“The Headlamp”
“Camping News for ALL BC Guiders”
Dec. 2013
HAPPY CAMPING!
Hi Everyone …
Sorry that it’s been so long since we’ve gotten a Headlamp out to you, it’s been a busy summer and
fall and the Camping Committee have had some changes with the completion of Cindy
Popplestone, Gail Temmel and Lynda Willy’s term. Thank you ladies for all you did for Camping in
BC and continue to do with the working on the Camp in a Boxes, we have large shoes to fill.
Who should be Reading the Headlamp?
With this edition of the Headlamp we have asked that it be sent out to all Guiders in BC in the
hopes that everyone receives it, as at the Guiders conference we had heard some feedback that
some Guiders in BC have still never seen an issue.
As this is a camping newsletter for all Guiders in BC we would like to hear from you as to what you
would like to see in here to help you along the way to taking your girls camping. If you have any
ideas you would like to have added or info you would like to see please contact Patrice Schoepfner
at [email protected], we also love to see your pictures from camps around BC.
Getting to Know You!
We would like to introduce you all to our two new Camping Committee members, Annalisa Adam
and Vicki Ferguson. These two young ladies have jumped into their roles head first and we are very
happy to have them
Name: Vicki Ferguson
I have been in Guiding since I was five with a five
year gap during university, so this is my 16th year. I
was a Spark, Brownie, Guide, Pathfinder, and
Cadet (Senior Branch). As a girl, I was a helper/Jr
Leader in various years with each branch. I am
currently a unit Guider with the 2nd Vancouver
Sparks, contact Guider for the 30th Vancouver
Brownies, and Events Coordinator with the BC
Camping Committee.
I'm getting back into Highland dance which I did
competitively up until I went to university.
In Cadets (Senior Branches) I was Cadet Rep on
CAJURA Executive for a year (2005/2006), and
CAJURA President for a year (2006/2007). I also
was a member for the Senior Branch national
program task force (2006-2008), and sat, for a
year, on Calgary Area Program Committee as
Senior Branches Adviser (2007/2008)
Besides being a unit leader
each year in the past I have been
a Division secretary and Divison
iMIS contact, a member of a
district Special Events team.
Currently I am a district awards
adviser, international adviser, special events
coordinator, a trainer candidate, and secretary for
the BC Camping Committee.
I live in East Vancouver but I work and do my
Guiding in West Point Grey District by UBC. I grew
up in Westbank, outside of Kelowna, and went to
the University of Calgary where I completed a
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.
I work for the Vice President of
Research Office at UBC where I
manage the CFI program (funding
for research infrastructure to the
tune of about a billion dollars since
1997). In my time outside of
Guiding, I play a lot of board games
with my friends and boyfriend, and
Name: Annalisa Adam
I have been in Guiding since I was 6 - so 22
years. I have been a Brownie, Guide, Pathfinder,
and Ranger leader. This year I am a Pathfinder
leader. I only have 1 girl so we do a lot of activities
with our Guide and Ranger units
and surrounding Pathfinder units.
I live in Roberts Creek, just up the road from
Camp Olave, which is a part of Elphinstone District.
To get here you take a 50 minute ferry ride from
West Vancouver to the Sunshine Coast.
Elphinstone District is a part of Lions Area.
I am a receptionist in a busy dental office in
Gibsons. I am also a part time distance ed. student
through North Island College in their Business
program. When I have free time I love to walk along
the beach, go to the pool, read a good book or go
travelling near and far.
Calendar of Coming Events
Feb. 7 - 10, 2014
Rovent
www.rovent.ca
Apr. 12, 2014
Scouts Nite Hike in Vancouver
There is no age restriction
open to all Scouting and Guiding Members
www.nitehike.org
July 19-26, 2014
SOAR 2014
September 2014
Mix It Up
In Washington State
Location and date TBA
Oct. 17 - 19, 2014
OAL Adventure Training
Camp Kanaka
Camping Challenges and Camp in a Boxes
The Camping Committee has been working on re-vamping the Camp in a Boxes as well as working
on a new Get BC Camping Challenge. The new Get BC camping Challenge will have 5 parts,
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Sleepover. And yes, there will be 5 new crests. Watch for this to
be coming out in the next few months.
There are some myths out there about a couple of the camps; did you know that Under the Boughs
isn’t just for winter camping? This camp can be done any time of the year in the fair weather times.
And the hiking challenge isn’t just for hiking. You and your girls can keep track of any walking they
do to count towards their 100 km For example have them keep track of the kilometers walked to
school and they will probably finish their 100 km in no time at all.
BC Girl Guides 100 KM Hiking Challenge
Discouraged by the word “hiking”? Don’t be! This challenge is for everyone. Walk,
stroll, jog, saunter, march, snowshoe, or hike 100km to celebrate Girl Guides of
Canada. Take the challenge with a friend, incorporate the challenge into your unit’s
activities, or challenge the other leaders in your district/area. Once you have hiked or
walked 100km e-mail your tracking sheet and crest order form (www.bc-girlguides.org
>program>challenges and activities>provincial challenges) to [email protected] or mail your forms to “Girl Guides of Canada – BC Hiking Challenge,
1476 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V6H 1E1”. Crests are $1 for BC Girl Guide Members
Butterfly Knot
One of the many uses for this knot is to make a loop in the middle of a rope in order to attach a bear
cache.
SOAR 2014
By now all the Patrols for SOAR 2014 as well as the Core Staff has been selected and contacted.
Now is the time to start preparing for the SOAR Adventure. Here to help you along your way to “Be
Prepared” are a set up activities to run at a Pre-SOAR Camp that will help everyone at SOAR.
SOAR Pre-camp
SOAR Pre-Camp is a district or area event for all patrols-girls and guiders who are attending
SOAR. It is a time for participants to practice the skills that they will need to live comfortably in a
tent for eight days. The activities in this guide are only suggestions of ways that you may cover
the following topics:
TAKING IT ALL WITH YOU- how to pack your personal equipment
HOME AWAY FROM HOME- setup/maintenance/repair of your tents and equipment
RUB-A-DUB DUB- maintaining personal hygiene and foot care
IRON CHEF-cooking tips and camp clean up
LET’S ALL SOAR-practicing the SOAR theme song and other SOAR campfire songs, trader ideas
and cultural awareness of International guests
BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS-teambuilding and conflict resolution activities
Activities
TAKING IT ALL WITH YOU
Equipment- various sizes of Ziploc baggies, clothes, suitcase, hockey bag, marking pens, duct tape
Activity - Conduct a session on packing and labeling personal gear, and putting it in their luggage.
Practice rolling clothes, putting them into various sizes of plastic Ziploc bags and removing air so
they will stay airtight. Plastic bags work well because they slide in and out of the luggage more
easily without pulling everything out. Explain how this keeps wet, dry, dirty and clean clothes
separate. Discuss ways of labeling their clothing and other personal gear. Suggest types of
appropriate luggage and how lining them with a large plastic garbage bag aids in waterproofing
the contents.
This may also be a good time to discuss appropriate clothing for camping.
Layering of clothing is very important because it insures that you are prepared
for all types of weather. Understanding fabrics can help you layer appropriately
and stay comfortable. Discuss characteristics of fabrics: breath ability, quick
drying, water-resistant, water-repellant and waterproof. Have various types of
fabrics available and demonstrate how they react when they are wet. Types of
fabrics that you may want to include are: cotton, wool, nylon and polyester.
Another game that you can play is “Getting Organized for the Day”. Using
scenarios (activities at SOAR and weather conditions) and pictures for
clothing, insect repellant, sunscreen etc. - have participants read scenarios
and then decide what to pack for the day. Have the group discuss their
decisions.
HOME AWAY FROM HOME
Equipment - tents, ropes made of different material, various types of pegs, duct tape, tent repair
kit, clothes pegs, doweling, and needle nose pliers.
Activity- Let the participants try out different types of tent pegs to see how easily they are put into
the ground and how difficult they are to pull out. Try different types of soil and decide which ones
work best for each. There is no one stake that works well in all soils. Information on all types of
tents pegs is available at the following site, just click on each stake and it will describe its uses.
http://www.angelfire.com/ia3/camping/stakingyourtent.htm
Let the participants tie some knots using different types of ropes. Discuss what would be the
best use for each type of rope depending on its strength, stretch ability, thickness, waterrepellant qualities and weight.
Learn how to storm lash a dome tent. Put a circle of rope with guys coming out on top of the
tent over a tarp and pull the guy ropes off to the side (use at least six guy ropes). Fasten them
down with long, heavy-duty pegs or six-inch nails.
Using an old tent or pieces of nylon, have the participants fix tears or holes using duct tape. Tape
should be used on both sides of the fabric to make it stronger. Remind the girls that they shouldn’t
be lazy with tent zippers. Hold sides together when moving the zippers. If a zipper is starting to
separate on a tent, try a gentle squeeze with needle-nosed pliers on the narrow end of the zipper
head and if this doesn’t work clothes pegs or zip cable ties can be used for temporary repairs. A
broken pole may be fixed with a small piece of doweling or have the girls suggest other items that
they could use.
RUB-A-DUB DUB
IRON CHEF
Equipment- ice cream pail, solar shower,
face cloth, towel, biodegradable hand soap,
small ground sheet, small blow up kiddy pool,
mole skin
Activity- The girls should get at least one
opportunity to clean up at either their day out or at a
waterfront activity. In between time, there are many
different ways that they can keep themselves
relatively clean. Each Sub Camp will have privacy
cubicles where you can bring a solar shower bag to
have a shower. If possible have a solar shower full
and sitting in the sun. Let the participants turn it on
to see how it works and discuss how hot it can get.
Instead of a shower, there are other methods for
staying clean. A bath in a bucket is one way; just fill
a bucket with warm water and standing on a small
ground sheet in a private area or in your bathing
suit you can have a sponge bath. Using soap and a
facecloth, you start with your face and work your
way down. If it is cold outside, you may want to dry
each area after washing so you don’t get a chill. To
clean your hair, thoroughly wet your hair, lather with
shampoo and rinse in a bucket of water. Set up a
hair washing station on a lawn chair and using
wash basins or buckets, you can wash each other’s
hair. Little kiddy pools are great for soaking feet
and washing dirty limbs, but keep in mind that you
must be conscientious of how you dispose of the
gray water.
Blisters and sore feet are the number one ailment
at SOAR and they can turn the greatest experience
into the most painful one. Discuss proper foot care
with the participants. The discussion should cover
appropriate socks, footwear and the preventing and
treating of blisters. A website with information is
Equipment - a kitchen
(Rubbermaid bins or
something similar) with all
the cooking equipment
requested for SOAR,
propane stove, propane,
cooler, and food for the Iron
Chef competition if you choose to do it.
Activity- Have participants pack all the cooking
equipment into the bins so that the weight is
evenly distributed and practice carrying it for a
distance. Discuss any modifications or
adaptations you might make with the totes or
cooking equipment. Food Safe is always a
concern when preparing foods; have a discussion
about hand washing, cross-contamination, storing
food, cooking to proper temperature, food
disposal (recycle, compost, garbage) and kitchen
cleanliness.
At camp, a patrol will be given ingredients and a
suggested recipe for them to prepare a meal.
Sometimes the girls may not like what is
suggested, so there is nothing stopping them from
using their ingenuity and creativity to prepare
something different. You can have a competition
similar to the Food Network TV show, “Iron Chef”.
The participants can be separated into groups and
given the same ingredients. Within a specific time
limit, they will be asked to prepare a meal which
will be judged by a panel of critics. If you have lots
of time, you can have the groups prepare other
courses such as appetizers, salads and desserts.
This could be an activity that you use for your
Saturday night dinner at Pre-camp.
http://www.abc-of-hiking.com/hiking-health/blisters.asp
LET’S ALL SOAR
Equipment- SOAR campfire songs, materials for traders
Activity- Having a campfire during your weekend camp provides a great opportunity to learn and practice the
SOAR theme song and the list of other campfire songs that have been selected for SOAR. Each patrol can
bring supplies so they can design and start their Patrol banner. Other activities that you can do are make
traders/swaps for the girls to bring to SOAR. There are many great sites on the internet that have trader ideas
and you can adapt them to suit the SOAR theme or come up with your own. The first site gives you the history
of SWAPS.
4. http://www.makingfriends.com/pro_swaphistory.htm
5. http://www.makingfriends.com/swaps.htm
6. http://parentingteens.about.com/od/girlscoutsandgirlguides/a/swaps_girlscout.htm
7. http://reviews.ebay.com/What-are-Girl-Scout-SWAPS-The-How-and-The-WhyGuide_W0QQugidZ10000000000026390?ssPageName=BUYGD:CAT:-1:LISTINGS:5
8. http://swaps-a-lot.ecrater.com/
9. http://www.epilogsys.com/ScoutingWeb/Program/CraftsSwaps.htm
The participants are going to get the opportunity to meet visitors from other countries. It is important
that we are sensitive to the cultural differences and ways of doing things. Have a brainstorming
session and make a list of the things that we should be aware of when meeting international guests.
Brainstorming items:
10. For many visitors, English will be a second language that they have taken in school.
11. Speak slowly, but do not shout.
12. Be aware of sayings or slang words that can be confusing.
13. Take interest in their countries.
14. Be aware of your body language, in some cultures it is rude to look directly at someone
when you are talking and in others it is rude not to look at someone when you are talking.
There is a website for international businessmen which talks about international manners.
Once on the site, click on the name of the country (not the flag) you want and select
appropriate public behavior. It will give you an insight into the proper manners for some of
the international guests we are expecting.
http://www.executiveplantet.com/index/php?title=Main_Page
If time permits, you can have the girls prepare skits:
15. On being sensitive to the needs of international guests or
16. Use the website to gather information on some of the countries coming to SOAR and do
skits demonstrating some of the manners from that country.
BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS
Equipment- Hula Hoop, timer,
Activity- There are many stresses involved when people have busy schedules and are
living in close quarters over a number of days. Here are some suggestions for
teambuilding and conflict resolution activities that you could use with your patrols:
Hoop Hysteria- Form a circle with your patrol and hold hands. Place a Hula Hoop over the
head of the group leader. Leave one side of the Hula Hoop resting on the joined hands of
the leader and the member on her left. The leader and this person let go of each other’s
hands so the Hula Hoop falls to the ground. The Hula Hoop must be passed over
everyone’s head and around the circle without anyone letting go anyone else’s hands. To
accomplish this, the participants must agree on a strategy and cooperate with each other. Time how
long it takes to accomplish the task. Play it several times and see if they can improve their times.
Encore- Have the participants sit in their patrol groups. Tell them that they have to be creative and
work together as a team. Begin the activity by giving one team a word or category. The team must
think of a song which includes the word or category and they stand up together and sing a few lines
from it. When the first team finishes, the next team has 15 seconds to come up with another song
that meets the same requirements. Continue the process with all the teams until a team cannot
think of a new song within 15 seconds. The last team to have come up with a song gets 1 point.
Here are some words or categories that you can use or think up some of your own.
 Love
 Fast-food jingles
 Heart
 Country and western songs
 Baby
 Sea
 Beautiful
 Tree
 Joy
 Toddler songs
CONFLICT RESOLUTION


Explain to the participants how the following methods can be used to resolve conflicts that may occur at
camp. Keep in mind that the conflicts may involve girls vs. girls, girls vs. Guider, and Guiders vs. Guiders.
Your mediator or arbitrator will vary according to the situation.
Communicate-Some conflicts start because people misunderstand each other. Talking things out and
explaining might take care of it.
Negotiate-When two or more people decide to work out a conflict themselves, they might follow a set of
steps. The steps help them work out the conflict or negotiate. Mediate-Sometimes people want to work out

a problem but have trouble negotiating. They might ask someone to help them. That person is called a
mediator . He or she mediates the conflict by helping the people work it out. The mediator does not tell the
people what to do; he or she helps them decide for themselves.
Arbitrate -Sometimes a mediator does solve people's problems. Then he or she isn't called a mediator. He
or she is called an arbitrator. When people ask an arbitrator to help them, they must agree to do whatever
the arbitrator suggests.
Using these methods, discuss what you might do in different scenarios. For example:
17. One of the members of the patrol is not doing their fair share of the daily duties.
17. One of the members of the patrol is not ready on time when the patrol is leaving for sessions.
18. At the start of camp, the Guiders have different ideas about how they want to set up the site.
19.The girls complain to their Guider that the other Guider is showing favoritism to one girl.
Think up some of your own scenarios.
Resources:
National website: http://memberzone.girlguides.ca/ProgramResources/SitePages/Home/aspx
Recipes
Pudgy Turtles
Tammy Tromba
Recipe Ingredients:
• Pillsbury Crescent Dough
• Pecans or Walnuts Crushed
• Chopped up Caramel Squares
• Chocolate Chips
1. Take Triangle of Dough fill with nuts, chopped
caramel squares, and chocolate chips.
2. Then fold dough over sealing it on two sides
by pressing together.
3. Wrap in tin foil sprayed with Pam and put into
fire for about 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Unwrap when golden brown let cool for a few
minutes and enjoy!
Ingredients (per
person):
2 Oatmeal Cookies
Pie Filling
Tin Foil
Directions: Take a
cookie; put a few
spoons of pie filling
on it, and smush the
second cookie on
top. Wrap in tinfoil
and place in coals of
fire for 15 to 20
minutes.
Campfire Crumble
Crafts
Pillow Case Capes (was a HUGE hit at Super Spark Camp):
We did this at Super Spark and Mom camp, and a whole bunch of the Spark and Mom pairs put each of
their hand prints on their capes, which the moms really liked as a time capsule memory type thing, and
the girls enjoyed as they got to cover their hands in paint. - Vicki Ferguson
What you need:
Pillow case (we ordered ours from here: http://www.hospitalityemporium.com/pillowcovers-cases-c-175_203.html)
fabric paint or fabric markers (Crayola makes fabric markers that set with an iron
or in the dryer)
Ribbon
Fabric scissors
What to do:
Cut two slits in the pillowcase about an inch each on the sides at the closed end of the pillow case
Decorate your pillowcase/cape keeping in mind that the closed end will be the top
slide a piece of ribbon through the holes to tie around your neck (once the cape is dry, of course)
Be SUPER!
Night Hikes and Other Night-time Activities
Blind Eagle
Play this game in a large field or meadow. Blindfold one player and stand in
the middle of the field, holding a flashlight. One other player stands next to her
and acts as her assistant. The other players form a large circle around the
edge of the field, and, on a signal, begin to stalk toward the eagle as silently
as possible. If the eagle hears anything, she aims her flashlight in the direction
of the sound, snaps it on, and yells "Freeze!" All players stop. The eagle's assistant looks to see if there
are any players standing in the ray of light. Those caught are out of the game. Remaining players
continue staking forward. The first one to touch the eagle is the winner.
Bug Watch
Tie up a white sheet between two trees. Shine a flashlight on it. See what is attracted to the light. Move
the light and see what happens. Check the outside lights around the camp or in your neighbourhood.
What animals are attracted to them?
Hide and Go Beep
When it's too dark to play hide and go seek, get out your personal radar for a game of Hide and Go
Beep! Locate one another by sound: Hidden players must beep every 30 seconds or so. Just count to 30
and beep. Remember, locate a space where players won't trip or run into unseen objects.
Mapping Night Sounds
Find a special spot to stop and listen. Have a notepad, pencil, and a flashlight, if needed, with you. Make
a "sound map" by placing yourself in the middle of your paper with an "x" and drawing night sounds on
your paper as you hear them from different directions. Which way is the noisiest? Which direction is the
quietest? Are there any reasons for the differences? Share and compare your map with a friend.
Starlight Safari
Take the group on a starlight safari. After 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes can see almost as well as a
cougar's. What does the night sound like? What smells were not there during the day but are noticeable
now? Use your sense of touch. Feel the textures and temperatures of your environment.
Spring Shower Hike
Take your flashlight to a deserted road near a pond or a swampy area on the first rainy spring night and
look for frogs and salamanders crossing the road or in shallow ponds. The require moisture, thus rainy
nights are preferred for their migration.