Cody Howitt - Mayor's Award for Distinguished Voluntary Service

The Alberta Junior Forest Warden Association congratulates our Chief Warden of Alberta, Cody Howitt, on his Mayor’s Award for Distinguished Voluntary Service.

Cody's outstanding volunteerism and community building in Red Deer and across Alberta are being recognized at an upcoming event in June and we couldn't be more proud! He is an exceptional person who has dedicated countless hours for over 25 years to the youth of our community through outdoor mentorship. He is a model of our organizational philosophy of teaching youth and families to enjoy the outdoors while respecting our natural environment.  He is skilled in all four of our educational pillars of Forestry, Outdoor Skills, Ecology and Leadership. 

• Forestry: Forestry Protection, Forestry Uses, Forestry Management, Wildlife Management, Outdoor Recreation, Watershed Management, Range Management & Community Service.
• Outdoor Skills: First Aid, Fire Lighting Techniques, Outdoor Clothing, Shelter, Navigation, Outdoor Safety, Responsible Camping and Hiking, Knots & Lashings, Survival, Search & Rescue, Outdoor Equipment, Hikes & Camp-outs. 
• Ecology: Enjoying the Outdoors, Classification, Interrelationships Between Species & their Environment, and Environmental Changes (weather, climate). 
• Leadership: Planning, Responsibility, Cooperation, Leadership of Others, Community Service.

Cody grew up in the Red Deer Junior Forest Wardens Club and found mentorship in the late Bob Skarra, who taught him firsthand the impact a safe and positive role model could have on a person's character. Once Cody caught the outdoor bug, he joined in 1984 when he was ten years old through graduating from the Junior Forest Warden program in 1992. He immediately took up leadership/mentorship roles in Red Deer Club. His only hiatus was when he and his wife moved to Edmonton for five years for post-secondary education. As soon as they returned, he was back to his leadership/mentorship roles serving the youth and families of Red Deer once again.  He has been a leader and has mentored consistently from 2001 to the present day. 

Cody has served in many roles over the years as a leader for the Red Deer Woodchucks Junior Forest Warden Club and David Thompson Regional President for the Alberta Junior Forest Warden Association. Most recently, in 2020, Cody was Awarded the distinguished role of Chief Warden of Alberta, where he currently serves. 

When COVID came upon us, Cody went straight to his garage to begin launching Junior Forest Warden programming online and staying connected with people. Now that we are through the worst of it, he has been planning the National Camp that was cancelled due to COVID and we look forward to an exceptional community-building experience this summer.

Cody is a kind, humble and dedicated role model in our community, positively influencing our citizens in every capacity that he serves in our organization. From weekly club meetings, committee meetings, weekend camp trips, week-long adventure trips, National Camps, and annual tree planting initiatives to the Red Deer Sportsman show and more. 

Outside of the Junior Forest Warden activities, Cody takes the initiative to organize family and friends Kayak and Canoe trips down the Red Deer River to help families gain confidence on the water and have fun together. Tree planting is very near to his heart, not only with our extensive  Junior Forest Warden Annual planting initiatives but also partnering with Pheasants Forever to plant trees in the Red Deer community and throughout Central Alberta. 

We can’t think of a more deserving person for the Red Deer Mayor Award!

Cody with his long-time Mentor Bob Skarra when he was awarded Assistant Chief Warden of Alberta at the Annual General Meeting in April 2018. He also awarded Bob Skarra the Lifetime Achievement.

Cody on his latest Winter Outreach Adventure trip 2023

Additional links:

https://www.reddeeradvocate.com/local-news/tree-planting-teaches-valuable-lessons-about-environment/

https://www.reddeeradvocate.com/uncategorized/bikers-work-to-revitalize-neglected-park-space/

Arbor Day Tree Bagging - April 30, 2023

Mark your calendars for the annual Arbor Day seedling bagging event at the Muttart Conservatory in Edmonton

This event was very special to Ernst Klaszus, one of our former Chief Wardens, and we hope to continue the tradition.  Usually we have between 15,000 and 30,000 trees to put in individual bags.  With many people, it can take anywhere from 1.5 - 3 hours of your time.  We really need you to make this event a success. Remember many hands make light work!! -- Terry Garrett, Chief Warden Emeritus

Hosted by Root for Trees, Edmonton's volunteer tree planting initiative.

Date:  Sunday, April 30, 2023

Time:  Arrive anytime between 10:45 am and 11:00 am to ensure everyone is signed in, set up at a bagging station and ready to begin at 11:00 am. Bagging will most likely be completed by about 2:00 pm. Staff will be there early for set up and stay late for take down. 

What to bring: Bring a water bottle and snack or a bag lunch, if desired. Volunteers can also purchase drinks and food at the Muttart Conservatory Café.   Gloves provided.

What to wear:  Dress for the weather as this event is held outdoors.

Facilities:   Accessible toilets will be available on site. 

Event Day Contacts:   Ashlyn 587-990-9443 or Taylor 780-288-9260.

Location:  Muttart Conservatory Greenhouse, 9626 96a St NW, Edmonton, AB T6C 4L8 

Travelling westbound on 98 Avenue NW towards the Muttart Greenhouses, turn left after passing the LRT station on the left-hand-side (green arrow below). Follow the directional signage to the Muttart Storage Parking Lot (west of greenhouse). Parking is available along either side of the service road west of the Muttart Greenhouse (see highlighted area below). 

 

2022 Jumping Pound Volunteer of the Year

On November 13, 2021 the 12th annual presentation of the Jumping Pound Camp Volunteer of the Year award was made at a gathering held at JFW's Jumping Pound Camp near Calgary to Steven Weimer of the Calgary Sarcee Club.

This award is presented to the person deemed most deserving of it, as agreed by previous award recipients.  It has traditionally been given to a member who has made a substantial contribution to the construction, maintenance and other physical development of the site.  

Steven has been a strong supporter of the Camp for many years both as a member of the Calgary Sarcee Club as well as through his contributions as a valuable member of the recently formed AJFWA Jumping Pound Camp Committee.  While his physical contributions to the site have been most appreciated, Steven has been a key contributor in other aspects of the well-being of the Camp, particularly his diplomatic approach to sticky issues. 

Congratulations to Steven and thank you for your dedicated support of Jumping Pound.

To learn more about the award, visit our Members Only Site or click here.

2022 Tree Bagging at the Muttart Conservatory Greenhouse

Arbor Day seedling bagging is around the corner!   JFW has a long history supporting this event hosted by Root for Trees, Edmonton's volunteer tree planting initiative.

Date:  Sunday, May 1 2021

Time:  12:30 p.m.

Activity:  Bagging 10-15,000 seedlings for Grade 1 students

Location:  Muttart Conservatory Greenhouse - West Parking Lot (map pin), Edmonton, Alberta

Attire:  Prepare to work either outside or inside.  The event may be held outdoors or move indoors depending on COVID restrictions.  

Directions:  Travelling westbound on 98 Avenue NW towards the Muttart Greenhouses, turn left after passing the LRT station on the left-hand-side (green arrow below). Follow the large blue "Muttart Delivery Signs" as pictured below. 

    

Parking: is available along either side of the service road west of the Muttart Greenhouse (see highlighted area below). 

 

Update:

Submitted by Terry Garrett, Chief Warden Emeritus of Alberta
On behalf of Root for Trees, the City of Edmonton and myself, I want to thank everyone who came out for the Tree Bagging event at the Muttart Conservatory on Sunday, May 1st.  In about 2 hours the 55+ people in attendance bagged about 12,000 trees for the Grade 1 students.  Many hands make light work of a big project.  Thank you so much for your help with this project.  You are awesome!!

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

Tree Bagging at the Muttart Conservatory

Tree Bagging at the Muttart Conservatory

1:00 p.m., Sunday, May 2, 2021
Greenhouse Entrance (back of pyramids)

(NOTE:  Newsletter says Saturday.  It's actually Sunday.)

JFW members are invited to participate in this annual JFW event.  The event will follow City of Edmonton COVID protocols, so expect to be working at family grouped tables outside in the parking lot rather than in the greenhouse.  

This year, we have 20,000 trees to put into bags for the Grade 1 and Grade 2 students.  Since everything was closed for COVID last year, the current Grade 2 students didn't receive their trees. With lots of hands, this should not take more than a few hours, so please come and help if you can! 

Some clubs have used this event as part of their community service hours.  Check with your club if this is their option.  In the past, we were able to spend time in the pyramids after our task was completed, but with the Muttart closed this year for renovations and COVID restrictions, that will not be a possibility.  

Root for Trees, the group responsible for Arbor Day in the City of Edmonton, would like to video some of our tree bagging operations and interview a few people as to why they are helping. They want to have a history of Arbor Day on their website.  They will provide the necessary waivers.  

Thank you in advance for your help.  This program was near and dear to the heart of our former Chief Warden, Ernst Klaszus, and I am proud we are continuing in his legacy.

Submitted by Terry Garrett, Chief Warden Emeritus

Blast from the past --- Article from March 2014 Tree Mail:

TREE BAGGING FOR ERNST

This project held a special place in the heart of our former Chief Warden, Ernst Klaszus. Each year his family, friends and Junior Forest Wardens gather at the Muttart Conservatory in Edmonton to bag seedlings for the Grade One students in Edmonton and surrounding area schools. Usually, there is a challenge to see if we can bag the seedlings (17,000 – 20,000) faster than we did the year before. Often there are side challenges to see who can bag the most trees too! Wear your red JFW t-shirt (it is hot in the greenhouse), bring a friend to help and let’s show everyone that Junior Forest Wardens can get a big job done! After we have completed our task (in under an hour), we are allowed to view the beautiful Muttart Conservatory. Please mark Sunday, May 4th at 1:00 on your calendar to be at the Greenhouse entrance (on the north-west side of the building) to come and help bag trees. See you there!!

April 24, 2021 Update -- 

Information from Lydia Fialka, Community Greening Coordinator, City of Edmonton

Arbor Day seedling bagging is around the corner! With that in mind, I'd like to share some event details with you:

Date: Sunday, May 2 2021

Time: start at 1:00 PM

Activity: this year we will be bagging ~23,000 seedlings for Grade 1 students!

Location: Muttart Conservatory Greenhouse - West Parking Lot (map pin)

Directions: follow 98Ave NW heading westbound towards the Muttart Greenhouses, turn left after they pass the LRT station on the left-hand-side (green arrow below). Please ask volunteers to follow the large blue "Muttart Delivery Signs" as pictured below. 

    

Parking: is available along either side of the service road west of the Muttart Greenhouse (see highlighted area below). We will also reserve 2-3 stalls for accessible parking. 

 

Health & Safety: 

• Outdoor Activities: All volunteer activities will take place outdoors this year; access to the Muttart Conservatory is not permitted this year. Volunteers are encouraged to dress in layers and be mindful of weather conditions. We ask that all volunteers please wear close-toed shoes.
• COVID-19 Safety: Volunteers are required to wear masks when working within 2m of another person. We will set up physically distanced work stations, and will provide further direction on-site. There will also be extra masks, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes onsite.  
• Volunteer Sign-in & Prescreening: Upon arriving onsite, volunteers will be asked to check in with a Root for Trees staff member to fill out a sign-in form and complete COVID-19 prescreening.  
• Washrooms: There will be an accessible portable toilet available onsite. 
• We will provide water bottles and snacks for volunteers. 

Arbor Day Video Filming: There will be a film crew onsite. During sign-in, volunteers will be asked to sign a model release form if they consent to being in the video. Those who do not wish to be caught on camera will be asked to wear a visible marker.

Final Message from Terry Garrett, Chief Warden Emeritus

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you to everyone who came up to Edmonton from across the Province to participate in the annual Tree Bagging event.  There were 52 participants from across the province including about a dozen members of Ernst's family (we were so happy they could join us).  This was no small task as we had double our normal amount of trees to bag.  When you call out to JFW members for volunteers, there are always members who are willing to help out. It usually takes a little over an hour for 10,000 trees to be bagged - we did 20,000 in three hours.  The Root For Trees program and the City of Edmonton are very grateful for the contribution of the Junior Forest Wardens for this event.  Hope you can all come back to join us next year in the first part of May!

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.

New Chief Warden of Alberta

Submitted by:  Terry Garrett, Past Chief Warden of Alberta

A year and a half ago, I shared with the AJFWA Board that I would be stepping aside as the Chief Warden of the Alberta Junior Forest Warden Association at National Camp 2020.  Unfortunately, COVID-19 had other plans and National Camp was cancelled until 2021.  It would not have been fair to the Assistant Chief Warden of Alberta Cody Howitt to have him wait another year before becoming Chief Warden, and frankly, I was feeling tired.  

So, I am thrilled to announce that, effective September 1, 2020, Cody Howitt is the new Chief Warden for the Alberta Junior Forest Warden Association.

Cody brings a wealth of knowledge to the position and an injection of enthusiasm and fresh ideas.  I know he is a wonderful choice for this position and I wish him all the very best.  I would have loved to have the big party of National Camp to launch Cody into the position, but maybe we will celebrate this transition at National Camp 2021.  

Cody has hinted that he has big shoes to fill (actually only size 6), but he will need to find his own path to follow.  Ernst Klaszus had a signature program of Seeds to Trees that he supported, and I found my passion in Outdoor Skills and Survival.  I know Cody will bring his own personal touch to the position.  The future of this program is in good hands!

Thank you all for your support over the past 13.5 years.  I have had the opportunity to meet so many amazing people, take part in wonderful programs and events, and spend time with so many of you on Outreach and work experience programs.  The behaviour, knowledge, and skills of our Wardens always made me proud to represent them.  I have learned a lot from them and others, and hope that you gleaned a little knowledge from me as well.  I will remain a member of the AJFWA and will help out wherever I am needed.  

Thank you so much for the wonderful memories!  I was always proud to represent this organization wherever I rambled.  It was an honour to serve as your Chief Warden.

President's Message

I trust this note finds you, our JFW family, well and getting ready to take on the challenges ahead of us in the fall. COVID has been a difficult beast for AJFWA to navigate through, but we have tried our best and continue to try to plan for what may be the new norm for the next many months.  

 

Our primary focus, as always, has been on the safety of our membership.  We have fashioned our policies and best practices based on what Alberta Health and the government have suggested are reasonable and prudent approaches.  As we move into months where increased group numbers and loosening of COVID protocols may be possible, we hope to come to a point where club nights and regional activities will virtually be the same as they were pre-COVID, but for some extra hand washing and a mask or two. 

 

The AJFWA Board spent much time discussing our plan going forward and coming up with contingencies, if the COVID situation improves or gets worse in the coming months.  

 

Many clubs are struggling trying to find locations for their club nights given that the facilities they used to hold their meetings are no longer opening their doors to outside organizations, primarily because of the cleaning requirements that now come with letting others use their facilities.  Some clubs have been successful by offering suggestions to facility managers such as one family per table with the appropriate distance between tables, wearing masks and implementing check sheets to ensure no one with symptoms is given access to the facility. Those clubs who are able to secure suitable indoor space will, of course, need to be mindful of the fact that the progression of this pandemic is constantly changing, and having a Plan B ready to roll out, if needed, should be thought out ahead of time.  

 

We are hopeful that clubs will spend as much time as possible outdoors in the coming months, in any event.  There are many ready-made lesson plans available on the AJFWA website that could easily be used with the addition of the social distancing protocol. Once winter hits, outside club meetings may not be practical.  

 

We are also mindful of the recommendations that indicate families should be picking one activity and not co-mingling their children in multiple social groups.  

 

With all of this in mind, here is what we have come up with for JFW going forward.

 

Registration/chartering will take place as usual in the fall

 

We encourage club nights to take place outside for as long as possible.  Social distancing, and perhaps wearing masks, will ease parents’ nervousness about social interaction, and given that we are outside, we should not run into problems with families having to pick our group/cohort over another.  If activities occur indoors, social distancing protocols should be implemented. As mentioned above, our website has many lesson plans ready to use, and if there is something in particular you are interested in, please reach out and we will make efforts to design a plan for you or put you in touch with someone who can help.

 

Link to lesson plans

 

Email address for Club HELP enquiries:  help@ajfwa.ca 

 

The following links should take you to the most recent protocols set by Alberta Health.  Please be mindful that these protocols are constantly changing and you must take a look at these often to ensure you are following the most recent guidelines. 

 

Link to Alberta Health Guidance & Restrictions

 

SPAR Guidelines

 

 

Online meetings / virtual lessons

 

Commencing this fall, we will be offering online meetings to registered wardens.  We have requested the assistance of our leaders and have asked that they consider taking on a night or two where they will offer an online session.  If a leader isn’t comfortable teaching an online session, another option is to record the lesson and submit it for viewing by membership.  We extend this call out for help to the parents as well.  

 

Please give it some thought and reach out with your ideas.  Demonstrate the simplest of crafts, do a short cooking lesson, teach something about compasses, play a game, do a campfire sing-a-long, take us for a hike in your community — the options are endless! The idea is to fill the calendar with as many options as possible to keep our children engaged in the JFW program and in touch with their fellow Wardens. A calendar of lessons will be posted, including information about the topic covered in each lesson and suggested age group.  We will be asking members to pre-register for each session.  An email list of any required supplies will be sent out before the class so families can prepare for their online session.  We hope to record the online sessions as well and add them to the lesson plan resource page on our website. 

 

Link to Virtual Instructor Questionnaire

 

Upcoming events

 

We continue to monitor protocols in place to determine when we will be able to offer in person activities such as PT Cruiser Camps, Fall Workshop,  AC Conference, etc.  Unfortunately, at this point in time, these in-person events are all on hold.  We have reached out to the event organizers and have asked that they attempt to convert their weekend programs into an online format.  Stay tuned for the release of information on the various activities that may be offered online.

 

AJFWA Committees

 

With the decrease in regular club nights the last several months, many of our volunteers have been meeting via online conferencing and telephone to catch up on committee work.  

 

We would like to remind all parents that our committees need your help.  There are many committees that could use more sets of hands to work on the tasks on their ‘to do’ lists.  Below are links to learn more about the  committees.  

 

Link to Committee List  (click on the Standing Committees tab)

 

Link to Committees section of AJFWA website

 

In general, most committees meet once a month for an hour or so to discuss their tasks, which range from computer work to by-law/policy drafting to fundraising and the list goes on.  Please have a look and see if there is an area of interest that you could spare an hour, or two or more (as fits your schedule), a month to help us out.  Many hands make light work and all the work done benefits the JFW program for our children. 

 

As always, the AJFWA Board is more than happy to address any questions or concerns families may have. Please reach out to the Board at board@ajfwa.ca and we will ensure that your questions get to the people who have answers.

Monica Robinson

AJFWA President

president@ajfwa.ca