AJFWA President's Message - November 2021

Happy Fall to All!!

I hope that you are all enjoying the amazing display nature has been putting on this year.  From fall colours to aurora borealis it has been spectacular!   As clubs start ramping up their programming I want to put out a reminder to be safe.   We still need to be vigilant with our Covid precautions and careful to monitor how our actions impact the safety of those around us.  To that end, the Board has sent out a detailed statement regarding Covid precautions.  Please read and follow.  It is encouraging to see the diligence of clubs and regions to plan ways to keep our members and our communities safe and still continue to get outside and to provide great programming.  Check out the Covid resource file in our members section on the website.   

We have had a flurry of new clubs and memberships this fall.  AJ has been very busy this month getting new members registered, and new and existing clubs chartered.  Thank you to all that got the paperwork in by the deadlines.  Chartering is a lot of work, but vital for us as an organization.  Without this process, we would not have insurance to do the amazing things we do with our wardens.  We would also not have a good way to reach you, or know how clubs are doing.  Chartering information gives us our mail lists, a database for event registration, a vetted volunteer base, club supports, tree mail, and a good sense of our financial status to be able to plan ahead.   Thank you to all the club registrars, our membership director, Lisa Patrick, our regional assistants, our IT committee (ComIt), member services and our vice president Vicky Hill for all of their work.   

We have many welcomes to make.  First off a welcome back to the AJ executive;   Brett Schonekess will be joining the Executive committee in the role of interim Treasurer.  He comes with a great deal of board and treasurer experience.   Many of you will know him from the Calgary District , No Shenanigans and Outreach programs.   Brett has been dedicated to JFW at club, region and provincial levels for many years, is well versed in the financials at all levels and is also a great source of mountaineering knowledge.  Welcome also to our newest AJ Board directors; Angela Townsend, and Debra Wathen.  

As the work of club startup settles down, I am hoping to encourage a few more members to help on the AJ level with one of our committees or on the board in one of our vacant regional rep positions.  Have a look at the Board and Committee web pages and contact me if you are able to help out.  

Enjoy the changing of the seasons, and a new year of great learning and adventures with our families.  

“See” you again when the snow flies,

Sandy

September Message from President Sandy Evans

As we roll into a new programming year there is a lot happening behind the scenes to support clubs, parents and leaders in our amazing program.  Our strength and your connection to our JFW community is best  built by working on things together.  

So what has the AJ Board been up to?  

The Board (Regional representatives and elected executive) is a group of dedicated members who have taken on the exciting task of steering our JFW canoe.   Governing an organization is about encouraging the growth of people and community with an eye on potential storms and risks.  There are boundaries that limit our actions  - legal and financial obligations and our own bylaws that we agree to as a whole membership.  There are policies and procedures that we create to document and guide our day to day actions.  And over all of this are our values and mission that create the culture of our JFW community.  

We have a number of committees that all members can grab a paddle to help out with these endeavours.  

The CommT keeps our communication flowing across the  province, and our technological structure healthy.  They are like invisible gnomes and fairies that tweak and fix things so the garden of our virtual network is useful and helpful.  (As a non techie, I am in awe and always grateful when I can just click a button). 

The Membership and REC committees have been refining and testing the registration and chartering processes.  We have some great documents and training to help registrars and all members with this process.  

JPCC has organized a wonderful event commemorating some of those who have made huge contributions to our organization and built our history.  

We have a lot to offer the youth, families and the environment in our broader communities. The Canada committee is working hard to help promote JFW and get our “secret” out.  Governance is working hard to build and keep current the documentation of our policies and procedures and Fund Development is working to defer some of the costs of our programming with grant applications and searches for  sponsorship.  These are just a few of the committee activities over the past few months.  I encourage all members to check out the committee page on  our website and see if there is something that grabs your interest.    

The Directors on the board often wear many hats.  Their job on the Board involves looking forward, looking back, providing diverse perspectives from across the province and working to steer us in a good direction.   In the next few weeks the regional boards will be looking for representatives for the AJ board, and Committee chairs will be looking for new members.   This is OUR organization.  See what you can do!!  We all have ways to contribute.  Grab  a paddle, even if it is a small one, or you can only take a few strokes at a  time.  A few strokes from everyone helps us all move forward.

Sandy Evans

AJFWA President

Jumping Pound Cabin Dedications

 

July 13, 2021 Update:  

Long time members Mors Kochanski and Bob Skarra, who both passed away in December 2019, are being recognized with the dedication of two cabins at Jumping Pound Camp in their names. This event had been on hold due to the pandemic, but is now scheduled for the September 3-5, 2021 long weekend.  The official dedication starts at 2:00 on Saturday, September 4.  Bill Bresnahan, Chief Warden of Alberta from 1980 to 1995 who passed away in March 2020, will also be honoured. This is a public event in accordance with AJFWA's Guest Policy as non-JFW's will be in attendance.  

Summer Message from President Sandy Evans

 Happy Summer Days Everyone!

I hope this note finds you all out  enjoying the burst of leaves and colour this time of year.  As we gear up for a new year of programming starting in September it feels a bit like bears coming out of hibernation.    By the time you read this, the casino will be well underway, and some of your dedicated fellow members will be hard at work fund raising for the coming year.  THANK YOU!!! To all who are helping out for this fundraiser.

We have another team of very committed members working to get forms and IT processes updated and ready for chartering and registration.   These will be ready soon!!  Stay tuned and have your registrars at the ready.  THANK YOU to this team as well!!!

In the meantime, enjoy this time of natural abundance.  It is a great time to watch and learn our weather pattens, stare at an anthill, follow a bee, learn some new plants, or animal behaviours, wander a new trail.  

As we start to reconnect, be respectful of different comfort levels with distance and be patient with each other.  Just like the bears coming out of hibernation, we may need to stretch and cautiously find our best way out a little at a time.   

Sandy

Message from new AJFWA President Sandy Evans

 Happy Spring JFWs!

I hope this finds you checking out the new buds and bugs, watching the birds coming in for our northern abundance, taking in our amazing prairie sunshine and exploring puddles in the rain.  Yes it’s been a strange year and feels a bit like we are all bears waking up from hibernation.  It is a time for transition and renewing energy - even within our organization.

In a normal year after the AGM elections there would be a social time to get to know each other.  There would be camps and conferences, tree planting and adventures.  Without the campfires, it has been harder to connect, but we are a resilient bunch.  We have strong committed leaders, passionate parent volunteers and incredible children.  

I often hear that JFW is Alberta’s best kept secret.  And it is!  For over 50 years we have been fostering leadership in our youth to love and respect our natural world.  Reconnecting with the wild is the most powerful way to build health (mental, physical, and social) in our families and our communities and ensures the health of our natural world into the future.  To be able to contribute to such an endeavour is a privilege.  To do so while hanging out by a campfire and adventuring in our natural world with amazing kids and adults is well just plain fun!  

Through this strong community and programs we build youth who are confident, inquisitive and resourceful leaders and caring humans.  Our strength is in our volunteers; parents who have continued to encourage their kids to connect despite the daunting incline of yet another online commitment, challengers courageously stretching their leadership wings and infusing their energy, and alumni who come back to give back.  There are many who work behind the scenes; leaders and board  members planning, administering and creating the conditions to help us all enjoy this amazing program.  We  each contribute in our own ways and every contribution large or small builds our community.  Thank you to you all.  

For all of us it is sometimes work - just like heading on an arduous hike, or planting trees in the bugs and hot sun, sometimes we stumble and sometimes  we question the sanity of our endeavour but we know the result is worth it.    Before you know  it we have  made a forest.   Our super power is each other.  We know how to make the tough times lighter with good connections, humour, kindness, tolerance and knowing that we are creating a darn good story for the campfire.   I am looking forward to sharing the stories and marvelling at all we achieve.  Care to  join me?

Sandy Evans

president@ajfwa.ca

Terry Garrett, Chief Warden Emeritus

At the September 1, 2020 AJFWA Board Meeting, Terry Garret was appointed as Chief Warden Emeritus.  The following is the letter that Cody Howitt submitted nominating her for this well-deserved honour:

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Emergency!

 

Article Submitted by Suzie Moore, Airdrie Wolves

Sunday August 9, 2020 - It was approximately 8:45 pm. I had just closed the boys' windows for the night and was tucking our youngest in. I heard this frantic banging on my front door and someone screaming my name. It was our neighbor.  She said "It's an emergency. Wayne needs you."  Wayne is my husband.  He had been out helping the neighbors on their truck and I automatically thought "OH NO! The truck fell on him!" I grabbed my phone and my shoes and ran out the door.

What I found was an emergency situation, but not involving my husband.  My husband heard a woman, who had gone to the back seat of a vehicle, start gurgling.  He thought it did not sound right, so he looked at her and saw that she was not breathing. He yelled for her husband to come. Her husband shook her and yelled her name, but she did not respond. Her husband took her out of the car and laid her on the ground so we could start CPR. Her skin started to change colour and her lips were turning purple. She needed oxygen right away!

As I approach the scene, I found Wayne kneeling on the ground next to a woman I have never met before. No heart rate and not breathing, lips blue, feet were going white. She was minutes away from death's door. She was unconscious, so we had automatic consent to give CPR.  We knew she had a seizure because she had bit her tongue and it was bleeding. Other than that, we had no idea who she was, where she came from, or any of her medical history.

My husband was on the phone with 911 and started compressions. All I can remember is 1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4 - this was the speed we had to do compressions to keep her blood flowing. She kept gurgling and bubbles were coming out of her mouth.  She would take some deep breaths and then stop breathing again. We couldn't get her breathing, but my husband kept going. After about 6 minutes of chest compressions, I could feel her pulse in her wrist. I yelled "WE HAVE A PULSE!! DON'T STOP!!"  I had to keep encouraging my husband to keep going and told him he was doing an amazing job. I offered to step in but he said "No. I have got this."

It took almost 20 minutes for an ambulance and a fire truck to show up. My husband kept on administering CPR while we waited. When the emergency personnel arrived, they grabbed their equipment and came running. There was so many cop cars and spectators.  People were running up the streets yelling and crying because they thought it was one of their loved ones. They were coming from everywhere.

It took the EMT's over 10 minutes and 20 cc's of adrenaline to get the woman to start breathing on her own.  A few minutes later she sat up, they loaded her on the gurney and off they went to the hospital.  

My husband was a hero.  Don't call him that though.  He doesn't like it -- haha. He said "This is what I am trained for. I will never walk away from anyone in a situation like that. It's what I do" He is so awesome.

The woman was released the next day.  She is healthy with a bruised and sore chest due to compressions.

I have been first aid trained for 14 years. The worst thing I have ever dealt with is an exposed knee cap on the side of a mountain.  It took a few seconds to jump into that role.  If my husband was not there at that exact moment, a mother/wife/daughter/aunt/sister would have died out front of my neighbor's home.

I am so thankful for our first aid course through JFW.  If it wasn't for that course, I would not have been trained to handle that situation in a calm manner.  Thank you Jackie for teaching us.  I hope to be enrolled again this year as I expire in November.

Hug your loved ones every chance you get. This was an accidental overdose on prescribed medication.  Read and follow the labels and directions of the professionals.

Remembering Bill Bresnahan, Former Chief Warden of Alberta

Bill Bresnahan, former Chief Warden of Alberta, recently passed away in Hinton, Alberta.

What a legacy Bill Bresnahan leaves JFW!  

• He was Chief Warden of Alberta from 1980 to 1995.  
• He started the first National Camp at Kananaskis Guest Ranch in 1980.  
• In 1981, he was involved in moving the JFW Provincial Camp from Blue Lake Centre near Hinton to Long Lake Education Centre near Athabasca.  
• He mentored many JFW members over the years he was involved in our program and is fondly remembered.

Our deepest condolences to Bill's family and friends on his passing.

Profile - Neil Marsh

                 

On Neil's retirement from AJFWA Regional & Provincial Boards, here's a reminder from 2014 of the man, the myth, the  legend....

Jennifer Howitt - AJFWA Office Administrator

Introducing....

Jennifer Howitt 

AJFWA Office Administrator

I have been involved with Junior Forest Wardens since 1993, and have been a member of the Red Deer Woodchucks for most of my adult life. 

I started with the Woodchucks as a Pathfinder leader. When my kids were old enough to join the program, I became a club parent and was the Secretary for the Red Deer Woodchucks. I am married to Cody Howitt, the Assistant Chief Warden.  Both of our kids have been in the program since they turned six years old. Mackenzie graduated the program in 2018, and our son Colby will graduate in 2021. 

I am honored and so grateful to have the opportunity to continue to work with this amazing organization that has given my family and friends so many wonderful opportunities. 

My past work history includes management of a non-profit organization in Blackfalds for almost five years, and then after our family moved to Red Deer, I worked for an oilfield company doing accounting until I found my passion in a classroom. 

Two years ago, I decided with the support of my family to go to college full time and finally get my degree. I have two more years of full-time college ahead of me still, but I promise you that I will value your emails and will strive to get back to you within at least a couple of days. I respect that you take the time to contact me, and even if I do not know the answer, I will always work to get you an answer.  

 I have loved and known this program, and I value what this program has given to myself, my family as well as every child and parent in our club.  I feel incredibly lucky to call many of the members of the Woodchucks “my very good friends”. These friends will probably tell you that I am NOT a fan of cold camp and that peeing outdoors in anything below -5 makes me a tad cranky.  However, I love teaching and interacting with the kids in our club.  I have been known to teach archery.  I love to play predator/prey. I am always known for making sure everyone around me is fed, and fed well. 

Nothing makes me happier than heading out on the river on a beautiful day chasing seagulls in my kayak and throwing candy between our boats as we laugh and navigate the river together for whatever nature may have in store for us. 

Please know that this program means the world to me and I strive to work hard for AJFWA and for you.

A Tribute to Mors Kochanski

Mors Kochanski passed away on December 5, 2019 at the age of 79 years.

Mors – what can I say about Mors that hasn’t been said before by a great many people and said well?

Mors Kochanski was probably the best “Outdoor Living Skills” instructor in North America! He was an RCAF Survival School instructor, was with the Canadian navy, an Assistant Professor at U of A for many years, a writer, illustrator, magazine publisher and so much more. He taught survival skills to the RCAF, British SAS, Arctic Flying Nurses, Native trappers in northern Saskatchewan and an unending list of Primitive/Bushcraft/Survival students from Canada, USA, British Isles and Sweden to name just the major ones. He taught outdoor bushcraft skills to school children, teachers, adults and most importantly from our perspective, Junior Forest Wardens. Indeed, he was referred to as the “Patron Saint” of JFWs. He wrote the JFW “Woodstravel Guide” just for us. Yea!

While he has authored many manuals, pocket books, craft books, etc., his Northern Bushcraft (now called just Bushcraft), first published in 1987, is (to me) the definitive work. It is the only resource book listed in the JFW Saw, Axe & Knife Safety program. His long association with Karamat Wilderness Ways has ensured his lasting legacy, through Karamat and his many YouTube videos.

Mors was many things but at heart he was an unparalleled teacher who could span all age groups and instill the wonders and bounty of Nature in us all. He taught us not to survive, but to thrive in the great outdoors! He was our Yoda!

Mors had an insatiable thirst for knowledge and was a voracious reader. The “Library” building at his place has thousands of volumes on a wide variety of subjects.

He has left us an ongoing legacy of which I will only mention one; the Mora Knife was one of his trademarks and with it he taught us knife skills (LIFE SKILLS!)

He has now left to continue his journey and I hope it contains a little wood smoke, Mora knives, tin whistles, and boughs for the ground-to-air signal fires.
I’ll leave you with one of his many sayings, “Mother Nature doesn’t care if you’re having a good time.”

His name will be added to the JFW “In Gratitude” memorial which hangs in the Hall at our Jumping Pound Camp.

Walk well.

 – Brian McBride, Eagles Club, Calgary

Bob Skarra, Red Deer Woodchucks Founder

It’s been a hard week for the Junior Forest Warden Family and all it’s members with the passing of 2 great and very experienced long time members. I met Bob Skarra back in 1983 at the Red Deer Sportsman show when he was at a booth talking about all the great activities, skills and camps that “Wardens” could do.  I was only 9 years old and had no clue how much impact Bob would have on shaping my life during the years with the group.  Bob Skarra was a co-founder of the Red Deer Junior Forest Wardens back in 1980, he wanted a club that his son and daughter could attend as a whole family.  Bob was a “take the bull by the horns” kind of guy and would lead by example, he always wore his uniform proud and made us all understand that it was an honour to wear our red shirt.  I remember still to this day when he presented me with my Bronze badge and welcomed me as an official warden.  Bob was a big man (well to a 9 year old anyways) I remember shaking his big gentle hand and looking up at him and his big grin knowing that I wanted to be just like him.  Bob also helped with the idea, and construction of “Warden Hall” at Camp Alexo out by Nordegg so the youth would have a place to go and enjoy the great outdoors.  I attended a building weekend with Bob at Camp Alexo and I remember how he worked with us kids so that we could help in the build, he always wanted the wardens included.  That same weekend we got snowed in and couldn’t leave till Monday and I remember Bob saying the “you have to find the bright spot in the situation” and so we went cross country skiing in the newly fallen snow.  Another time out at Camp Alexo and it snowed again and my old Ford couldn’t make it up the hill and Bob was out in his yellow Toyota and pulled me up the hill (I didn’t think it would do it) and he said it’s not the size that matters but how much heart you have.  Bob had a passion for the Junior Forest Warden program and all the cool hands-on things that we could do, but most of all was his excitement at teaching the Wardens and watching them succeed. 

The Woodchuck club was like a second family to Bob and I can’t image how much time he volunteered to make our club such a huge success.  We still hold Bob’s values of what makes a club successful still to this day, family involvement, community parenting, every family has to contribute, the four pillars and the uniform.  Bob was also a co-founding member the JFW Alumni and helped at numerous national camps and primitive skills camps.  I always thought of Bob as larger then life and with his passing it makes me realize how precious our time is here and he would want us to share that time with each other and the outdoors.  Bob, you will never fully know how you inspired me in life to be better at what I do, to be honest and true to myself, fellow wardens and to pursue my dreams whatever that might be and just be the best that I can be.  We will miss you and your presence will forever surround those who knew you in the Junior Forest Warden Family.
There will be a memorial service for Bob Skarra December 15 in Red Deer at the Holiday Inn Chalet Westerner Park from 1-3pm, if you can attend please wear your red shirt as it would mean a lot to him.

- Cody Howitt

A Tribute to Bob Skarra

Bob Skarra passed away on December 7, 2019

Bob was a JFW icon. He and two other fellows founded the Red Deer Woodchucks JFW club in 1980. At that time there were some problems dealing with the regional rep from Forestry, so Cliff and Dorothy Tetz (founders of the Eagles club in 1976) gave Bob some assistance, so in some respects you could consider the Woodchucks a brother/sister club. The Woodchucks have thrived for the last 39 years and are a very progressive and dynamic club. Some of the earlier members are still active: Don and Linda Shantz (wood carving, drum making and other hand crafts), Tom and Jan Blunden (Alumni Association, who have organized the Alumni Winter Skills and McKenzie Crossing Summer Family camps.

Many of you may have been to Camp Alexo (PT Cruiser Camp, etc.). Bob was instrumental with the Woodchucks building the “Warden Cabin” there, which some of you may have stayed in.

In his career he has taught hundreds of Wardens at the club, regional, National Camps and with the Alumni Association. Bob’s willow chairs were a hallmark project for the Alumni summer camps at Chambers Creek, and later at McKenzie Crossing.

I have had the privilege of working with Bob on many of these occasions. It was enlightening, inspirational, educational and most importantly, it was FUN!  Bob had a great sense of humor. He was a big man, had a big laugh and a big heart.

I won’t attempt to list all his endeavors and awards but two stand out. He was a great believer in the family values of JFW, so in April of 1994 he and Phyllis McBride co-founded the Alumni Association so the adventure could continue. His greatest award (reward) was the Wardens themselves. Indeed, Cody Howitt was one of Bob’s Woodchucks and is now the Assistant Chief Warden for Alberta.

He has left us now to continue his journey and I hope along the way it involves ice fishing for Burbot.

His name will be added to the “In Gratitude” memorial for outstanding contributions to the JFW organization. This memorial is mounted in the Hall at our Jumping Pound camp.

Thanks, Bob.               

- Brian McBride, Eagles club, Calgary

The Passing of a Wilderness Living Legend

Mors Kochanski

By Terry Garrett, Chief Warden of Alberta 



Many of you in Junior Forest Wardens heard that a wonderful friend to our program, Mors Kochanski, passed away on December 5th. Over the years, Mors taught courses at many of our events: National Camps, Regional Campouts, Club activities, Leader’s workshops, and many more.  He spent most of his life developing, improving and sharing his vast knowledge of survival and bushcraft skills with everyone who was interested in a course or wanted to share space around a campfire with him. He had many occupations over the years - Associate Professor at the U. of A., outdoor living instructor and author to name a few.

His involvement with the Junior Forest Warden program started many years ago (even before my time).  As well as teaching us a variety of courses at various events, he also wrote the Junior Forest Warden Woodstravel Guide for our program.  This little red binder was well read from cover to cover by everyone who wanted to spend time in the wilderness.  He also developed a set of “little booklets” that were perfect to stick into your pocket and take with you while you were in the outdoors – just in case you forgot how to do something.  His Bush Craft and Northern Bush Craft books (which he dedicated to his wife) were also huge successes. Then several years ago, he felt that he needed to update and add to the information in the JFW Woodstravel Guide, so in 2013 he wrote Basic Safe Travel and Boreal Survival Handbook, in which mentions that this book was originally compiled for the benefit of the Junior Forest Wardens. He told me he added lots of illustrations and about a hundred pages of information.  All these books and more are available from Karamat Wilderness Ways.  Mors had so much information to share; I am glad he put a lot of it into print for us to enjoy, read, re-read and share with others.

Around a campfire Mors was a fountain of knowledge and always had good stories to share or tips to make you time in the outdoors more comfortable.  He often told me not to buy expensive outdoor equipment for teaching young people in the bush – you will lose too much gear that way.  Instead he would always tell me about hot deals on great simple tools that he would pick up at the Dollar Store.  I followed his advice, never lost any equipment and still use them to this day.

He often referred to himself as the plastic and tarp survival instructor.  Mors indicated that some instructors from other parts of North America thought his techniques were a little unusual since he didn’t use just natural materials. He was always well respected for his ideas and taught all over Canada, the United States and Sweden. I am sure there were more places but those are the only ones that I can think if off the top of my head that we talked about. Thanks to his shelter building techniques, I have never slept cold in the outdoors. Though we didn’t spend a lot of time together as he was always in demand, I valued the time we shared and admired his vast knowledge.

One day I was visiting Connie & Ingo and while we were having supper, they said Mors was working on a movie as a survival consultant.  So, we called him for a chat.  When asked what famous actor he was working with he said “someone named Leo”.  Mors obviously was not a person who was star struck, as it turned out to be Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie The Revenant.  When I think about it, it makes me smile.

In recent days I have been reading lots of blogs with tributes to Mors and how his teachings had an impact on their lives.  They are all suggesting that since everyone can not gather in his memory, to share time around a campfire (smoke or woodsmoke they called it) to tell stories in remembrance Mors.  This sounds like a great idea for our clubs to do on their next outing. As long as we continue to share the stories and skills, the legend of this great wilderness living instructor, Mors Kochanski, will not be forgotten by our Junior Forest Warden family.

In closing here is Mors Kochanski’s credo:
“The bush is neutral.  It is neither for nor against me.  My comfort depends on what I can do for myself and how much I know about using the bush materials around me.  Becoming angry, depressed or unhappy does little to help me in my situation.  I will try to think positive thoughts and find ways to be thankful for what I have.  When I am not sure of what to do I will stop, relax, and think out the situation before I act.  I realize moving about when I do not know where I am or where I am going will make it more difficult for others to find me.  My concern at this moment is to make myself comfortable for tonight.  I shall shelter myself from wind, rain, or snow and build a fire to warm up.  I will not let fear or panic rule my mind as this only works against me.  The bush is inert.  It is incapable of doing me harm.”  – MORS KOCHANSKI, Credo from Pocket Handbooks.

Read more about Mors: http://masterwoodsman.com/2016/mors-kochanski/

Calling all JFW Graduates!

If you, or a family member, graduated from the JFW Program, we would love for you to share a photo and a little bit of information about the graduate with us.  

Please email treemail@ajfwa.ca with the following:

• photo of graduate
• name of graduate
• Club attending at time of graduation
• number of years in AJFWA as a Warden
• year graduated
• (optional) memorable moment, skill, trip or event from graduate's years as a Warden

We'd also love to post any photos you have of your graduating group.

Click here to view the 2019 Grad Gallery.  

Click here to view the 2018 Grad Gallery.

Melodie Philomena Kelly - Coordinator St. John's Wild Wanderers

Melodie Philomena Kelly

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Melodie Philomena Kelly. For those who didn't have the opportunity to join in on the trip to Newfoundland, Melodie was the Coordinator of the Wild Wanderers JFW Club in St. John’s.  She leaves behind her loving husband Wayne Pearson and her daughter Georgia (8 years old) as well as many family members and friends.  Mel will be greatly missed, but her memory will remain in the hearts of everyone whose life she touched.  The Alberta Junior Forest Warden Association has made arrangements for a commemorative tree plant in Mel’s name at the Bannerman Park in St. John’s this fall. 

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.

Former JFW member Kara Douville is hoping to compete in the 2020 Paralympic Games

Kara Douville is hoping to compete in the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo

Kara is a former JFW member.

On May 11th, 2013, 25-year-old Kara Douville was on her way for a day of climbing in the Canadian Rockies with a group of friends.  Life had never been sweeter, she had just signed a lease on her first apartment and was sitting behind the wheel of her new car, a used Mazda protogé.  She was working as an outdoor facilitator – sharing her love for the outdoors with people living with developmental disabilities.  She had just completed her Black Diamond Pro climbing certificate. But May 11th was a day that would change Kara’s life forever.  On her second climb of the day, Kara fell 8 meters (25 feet) and suffered an L2 spinal cord injury, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down.  She never moved into that apartment and she never drove that new car again.

After months in the hospital, including numerous surgeries and countless hours of painful rehabilitation, Kara was ready to go home.  She wasn’t sure what her future held and how she was going to move forward in the face of unimaginable physical and emotional challenges.  Fate intervened, and Kara was introduced to handcycling and immediately fell in love.  A sport that requires tremendous strength, endurance, and unbelievable determination, handcycling gave Kara a goal.  That goal grew into a way of life as Kara devoted hours to training pushing herself to be the best athlete she could be.  

In the last five years Kara has faced numerous obstacles, from surgeries to rediscovering her independence and identity, but handcycling kept her grounded and focused.  It channeled her love for the outdoors and gave her a port in the storm.  She pushed the envelope with her training, impressing her trainers and friends with feats of physical strength, her Instagram shows her out on the road during every time of the year.  Her love for the sport is palpable and inspiring.

Soon, Kara’s dedication to handcycling helped her progress to the high-performance level where she began to compete in provincial and national races. Her competitive character meant that she set her sights on the national championships. And this June; after 4 years of hard work, of training 20 hours per week, of battling back form the surgeries, setbacks and the growing pains of adapting to a new way of life; Kara won the Canadian National Championships! Beating her opponents by an incredible 14 minutes in the road race and by 3 minutes in the time trial, while keeping up with some of the top athletes from the male elite category. This made her the fastest woman in Canada and the current Canadian champion. A result that earned her an opportunity to compete in the World Championships as part of the Canadian Next Generation team.

Her Dream

Throughout her incredible journey Kara has always stayed true to her identity of being active, determined, and optimistic. Traits that have helped her reach the goals she sets for herself. Kara is determined to continue the journey and has set her sights on a new goal:

Her dream is to represent Canada and compete in the 2020 Paralympic games in Tokyo! She wants to qualify for several world cups along the way and is ready to give it everything she has to make it happen.

How to help

To reach her goal, Kara will have to race at a level where the quality of her equipment will make all the difference. When Kara came across the finish line at the Canadian Championships this June her fellow competitors were amazed that she made such good time considering the quality of her bike.  “Imagine what you could do with a faster bike,” one of her fellow racers said.  For people living with a disability, specialized adapted sports equipment for recreation or competition come with a very high price tag. The financial assistance that exists in Canada only addresses a small fraction of the costs.  Individuals are expected to pay outrageous amounts out of their own pockets just to stay active or to follow their passions.

Up to this point Kara has managed to achieve amazing results by using standard equipment, which she initially had to borrow due to the high costs of ownership. To make the next step in realising her dream, we want to help Kara get a Carbon RevoX handcycle, a proper racing bike that comes at a cost of    $16, 000.00. This bike will give Kara the chance she deserves to compete against the fastest women in the world.

Those of us closest to Kara feel that for every time she pushed us to climb higher, to explore an unmarked trail, or to get on our bikes even though it was snowing, we owe it to her to help her achieve her dream, and because of your generous donations and support we will be able to do just that. 

CTV News Article 2018-12-31

GOFUNDME

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

Big Shoe Award Presented to Jim Ellison

Big Shoe Award Presented to Jim Ellison

It is awarded every year to someone who, by their commitment, dedication, energy and enthusiasm for Junior Forest Wardens have made a big, lasting and very positive mark – BIG SHOES to fill indeed.

I have a hard time with awards like this because obliviously my feet are big but not this big . . . and there are a lot of people out there that deserve this award. This CLUB is a group effort and everyone makes this organization run.

The Best way to sum up who I have decided to award is: “if you ask this person to do something: you never have to give it another thought, it will be done.

I would like Jim Ellison to please come join me.

Jim joined JFW in 1996 with 4 boys and a wonderful wife. He has been club coordinator, support leader, and treasurer. He sat on the Southern District as a chairperson and now is an Alumni. He has been the main stage builder for National camps over the years and joined the committee last National as site manager. As you all know he filled this position with an authoritative attitude and made everything run smooth.

At Leadership Fall Camps Jim has a record for selling the most Odd Fellow tickets. And on that note, Jim sold dozens of wool socks in +34 weather at National Camp.

To the man who fills the “BIG SHOE”

submitted by
Pat Wood
Stettler Swift Fox