Alumni Workshop

 CALLING ALL ADULTS! Parents, leaders, volunteers, new to JFW or an experienced leader! 

The Alumni is hosting a one day workshop on February 4, 2023 at the Red Deer County Office. From technical help with the website to outdoor skills and programming, we have a variety of sessions planned for you!

The cost is $15 per person, lunch and refreshments provided. More details including sessions, instructors and itinerary to come in December, registration opens beginning of January 2023. 

SAVE THE DATE!

If you have any questions please email margery.mcbrideelliott@ajfwa.ca. 

Meeting in a Box Event

 

Well, it appears November has arrived and winter is right behind it.  We are getting closer to our  Meeting in a Box event on November 20th in Red Deer.  Because our Fall Workshop wasn't able to happen, we wanted to host a workshop to build the skills and provide some lesson material that parents and leaders can take back to their clubs.

We currently have 5 presenters that will share their meeting kits and tips on how they present them.  We would love to have more people showcase examples of meetings they have created.

There are over 15 kits so far, including:

fire lighting

fire starters

knife sharpening

animal tracks & scat

tree "cookie" aging

tree identification

predator - prey game

bronze badge knowledge

This event will only be successful if we have people sign up and take advantage of the many years of knowledge and experience that have been put into these Meeting in a Box packages.

There will be a free tree cookie kit for the first 15 people registered.

When:      Saturday November 20th

Where:     Red Deer

Time:       10am till 3pm

You can bring your lunch and mingle or there are fast food places close by.  

Standard COVID rules and regulations will apply as per the meeting venue.

Please RSVP to cody.howitt@ajfwa.ca if you want to present or attend this incredible event.

Map & directions along with the COVID rules and regulations can be forwarded once registered.

Cody Howitt
Chief Warden of Alberta

JFW Virtual Lessons for Wardens

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a call out was  made to anyone in JFW (whether a leader, parent, support person, Warden, Alumni member, sponsored member) interested in volunteering their time to teach a lesson to our Wardens.  That call was answered, and we are pleased to roll out JFW Virtual Lessons.

The Lesson Schedule (see below) will be updated as lessons are add.  Check back here or visit the event calendar on the Members Only Website home page to see what's new.  We will also let you know on Facebook when new lessons are added.

NEW Find pre-recorded video lessons after the Lesson Schedule.  And check back here too as more video lessons are added.

If you would like to learn more about instructing, click here.  This is a great opportunity to connect with our Wardens since we can't meet in person and share your skills & knowledge with them.

To access a lesson, please ensure that your device supports the Google Meet platform and that you have your @ajfwa.ca log in handy. Note:  Lessons may be recorded for our JFW Lesson Archives.

Contact office@ajfwa.ca if you have questions and to RSVP so the instructor knows how many attendees to expect.  Lessons may be cancelled if no RSVP`s are received.

Opinion - The Three R’s of Junior Forest Wardens

The Three R’s of Junior Forest Wardens

“What is the philosophy of JFW?” This is a question not often heard. It is more common to hear asked, “What are the ‘aims of the Junior Forest Wardens’?”, as this is contained in the Pledge, which every new member learns by heart soon after joining. Indeed, the Pledge, Code, Watchword and Motto are central to the Junior Forest Wardens philosophy, and deserve their place of prominence at every camp and club gathering.

There is another element, deceptively simple, yet profound. It is not often spoken of, so it would not be surprising if you have not heard of it. It ought to be, though, because it is the very heart of all that is good about Junior Forest Wardens. It is the ‘3Rs’.

"Reduce, Reuse, Recycle?" Nope, not those 3 R’s. "Replacement, Reduction, Refinement?" Not those either. "Readin’, wRitn’ and ‘Rithmetick?" "Rapid, Reliable, Repeatable?" Not even those.  

The Three R’s of Junior Forest Wardens are: Responsibility to Myself, Responsibility to Others, and Responsibility to Junior Forest Wardens and the Environment. There is a lot packed into these three short phrases.

If I am responsible to myself, then I ought to take care of my possessions, take care of my health, and feed my body with good food, my mind with knowledge and good stories and my soul with the arts and especially with experiences of the natural world. Furthermore, I will find that the consequences, for good or ill, of every word I utter and of my smallest action is my responsibility alone to bear. 

If I am responsible to others, then I will accept and treat each person as my equal. I will respect their property and their persons, and I will honour my commitments. I will try to be helpful, supportive and unselfish. I will be kind, and will consider the needs and the happiness of others as being equally important to my own.

If I am responsible to Junior Forest Wardens, then I will take it seriously, learn all I can from the opportunities presented, and work to build up my club and help it flourish. I will extend this caring attitude to the place where I live, and be a supporter and builder of my community.  I will pass along the high ideals of JFW to others, and try to lead by example. (Junior Forest Wardens provides an unparalleled chance to gain some important knowledge, attitudes and life skills that we can use for the betterment of everyone).

Similarly, if I am responsible to the earth and the environment, then I will try to understand the profound importance of the natural systems that make life possible. I will learn all I can about the earth, and from it, and I will - as often as possible - immerse myself in the natural world, of which I am inextricably a part. (We belong to the earth, it does not belong to us). I will apply the concepts learned in JFW, and work to protect the earth so that none of its intricate marvels are marred or diminished. It is indeed “a great entail, and we have no right…” ...you know the rest!

The 3R’s have a corollary: Respect for Oneself, Respect for Others, Respect for the Earth. Showing respect, being respectful, being respectable, commanding respect - these are all marks of character. Developing good character is the worthy pursuit of a lifetime. The great Chief Warden, Ernst Klazus, exemplified these principles. His life’s work was, in part, to learn to live in harmony with the earth and with others. His legacy is an invitation to live seriously, joyfully, respectfully, responsibly and purposefully. Ernst embodied the 3R’s of JFW. 

Of course, our modern, fearful, litigious society makes other documents necessary, such as risk waivers and codes of conduct. While essential to the functioning and protection of an organization, they are not the heart of it. A code of conduct, like any code, can only prescribe minimum standards, or limits on behaviour. It is a useful guide, but it cannot inspire. 

The 3Rs, in their simplicity, are powerful. They are the very opposite of arrogance, of carelessness, of cruelty, greed and waste. They are mirrors to examine ourselves in, and simple yardsticks with which to measure our individual and collective growth as humans. They are a worthy philosophy for life, they are suitable for daily (outdoor!) meditations and they can help us avoid the meaningless pressures and trivial distractions of our cluttered and noisy civilisation.

The 3Rs don’t send us to war. They won't have us pursue wealth or power or fame.
They send us out to plant trees.

by Neil Marsh (with thanks to former Assistant Chief Warden Brian McBride for the inspiration)

Alberta Girls' Parliament 2019

Submitted by Laura Gilles, Challenger, Calgary Bobcats

Alberta Girls’ Parliament: March 20-24, 2019

Alberta Girls’ Parliament (AGP) was a truly unique experience unlike any other JFW Camp or meeting I have experienced.  Over the five days Veronica and I spent there we had three debates and one fun debate. In the debates we discussed topics such as, benefit payments for stay-at-home parents, the inclusion of dental care in standard healthcare, and the teaching of aboriginal languages in all Alberta schools.  As someone with no previous debating experience, I began to worry that I had stepped off the deep end as many Girl Guides return to this event year after year. However, everyone was very supportive, sending notes when anyone stood up and made a good argument. The first night after our arrival we played games to get to know the other girls and before bed we had a session to learn and practice public speaking in a casual atmosphere discussing movies, sports, and food.  Between debating we had two excursions, one to West Edmonton Mall, and one to the legislature buildings. Going to the Alberta Legislature was quite distinctive; we had a tour guide educate us on topics like why there is a fifty-year-old hamburger in the legislature library, or why the dome of the legislature has five palm trees growing in it. We also had the opportunity to meet the Lieutenant Governor Lois Mitchell and ask her questions. In case you were wondering she loves to shop sale items at Winners and said that the queen is very easy to talk to.  She also gave us advice on how to live and how to treat people. Although Alberta Girls’ Parliament is not like any JFW camp, I would highly recommend it to any girl, regardless of her feelings towards public speaking. AGP provided a genuinely kind and welcoming environment and I would go back without a second thought if given the opportunity.

Alberta Girls’ Parliament 2017 - report by Jami Henderson

Jami

Hello my name is Jami Henderson. This is my 8th year with JFW and I am with the Calgary Black Bears. From March 22-26, 2017 I, along with Bryana Madaire, had the amazing opportunity to participate in the Alberta Girls’ Parliament (AGP) hosted by the Girl Guides.


I applied to this program because of my budding interest in politics and debate and because this is my last year as a warden.

It’s safe to say that I was nervous as the date approached having only a slight idea of what exactly I had gotten myself into. We were picked up from Calgary on a Traxx bus, provided by the Girl Guides and bused to Edmonton. Upon arrival at Providence Renewal Centre (the venue for the event), we were promptly given room keys to individual rooms containing a single bed, sink, and desk. After settling in we returned to the main conference area which was set up to mimic the legislature house (as much as one can with plastic tables and metal chairs). We played some introduction games and it quickly became apparent that we were surrounded by some remarkably clever and kind individuals. By the time we had finished ice breakers and had a snack, it was time to turn in for the night.

2017 All Girl's Parliament . . . notice the two red uniforms? 

When Alberta held its first legislative meeting in 1906, it was in a hockey arena.
The original mace, which was used for fifty years during legislative meetings, was made from household objects such as plumbing pipes, bedpost knobs, a pincushion, and monopoly pieces.

While at the legislature we were able to sit on the floor and have a conversation with our Deputy Speaker, Debbie Jabbour (who you probably didn’t know, has purple hair). She briefly spoke about her role during sessions and graciously answered all of our questions. Later, we were able to sit in on a part of question period and take a photo with Premier, Rachel Notley and Stephanie McLean, Minister of Service Alberta and Status of Women.
After our trip to the legislature, we had caucus (preparatory meeting) for our
 
Saturday was a full day of debate. We began by debating BIRT Alberta purchase electricity produced from renewable sources at a rate of $0.50/Kwh to a max of $500 per month commencing January 1, 2020. We had a short break to listen to another guest speaker. Although the guest speakers were all absolutely amazing, Georgette Reed, Health and Wellness Coordinator for Edmonton Fire Rescue Services, was my favorite. She was such an amazing speaker with inspiring stories, great advice to give and a powerful message to share.
Following lunch we had another caucus to prepare for our final serious debate: BIRT 20% of annual new hires in Alberta be aged 25 and under effective January 1, 2018. There were many guests who came to watch from Girl Guide alumni to friends and family, many who remained for the banquet afterwards. There were speeches, a lively singing of O Canada and God Save the Queen as well as great food and company. Once the guests had left we went bowling and played a round of laser tag. After several days of sitting still, it was lots of fun to play and run around. We listened to candidate speeches from delegates of AGP running for executive positions of Premier, Deputy Premier, Leader of the Opposition, Alternate Leader of the Opposition and Speaker of the House. On this, the last night of AGP 2017, we were challenged to stay up as late as we could. Many of the Guides went to bed between midnight and 1:00 but some of us managed to stay up past 3:30am. We had a talent show with a wide range of performances and played games. When the executives finally called it a night I fell into bed and literally did not move until wake up call at 7:00.

Sunday morning involved voting for the executives for AGP 2018 and preparing for the fun debate, the topic of which was previously unknown. As the theme was Disney, our topic was: BIRT Alberta ban Disney movies effective immediately. The debate was so much fun with a foam sword fight, a crossing of the floor and many ridiculous points. We closed out AGP 2017 with guest speaker Lois E. Mitchell, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta. Then it was time to clean up, say goodbye and take the bus home.

Both Bryana and I had such a good time at AGP and I wish I could go back for next year. We learned so much, made so many amazing new friends, improved our public speaking and debate skills and had so, so much fun.

Bryana

We were woken bright and early by our ‘whips’ (a member of our parties who volunteered to make sure everyone was where they need to be, when they need to be). Breakfast was served buffet style and, in my opinion, was delicious. The main activity for the day was a visit to the legislature. We had a phenomenal tour guide who showed us around and taught us so much. Here are two facts you probably didn’t know.

9:30am-2:00pm on Friday was spent at West Edmonton Mall. In small groups we were given the chance to explore and shop before returning to Providence Renewal Centre. We reviewed proper procedures for conducting the debates and opening ceremonies. Both sides (government and opposition) had caucus to prepare for our first official debate: BIRT publicly funded Alberta High Schools be assigned mental health professionals starting January 1, 2020. This time, unlike the practice debate, we had spectators and young Girl Guides who ran around delivering notes as our pages. We listened to guest speaker Cassie Campbell-Pascall, Former Captain of the Canadian Women’s Hockey Team. She spoke about the importance of hard work and perseverance and truly inspired everyone in the room. After the speaker and debate we had a short workshop on the AGP election process and bursaries.


We really hope that more girls from JFW apply to partake in this fantastic event for next year. You don’t have to like debate or politics or even know anything about these topics to get a lot out of this event. The community of girls is amazingly supportive and they make it a safe environment to learn new things and develop yourself as a debater and person.

Jami