Thank You to our Sponsor - Alberta Conservation Association

The National Camp Funding Committee is pleased to recognise the support received from The Alberta Conservation Association in the form of a project grant of $25,000.

This grant money will be used to provide additional training sessions during our national camp.  Sessions such as glass blowing and survival in the wilderness will be supported by this grant.  The grant will also cover mileage and other costs associated with hiring professional trainers.  The presence of these professional trainers will improve the diversity of the training received by leaders and wardens during camp week.

This additional training should translate to an improved program for all of our local clubs.

My best wishes for a great National Camp

Claude Lebel
Chairman National Camp Funding Committee

Thank You to our Sponsor - Alberta Agriculture and Forestry

The AJFWA funding committee is pleased to recognise the support received from The Alberta Agriculture and Forestry ministry in the form of an operating grant of $50,000.

This grant money will be used to support our operations for the year.

I would like to specially recognise the support received from Ms Anastasia Drummond and Mr  Chad Morrison from the Ministry for their support during the process leading to the award of the grant to our association.

Claude Lebel
Chairman Fund Committee

AC Conference - Highlights by Ashlee Pollard

The 2017 AC Conference was held as usual at the Goldeye Center in Nordegg, it was attended by 150 participants, clubs from many areas around Alberta and a club from Saskatchewan.

This year 17 Challenger graduates were in attendance at the conference out of the 19 graduating this year.  Sessions held included, soap stone and wood carving with Don and Linda Shantz, felting with Barbara Llewellyn, Connie and Ingo sharing their fabulous skills, Merry Brotherston doing Trees of Life, Cuban medicine bags and beaded animals, Tawyna doing outdoor cooking and t-shirt bags, slack lining with Cassie and Mike, Leona Boiselle doing silhouette t-shirts, paracord bracelets with Elizabeth, Matt C, Daniel and Emily, Cody Howitt doing paracord monkey fists.  

On Saturday evening we were treated to a talk by Garry Nelson about his experiences as a warden in this teens, and got to watch a great video of him, his brother and fellow wardens doing an obstacle course they did every day at 6 am.  Kirsten W put together a wonderful slide show in memory of Larry Nelson which brought tears to our eyes, he is missed by all.

The dance was excellent but the D.J was not the same calibre as our regular D.J in past years who had a real talent for knowing the music the wardens liked.

The theme this year was Disney and all that it owns the wardens came up with some inventive costumes.  Randy, Kirsten, Cassie and Mike looked fabulous as characters from Alice in Wonderland!!   

Submitted by Ashlee Pollard

AJFWA General Meeting - Highlights

AJFWA General Meeting was held on April 22, 2017, at the site of the 2017 National Camp.

Here are the highlights from the meeting:

• Membership fees to remain $35 for 2017/18 club year

• Roger Madaire was acclaimed as the AJFWA President for the 2017-2019 term

• Leigh-Ann Martin was acclaimed as the AJFWA Secretary for the 2017-2019 term

• The proposed Bylaw was passed unanimously.  This will allow for Clubs outside of Alberta to have representation at the AJFWA Board.

• The complete minutes of the General Meeting are posted on the ajfwa.ca website on the General Meeting page.

National Camp - Farmers Market

Farmers Market at National Camp!

Yes, fresh produce will be brought to National Camp -  No need to run to the grocery store mid-week!

• The Jenner Hutterite Colony will be offering chicken and more.  

• Home Style Pies from Hanna will have frozen meat and fruit pies as well as steaks, lasagna, quiche and lamb chops. She also will bring her food truck so that people can buy hot fresh things that day as well. 

• Macphersons Meats from Big Stone will also be on site. They have beef, pork and chicken and more.

Be sure to bring cash to camp, so that you don't miss out on this opportunity!

Exact days & times will be posted soon
See the National Camp website for more details

National Camp - Featured Instructor: Flyin' Bob

Flyin' Bob

Flyin' Bob Palmer is coming to National Camp!

If you attended National Camp 2008 you will remember Flyin' Bob - an amazingly talented and funny performer
This year, Bob will be a major part of our program all week long!   You won't want to miss out on:

• Monday evening performance at the main stage

• Daily Circus Skills sessions where kids of all ages can learn some amazing stunts

• Student performance, where you get to show off the skills learned in Bob's sessions

For more information, please see the National Camp Website. Instructor section (member login required)

Want to learn more about Flying' Bob?  Here is a link to his website http://www.flybob.com/

Tree Bagging - Highlights

The Annual Tree Bagging for the City of Edmonton was held this past Sunday.

On Sunday, 51 JFW members came to help out from across the province - from Westlock to Red Deer!  In an hour and a half, 13,000 trees were individually bagged for distribution to the local Grade One students. 

Pretty impressive time considering the amount of trees!

Thanks for coming to help out.  

Terry Garrett

Chief Warden of Alberta