INNISFAIL - The Golden Poplar District Girl Guides, including many from Innisfail, recently held their annual fall camp in Sylvan Lake.
A total of 85 girl guides in the district from ages five to 18, including those from Delburne, Dickson, Spruce View and Caroline took part in the two-day outdoor camp experience at Camp Sherbino from Oct. 21 to 23.
“It's a really good chance for all of our girls to get together and bond and it teaches them a lot of really valuable skills that they can use throughout the year ” said Marissa Wilson, co-commissioner for the Golden Poplar District.
Different age groups participate for different lengths of time, she noted.
“Our Sparks (kindergarten and Grade 1) come out just for the Saturday. It's a good experience to learn what camp's all about,” she said. “Our Grade 2 and Grade 3 girls come out Saturday morning as well but they stay for one night so it's their first dose of camping and they sleep in a heated hall. It's their first sleepover with girl guides, which is pretty exciting for them.”
The grades 4 to 12 girls camp out for both nights and learn to build their own shelter and sleep in a tent or a lean-to, said Wilson.
During the two-day fall camp, girl guides participate in a number of activities including nature hikes, learning to build a fire, orienteering and nature-based crafts.
This year the camp had a special guest; a toy stuffed jaguar named Mashramani from Guyana. The jaguar is used as a teaching point for girl guides to learn more about their twin country.
“(Guyana is) our twin partner up until 2020,” she said, noting Mashramani will visit units throughout Alberta, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. “We do twinning events with different countries throughout the world to help spark guiding interest in their country as well teach them about guiding in other countries.”
The girl guides meet Mondays (6:30 – 8 p.m.) and Wednesdays (6 – 7:30 p.m.) at the Innisfail United Church. For more information email Golden Poplar District Girl Guides at [email protected].
Marissa Wilson
"It's a really good chance for all of our girls to get together and bond and it teaches them a lot of really valuable skills that they can use throughout the year. "
