National Camp - NEW THIS YEAR, Club Mailboxes

Last National Camp we had the EcoClub Mascots make an appearance. This year we are mixing it up and asking Clubs to create mailboxes to help identify their Club as well as receive the morning CAMP DIRT newspapers.

We are excited to see what you come up with!!!

National Camp 2017 Committee

Tree Bagging - April 30 at Edmonton Muttart Conservatory - EVERYONE WELCOME

On Sunday, April 30th at 1:00 pm, the Junior Forest Wardens have been invited to participate in the Annual Tree Bagging for the Grade 1 students in the Edmonton and surrounding areas. 

This year we will be putting between 10,000 - 15,000 seedlings into individual bags.  This usually take an energetic group of JFW's a little over an hour to complete the task - many hands make light work of a big task!!!  

Please enter the Muttart Conservatory at the North-West Greenhouse entrance (not the main public entrance).  We are usually rewarded with the opportunity to tour the Pyramids after our hard work.  

Bring the whole family and make an event out of the day!  Leave your uniform at home and bring a red t-shirt instead as the greenhouse will be very warm.  

I look forward to seeing lots of JFWs bagging lots of trees!!!

Terry Garrett
Chief Warden of Alberta

Memorial Gathering for Larry Nelson - June 3

June 3, 2017

Pagan Lake Campground, Saskatchewan

Relatives, friends, and co-workers are cordially invited to gather at Pagan Lake from 1:00 to 3:00 Saturday, June 3, 2017


Please bring along your camp chair, an umbrella in case of rain, and your favourite recollections, stories or songs to share.We encourage you to wear the uniform or emblems of the organization where you got to know Larry (JFW, Elks, Sask Environment...)
We know that many of you have fond memories of Larry and we would like to hear them. Please send your favorite stories, photos, and recollections to treemail@ajfwa.ca, or bring them along. We will compile these into a special tribute book.
Personal condolences to Garry Nelson can be sent to garry.nelson.greetings@ajfwa.ca

If you intend to camp at Pagan Lake on the June 2-4 weekend, please email info@woodlandersjfw.org as soon as possible.  Campsites will be in high demand, and we will try to save room for everyone. All JFW attendees are welcome to join the Woodlanders club for their weekend camp program


For hotel accommodations please contact 306-236-5939 and ask for Tony or Michelle

Campground Location

Awards of Merit - types and process for nominations

To nominate a member for an award, send the information on the awards to Chief Warden of Alberta - Terry Garrett at terry.garrett@ajfwa.ca

Fire Honour

Awarded to Wardens for significant fire suppression, detection or action where protection of property or our forest environment is at risk. A badge is presented for the recipient's uniform along with a personal congratulatory letter from Alberta’s Chief Warden.

If someone wishes to acknowledge a Warden, a letter explaining the circumstances must be sent to the AJFWA. The Alberta Chief Warden will determine if the Warden is eligible to receive the badge. An adult leader may display a Fire Honour Badge if they were awarded it as a Warden.

Gold Honour

This highest award in the organization for a Warden is awarded for continuous and outstanding service to the club and Junior Forest Warden organization. The length of service may be a consideration. It may also be awarded for heroism and valour. A badge is presented for the recipient's uniform. A certificate and a personal congratulatory letter from the Chief Warden of Canada or Alberta Chief Warden also accompany this award.

To recommend a Warden for the Gold Honour, the Warden's contributions are outlined in a letter composed and signed by the Club Coordinator, Club Leader(s) and Adult Council and sent to the AJFWA. The Chief Warden of Canada or Alberta Chief Warden will determine if the Warden is eligible to receive the award.

Silver Honour

This second highest award in the organization for a Warden is awarded for meritorious and commendable service to the club and Junior Forest Warden organization. The length of service may be a consideration. A badge is presented for the recipient's uniform. A certificate and a personal congratulatory letter from the Chief Warden of Canada or Alberta Chief Warden also accompany this award.

To recommend a Warden for the Silver Honour, the Wardens contributions are outlined in a letter composed and signed by the Club Coordinator, Club Leader(s) and Adult Council and sent to the AJFWA. The Chief Warden of Canada or Alberta Chief Warden will determine if the warden is eligible to receive the award.

Order of the Golden Spruce Award

The Order of the Golden Spruce Award is the highest recognition a volunteer can receive in the Junior Forest Warden Program. It is to honour dedicated volunteers, adult leaders and life-long supporters of the organization. An oval-shaped pin and a gold and green certificate are presented. A personal congratulatory letter from the Chief Warden of Canada and/or Alberta’s Chief Warden accompanies this award.

To recommend a person for this award, three active adult members of the Junior Forest Warden organization must recommend recipients in a letter to the AJFWA. The Chief Warden of Canada and/or Alberta Chief Warden will determine if the Warden is eligible to receive the award.

NOTE:

• If a person was a Junior Forest Warden and is now a Leader or Life-Long Supporter of the Program he/she may be recommended for the "Gold or Silver Honour Award" but not "The Order of the Golden Spruce".

• If a person was a Junior Forest Warden at any time they cannot receive the "Order of the Golden Spruce".

• If a Volunteer was never a Junior Forest Warden, they cannot receive the "Gold or Silver Honour Award".

Calgary Boat and Sportsman Show - as seen by Jami Henderson

Myah manning the JFW booth

When my mom first signed us up to do the Calgary Boat and Sportsman Show I didn't know what to expect. Personally, I don't take much pleasure in boats and I can only look at guns for so long.

Needless to say, I was volunteering because my mom told me to.

I was pleasantly surprised, however, when we arrived. Yes, there are boats and guns but there are also puppies and mini donuts. We spent the first half hour or so in our booth fielding the occasional questions about the JFW program before we were able to wander off to explore. The other exhibitors ranged from hot tub salesmen to wildlife photographers to Campers Village employees. We went fishing, shot arrows and pellet guns into the back of a trailer, met the dogs and cats at the animal rescue booth, toured a houseboat, watched a lumberjack show, tested back massagers, watched a bird presentation and ate a lot of mini donuts. And that was just Friday evening.

Next year when the request comes out for volunteers, we highly encourage you to come out for a shift. Wear your red shirts, talk up our fabulous organization and check out everything the Boat and Sportsman Show has to offer.

Jami Henderson

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

The Passing of a Legend: Larry Nelson, 1950 - 2017

It is with profound sadness that we share with you the news of the sudden passing of Larry Nelson at his home in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan.

Larry will be deeply missed by his twin brother Garry, their extended family, and his countless friends throughout the Junior Forest Warden world and beyond.

Garry shares these words:

"I thank everyone for their kind words about Larry. He was a great brother and friend and he even looked like me".

We know that many of you have fond memories of Larry and we would like to hear them. Please send your favorite stories, photos, and recollections to treemail@ajfwa.ca. We will compile these into a memorial to be presented at National Camp and in Tree Mail.

Personal messages to Garry can be sent to garry.nelson.greetings@ajfwa.ca