2018 Peter Mehl Memorial Scholarship recipients

In 2018 there were two recipients of the Peter Mehl Memorial Scholarship.

Brittney Walroth

Brittney Walroth

Brittney is finishing up a four year program of Wildlife & Fisheries at the University of Northern British Columbia. She is looking forward to a career as a Wildlife biologist.  Brittney has already been involved on a number of conservation and ecology research projects and studies.  She has also found time to be a leader of the UNBC Wildlife Society.

Brittney has a long history with JFW as a Warden as a long term member of the Airdrie Hawks JFW Club.

Education has been a prime motivator influenced by JFW.  She credits JFW with inspiring passion for conservation and that “nothing has brought me more joy than seeing the enthusiasm of children as they learn about ecology the value of wilderness and how to take care of it.”

Sophie Shepherd

Sophie Shepherd

Sophie is just starting out her post-secondary education seeking a Resource Compliance diploma at Lethbridge College. A career as a Conservation officer is her goal. 

Another Scholarship winner with deep JFW roots.  Sophie spent 12 years as a Warden and member of the Stettler Swift Fox. In JFW she valued learning about the environment and developed leadership skills. 

She has had the opportunity use and develop this education and skills through volunteering and travel to places like Ghana, Thailand and Costa Rica.

She credits the world travel and volunteering with Wild by Nature with giving her a greater appreciation the natural world and a chance to share her love of nature.

Sophie is excited begin her studies and a career in conservation and the environment.

Want to know more about this Scholarship? 

Visit the ajfwa.ca website

https://sites.google.com/ajfwa.ca/home/about-jfw/peter-mehl-scholarship

Update from Jasper National Park

JASPER NATIONAL PARK UPDATE

Hello Jasper National Park Volunteers:  

Caribou Habitat Delayed Access: Is now in effect once again for the Maligne, Brazeau, Tonquin and North Boundary areas to protect southern mountain caribou populations in Jasper National Park. For more info, please visit: www.pc.gc.ca/caribou 

Winter opportunities to enjoy: While we’re still waiting for a serious dump of snow or two in the valley bottom, there are now ungroomed ski-able conditions in subalpine and alpine areas of Jasper National Park. The new 2019 winter guide is also out and up on the web! Have a look through it and send any questions to us or jnp.info@pc.gc.ca 

The Whirlpool winter hub is being prepared at one end of Highway 93A as is the trailhead at Athabasca Falls. For anyone who loves their snowshoeing, there will be a 6km loop along the river and back over the hill to the Geraldine fire road along. new this winter is also the opening of Lake Annette picnic area year round (usually the gate is closed. Not this year!). 
Thinking ahead in 2019: All about Whistlers!  As you are no doubt aware, 2019 marks an interesting year in jasper’s history as the main campground of more than 700 sites will be closed until 2020. Repairs and upgrades here are necessary and long, long overdue. As mentioned above, it will pose challenges to the volunteer program and the availability to access camping here in the park. We are conscious of this fact and will simply be asking volunteers only to volunteer whatever they can.  There really aren’t any solutions for volunteers who will need a place to camp as visitor demand on our available camping offer will be higher than ever. (Wapiti, Wabasso, Poco, parkway campgrounds and Snaring). There will longer/extended campground openings in most of these campgrounds.  

It means you will find MORE campsites open in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, but a very, very tight summer season in June-September.  

Possible suggestions: 

• Get onto PCRS early in the year and secure your reservations. Ideally, be flexible and aim for midweek dates in shoulder seasons if possible. 

• Explore provincial parks at albertaparks.ca and some of the provincial recreation areas near Hinton. Or in the south end of the park, stay in Rampart Creek in Banff, Silverhorn (new). Waterfowl Lakes or Thompson Creek PRA near Saskatchewan Crossing. But note that gas was $2/litre at the nearest gas station this summer. ;( 

• Stay at hostels, including Jasper’s BRAND NEW international hostel in town which is already taking 2019 reservations. www.hihostels.ca.  Midweek is often a good time to stay in wilderness hostels at HI Hilda Creek, Beauty Creek, Maligne Canyon, Edith Cavell or Athabasca Falls. HI Rampart Creek and HI Shunda Creek (Nordegg) are also within reach. 

Kevin Gedling
Coordinator, Volunteer Programs| Coordonnateur, Programme de bénévolat
Jasper National Park| Parc national Jasper
Phone| Téléphone : 780-883-0486
jasper.volunteers@pc.gc.ca | benevoles.jasper@pc.gc.ca

Alberta Girls’ Parliament - deadline to apply is Dec 31

December 31, 2018 DEADLINE APPROACHING!!  

Alberta Girls’ Parliament Opportunity!  Girl Guides of Canada, Alberta Council – Invitation to two female AJFWA Wardens to attend the Alberta Girls' Parliament in Edmonton, in March, 2019.  

TO ALL AJFWA FAMILIES:  An exciting opportunity for your female Warden to attend a Girl Guides of Canada event in March, 2019, as a Representative of the AJFWA!  This invitation is extended to only two of our female Members, so if you wish to attend and register for this event which happens March 20 - 24, 2019, apply early!  

AJFWA will fully subsidise your trip registration and travel costs – and you will gain invaluable experience and have a fantastic time!   

For further information and details about AGP 2019, click on the AJFWA website link here! [2019 Application form to be added to website upon receipt from AGP!]  

DEADLINE is end of December, 2018 and with only two spots available to us, don't delay in handing in your Applications! 

To read a great report on last year’s 2017 Parliament by attendee Jodi Henderson, click on this link: Tree Mail - All Girl's Parliament.  

Successful applicants will receive an AGP information package by February, 2019.

Jumping Pound Camp Volunteer of the Year - Scott Baker

submitted by Brian McBride

Kelly’s comments during the JP Camp Award for Scott Baker
at the CJFWS Tree Lot Presentation – Dec.1, 2018

Kelly Hunt is our long time Poet and Scribe for many JFW events in the Calgary District.

I would like to take this opportunity to recognise this year’s Volunteer of the Year for Man-up
Camp/Jumping Pound...Scott Baker. Mr. Baker has earned this award for his tireless efforts, steadfastness and willingness to forsake other enticements....to always go above and beyond and to constantly give of your time far beyond common sense. Or, as Brian McBride would put it, “Yeah, he does his share”.

Upon looking at the award itself, you will realise that you join a growing list of noted volunteers who answered the phone when they knew better. As the saying goes, “That which does not kill us can only make us stronger”. I’m not sure who said that but I’ll bet he’s dead!

Keeping Man-up going, sorry but it’s always gonna be Man-up. To keep it going requires endless toil and as you no doubt know, we amateur frontiersmen can only accomplish so much. And yet we have accomplished so much. Look at what the place has become! I know that my children will never forget their times there, the things they got to do, the friends that they made, skills they learned, adventures of being able to freely move around camp without having parents hovering over them.... safe in this place that so many of our people created. I can still recall the time when we were moving the cabins into place and my daughter turned to my wife and said, “I didn’t know that Dad knew words like that!” I was proud to say that many of them I learned for the first time on these projects. And we have learned, often the hard way. Bear in mind, while the great ship Titanic was designed and built by professionals,
Noah’s Arc was built entirely by amateurs. I think we all know which tale has the happier ending.

While this hand carved statue comes with great prestige and honour and deserves a special place in your home, it does also come with a degree of responsibility and respect for those who come before you. To that end, instructions for care and polishing are included. Or, you may wish to sign up for the Kelly’s Statue Care Excel Maintenance Program. For only $49.95 you get..........No? not the right time? Inappropriate? Okay.......

What IS important is that you be recognised for your substantial contributions to this important endeavour and realise that every bit moves us forward, no matter how small.
If you are someone who believes small things do not have an impact, then you have never had a mosquito in your tent!

While many people freely volunteer their opinion, you have gone far beyond volunteering your time and skills, and I think that I speak for all J.F.W. in that we look forward to exploiting you at every opportunity in the future. THANK YOU.

History of the Award

This carving was first presented for Best Camper of the Year  when JFW Summer Camps were at Jarvis Lake in what is now William Switzer Provincial Park, north of Hinton. 

Garry Nelson first in 1968.

The award was carved around 1967 by Paul Van Imshoot, a well-known artist originally from Belgium. He was with JFW in central Alberta in the 60s and 70s.

The award was used until about 1975 and then the history becomes unclear. The carving was found by Garry Nelson at Long Lake and returned to JFWs in 2009. It was restored and resurrected in 2010 for JFW’s 50th Anniversary, and is now our Volunteer Recognition Award for outstanding contributions to our Jumping Pound Camp.

The Baker family has shown very strong leadership and support within the Eagles Club since 2010. In addition, Scott Baker has provided strong ongoing support for our JP Camp. Over the last 8 years he has been involved with most of our camp projects, from building maintenance to firewood procurement. He has especially shone in tree removal. Taking down dead and dying trees is a tricky and dangerous task, at which he excels! Scott, you will be happy to know we have 5 more trees to take down in the near future.
(comments from other committee members) Kelly Hunt in particular!

It is with great pleasure that we, the previous recipients, welcome you into this rather exclusive club. Congrats and well done!

Fire in the Sky - spend New Years Eve at Jumping Pound Camp

Looking for a unique way to bring in the New Year?

Brian McBride and Leona Boisselle started "Fire in the Sky" event 10 years ago! 

It is hosted by the Alumni Association

Please contact Leona for an overnite camp booking.  Many families have been staying over for the last 10 years.!

This is self contained and BYOFW...(Bring your own fireworks/water) 

The event may be postponed due to very cold weather or a lack of snow that would present a fire hazard. We usually light the fire around 8 PM so it's not too late for the young ones (and old ones)

Bring your own chairs, marshmallows etc.

Christmas Bird Count for Kids - January 12 at Kerry Wood Nature Centre in Red Deer

This isn't a JFW event, but what a great family activity!!! 

Kerry Wood Nature Centre 

on January 12 10:00 to noon

Don't forget to pre-register at

naturekids@naturealberta.ca

AJFWA 2018 Fall Workshop Report and Announcement of 2019 location

submitted by Merry Brotherston 

Fall Workshop at Camp Alexo, October 12-14, 2018

Thanks to the Fall Workshop Committee:  Sandra Jiggins, Dave Webster, Chris Chabot, Lisa Patrick, Tawyna Jennings, Merry Brotherston, John Stoodley

The leadership workshop was attended by 50 some people, we had a special guest from the Odd Fellows, Bruce Dowell who came Saturday afternoon and staying for dinner and awards in the evening.  It was great to have him come spend some time with us. 

Many members received awards and the meals were wonderful cooked by Tawnya Jennings and many helped with prep and dishes and without that help meals would not have happened.  So many thanks to those helpers!  and our fabulous cook who did all the planning and organising.  

We had many great sessions including Project Wild/Below Zero, Tree Anatomy where Pat Wood did a great session where the participants got to do a rubbing of the tree rings on a spruce tree, it was well attended and very innovative!  Terry Garrett did club year planning with many valuable resources for attendees.  Brian McBride held a great session on maps and compass which many of us needed refreshers on so many thanks for doing that course!  Chris Chabot taught Nature teachings and as usual had many interesting things to discuss.  Jacquie Hromyk did the  Leave no Trace Concepts always a good thing to practice.  Mona Medin gave a wonderful course on Indigenous Legends and games it was enjoyed by all who attended.  Thanks to Steven Weimer for the Canoe trip planning session, we all enjoy a good canoe trip and his resources were great!  The session on Google groups etc with Sandra Jiggins was very helpful.  Thanks to Roger Madaire for the code of conduct review!  

The silent auction made $992.00 and had many excellent homemade things and very fun items.  The location was beautiful and the sunday morning Fresh Air Dexterity was amazing as usual, thanks to John Stoodley and Jim Ellison for all the hard work!  

The next Fall Workshop will be held at 

Camp YoWoChas on October 18-20, 2019 

Please put this on your calendar and plan to attend!

Airdrie Hawks celebrated 35 years this year

submitted by Sandra Jiggins

On May 5th, the Airdrie Hawks celebrated the club's 35 Year Anniversary out at Jumping Pound Camp. 

The day was filled with games, cake and a red shirt dinner with many special guests in attendance.  Thank you to everyone past and present that has made the Airdrie Hawks such a success!

Tofield Snow Geese hosted the 2018 YRC Regional Camp in May

Submitted by April L'Heureux

The Tofield Snow Geese were very excited to hold the annual Yellowhead Regional camp at Peers on May 25-27, 2018. With months of planning and big shoes to fill we embraced the challenge head on! The generous grants from Beaver Municipal Solutions and the Alberta Conservation Association allowed us to provide an exciting, engaging and informative camp. Our goal was to have a variety of sessions for all levels of Junior Forest Wardens and give our last year Challengers an opportunity to host several sessions to showcase their leadership skills. With over 150 campers in attendance we had a great weekend many Wardens will look back on fondly. 

Our Wardens had many great memories to share from the camp. Here are some of their favourites:

“My favourite session was axe throwing, and archery. I learned that the axes don’t need to be sharp but you still need to be careful.”- Noah

“I liked how there was a magician and the BIG buffet!” -Charli-ann

“The best was the archery with the 3D targets.” -Devon

“It was fun geocaching and sharps with Connie and Ingo.”- Mason

“My favourite was the session with trapper Dan and fire starting with the older boys.” - Easton

“Search and rescue, getting lost than found was awesome!" -Chiana

“I liked trapper Duncan, Ross the Forrester, and Mors the knife guy!” - Corey

Regional Instructors and Sessions

• Connie & Ingo, Wild By Nature Adventures - numerous sessions

• Duncan Abercrombie - trapping

• Ross Maxwell - forestry

• Maggie McKinley & Karen Whitehead - book binding

• Christian Brenholen, Stacey and Jeremy Clark: Lobstick Lynx  - Archery

• Kelly Davies - chainsaw artist

• Jordan, Evan & Benjamin (Challengers) -  camouflage, knots and fire lighting 

• Search and Rescue Dogs Alberta Association - SARDAA

• Laurel Harke - geocaching

• Tracy Lebel - cheese making

• Kirt Bennett - eco games, compass, maps & magic show

• Ashley L'Heureux - ax throwing

• April L'Heureux - paracord bracelets 

• Treva Piekema - bronze badge

Big thank you to our sponsors, We greatly appreciate your support!!!

• Yellowhead Regional Council

• Beaver Municipal Solutions

• Alberta Conservation Association

• Peers Agricultural Society

• Brisco Wood Preservers (firewood)

• Integra Tires. Edson

• Beaver County

There are LOTS of great photos from this event at AJFWA Events Photos

Brian McBride steps aside as Assistant Chief Warden of Alberta

Brian McBride steps aside as 

Assistant Chief Warden of Alberta

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU BRIAN McBRIDE!!!!

Brian McBride passes the torch onto Cody Howitt 

It is very difficult to thank someone who has dedicated 35 years to the Alberta Junior Forest Warden Program.  Someone who has shared his vast knowledge with wardens, parents, leaders on an array of topics over the years. We all benefit from this shared information. 

Brian McBride also stepped up to become the Assistant Chief Warden, a position that he held for 11 years.  At the past Leaders Workshop he decided that the time had come to pass the gold maple leaves from his shirt and put them on Cody Howitt's, making Cody officially the Assistant Chief Warden.  There were a few tears shed over this gesture.  

Though Brian is stepping back from this position, we are sure that he will still be involved in his club, the Calgary District, AJFWA and his passion for the Jumping Pound camp.  

Thank you Mr. McBride !

Terry Garrett
Chief Warden of Alberta

Awards presented at this year's Fall Workshop

Awards presented at this year's Fall Workshop

Merry Brotherston received the Order of the Golden Spruce

Order of the Golden Spruce

    Alumni 

• Merry Brotherston

Gold Honor

    Glory Hills Grey Wolves 

• Amber Garrett
• Andrew Garrett

35 year Award

   Calgary Eagles 

• Brian McBride

Brian accepting his 35 year award - a single shot .410 shotgun

20 year Awards

    Airdrie Hawks 

• Gary Thompson

    Calgary Bobcats 

• John Stoodley 
• T Stoodley

    Meadow Lake Woodlander

• Audrey Marsh
• Neil Marsh

    Smoky River Bears 

• Dale Dupuis
• Lucie Dupuis

15 year awards

    Airdrie Wolves 

• Don Dixon
• Debbie Pupato

    Alumni

• Kirt Bennett

    Glory Hills Grey Wolves 

• Rob Neider
• Susie Neider

10 year awards

   Airdrie Hawks 

• Norma Fixter
• Dan Fixter
• Dawn Friesen
• Samantha Miller

    Calgary Eagles 

• Allison Knoepfli
• Hans-Peter Knoepfli

   Rocky Rams 

• Carson Stewart
• Donna Stewart

   St. Albert Sturgeons 

• Cory Soetaert
• Heather Soetaert

Big Shoe Award

Jim Ellison presented Brian McBride with the Big Shoe Award

Donation from Odd Fellows and Rebekahs

Once again we were fortunate to have a representative from the Odd Fellows join us for Saturday's activities and supper.  The Odd Fellows presented AJFWA a cheque for $5,000 as well as a donation from the Rebekahs for $2,050.  These groups generously donate to AJFWA as we are a great fit for their Living Legacy Program - a mandate to plant trees worldwide.

“Plant a tree who comes after me”

2019 Winter Leadership Camp - January 11-13 at Birch Bay Ranch

Winter Leadership 2019

Register Here

Join YRC for a Winter Leadership camp January 11-13, 2019

Early Bird rate is $160, after December 15 the fee is $220

JFW in Newfoundland: hike~woods~ocean event

Families and local communities coming together to have fun in the great outdoors does truly great things for the larger community.  We are so pleased to have had the pleasure of your collaboration on #playoutdoors 2: Junior Forest Wardens Outdoor Family Adventure – hike~woods~ocean!

It was a success – we got loads of families playing outside in nature. We even had three generations of hikers - kids, parents and grandparents! It was a nice mild sunny day - not too hot! 

Everyone involved was bonding through the shared experience in the beautiful oceanic scenery in the great outdoors. What a rewarding adventure for all involved! The hikers were eager to challenge themselves and find all the items on our Visual Scavenger Hunt, while breathing in the fresh sea breeze. Terry Horwood from East Coast Trail was a great guide for our group. The happy voices of the children mixed with the natural acoustics of the oceanic environment created a symphonic manifestation of happiness.

We had a particularly silly moment after the hike - many of the hikers cooled off by the ocean, showing their appreciation for this vast body of water that they had just learnt about! A young hiker was wading in and out.  He came out but one of his shoes did not!   He took it all in stride!

Have a look at the article the Guide to the Good prepared - LINK! and the Junior Forest Wardens shots.

 We look forward to your continued engagement and support as we proceed with the next #playoutdoors event. 

A foraging expedition is coming up on Sunday August 19^th, 2018.  We’re fine-tuning the details but will be in touch soon. Keep an eye out!  

Get ready for some seeking and finding in the great outdoors!

the #playoutdoors team

Kim, Jam & Eniola 

2018 Newfoundland Trip Highlights

JFW in the News in St Johns!

A contingent of JFWs and Alumni, led by our intrepid Chief Warden Terry Garrett and Vice President Monica Robinson, just returned from visiting our JFW friends in Newfoundland-Labrador.

Watch for details and photos, coming soon!

Meanwhile, please enjoy this newsreel...

Newfoundland Labrador JFW Trip 2018

UPDATE NEWFOUNDLAND 2018:  

Commitment deadline was April 27^th, but if you are still interested in joining the JFW group, you can email any one of our organizing committee: Terry Garrett, Merry Brotherston or Monica Robinson for more details about this amazing trip!  

Some details: Travel to St Johns on July 11 with a return flight on the 21^st.  Our time in Newfoundland will be busy!!  For our city portion we have priced out hostels and hotels depending on the level of comfort each traveller is looking for and we have reserved a couple Otentiks in Terra Nova National Park which look like a lot of fun.  Some of us will be using plain old tents!!

Our ten days will be filled with adventures on land, on sea, and on the streets of the oldest City in North America.  Some highlights from our list at this point are:  Signal Hill Trail (on the edge of the earth!);  Mistaken Point fossils from 580 million years ago, or so;  a Lighthouse Picnic in Ferryland; Terra Nova where we will partake in sea kayaking, hiking and spending time in the forest as well as having fun swimming at Sandy Pond;  at Port Rexton we will take in live theatre, see some whales and hopefully catch a cod.   

We will also be special guests at the JFW NL Open House on July 14 to showcase who we are as an organization, where we will be joined by Dave Cullen in his JFW Cross Canada Tour!  Our activities are not set in stone (except the fossils) so if there is something you are desperately interested in doing now is the time to join the group and get your 2 cents in with the organizers!!  We have blocked airplane seats for our adventure and the plan is for all of us to leave from Edmonton as one large group.  We have space left, but seats won’t last for long.  We also have reserved a couple spots for ACs who may be interested in travelling with us even if their parents stay at home.  

The costs at this point is a best guestimate based on all the information we currently have.  We are “ball-parking” costs to be between $1700 - $2000 a person, which includes return flight from Edmonton, accommodations, meals, entry fees into attractions and vehicle rental; and we are looking at a couple small fundraisers which we hope to launch soon.  

Airdrie Hawks 35th Anniversary

On May 5th, the Airdrie Hawks celebrated the club's 35 Year Anniversary out at Jumping Pound Camp. The day was filled with games, cake and a red shirt dinner with many special guests in attendance.  Thank you to everyone past and present that has made the Airdrie Hawks such a success!

Sandra Jiggins

AJFWA Treasurer