Tekarama 12: Witches in Tents

For our year-end camp, we attended Tekarama 12: Witches in Tents at Camp Teka in Paris, Ontario. This event was put on by an amazing group of Guiders and everyone had a great time!

Friday night started with Arrival, Setting Up Tents and  Registration. We only had to put up two tents, so finished quickly and then headed off to our first activity. The majority of the evening was spent working on Crafts, followed by a Snack, and then Bed. 

The crafts were set up so that groups could come as they finished setting up and work through them in any order. We made a Wand, Lightning Bolt Bookmark, and Owl Letter Holder. 

Before the end of the evening, we had a change to go over Camp Rules and Safety Information, before enjoying our Snack (Rice Krispie squares and chocolate milk) and then getting ready for bed and settled for the night. 


For the weekend, the Guides and Guiders are split up into a number of different Patrols. Guiders generally don't have any of their own Guides in their Patrol, and the Guides only have 1-2 other Guides from their own Unit. This means everyone has a great chance to make new friends!

Saturday Breakfast was waffles with berries and whipped cream, cereal and juice. After we had eaten and washed our own dishes, it was time to do our Patrol Duty for the day. Duties include planning Sunday's opening, Guides' Own, and Campfire, cleaning the lats, wiping down tables, filling dish basins, cleaning the LDU screen, etc. 

Our first activity was for everyone to get their Wand License signed by Albus Dumbledore so that they would be able to use their wand for the various sessions throughout the weekend.



A snack of watermelon, and then it was time to head to our first session, Care of Magical Creatures. Here, we found out that:

Hagrid has been called away to Romania to care for his dragon, Norbert, and now all of his magical creatures have disappeared! Dumbledore contacted the Ministry of Magic and found out that the creatures have been trapped in photographs by Voldemort!

Our mission was to find the photographs and use the information each creature has to solve the first puzzle. Once all the creatures were found, we had a batch of letters that were used to find a spell (Alohamora). The spell was used to determine the number code for a locked box, which contained two more locked boxes and some envelopes. By solving a 'Who Am I?' puzzle, the right envelope was chosen and the small box opened to reveal another clue (Black). This clue was used to solve the combination to the final box, which contained a wand. The wand was used  to cast the Redicio spell to release the creatures from the photographs!

Our second station was Charms, where we learned about different spells and proper wand movements.The Guides were also paired up and had to create a new spell to teach the rest of the group. We then played a game where the Chamber of Secrets had been breached and two monsters were on the loose! If a monster caught you, you were petrified (frozen) and had stand with your arms stretched straight up in the air. To be unpetrified, another player must stand in front of you and sweep their wand down in the air from your head to your stomach.

After finishing these two sessions, it was time to break for Lunch, which was sandwiches, fruit, veggies and a colourful potion to drink (dry ice with food colouring, Sprite poured over it).

The afternoon saw us heading to Herbology, where we potted Mandrakes. To make the screaming part of the mandrake, a hole is punched in a plastic bottle cap with a needle and a string put through it and fed out the hole in the bottom of the clay pot. When the string is wet, and you pull your fingers down it, it makes a squealing noise - for better effects, wear a plastic glove! The mandrakes themselves are made by filling a knee high stocking with a bit of grass seed and gravel (making a grass head). Then orange raffia is tied around the knot in the stocking and the whole thing place din the pot. If watered and cared for, the mandrake will sprout grass like a chia pet!


Our final session of the day was Potions, where we had a demonstration of Regenerating Snakeskin and created Hues of Effervescence.To Regenerate Snakeskin, powdered basilisk skin (powdered sugar) and horn of bicorn (baking soda) were mixed together, packed into a tiny cauldron (medicine cup) and inverted into a glass dish. Before the cup was removed, dragon drool (isopropal alcohol) was poured in. The cup was removed and the drool lit on fire. As it burnt, the snake skin was regenerated! To create Hues of Effervescence, each Guide was given 6 tiny cauldrons (medicine cups) and placed a small amount of horn of bicorn (baking soda) in the bottom of each one. A few drops of food colouring were then added to create the colours of the rainbow. Vinegar was then squirted into the cups in a line creating a very messy rainbow!


Everyone then had some free time to rest, read, spend time with friends, and finish up crafts until supper time. Supper was tacos-in-a-bag, rice and pickles, with Sorting Hat Cupcakes for dessert. 

Evening Program was a round-robin of 5 different activities:

• Pin the Scar on Harry
• Ministry of Magic Mailboxes - Guides were divided into teams and had to launch paper airplanes through labelled holes - the smaller the hole, the more points scored - but if a plane went through the other teams mailboxes, they would get the points!
• Quidditch - Played with balloons, where each team tried to get their 5 balloons through the other teams goalposts without them touching the ground.
• Hermione's Closet - Relay race to dress up (skirt, shirt, tie, cape) and then return everything to the line for the next player.
• Ravenclaw Bingo - Harry Potter-themed bingo

The day ended with a Campfire, snack and bed!

On Sunday morning, we began packing as as we got up, then enjoyed a breakfast of cereal, fruit and leftovers before returning to our site to pack up the tents and remaining gear. Camp ended with a Guide's Own in the Reflection Circle. We had a great time and plan to go back to Tekarama in the future!
 

Climb or Shoot at Camp Orenda 2018

This weekend, 2 Pathfinders and 1 Guider joined up with the 5th St Thomas Pathfinders and Rangers at Climb or Shoot Camp, held at Camp Orenda near London. There were about 80 girls and a total of 105 participants for the weekend. The forecast: Rain.

The girls hit it off and all went to do crafts in Chapandale before joining the Guiders in Toadstool (where we were supposedly singing, but rather just enjoying being warm and dry!). The girls did sing a couple of songs and played quiet games before going to find an evening snack. Due to the rain, everyone drifted off to their tents early - although not necessarily to sleep. The rain continued throughout the night - letting up at times, but always returning. 

We woke up to more rain on Saturday morning, but we were hopeful as the forecast was for it to end mid-way through the morning and for sunshine in the afternoon. The picnic shelter was a great, dry space for breakfast and we stayed mostly dry through camp duties (we were on garbage patrol) and opening. At 9.30am the rock climbers boarded the bus for East Park (archery participants would leave at 10am for the Archery Hood). By the time we reached East Park it seemed like the rain had finally let up. The areas of the park we were using didn't open to the public until 11am which was nice as the girls were able to access all of the activities without long waits. We headed inside before splitting up into two groups. We were doing rock climbing first and learned all about the proper knots, ropes, safety rules, climbing techniques and belaying before actually going up the ropes. The girls each had 2-3 goes at climbing different sections of the wall before their session ended. 

The groups switched, and we moved on to the other activities until lunch time. Their first choice of activities was the Jungle Gym - a large indoor structure with tunnels, slides, bridges and a ball pit - and they said that it brought back some fond "childhood memories". Each girl was also given tokens for the arcade games and tickets for a round of mini golf, 3 rounds of bumper cards, and a go-kart session. The go-karts were originally closed due to the weather, but we were lucky to be able to get in just before lunch. 

Lunch was an outdoor barbeque, followed by drop-in activities including finishing up activities from the morning, crafts and games. Crafts were a choice of fabric string bags, bandanas, small tote bags or pencil cases to colour with fabric markers. Games were human bridge (girls hold thick dowels while one person crosses the bridge) and the game where people try to move an object using rope only. But the best part - THE SUN CAME OUT!! We left East Park about 4pm and had free time back at camp. The girls dried up any remaining puddles or wet spots in the tents and then sat in the sun until supper. 

Supper was roast pork with apple sauce, mashed potatoes, corn and salad with brownies and ice cream for dessert - very tasty! Afterwards the girls all went to the lower camp to play a whole-camp game of Capture the Flag. We ended the day with a campfire led by Kris McGee. Songs included Tall Trees, Land of the Silver Birch/My Paddle, Listen to the Earth, Here the Lively Song, Whooping Cough, Flee Fly Flo, Ach Ven de Musica (in German) and Hey Hey Superman (in Spanish). We closed with Say Why and Taps. 

Sunday morning dawned bright and sunny, but with some threatening clouds - though thankfully theses cleared quickly. We had everyone dressed, breakfasted, packed and the tents put away by 9.30am when the St. Thomas girls were being picked up. One of our girls left a short while later, while the two of us remaining settled in to wait for our pick-up at 11am. I think everyone enjoyed camp - we certainly made some new friends, survived the rain, and enjoyed some very tasty food. 

Winter Camp 2018

On the first weekend of February the 2nd Caledonia Guides and the 1st New DundeeGuides, joined by 2 Pathfinders, 2 Rangers and 5 Guiders headed to Camp Teka for a weekend of winter fun. The theme for the weekend was Winter Olympics, and we also learned lots about guiding around the world! 

Friday night was spent getting to know each other, decorating name tags and making Patrol flags before heading outside for a game of Manhunt. Back inside, we had a Switzerland-themed snack of strawberries and bananas dipped in chocolate pudding and hot chocolate. The evening ended with a campfire, followed by putting out mattresses and getting ready for bed. 

Saturday started with breakfast from the UK (scrambled eggs, sausage, baked beans, fried ham and potatoes, and toast), followed by camp duties and free time. Later, each Patrol learned more about their World Centre and Guiding in that country and made a presentation. We chose Madagascar to represent Kusafiri as that is where the most recent event for that World Centre was held. Keeping with our Olympic theme, the girls were asked to suggest events that we could take part in, then each Patrol had to choose 3 events and suggest how we could run them at camp. More free time and free crafting followed - including some very elaborate hair-dos!

Lunch was brought to us by Mexico (tacos, followed by strawberries and cream). After lunch, we had camp duties and our fire drill. Most of the afternoon was spent outdoors taking part in our Olympic Games! We split the girls into two groups, with one group trying cross-country skiing, while the other went sledding and played games. Before switching, we played a game of snow soccer to get everyone warmed up. 
We came inside to a Korean snack of Hotteok (sweet pancakes) and hot chocolate. While dinner was being prepared, the girls had quiet and free time. Dinner was a feast from India (Rice, Stir-fried Vegetables, Chicken, Garlic Naan Bread). Dinner was also a monk's meal, where anyone who spoke lost their utensils and had to eat using a kitchen implement (i.e. spatula, potato masher, slotted spoon, chip clip, whisk).
The evening was spent with free time, cleaning up the craft area, playing games, and desert - chocolate cake iced as the World Flag!. Everyone was settled into bed earlier than Friday after a busy day.

Sunday morning went quickly, with breakfast, packing, clean-up and Guide's Own. 

Nighthawk Goes to Platform 9 3/4

This weekend we traveled to Camp Conestogo for Nighthawk, a camp for Pathfinders and Rangers. At this camp, activities take place all night Friday until 6amSaturday, and begin again Saturday afternoon. The theme for this year's camp was Harry Potter! A huge THANK YOU to the organizers for a great event and for keeping things going despite the rain and mud!!

Friday night started out with drop-in activities. We adopted our owls at Eeylops Owl Emporium, played name games in Hogsmeade, gathered firewood and played Wizards, Giants and Elves in Knockturn Alley, and got our wands at Ollivanders.

The Sorting Ceremony was held at Hogwarts at 11pm, with all the participants being divided between the four Houses - we were in Hufflepuff! Each House then separated to decorate their House Banners, to be displayed proudly at Hogwarts throughout the weekend. We were also given the weekend challenge of finding all of Dobby's socks hidden around the camp (each sock gained a House Point!).

Midnight found the girls heading into the Forbidden Forest for a game similar to Capture the Flag. Houses had to guard their own tealight and try to capture those belonging to other Houses. This was followed by Potions Class (making lip balm) and Charms Class (making bookmarks).

A hot snack and drink followed, and then everyone entered into the QuadWizard Tournament. Activities included dance, drama, trivia contest and Pin-the-Scar-on-Harry". A Campfire and pre-bed snack ended the night and everyone still up headed off to bed.

For early risers on Saturday, breakfast was served between 8.30 and 10.30am and quiet activities - cards, games, colouring, word searches, and crafts were available. All snacks and meals were served at the Leaky Cauldron, and Saturday afternoon's activities started off with lunch at 1pm. Most of the afternoon was spent playing in a Quidditch tournament. The rain started during the final match, but play still continued! During the down time before dinner, girls took part in crafts, quiet activities, and, of course, dressing for dinner in the costumes they had brought with them. Dinner was a banquet eaten in the Hogwarts Great Hall, after which everyone settled in for an evening of movies (Harry Potter I and Hocus Pocus) and staying out of the rain.

Sunday morning was wet and muddy, but the rain had stopped overnight. We packed, folded up the tents and piled our gear under the building shelters before heading over for breakfast. A final activity, Dragon Hunt, was held before closing with the song "I Am One Voice" followed by Taps. We all headed home, tired and muddy, but with good memories and plans to return next year!


Downloads:

• Owl Key Chain Pattern
• Wand Making 101
• Quidditch Instructions 

Tekarama 10: Coast to Coast to Coast

This past weekend, 5 Guides and 1 Guider attended Tekarama 10: Coast to Coast to Coast with over 100 other Guides and Guiders, at Camp Teka in Paris. A huge THANK YOU to the organizing committee - we had a great time and will definitely go again!

On Friday night, we set up our tents and explored the camp as 4 of the girls had only been there in the winter. I also had the fun of introducing the girls to SWAPS and trading - something I love! Our first camp activity was to make Dreamcatchers, followed by a big campfire and snack. The campfire songs were suggested by the different units attending the camp and included Tall Trees, One Bottle of Pop, If I Were Not a Girl Guide, Get Loose, Mamma Don't Allow, Purple Stew and Black Socks. It was a bit of a late night as everyone was excited, but we were all eventually asleep.

Saturday started very early as the girls were up with the birds at 5.30AM - and were told by their very tired Guider to BE QUIET! The day officially started with Opening and Flag Raising, where the Patrols and Groups for the weekend were explained. All of the Guides and Guiders were divided up into 12 colour Patrols (my Patrol was light blue), and then the Patrols were grouped into 4 larger groups for the morning and afternoon activities. Patrols took part in activities together, ate together, and did camp duties together. We then all headed over to the Guide Kitchen and pavilions for breakfast (waffles with strawberries and whipped cream - yum!). After breakfast, each Patrol saw to their assigned camp duty - my Patrol were the "Lumberjacks" and had to gather wood for the campfire and lay the fire ready for Saturday night.

The four stations for the day were:
1. Central Canada
2. Atlantic Canada
3. Western Canada
4. Northern Canada

Groups did two activities, followed by lunch in the middle (tacos-in-a-bag!), and then the remaining two activities in the afternoon. It was a very hot weekend, and we all sought out spots in the shade as much as possible.

Western Canada
My group started our travels in Western Canada, where we took part in Roping, Racing, Milking, and Singing! For the first part of the session, the Guides were divided into 4 groups:

• Roping - Girls were given a lasso made from a loop of glowsticks attached to a rope and had to toss it over the head of a wooden horse
• Racing (1) - Girls rode pool noodle horses around a track of milk canisters
• Milking - Plastic gloves filled with water were attached to a pole laid across chairs, and the girls had to 'milk' them into a jar to see who could get the most liquid in 2 minutes
• Racing (2) - Girls split into two teams and used water pistols to move a plastic cup along a string - racing to see who could get their cup to the end first

We finished our time in the West by dividing the girls up into small groups and having them create songs using 6-7 words chosen from a hat.

Northern Canada
Heading North, our next stop was the Territories. Here, the girls gathered, washed and polished stones to make an Inukshuk. Once these were finished, we played a relay game on Canadian Symbols where a question was read out and girls had to run up, find the correct picture on a poster and then race back to their team.


Central Canada
After lunch, we headed south to explore Central Canada. here, the girls took part in a CN Tower trivia game (played like Four Corners) and completed to see which team could build the highest free-standing tower using only spaghetti, toothpicks and marshmallows.

Atlantic Canada 
Our final stop was Atlantic Canada, where we explored Newfie lingo, raced boats and learned new knots! For the first activity, the girls split up into smaller groups and each group had a sheet of Newfie phrases to try to match up with their meanings. Afterwards, we made boats and raced them in an inflatable pool, then moved onto tying knots to make Knot Boards to take home.

The afternoon ended with some free time, where everyone received a Canadian Atlas for Kids with activities, but were also free to nap, chat, swap, etc. Dinner was BBQ chicken with baked potatoes and Caesar salad, followed by cupcakes and ice cream to celebrate Canada's birthday.

Our evening activity was a Wide Game with nine stations where the girls learned something about a Province or Territory and did an activity. While moving between activities, we had to be careful not to get caught by a Sasquatch and sent to the penalty box! My group made it to Saskatchewan, where we played horseshoes; BC, where we learned about the Capilano Suspension Bridge and walked over a raised rope bridge; the Yukon, where we dug for gold; PEI, where we learned about Anne of Green Gables and talked in pairs about Canada and Girl Guides; and Ontario, where we peeled apples - seeing who could make the longest continuous peel!

We ended with Campfire, planned by one of the Patrols, and including Fire's Burning, One Bottle of Pop, Three Sharp-toothed Buzzards, There Was a Great Big Moose, Land of the Silver Birch, Say Why and Taps. Everyone settled down to sleep much more quickly tonight!

Sunday started at a much more reasonable hour than Saturday, but we still managed to get everyone packed and our tents down before opening and breakfast. Opening included flag raising and a short ceremony planned by one of the Patrols. Breakfast was leftovers, fruit, English muffins, cereal and oatmeal. After breakfast, each Patrol had a new duty to perform - my Patrol cleaned one side of the Lat Building, and then we all headed off to finish packing or for free time. Camp closed with a short Guides' Own Ceremony planned by two of the Patrols in the Reflection area at camp.