJennifer Van Der Wee,QCFirst Year, CommerceNorma OslerEducationScholarshipCol. KarenRitchie MemorialScholarshipNational Scholarships (Part-Time)Leanne Ward, NLFirst Year, EducationRebecca Thistle, NLFirst Year, EngineeringRenée Hill, AB,Post Grad, Master of Artsin Bible and TheologyJoanne Mullins, NLThird Year, SpecialEducationLaurie Schofield, BCFirst Year, ScienceAnn Marie Vachon, ONFourth Year, Social WorkCanadian Guider FALL 201243

FeaturesFrom Badgeto BookA Community Service ProjectBY JaiMe MYSLiKWhen the 1 st Enniskillen Guides combined their work on Heritage badgeswith selling Girl Guide cookies, little did they know they would end upgathering information their Guider, Kimberly Hughes, would use to writea book. Nor could they know that the book would end up helping to savea church in the historic village of Hampton, Ontario.As they sold cookies door to door, the girls gathered heritage information fromthe villagers, through interviews and questionnaires. Later, they participated ina sleepover that included a night hike, led by an ancestor of a founding villager,who told them about life at various stages throughout the village’s history andabout an assortment of past village residents.Around this time, Kim learned that Hampton United Church might be closed becauseof water damage to the bell tower. Drawing inspiration from her Guides’ research, andwith help from her daughter, she asked village residents for genealogical information,photos, and other historic memorabilia. She was overwhelmed by the response, and soonhad more than enough to compile Memories of a Village Called Hampton, a book thatbegins with the founding of Hampton in 1839, and traces the chronological order of theevents that shaped the village into what it is today.Photo: courtesy Kimberly HughesA Community EffortChurch members helped package and advertise the book, and today, more than 400copies have been sold. Kim is hopeful that they will continue to sell copies and raise moremoney for the church bell tower fund.This project taught Kim’s Guides that the members of their community are alwaysready to help each other whether the need is large or small. “Gathering the informationwas a wonderful way for these Guides to learn about how it feels to take an active part inhelping their community,” she said.The girls enthusiastically embrace this philosophy. “They areall eager to spread the word about the book and how they were theones who started it,” said Kim. “Having been a Guider for sevenyears now, I believe it is important for the girls to find a way toroot themselves in their community, to get involved and to helpothers.”Congratulations to Kim and her Guides on this interesting andsuccessful service project. Memories of a Village Called Hamptonis a perfect example of what can happen when Girl Guides decideto make a difference in their community.Jaime Myslik, of Toronto, Ontario, is a Member of the CanadianGuider Editorial Committee.44 Canadian Guider FALL 2012

Photo: YTV, Corus EntertainmentYTV Gets Girl Greatness!Check out these girl Members sporting the new uniform T-shirts onthe set of YTV’s Big Fun Movies. The girls chatted with the host,Carlos, all about the big fun and big adventure that is Guiding.AwardsBeaverGermaine Fisher, St. John’s, NLHolly Thompson, New Minas, NSRosalind Pratt, Mount Pearl, NLBeverley Woodward, Dartmouth, NSJudy Shannahan, Goulds, NLDebbie Mellish, Truro, NSGold MeritAmy Porteous, Iqaluit, NUSilver MeritCorrine Kennedy, Burlington, ONSarah Govan-Sisk, Ottawa, ONBronze MeritBobbi Hoadley, Vancouver, BCHonourary LifeJolaine Martin, Edmonton, ABJanet Donovan, Saint John, NBGail Leonardis, Yellowknife, NTFaith Cormier, Fredericton, NBShirley Eagle, Calgary, ABSuzanne Charlebois-Bin, Aurora, ONFaye Henderson, Lethbridge, ABDonna Chiasson, Miramichi, NBAnne Woodyer, Berwick, NSMargaret Grove, Edmonton, ABDeleigh Rausch, Yelllowknife, NTMargaret Reid, Saint John, NBBev Simpson, London, ONDoris McDowell, Calgary, ABMargaret Galbraith, Bedford, NSDianne Produka, Abbotsford, BCGoldie Kane, Edmonton, ABCanadian Guider FALL 201245

FocusPhoto: courtesy Sharron CallahanWelcome,New Board MembersSharron CallahanChief CommissionerA highlight of the Girl Guidesof Canada-Guides du CanadaAnnual General Meeting inCalgary this summer was theinduction of Sharron Callahanas our new Chief Commissioner.Sharron began her Guiding lifeas a Brownie and is still activeas a Unit Guider and a TrefoilGuild Member. She also has anextensive background in socialwork and youth justice.Thank you, Chris BurtonAs she leaves the post of ChiefCommissioner, Chris Burton will continuein her role as International Commissioner,ensuring GGC’s strong connectionto WAGGGS and ensuring globalopportunities for our Members.Carla LyonDeputy Chief Commissioner-GovernanceCarla Lyon is a lawyer, practising with theFederal Department of Justice in Torontofor the last 30 years. She is a Guideleader and has been a District, Divisionand Area Commissioner and a Member ofOntario Provincial Council.New Directors• Allison Sephton, Ottawa, ON• Katherine Nikidis, Westmount, QC• Hilary Clauson, Ottawa, ONStealing from the GirlsZero Tolerance for Theftby Adult MembersFinancial accountability for funds that come into Guiding isan integral part of each and every adult Member’s role. Andwhile cases of financial mismanagement and theft from theorganization are extremely rare, they continue to occur.This is unacceptable.In any case where theft is suspected, police will be contactedto begin a criminal investigation and GGC will pursue actionthrough the courts to retrieve any money stolen from theorganization. There is zero tolerance for misrepresentation ormisappropriation of funds.GGC has well-defined policies and procedures that mustnever be bent or ignored. Please remember:• Blank cheques should never be signed.• Cheques must have two or more authorized signatures.• Accounting records must be kept up-to-date and madeavailable to the parent council upon request.• All funds collected – whether from cookie sales, camps ordistrict councils – are considered public funds, and mustbe accounted for in a fiscally responsible manner.Failure to follow these policies and procedures puts our veryorganization at risk. The Guiding Law calls on all Membersto be honest and trustworthy – this extends not only to ourdealings with girls, but to how we protect our finances.Wigs for KidsLast February, Lauryn Mitchelson joined the ranks ofGGC girl Members who have donated their hair to Wigsfor Kids, a not-for-profit organization that helps supplynatural-hair wigs to cancer patients. If you have girlsin your Unit who would like to donate their hair to helpanother girl, you can find information and donationdetails at: wigsforkids.orgPhoto: Kaatje Mitchelson46 Canadian Guider FALL 2012

Photo: courtesy Barbara Kent1910 Society MembersGive BackBarbara Kent is a District Commissioner in Nova Scotia,and a proud Member of the 1910 Society. She usedto say she would never be able to give back to Guidingnearly as much as she had gained, until her financialadviser encouraged her to take out a life insurance policy.“He explained that if I could fund it now, a policy forGirl Guides of Canada was a good idea from a tax perspective,” said Barbara. “Thisgave me a way to create a lasting legacy to support the future of this wonderfulorganization.” She signed up on the spot.“If even one girl gets to benefit from their Guiding experience, my efforts willbe worthwhile,” said Barbara. “The life skills I have learned have been far morevaluable than most of the textbook things I learned in school. I have also mademany lasting memories. If we encourage other Members to also pay back for theirown memories, we will help ensure that Guiding remains a vital part of Canadiancommunities for many years to come.”You Can Give Back, Too!Named in honour of those courageous and dedicated women who founded CanadianGuiding 102 years ago, the 1910 Society was formed to recognize those who havemade plans to leave a legacy gift to the organization. If you would like to join the1910 Society, please contact:Julia Haggerty, (416) 487-5281 x 288; funddev@girlguides.caMembers of Girl Guides of Canada may reproduce Canadian Guider articles and accompanying artwork,illustration and photography, for use at the Unit level and for training purposes in Guiding. However, if acopyright statement accompanying an article, photograph, illustration or piece of artwork indicates thatthe item may not be reproduced, Members may not copy the item in any form without first seeking permissionthrough the Manager, Marketing & Communications. Reproduction of any part of this magazine,when the reproduction is intended for resale, is not permitted without first obtaining permission from theManager, Marketing & Communications. Before reproducing any item, check for copyright status. Checkalso to be sure everything in the article is up-to-date and still appropriate.Canadian Guider FALL 2012GGC TributesGirl Guides of Canada-Guides du CanadaMembers are frequently recognized intheir communities for the wonderful workthey have done during their Guiding lives.As many of them may be familiar to you,we thought we would share the followingannouncements (March, 2012 to July,2012) with you:In Memoriam RecognitionLinda Courchesne, ONJune Follows, ONMargaret Greeley, NLBarbara Horsman, ONDoreen Horsnell, ONAmy Hurn, BCEdna Lamarche, ONCaitlin Mancer, BCPeggy Miner, ONLisa Morrisey, ONMargaret Mulligan, ONMary Jane Quinn, ONDina Salvatore, BCPatricia Sanders, BCHelga Theilmann, BCMargaret Vignuda, ONA Tribute OpportunitySupporting ScholarshipsIf you, or your Unit or your Trefoil Guildwould like to make a donation to theGGC National Scholarship Fund inhonour of any of these women, we wouldbe delighted and grateful to acceptcontributions by any of the followingmethods:Telephone:Julia Haggerty, (414) 487-5281 x 288(credit card donations only).Online:On the GGC website: girlguides.ca clickon Support Us, select Ways of Giving andthen click on CanadaHelps.org under onetimegifts.Mail:Please send the honouree’s name andaddress (or next of kin information) alongwith your cheque, payable to Girl Guidesof Canada, 50 Merton Street, Toronto, ONM4S 1A3 and we will ensure the honoureeand/or family is aware of your generosity.Tax receipts will be issued for donations of$10.00 or more.47

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