A very big welcome to all our new members and volunteers, and a warm 'welcome back' to our returning members. 2008-09 is shaping up to be an exciting year, and we're getting it started in a big way with our Fall Camp, September 26-28th at Pagan Lake, near Meadow Lake.
We're hoping that everyone will be able to come to this event, or at least part of it. Join us for some fun, learn about JFW, and most importantly get acquainted with your fellow members.
JFW is all about families getting together to enjoy the outdoors - let's go have a great time together at the Fall Camp!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Get Involved with Junior Forest Wardens!
There are so many good reasons!
Are you a family with school-aged kids?
Junior Forest Wardens is all about helping children, youth and parents discover nature - together! As a family, you can learn how to be comfortable and competent in the outdoors, gain amazing skills and knowledge, do excellent activities and have a lot of fun while you're at it!
Junior Forest Wardens isn't just for the kids - preschool siblings, parents, grandparents and other family members can all be part of the adventure.
Adventurers (grades 7-9) and Challengers (grades 10-12) gain more advanced knowledge of forestry, natural sciences and outdoor skills, and take part in some great adventures - wilderness trips, mountaineering experiences and canoe trips to name a few. Leadership is an integral part of the program, and you will gain a lot of confidence and skill in this area. The annual A/C Conference is a leadership weekend that is planned, and run by, young people like you!
Junior Forest Wardens opens the door to many outdoor-related careers that many people never even hear about. Come and explore the many possibilities open to you as you get ready for adult life. Gain valuable experience with the Junior Forest Ranger summer work program, work as a counselor at the Long Lake Outdoor Education Centre, and take part in volunteer opportunities locally. Learn, teach and grow!
If you have a passion for the natural world, you probably want to pass it on! Junior Forest Wardens gives you the chance to help others discover the wonders of nature and develop caring and responsible attitudes.
You will have many opportunities to expand your own knowledge, meet many fascinating people and travel to JFW events throughout Canada.
Employees of forestry companies, governments and schools are often found helping out with Junior Forest Wardens, lending their particular expertise and resources to the program.
Members of conservation-minded organizations, community service groups and outdoor recreation clubs are also frequently involved, each bringing their own perspective and particular area of interest to the program.
It is important the the Junior Forest Warden program be well grounded in the 'real world', and people like you keep us on the right track!
Our program is centred on four main elements:
Within each of these areas is an amazing variety of teaching (and learning) opportunities. Read through our curriculum, and see if there is something that appeals to you! We'd love to have you work with us - even in a small way.
Does any of the above sound like you?
If so, contact us today!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Meadow Lake Woodlanders Regional Camp and 10th Anniversary
By Jennifer Nichols, Meadow Lake Progress
Reprinted with permission
It was a weekend to celebrate, learn and have a lot of fun at the Meadow Lake Woodlanders Regional Camp on June 20-22. The camp was held at Matheson Lake in the Meadow Lake Provincial Park. Approximately 55 people came from Meadow Lake, Cold Lake, Bonnyville and as far away as Edmonton, Ardmore, Wetaskiwin and Stoney Plain to join in the fun.
The weekend kicked off on Friday with opening ceremonies and the 'Ask the experts' wildlife identification game. Teams got competitive and had a lot of laughs, but also learn a lot about nature and wildlife in the park.
On Saturday morning everyone got cooking with the Camp Kitchen Challenge. The Pathfinders cooked up bannock and veggies over tin can stoves, the Trailblazers made burgers, grilled cheese and breakfast in their leave no trace challenge and the A/Cs made a three course feast.
It was a busy day with a horsemanship demonstration by the local 4-H club at Vivian Lake, the Fresh Air Dexterity - a series of skill-testing challenges by Kirt Bennett and numerous assistants, an introduction to Wildland Firefighting for the A/Cs with Nancy Carberry, and lots of free time for swimming and enjoying the hot sun
The pot luck supper in the evening was delicious - there was more food than the whole group plus special guests could eat! Special guests included Chief Warden Terry Garrett, Meadow Lake MLA Jeremy Harrison, Garry Nelson, Kirt Bennett, Nancy Carberry, Bill Land and Woodlanders founding members: Dave and Ruth Wolfe, Howard MacCuish, Matthew Wolfe, Shane McWatters, Amanda McWatters.
The local Forest Wardens received their badges and Neil Marsh gave out some special gifts to people who have helped the club throughout the year. There was even a 10th Anniversary cake that MLA Jeremy Harrison and Chief Warden Terry Garrett cut. After supper everyone took part in a JFW trivia game and were treated to original music by Bill Land, a magic show by Kirt Bennett and a big campfire.
It was a busy weekend, but everyone had a great time. There was even time to do some canoeing, kayaking and other fun outdoor activities. Thanks to everyone who travelled so far to come to camp, and for everyone who worked hard to make it a success!
Have a look at some pictures!
Reprinted with permission
It was a weekend to celebrate, learn and have a lot of fun at the Meadow Lake Woodlanders Regional Camp on June 20-22. The camp was held at Matheson Lake in the Meadow Lake Provincial Park. Approximately 55 people came from Meadow Lake, Cold Lake, Bonnyville and as far away as Edmonton, Ardmore, Wetaskiwin and Stoney Plain to join in the fun.
The weekend kicked off on Friday with opening ceremonies and the 'Ask the experts' wildlife identification game. Teams got competitive and had a lot of laughs, but also learn a lot about nature and wildlife in the park.
On Saturday morning everyone got cooking with the Camp Kitchen Challenge. The Pathfinders cooked up bannock and veggies over tin can stoves, the Trailblazers made burgers, grilled cheese and breakfast in their leave no trace challenge and the A/Cs made a three course feast.
It was a busy day with a horsemanship demonstration by the local 4-H club at Vivian Lake, the Fresh Air Dexterity - a series of skill-testing challenges by Kirt Bennett and numerous assistants, an introduction to Wildland Firefighting for the A/Cs with Nancy Carberry, and lots of free time for swimming and enjoying the hot sun
The pot luck supper in the evening was delicious - there was more food than the whole group plus special guests could eat! Special guests included Chief Warden Terry Garrett, Meadow Lake MLA Jeremy Harrison, Garry Nelson, Kirt Bennett, Nancy Carberry, Bill Land and Woodlanders founding members: Dave and Ruth Wolfe, Howard MacCuish, Matthew Wolfe, Shane McWatters, Amanda McWatters.
The local Forest Wardens received their badges and Neil Marsh gave out some special gifts to people who have helped the club throughout the year. There was even a 10th Anniversary cake that MLA Jeremy Harrison and Chief Warden Terry Garrett cut. After supper everyone took part in a JFW trivia game and were treated to original music by Bill Land, a magic show by Kirt Bennett and a big campfire.
It was a busy weekend, but everyone had a great time. There was even time to do some canoeing, kayaking and other fun outdoor activities. Thanks to everyone who travelled so far to come to camp, and for everyone who worked hard to make it a success!
Have a look at some pictures!
Monday, June 9, 2008
Adventurer-Challenger Canoe Trip
On June 7th 2008 six Wardens and two leaders set off for an overnight canoe trip down the Meadow River from Meadow Lake to the mill road bridge.
The Wardens had several practice and planning sessions leading up to the trip, and were well prepared under the guidance of canoe instructor Tracey Wolfe. So, well provisioned and well equipped, we set off on a cloudy morning down the river.
Although the water was still high, we had a lot of rocks to contend with for the first half of the journey. Several times it was necessary to step out of the canoes.
There was a lot of wildlife to see: Grebes, geese & goslings, ducks, willets, herons, beaver, muskrat, moose to name a few.
We learned about portaging when we came to an old bridge with a huge log jam in front of it. The only course of action was to pull up on the very muddy bank, unload everything, lug it to the other side of the bridge and get back in the water. Oh yeah, we discovered stinging nettle, too!
We found a suitable campsite in a grassy pasture area. Everyone worked together and camp was quickly in order, as was a welcome hot meal and then sleep for eight weary people.
The next day was shorter - we had breakfast, broke camp, and then paddled two hours to our destination.
Somebody saw fit to bring a huge water pistol along, and a good thing too, as it helped pass the time and keep us cool.
All in all, a good trip, and our group is ready for a more challenging river the next time out!
Have a look at some pictures of our canoe trip.
The Wardens had several practice and planning sessions leading up to the trip, and were well prepared under the guidance of canoe instructor Tracey Wolfe. So, well provisioned and well equipped, we set off on a cloudy morning down the river.
Although the water was still high, we had a lot of rocks to contend with for the first half of the journey. Several times it was necessary to step out of the canoes.
There was a lot of wildlife to see: Grebes, geese & goslings, ducks, willets, herons, beaver, muskrat, moose to name a few.
We learned about portaging when we came to an old bridge with a huge log jam in front of it. The only course of action was to pull up on the very muddy bank, unload everything, lug it to the other side of the bridge and get back in the water. Oh yeah, we discovered stinging nettle, too!
We found a suitable campsite in a grassy pasture area. Everyone worked together and camp was quickly in order, as was a welcome hot meal and then sleep for eight weary people.
The next day was shorter - we had breakfast, broke camp, and then paddled two hours to our destination.
Somebody saw fit to bring a huge water pistol along, and a good thing too, as it helped pass the time and keep us cool.
All in all, a good trip, and our group is ready for a more challenging river the next time out!
Have a look at some pictures of our canoe trip.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Bears for Charity
Our Pathfinders have been making special stuffed bears that will be sent to a hospital in South Africa for the children there. This could become a rewarding, ongoing project for our club. Good job, Pathfinders! Special thanks to Sandra Dufour.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Sleighride at MacCuish's
Longtime JFW leader and club supporter Howard MacCuish took time out for a sleigh ride a few weeks ago. He's training a new team and was happy for the extra 'ballast'.
It was a beautiful day, and lots to see. Have a look at some photos.
Thanks, Howard!
It was a beautiful day, and lots to see. Have a look at some photos.
Thanks, Howard!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Casey's Newfoundland Heritage Fair Project
Hi my name is Casey Hunter and this year for heritage fair I did the province of Newfoundland. I chose this project because I went there last summer and I really enjoyed myself there. I only got up to the second round in the competition.(Casey was one of the Wardens who went on the '2007 Newfoundland Adventure' last summer, to visit the Junior Forest Wardens of that province.)
Good job, Casey!
Sunday, March 9, 2008
2008 Winter Camp
Winter Camping! What a great weekend we had! Sixteen adventurous souls trekked into the deep woods on Zacharias' farm, built shelters, cooked food, slept in the outdoors and had lots of fun. Have a look at our photos from the weekend.
Shelter-building takes a lot of time, if you intend to be comfortable for the night. Some of ours were so comfy it was a shame to use them only once! Quinzees, as we re-discovered, are a LOT of work, but there's something very cool about sleeping in a snow shelter (no pun intended). The big challenge is to keep it from overheating and getting wet inside. Lean-to's can take a variety of forms, and ours ranged from the simple to the 'experimental', as the photos show. Everyone built their own, in teams of two or three, and everyone got some sleep.
The night sky was clear, moonless & perfect for a stargazing hike. We also had some fun with Eric's bear bangers.
The food was great, and the Wardens prepared it all. They even made some excellent ice cream (which is great on the porridge in the morning, by the way).
Winter camping was a completely new experience for one participant. Misaki Kubo, 16, hails from Saga in southern Japan. She was a good sport and pitched in with the work and the fun.
Special thanks to Bruce & Judy Zacharias for the use of their land. Thanks also to Bruce, Eldon and the Wardens who went out the prior weekend to get a few things prepared.
In the words of one Warden, "This was the most fun I've had at a camp in a long time!'
Shelter-building takes a lot of time, if you intend to be comfortable for the night. Some of ours were so comfy it was a shame to use them only once! Quinzees, as we re-discovered, are a LOT of work, but there's something very cool about sleeping in a snow shelter (no pun intended). The big challenge is to keep it from overheating and getting wet inside. Lean-to's can take a variety of forms, and ours ranged from the simple to the 'experimental', as the photos show. Everyone built their own, in teams of two or three, and everyone got some sleep.
The night sky was clear, moonless & perfect for a stargazing hike. We also had some fun with Eric's bear bangers.
The food was great, and the Wardens prepared it all. They even made some excellent ice cream (which is great on the porridge in the morning, by the way).
Winter camping was a completely new experience for one participant. Misaki Kubo, 16, hails from Saga in southern Japan. She was a good sport and pitched in with the work and the fun.
Special thanks to Bruce & Judy Zacharias for the use of their land. Thanks also to Bruce, Eldon and the Wardens who went out the prior weekend to get a few things prepared.
In the words of one Warden, "This was the most fun I've had at a camp in a long time!'
Monday, March 3, 2008
Megan's Speech
The following is a speech composed by Megan Z. for a school public speaking competition:
"Hello Judges, ladies and gentlemen, and fellow students.
How many of you know of a youth organization that encourages you to carry knives and play with fire? I am in that group, and it is called Junior Forest Wardens.
In this club I have had many fun experiences. We go camping lots and do many outdoor activities.
Once when we were hiking in the St Cyr Hills, one kid pretended to have a sprained ankle, and we had to pretend to treat it. Our leader asked us what to look for when somebody gets injured, and the leader's son said you have to watch for 'eternal bleeding'.
Every year we go camping at Matheson Lake. One year, one of our leaders thought he'd be really cool and drive right up onto the beach. So he turned his boat towards the beach going really fast. Instead of driving right up onto the beach, he hit a sandbar about two feet off the beach. The boat stopped, but him and his son didn't. They both went flying onto the front of the boat. Neither of them were hurt, but the son was kind of mad at his dad.
That same campout we went hiking and canoing. The Junior Forest Warden group was split into two groups. One group canoed across the lake and another group hiked around it. Both groups met at the other side of the lake. Since the group I was in walked around the lake, we got to canoe back. But I think we would have been smarter to walk back around because the canoes were docked on a beach of lumpy loathsome loon droppings. It was almost like quicksand in some places because it would just grab your feet and try to drag you down. One camper got stuck up to his waist and he lost one of his shoes. He sure didn't try to get it back, though.
We also have winter campouts, which are just great if you're a polar bear. The first winter campout I went to it was -22C, although it felt like -222C. There were 5 big snow piles and we hollowed them out to make quinzees. Imagine sleeping (or attempting to) on a pile of frozen square bales. It sure gives you a new meaning of cool! Of the ten people who tried sleeping in a quinzee only five made the night outside. The other five went to the nearby cabin where all the sane people spent the night.
We don't just camp. We also learn carving, knot tying, orienteering, first aid and outdoor cooking. I have had many good experiences with junior Forest Wardens.
Join us .... if you dare!
Thank you for listening to my speech"
And thank you, Megan, for letting us post it!
"Hello Judges, ladies and gentlemen, and fellow students.
How many of you know of a youth organization that encourages you to carry knives and play with fire? I am in that group, and it is called Junior Forest Wardens.
In this club I have had many fun experiences. We go camping lots and do many outdoor activities.
Once when we were hiking in the St Cyr Hills, one kid pretended to have a sprained ankle, and we had to pretend to treat it. Our leader asked us what to look for when somebody gets injured, and the leader's son said you have to watch for 'eternal bleeding'.
Every year we go camping at Matheson Lake. One year, one of our leaders thought he'd be really cool and drive right up onto the beach. So he turned his boat towards the beach going really fast. Instead of driving right up onto the beach, he hit a sandbar about two feet off the beach. The boat stopped, but him and his son didn't. They both went flying onto the front of the boat. Neither of them were hurt, but the son was kind of mad at his dad.
That same campout we went hiking and canoing. The Junior Forest Warden group was split into two groups. One group canoed across the lake and another group hiked around it. Both groups met at the other side of the lake. Since the group I was in walked around the lake, we got to canoe back. But I think we would have been smarter to walk back around because the canoes were docked on a beach of lumpy loathsome loon droppings. It was almost like quicksand in some places because it would just grab your feet and try to drag you down. One camper got stuck up to his waist and he lost one of his shoes. He sure didn't try to get it back, though.
We also have winter campouts, which are just great if you're a polar bear. The first winter campout I went to it was -22C, although it felt like -222C. There were 5 big snow piles and we hollowed them out to make quinzees. Imagine sleeping (or attempting to) on a pile of frozen square bales. It sure gives you a new meaning of cool! Of the ten people who tried sleeping in a quinzee only five made the night outside. The other five went to the nearby cabin where all the sane people spent the night.
We don't just camp. We also learn carving, knot tying, orienteering, first aid and outdoor cooking. I have had many good experiences with junior Forest Wardens.
Join us .... if you dare!
Thank you for listening to my speech"
And thank you, Megan, for letting us post it!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Wilderness First Aid
Several Junior Forest Wardens, leaders and parents got to take a Wilderness First Aid course in February near Meadow Lake. Instructor Steve Pollock provided a top-notch course, with many examples from his years in EMS and the military. Thanks, Steve, for a good course and a weekend well spent.
Special thanks to Mr & Mrs Buxton, whose hunting lodge we stayed in. We also appreciated the good food provided by the participants (or their parents!)
We learned some new skills, some new ideas about being prepared for emergencies large or small, and some new ways of thinking about being safe in the outdoors. We also had a lot of fun. Have a look at the photos!
Special thanks to Mr & Mrs Buxton, whose hunting lodge we stayed in. We also appreciated the good food provided by the participants (or their parents!)
We learned some new skills, some new ideas about being prepared for emergencies large or small, and some new ways of thinking about being safe in the outdoors. We also had a lot of fun. Have a look at the photos!
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Westlock Whitetails Ski Weekend
January 26-27th, 2008 - Westlock Whitetails Junior Forest Wardens hosted their second annual Adventurer/Challenger Ski Weekend. Wardens aged 12 & older traveled from all over the Northeast Region to participate in two days of skiing, tobogganing, hayriding and cameraderie.
Five members of Meadow Lake Woodlanders made the trip - Eric, Robert, Adam, Casey, Charlie and our tireless driver/chaperone, Brenda.
By all accounts, the weekend was a success in spite of some cold weather and a blizzard on the way home. We're glad our group was able to go, and very glad they got home safe!
Our sincere thanks to Lori Latreille and the Westlock club for hosting this event - the second of many, we hope!
Have a look at some photos of the trip.
Five members of Meadow Lake Woodlanders made the trip - Eric, Robert, Adam, Casey, Charlie and our tireless driver/chaperone, Brenda.
By all accounts, the weekend was a success in spite of some cold weather and a blizzard on the way home. We're glad our group was able to go, and very glad they got home safe!
Our sincere thanks to Lori Latreille and the Westlock club for hosting this event - the second of many, we hope!
Have a look at some photos of the trip.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Photos Wanted!
Hey there Wardens, Alumni & friends! Do you have some photos that you would like to share, to show the rest of the world the fun we have in Junior Forest Wardens, at local outings, national camps, trips and conferences?
Here's an easy way to go about it:
Here's an easy way to go about it:
- Sign up for a free online photo gallery (such as Google's Picassa Web Albums)
- Upload your photos, organize them & add captions
- Make the album 'public' and 'share' it with us (email the link to meadowlakejfw@gmail.com)
Friday, January 11, 2008
A new web presence for Junior Forest Wardens!
Humble beginnings, but a start nonetheless! This is the start of what will hopefully become a really useful and informative resource for JFW members, leaders and interested members of the public.
Check back for regular updates, and by all means leave comments & suggestions!
Check back for regular updates, and by all means leave comments & suggestions!
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Forestry Demonstration Plot at Meadow Lake OSB
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