Lions Area 2024 Inter-Provincial Trip
West Meets East – Ottawa and Halifax, June 29-July 12, 2024 (Subject to change)
Canada is a vast nation with a long history of Indigenous Peoples and 200 years of European settlers. With Central Canada and the East Coast being the oldest part of Canada as we know it today – Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick were the first provinces created.
Join us as we journey to Central Canada starting with a stopover in Ottawa, Canada’s Capital to celebrate Canada Day and our beautiful country. We will take part in the celebration which will include interactive activities, music and fireworks. While in Ottawa we plan to take part in Indigenous Experiences to learn about the diversity of our country and experience the Ottawa River as the First Peoples and early explorers did, on the water.
After visiting Ottawa, we will travel to Halifax by train. Things to do and see while in Halifax may include Pier 21 (Canadian Museum of Immigration), Maritime Museum (Titanic), Boardwalk at the Waterfront, Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, Peggy’s Cove, Africville – people of African descent have been living in Nova Scotia for over 300 years, Bay of Fundy and so much more. There may be the opportunity to visit PEI as well. Adventures could include kayaking, cycling, and/or hiking. The selected youth will be actively involved in the planning of experiences.
Who can participate?
- Twelve (12) youth (born 2007-2010) and three (3) adult Guiders.
In order to qualify, participants must:
- Be active members of Girl Guides of Canada (GGC) and have completed their 2nd or 3rd year of Pathfinders or 1st or 2nd year of Rangers or the equivalent in Trex by July 2024
- Have a minimum of two (2) consecutive nights camping experience at the Guide level or higher and preferably (and recommended) five (5) or more consecutive nights of experience being away from home in a Guiding setting (such as More Seaside Fun, Holidaze, Guiding Mosaic, SOAR, etc.) or another youth non-guiding program
- Be physically fit (hikes, walking), be prepared to complete (or have completed) the GGC Swim Test, be comfortable on the water (ie. kayaking/canoe)
- Be continuing as a Pathfinder, Ranger or Trex in the Guiding year following the trip (2024/2025)
EVERYTHING you need to know is here:
LA Inter-Provincial Trip 2024 Fact Sheet
Lions Area 2024 Inter-Provincial Trip Girl Application Form
Lions Area 2024 Inter-Provincial Trip Girl Reference Form
Lions Area 2024 Guider Application Form
Lions Area 2024 Guider Reference Form
Canadian Presentation
at an International Camp/Event
Position – all the Canadians kneel (or stand during the narration, then kneel to sing), in pairs – the shorter person in front of the other – as if they are already in a canoe. (If there’s an extra person, she could just stand to narrate.)
Presentation: with a flash drive and OV projector
- Show Slide 1 – an empty canoe.
- Narrator reads or explains the gist of “How to Use a Canoe”.
- Show Slide 2 – with girls in a canoe on the water.
- Slide 3 – words for your song – projected behind the kneeling Canadians. The Canadians sing the song once together and then once as a round. (The words are for the audience.)
- Invite the audience to sing the song once (or twice) depending if they know it or not. Divide the audience into 2 groups – one half of Canadians sing with one group, and the other half of Canadians sing with the other half. Sing the song once together and once or twice as a round.
The same presentation can be done without an OV projector. Omit the slides and just do the canoe information and singing.
Suggested songs (use one only):
- Land of the Silver Birch – Jubilee page 15 – appears in more Girl Guide / Scout songbooks internationally than any other Canadian song.
- My Paddle is Keen and Bright – Songs for Canadian Girl Guides page 24
If you need sheet music or MP3 (piano notes) for either song, please email Ming:
mingberka@gmail.com or phone 604-985-8363
How to Use a Canoe
Written by Estha Murenbeeld
Narrator reads (or describes the following with some miming.)
How to get into a Canoe (from the shore):
- Place your canoe perpendicular to the shore, with the bow pointing out.
- Have one person straddle the beached-end of the canoe to stabilize it.
- Paddlers step into the boat in front of this person.
- Crouching and holding the sides of the canoe, the paddler moves forward, always keeping her feet on the center line of the canoe. To dramatize this method, have one paddler stand erect with feet apart and show how the boat will wobble and threaten to tip everyone into the water.
- When she is sitting as forward as possible, the next paddler steps into the boat to take the next position.
How to paddle a canoe:
- Grip the top of the paddle with the inside hand. The outside hand holds the shaft partway to the blade.
- The paddle should enter the water with the top hand over the water.
- Pull the blade through the water in a straight line along the length of the canoe.
- Time your stroke so that your paddle doesn’t interfere with the paddles in front or behind you.
- The canoe will be steered by the stern paddler.
Canoe safety:
- Keep your knees low and never stand up.
- Wear a life jacket.
- Canoes should be equipped with a bailer and throwing rope.
- If the canoe capsizes, stay with the canoe. Don’t try to swim for shore.
