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Beaver Valley Pathfinders and Rangers on our March 2023 trip. We rented a 15 passenger van and went to the big city… Vancouver and area. We rode the sky train to science world, sea bus to guide house, shopped at Metrotown mall, drove to whistler and experienced the sea to sky gondola, went to the Vallea Lumina light show, this was absolutely amazing. Checked out the Van Dusen botanical gardens and then ended at Moon and back Gallery. All in 5 days, that included 2 days of driving. So much fun!

Adventures in the wild-Costa Rica 2019
Trip Report Keegan Hayton  

This summer I went 7,244 km away from my hometown (Trail BC), on a spectacular adventure to Costa Rica. I was away from home for 16 days and 12 of those days where spent right in Costa Rica. I hopped on a 45 minute plane ride alone, to meet the group I was travelling with for the first time. I was quite nervous, but once I arrived in Vancouver I made quick friends and the leaders were super nice and welcoming. While we were waiting for our plane to Toronto, the group and I became very close, very quickly.

I loved everything about the trip from the bus rides, to hiking, to the Bri Bri village, but there were a few things that really stood out for me. Zip-lining I absolutely loved zip-lining. I’ve always been one of those people whose up for new adventures. At first it was a little nerve wrecking, but once I was over the first line it was unbelievable. The Turtle Sanctuary, let me start off by saying, never in my entire life did I think I was going to hold a baby leather-back turtle! This place was incredible! I got to end off my trip in the best way possible, at a turtle rescue centre right on the coast of the Caribbean Sea. Although we never saw a female or male full grown turtle, we still got to see and hold the babies. We released over 50 turtle babies into the ocean during the two days I was there. Lastly, snorkelling, I have never been snorkelling before and I went for the first time in Costa Rica! It was incredible. This was definitely the highlight of the trip for me. While I was in the water I saw thousands of fish, a Jellyfish, a little Shark and a Barracuda. The water was also crystal clear it was so magical. Although I got lots of salt water in my mouth… it was totally worth it!

Despite the many programs in schools, colleges, and unions that seek to get more women to join the trades, the rates of women in trades have not changed since 2000. Guide Leader and Kootenay Area Public Relations adviser Anne Simonen was aware of these statistics, and reflecting on her own lack of exposure to such careers, organized a trades exploration camp for Pathfinders and Rangers.

The camp was held at Camp Rory — a perfect location for its size and facilities– and was attended by Pathfinders from Kelowna, Castlegar, and Nelson, and a Trex unit from Jaffray. On the camp’s first night, Dr. Marcia Braundy, one of the first women in BC’s Carpentry union, gave a talk about the challenges she faced pursuing a carpentry career, but who also gave valuable advice about being resilient and finding allies. After hearing her talk, Amelia Vernham from the Castlegar unit said she was inspired, saying: “Just because [people] don’t think we are capable doesn’t mean we can’t prove [them] wrong.”

Saturday, the Pathfinders completed hands-on projects relating to electrical, carpentry and metalsmithing trades, which were lead by mostly women tradespeople. Through the day they learned how to use the tools of each trade safely and about different career and training options. The camp had two metalsmiths,including one who is also a welder, who showed the attendees how to make a hook, an electrician who was also an engineer-in-training, who lead the attendees through a simple residential wiring exercise, a journeyman cabinetmaker, a civil engineering technologist, and a construction carpenter.

Not every attendee will pursue a trades career, but now they have met women role models in trades and technology, been empowered to look into non-traditional careers, and get practice working with common construction tools — a valuable skill regardless of any future career. Changing the story of women in trades will take more than a single Girl Guide camp, but for attendees, it might be the first step in changing their own stories.

 

 

Granby District Girl Guides are always busy coming up with creative ways to keep the girls engaged with the program.

So far this year, the Grand Forks Girl Guides started out working on hat swaps, their promise and the law as they prepared for enrolment. Cookie sales were a success, including the one at Sears. On top of their regular work, the girls have been able to do some individual badge work at the hall as well as discussing personal safety in different situations. In October, they decorated pumpkins for the Grand Forks Downtown Business Halloween Fest. One of the funnest activities was a science experiment that included a tongue sensitivity test. They frequently do bridging activities with the Pathfinders. 

The Grand Forks Pathfinders have made handmade cutlery holders for camp kits, made a list of community service they want to do this year, baked for the Guide’s enrolment ceremony, supervised the pumpkin decorating and participated in the enrolment bridging with the Grand Forks Guides and Midway Pathfinders. 

In the West Boundary, the Rock Creek Guiding Unit and the Boundary Guiding Unit were the Honour Guard for the Kettle Valley Remembrance Day service. 

The Boundary Guiding Unit’s Pathfinders are planning a sleepover for the Guides and Pathfinders from Grand Forks on Nov. 17 to 18. 

Grand Forks Sparks and Brownies started out the year with a fall camp at Camp Rory, which had mild weather given the time of the year and — as always — was a blast. Christina Lake girls joined them at the camp and they worked on the Tidy Camper Crest. The first few meetings were used to get started with the Sparks books and preparing for camp. After camp, they prepared for enrolment, where they chose a butterfly themed enrolment and made decorations and brought treats. Halloween followed with a “bring a friend” event of the Halloween party. 

For Remembrance Day, the girls made paper lanterns with poppies on them, created Christmas cards for soldiers and talked about how the Girl Guides participated in war efforts using the book “How the Girl Guides Won the War” by Janie Hampton for some trivia. 

All units participated in the Remembrance Day ceremonies in the Boundary. 

Hello Guiders, I am asking for your help as we embark on the search for a new Provincial Commissioner for BC Council. Dawnette Humphrey’s term as our leader will end in the spring. We need to find qualified, committed and willing candidates to stand for election at BC Council. Please think about women (yourself included) who may fill this important position. If you have someone in mind, please encourage them to apply or forward their name and we will contact them. It is easy, just follow the links: PC Volunteer Opportunity PC Position Description PC Key Leadership Competencies And most importantly the PC Application form. Our timeline is short, so don’t delay. The deadline for applications is midnight October 20, 2015. Please send your application by e-mail to nominations@bc-girlguides.org and indicate “Application for Provincial Commissioner” in the subject line. Thank you, Donna Hillman Chair, PC Nominations Committee

Fact Sheet – Amazing Race 2016

Grand Forks Guides camped at Camp Rory.

In June Granby District held their district camp at Camp Rory.

Longtime member Jo Slykwa celebrated her 95th birthday with the Old Glories Trefoil Guild. Photo submitted by Sue Fielding