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.

Central Alberta Regional Trails Society (CARTS)

If you're looking for a new trail to explore in the Central Alberta area, the Central Alberta Regional Trails Society (CARTS)'s website is a great resource.  Check it out here.

SUMMER OUTREACH 2019
Bowron Lakes Canoe Circuit
July 16-27, 2019

This will be an amazing summer adventure for Adventurers, Challengers, Leaders, Adults, and Alumni. 

Let’s step back in time to the era of the gold rush at Barkerville, British Columbia.  Here we will tour the old mining town and see the impact of mining in the area.  We will also test our paddling abilities when we embark on this world renown canoe circuit in a remote wilderness setting.  We will use both our flatwater, moving water and tripping skills in the 116 km circuit which includes 10 km of portages, made up of 10 lakes connected with rivers.  Participants will learn how to “read” the water, set up camp, be responsible for all their personal first aid requirements and participate in the preparation of meals and clean-up. This is a very remote area so rescue is extremely difficult - days or at least 3 hours by helicopter, so wilderness first aid or remote responder would be beneficial. The area is prone to sudden changes in weather, so weather watching is another skill the participants will need to develop.  If you purchase a fishing license you might be able to catch your supper too!

Space is limited for this amazing adventure - we only have room for 15 participants in this program.  The cost will be $265/person, which will include transportation, canoe and wheel rental, food, camping fees along the way and admission to Barkerville.

This program will be by application only! Applications will be accepted until May 26^th. Please send the required information to committee.outreach@ajfwa.ca.  Space is limited so apply quickly!

Come and join the adventure!!

APPLICATION INFORMATION REQUIRED

• Name
• Club
• Name of Club Coordinator to confirm your abilities
• Age
• Contact information: email address, phone number where you can be reached so we can let you know if you have been accepted into the Outreach program.
• Paddling experience: List your previous canoe trips - moving water, class of river, flat water and tripping
• experience and length of these adventures (eg. 4 days)
• Level of First Aid you have
• Medical Concerns
• Dietary Concerns

Votes are in for the Indigenous Lands Recognition Poll

You have spoken!
Treaty Lands recognition will now be standard practice at Junior Forest Warden events.

Here is a link to the Indigenous Lands Recognition Protocol.  The document outlines the background and recommended procedure as well as resources for determining which Territory a particular location is in.  

A statement should be made to the assembled members, at the opening of an event, similar to the following:

“As we gather here today, we acknowledge that we are on Treaty { } Territory {and the Homeland of the Métis}. We pay our respect to the First Nations, {Inuit and Métis} ancestors of this place and reaffirm our relationship with one another.”

National Camp through the eyes of a Newbie

National Camp 2020 planning is well underway.  Wondering what it is all about?  Want to know if you should be booking your vacation now?  Here is what Brandilee from Airdrie had to say after her FIRST National Camp.

National Camp….Those words bring back happy memories, and feelings of excitement, and anticipation. My family and I had the wonderful opportunity the summer of 2017 to attend our very first National Camp. It was our very first year in the JFW world, and we had heard nothing but good things about National Camp. The reality of it didn’t disappoint. 

There were so many wonderful, amazing classes that opened my eyes to new hobbies to try personally, and to teach our Wardens! I enjoyed learning about how to make soap, salves to heal, soapstone carvings, flintknapping, glass blowing and so many more skills!

I loved that there was such a variety of classes. There was something for everyone in my family. My son who at the time was 10 loved the Flying Bobs Circus Training and had a blast at the performance. Asking him about his favourite part, his answer was “I’m not sure, there was so many good parts!” My husband enjoyed meeting new people and the vast variety of classes. His favourite class was the knife forging. My daughter who was 13 at the time, enjoyed the classes but also really loved getting to know other AC’s from the other clubs. Her favourite class was also knife forging. It was a great experience making a usable knife out a piece of rebar.  

It was eye opening to see how big our JFW family really is. It is one thing to know that our family is spread from BC to Newfoundland, it is another to meet them! I was floored to meet so many like minded families! It was an honour to learn alongside so many wonderful people and I can’t wait to go back, reconnect and forge new friendships!

Submitted by     

Brandilee Elson     The Airdrie Wolves

AJFWA is hiring an Office Administrator to work from home

The Alberta Junior Forest Wardens Association, a leading family oriented organization, fosters an understanding and respect for our natural environment through educational programs, leadership and outdoor skills. Check us out at ajfwa.ca.

We are currently looking for an administrator for contract work that includes the following activities:
   - Website management
   - Event registration
   - Basic bookkeeping and financial reporting
   - Membership services
   - General administrative tasks using website, databases, QuickBooks, MSWord, Outlook, and Excel.

We are seeking an independent, self starter who works well alone and has strong interpersonal and communications skills. Computer proficiency is required and ability to learn new programs is a strong asset. Previous experience as a contract worker and specifically in reporting to a board of directors would serve the candidate well. Resumes with cover letter should be send to committee.personnel@ajfwa.ca on or before April 20, 2019.