Snow Geese in Costa Rica!

In good  Piekema style, we are submitting this article about our awesome trip to Costa Rica about a year late.  It is time to tell our story of adventure in the warm, beautiful climate of Costa Rica with our JFW friends Connie and Ingo.  

Benjamin Nitsche,  Jordan and Treva Piekema were privileged to accompany Chief Warden of Alberta, Terry Garrett on a JFW Costa Rican adventure with Connie and Ingo.  We arrived in Costa Rica on March 24th, 2017 to a balmy 34o on the tarmac.   Ingo was our tour guide for the next 10 days.

We first explored  Las Pumas rescue center for wild Costa Rican animals, we saw many  species of wildcats, monkeys plus, macaws, toucans and parrots. These animals are rehabilitated and released to the wild if possible.  Vista Golfo (View of the Gulf) Adventure Park was our next stop, comfortable stay, beautiful views and home of the incredible zip-line tour;  23 zip-lines and 2 rappels taking us through the natural terrain of river and gorge to a secluded freshwater oasis. We even got to do the Superman zip!!!

              

On to Los Lagos under the Arenal  Volcano. Lots of hot spring time playing in the Tobacon Hot Spring pools along the Arenal  River. We wondered if we would see the volcano, as it was hidden behind cloud except for a quick glimpse.  On our last day at Los Lagos, we awoke to a clear sky and incredible view of the volcano and the tell tale wisp of steam coming from its crater.

 

Ingo was able to scout out a route he had never taken before.  We dedicated this trek into unchartered territory to our beloved friend,  Larry Nelson. With 5 river crossings, winding roads and amazing views. Larry would have loved this adventure!

Santa Elena, Monteverde and the amazing Salvatura Cloud Forest  was our next adventure. Our guide, Juan Carlos as able to mimic the bird life of the cloud forest and pointed out many species we would have walked right by, some being tiny nesting hummingbirds, the beautiful Resplendent quetzal and  the echoing Bell bird. On our side adventures we were able to spot opossum, sloth and coati.

Our next destination brought us to Connie at Totobe Resort.  Here we visited Butterfly Mike and his butterfly garden and we even got to extract 2 years worth of Cat Bee honey, very yummy! Ingo and Happy the dog took us on a paddling adventure into the Mangrove.  The amazing cleansing mangrove trees and the abundant wildlife made this adventure a memorable one. Ask Treva about her dip into the mangrove, it may not have been planned! For our last few days in Costa Rica we enjoyed sand, surf and sun at our secluded Totobe beach.  The wave schedule allowed surfing once a day and sometimes twice. Connie and Ingo took all of us surfing. Yes... Mrs Garrett went surfing too, but she had to leave us early to get back to her mild mannered life as a librarian! The rest of us remained at our beach oasis for another 4 days to fly home along with Connie and Ingo.  This was our wonderful JFW style Costa Rican holiday.

Woodlanders 20th Anniversary Camp March 9-11

The Meadow Lake Woodlanders Junior Forest Wardens are celebrating their 20th year!

JFW families and JFW Alumni are invited to join in the fun at our family camp, March 9-11 2018, at the beautiful Camp Oshkidee on Jeanette Lake in the Meadow Lake Provincial Park (Not far from the site of National Camp 2014)

Please mark the dates on your calendar, and watch for more information.
Costs will be small, fun will be HUGE!
Club contact email: info at woodlandersjfw.org

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

Register NOW for WINTER OUTREACH FEBRUARY 16-19, 2018

JFW OUTREACH FEBRUARY 16-19, 2018

WINTER WALL TENT WONDERS

We would like to invite all Adventurers, Challengers, Leaders and Parents to participate in this year’s Winter Outreach program.  The location is in a random camp area within view of Mt. Baldy near Nordegg.  What a great opportunity to test your outdoor skills and knowledge.  Doug Latimer will join us for the weekend, which means there will be tons of information and lots of great stories to share with us.

The plan for the weekend it to arrive on the Friday night and ski or hike into the camp area where you will help to set up some of the wall tents for the night.  After a cozy night’s sleep, you will divide into two groups: half will go with Doug for the day (on an adventure or to the summit of Mt. Baldy or both) while the other half builds their own shelters (on their own without adult assistance unless requested).  If you like you can stay in your own shelter for the night!  The next day the groups will exchange activities.

Do you want to test your knowledge of winter skills?  Then this is the camp for you!!  We will have terrific meals and tents for your comfort away from home.  The Outreach Committee is excited about offering you the opportunity to do things on your own.  Come and join us for this unique opportunity! Cost is only $95 per person!

Mt. Baldy - It will look different with snow on it!

JFW Members - Log in and go to this page to see more!

Along the Trail in Newfoundland

When you’re out on the trail, you never know what’s you’ll find around the bend.  In August, Bev and Dale Wickenheiser, JFW Alumni from Lethbridge, Alberta were hiking along the East Coast Trail in Newfoundland and Labrador, where they saw humpbacks, blueberries, and JFW St. John’s East. 

Two families from the Club, which may soon be known as the Giant Squid, did the 15K leg of the East Coast Trail between Bauline East and Brigus South, with an overnight at Roaring River.   That’s where the two groups met.  The JFW connection was made quickly, after a pleasant exchange about the glory of the trail and the spirit of JFW. 

back row

Lucy Finn, Bruce Drover

front row Bev Wickenheiser, Thomas Drover, James Drover, Owen Finn, Dale Wickenheiser

Sammy the hiking dog is in the foreground.

Newfoundland JFW at National Camp!

The folks from JFW Newfoundland have written a great post about their experience at National Camp 2017. Read all about it here!

Yellowhead JFW Summer and Fall Events

Exciting events are in store in the Yellowhead Region!       

All JFW members are invited to attend these upcoming events:

Re-Imagine Family Camp has been formalized for September long weekend, 1^st to 4^th.  With the help of our sponsors we are booking instructors in a wide variety of events including but not limited to paddle boarding, shelters and canoeing.  There will be sessions for all ages. The food and cooking are included in this event being hosted by Connie and Ingo.  Registration is now open with the early bird code of Family2017, entered on the second page. See attached brochure.

Wild Woman of JFW camp is now open.  I will advertise it beyond YRC for National camp which gives the ladies within YRC the opportunity to book early, and save.  The early bird code is Wild2017.  See attached brochure.  This event is open to JFW Alumni as well.  This event is for women only.

Please go to www.yellowheadjfw.ca, login and click on the events tab to get more information and register for these events.