GGC Nova Scotia Provincial Conference - Saturday, November 4, 2023
Block A: 9am-10am │Block B: 10:30am-11:30am│Block C: 1pm-2:30pm│Block D: 3pm-4:30pm
Block AB: 9am-11:30am │Block CD: 1pm-4:30pm
Presenter: Sarah Tanner/Elaina Dolan
There are many ways to travel within GGC and they all look amazing. Trips can keep older participants engaged and excited (and let’s face it – leaders too). But how do you make it happen? From an experienced Guider and assessor, along with a leader who traveled as a youth member, get tips regarding how to plan your own independent trip (maybe to a World Centre) or attend an international camp. We’ll talk about paperwork, parents, fundraising and budgets too. Bring your questions and your ideas.
Target Audience: Rangers, Bridging Members, Ranger Guiders, all Guiders
Presenters: Cheryl Chambers/Darlene McPhee
Members looking for a new challenge may be interested in learning more about GGC’s exciting collaboration with the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh International Award. This award very closely aligns with our Girl’s First program: encouraging youth, aged 14 and up, to volunteer, try new things, and further develop their leadership and outdoor skills.
Target Audience: Rangers, Bridging Members, Ranger Guiders
Presenter: Beth Spencer
American Sign Language (ASL) is a visually amazing language used by deaf people. This session will share some brief information about ASL and how it can be shared and incorporated into Girls First through songs and activities. Come learn Taps, some fun signs, and some silly songs to share with your units. A fun session meant to provide something a little different.
Target Audience: All Guiders
Presenter: Alix Power and Jennifer Lambe
Nova Scotia is fortunate to have five beautiful camp properties and a Guide House made available to our Guiders and our youth. Take a virtual tour with Alix and Jen as they show you all the great features of each of these facilities. Indoor and all-season kitchen facilities, heated bunkhouse, fireplaces and firepits, outside shelters and Adirondacks, lakeside retreats, hiking trails, paddling facilities and more are just a short distance away and open for your camping pleasure. Come check them out and learn how you can book your next camp at one of these properties.
Target Audience: All Guiders
Presenter: Dr. Ann Marie Joyce, Psychologist
Mental health concerns don’t just affect adults, they affect children and youth as well. GGC is committed to providing environments where our youth and adults feel safe, respected, supported, and inspired to reach their potential. Learn more about the most common mental health conditions in children and youth and how to support youth that are struggling with mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, to have a good experience in guiding.
Target Audience: Rangers, Bridging Members, all Guiders
Presenter: Kathy Martin
Sometimes called Acrylic Pour Painting or Fluid Art, Kathy is excited to lead a session on how to use a strainer and a paint mixture to create some beautiful effects resembling Granite & Marble. It is mesmerizing to watch the paint designs that appear on the canvas as it flows out from the mini strainer, the fun part is maneuvering the canvas to achieve the design you want. No painting experience required. Participants should wear old t-shirt or apron. You will leave this session with a painted canvas and a plant pot.
Target Audience: Rangers, Guide/Pathfinder/Ranger Guiders
Presenter: Helen Cashman, Guiding Ambassador and National Director - Guiding Experience
How can we grow the guiding movement in Nova Scotia so more youth and leaders can be part of the Guiding Sisterhood? Join Guiding Ambassador Helen Cashman for this session where you will learn about our membership data and the tools and resources that can support you to grow your units and recruit new guiders. In this session, we will also discuss the barriers and opportunities you see to growing our movement, and brainstorm solutions that will be shared back with the membership growth team.
Presenter: Shelley Grace Farouse
Has it been a while since you took the Safe Guide training? Has someone else in your unit always completed the Safe Guide paperwork and that job is now falling to you, or it may soon be your responsibility? No need to repeat the whole 3-hour session. This refresher is only 1 hour long and reviews the forms, ratios and common missteps as identified by the Assessors. We will also peek at the new National Survey Monkey Apply safe guide application portal.
Target Audience: Unit Guiders
Presenter: Stefanie Slaunwhite
This session offers advice on the scholarship application process and highlights your resume's importance. Topics covered include tips and tricks on writing an effective personal statement, including transferable skills on your resume, identifying hard skills vs. soft skills, and using Guiding on your resume.
Target Audience: Rangers, Bridging Members, Ranger Guiders
Presenter: Kristy Orser
Her Guiding name, Princess Glitter Sparkles, may be misleading as this Guider takes arts and crafts for Guide and Pathfinder aged youth to a new level. With a strong focus on STEM and creativity, Kristy will share her arts and crafts ideas that have appealed to the older youth in her units. Join Guider Kristy for some crafty show & tell and hands-on fun.
Target Audience: Guide and Pathfinder Guiders
Presenter: Charlotte Dorniac
This is a lively session with fun games and action songs for your unit. Many games help with interactive skills, socializing, how to follow rules, taking turns, etc. Some games will be program related. We will learn songs that the youth will enjoy. Get some great ideas to have them begging for more! You’ll even have fun yourself.
Target Audience: Rangers, Spark and Embers Guiders
Presenter: Dr. Ann Marie Joyce, Psychologist
Mental health concerns don’t just affect adults, they affect children and youth as well. Learn more about the most common mental health conditions in children and youth and how to support youth that are struggling with anxiety or depression to have a good experience in guiding.
Target Audience: Rangers, Bridging Members, all Guiders
Presenter: Barb Kent
Opera singers need not apply! Would you love to have musical fun with your youth but don't think you can sing well enough? Well, that is not a problem. This session will have you singing, playing games with music, and having loads of fun. You will leave this session with lots of ideas to take back to your unit or district. The songs and activities are suited to all branch levels and the youth will love them!
Target Audience: Unit Guiders
Presenter: Kathy Martin
Beginner painters will enjoy this easy flower artwork on a canvas. This session will have you painting with Bubble Wrap and Cotton Swabs on a black canvas while having loads of fun. You will leave this session with an easy acrylic painting idea to take back to your unit or district. This type of painting is suited to all branch levels and the youth will enjoy it. You will leave this session with a painted canvas.
Target Audience: Rangers, Bridging Members, Unit Guiders
Presenter: Debbie Mellish
Let’s go and see our world! What do we need to know? Come chat about opportunities and how to make them happen. What do we need to do for fundraising? How do cookies fit into travel? Come get the most up to date information to help you plan for an exciting experience for you and your youth to travel - interprovincially and internationally.
Target Audience: Rangers, Bridging Members, Ranger Guiders, all Guiders
Presenter: Jennifer Lambe
Do you know Guiders who are awesome and deserve some recognition? This session is open to all members of Girl Guides of Canada, whether you're a Unit or District Guider, a Ranger, or another person in our community. Everyone is encouraged to join in celebrating the spirit of Guiding and empowering one another through recognition. Learn about awards you can self-nominate or nominate others for; embrace the culture of appreciation and recognition within our Guiding community; and discover your potential for personal growth and achievements through awards.
Target Audience: All Guiders, Bridging Members, Rangers
Presenter: Lesa McHugh
How have you been doing with the Girls First Platform? Struggling to get started? Want to get some burning questions answered? This is a session designed to answer your questions. Join in for this great Question and Answer session.
Target Audience: Unit Guiders
Presenter: Cheryl Franklin
Do you know how to use a compass? At this session you will learn the basics of how to use a map and compass and how to incorporate teaching youth to use a compass into your unit program. Understanding how to use a map and compass is a great life skill for everyone to know. Participants will be venturing outside for part of this session
Target Audience: Rangers, Bridging Members, All Guiders
Presenters: Janice Williams and Mae Lefrancois
This module is intended to help Guiders learn about leading active games including the benefits of playing active games, guidelines on how to properly lead them and inclusive ways to get everyone active. A variety of games will be introduced so Guiders will be able to add a few new games to their repertoire.
Target Audience: Rangers, Bridging Members, Unit Guiders
Presenter: Alana Coneen
In this session, you will decoupage a clipboard with a collection of paper copies of Girl Guide badges and crests. The effect is a layered and textured badge collage, and a clipboard perfect for all things Girl Guides.
Target Audience: Guide, Pathfinder and Ranger Guiders
Presenter: Brenda Harvey
Good leadership is the single most important thing that you can have at camp. It is more important than good equipment and planning – everything else is secondary. Leadership is a major, often decisive element in why some camps succeed and others fail. Leading is not about giving directions but rather liberating the group to do what’s needed in the best way possible
Target Audience: Bridging Members, Unit Guiders
Presenter: Cathy Langille
Chemical reactions are exciting but there’s so much more to STEM! Learn fun activities for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math that you can bring back to your units.
Target Audience: Rangers, Bridging Members, all Guiders
Presenter: Kim Reyno-Briscoe and Sabitha Masih, Student Services and Equity Branch Consultants, NS Dept of Education and Early Childhood Development
Girl Guides of Canada recognizes and values the richness of human diversity in its many forms, and therefore strives to ensure environments where youth and adults from all walks of life, identities, and lived experiences feel a sense of belonging and can participate fully. Understanding and working with youth with special needs (such as ADHD, Down Syndrome, Autism) can present unique challenges for Guiders. Come join experts from Early Childhood Development as they share ways to include and communicate with everyone in our GGC program.
Target Audience: Bridging Members, all Guiders
Presenter: Kathy Martin
What is mindfulness meditation and how is it useful? Mindfulness principles are presented in this session, and you get to practice Mindfulness by basic guided Mindfulness exercises. You will leave this session with ideas to take back to your unit. Adapting the activities will make them suited to all branch levels and everyone will love them!
Target Audience: Rangers, Bridging Members, all Guiders
Presenter: Lesa McHugh
Food is an essential part of any camp – perhaps even more so than good leadership! Meals that are tasty and enjoyed by everyone are a great morale booster. Meal preparation and consumption can be one of the most social ingredients of any camp if well planned.
Target Audience: Bridging Members, Unit Guiders
Presenter: Cheryl Franklin
Do you know what knots to use for a clothesline, a bed roll, or other practical uses. If no, then this session is for you.
Target Audience: Rangers, Bridging Members, Guide/Pathfinder/Ranger Guiders
Presenter: Charlotte Dorniac
Do you know the importance of drama in your program? Would you like to learn some easy and fun activities to use with your unit? Many aspects of the program can be done through drama. Join us for a session where you will see how easy, useful, and fun drama can be. Learn some basic skills such as improvisation, mime, puppetry, and storytelling. You will be surprised how much fun it is!
Target Audience: Rangers, Unit Guiders
Presenter: Alana Coneen and Abigail Harper
Learn how Boomwhackers and bucket drums can be used for a fun (and loud) meeting for your unit! We will play chords and rhythms, then learn a few simple songs. Not just fun for making music but also great for teambuilding and ice breakers. Come prepared to laugh at yourself!
Target Audience: Rangers, Bridging Members, all Guiders
Presenters: Jennifer Thornton/Sylvia Thorne
Grow your passion to provide a welcoming experience to all members. This session will provide helpful tips and tricks to create a unit space that is welcoming and celebratory of all cultures. Moving from practices that have their roots in religion or are religious allows us to remain true to our values and work towards serving all youth. This is a great space to discuss winter celebrations and traditions, as well as other areas of Guiding throughout the year.
Target Audience: Rangers, all Guiders
Presenters: Colleen Upson
Learn about Nova Scotia native plants and pollinators and how this knowledge will help you and your units to take care of the worlds round you. Find out about some of the misconceptions around these plants like milkweed and joepyeweed. Guider Colleen is a Butterfly Ranger with David Suzuki Butterfly Way Project. Learn more about the pollinators these plants support which are native to Nova Scotia. Guider Colleen will also speak to some common invasive species, and the differences between assertive and aggressive plants.
Target Audience: Rangers, Bridging Members, all Guiders
Presenter: Beth Spencer
This training will help new Guiders learn all about Sparks. Guiders will explore the physical, intellectual, and social development of youth aged 5-6 along with best practices for engaging Sparks. Guiders will also discover Sparks traditions and learn how to create engaging unit meetings that reflect the uniqueness of Spark-aged youth.
Target Audience: Spark Guiders
Presenter: Kim Reyno-Briscoe and Sabitha Masih, Student Services and Equity Branch Consultants, NS Dept of Education and Early Childhood Development
Girl Guides of Canada recognizes and values the richness of human diversity in its many forms, and therefore strives to ensure environments where youth and adults from all walks of life, identities, and lived experiences feel a sense of belonging and can participate fully. Understanding and working with youth with special needs (such as ADHD, Down Syndrome, Autism) can present unique challenges for Guiders. Come join experts from Early Childhood Development as they share ways to include and communicate with everyone in our GGC program.
Target Audience: Bridging Members, all Guiders
Presenter: Stefanie Slaunwhite
This training will help new Guiders learn all about Guides. Guiders will explore the physical, intellectual, and social development of youth aged 9-11 along with best practices for engaging Guides. Guiders will also discover Guide traditions and learn how to create engaging unit meetings that reflect the uniqueness of Guide-aged youth.
Target Audience: Guide Guiders
Presenter: Elizabeth (Anne) Boutilier
At camp, there should be time to daydream, to explore and to deepen friendships. This freedom is an essential element of camping; remember to keep it alive in your camps! There should be time for both adults and youth to enjoy their surroundings – to lie on the grass and watch the clouds above, or to explore a trail or learn about a flower. Don’t over-program your itinerary. The activity of camping itself is enough. Take time to enjoy the outdoors!
Target Audience: Bridging Members, Unit Guiders
Presenter: Cheryl Franklin
Learn about the online Unified Banking System, so you can manage Unit finances simply and efficiently. Have any questions? Come meet with a unified banking champion for the answers.
Target Audience: Unit Guiders
Presenter: Kathy Martin
Icebreakers and energizers can be used as tools to help participants to transition into the proper headspace for what lies ahead, and to re-focus during the learning experience.
This presentation draws on research to explore how icebreakers and energizers focus participants' attention, raise the energy of the room, and establish community.
Target Audience: Rangers, Bridging Members, all Guiders
Presenter: Alana Coneen and Abigail Harper
Déjà vu! This session is so popular we are offering it twice. Learn how Boomwhackers and bucket drums can be used for a fun (and loud) meeting for your unit! We will play chords and rhythms, then learn a few simple songs. Not just fun for making music but also great for teambuilding and ice breakers. Come prepared to laugh at yourself!
Target Audience: Rangers, Bridging Members, all Guiders
Presenter: Elizabeth Buffett and Gail Leighton
Some of our best memories of Guiding come from our time around a campfire. The warm glow of the fire, the songs, and the laughs. Come and join us as we not only learn the classic and new songs to sing, but also learn about the importance of a well-planned campfire. Not only will Elizabeth and Gail teach you songs and fun ideas for a campfire, with the capable assistance of a few of our Rangers, you will get to put your plan into action for our conference campfire that night!
Target Audience: Rangers, Bridging Members, all Guiders
Presenter: Lesa McHugh
This training will help new Guiders learn all about Pathfinders. Guiders will explore the physical, intellectual, and social development of youth aged 12-14 along with best practices for engaging Pathfinders. Guiders will also discover Pathfinder traditions and learn how to create engaging unit meetings that reflect the uniqueness of Pathfinder-aged youth.
Target Audience: Pathfinder Guiders
Presenter: Beth Spencer
This training will help new Guiders learn all about Embers. Guiders will explore the physical, intellectual, and social development of youth aged 7-8 along with best practices for engaging Embers. Guiders will also discover Ember traditions and learn how to create engaging unit meetings that reflect the uniqueness of Ember-aged youth.
Target Audience: Ember Guiders
Presenter: Helen Cashman, Guiding Ambassador and National Director - Guiding Experience
This course explores the unique nature of leadership at Girl Guides of Canada (GGC). As a national organization supporting youth and women, GGC is uniquely positioned to provide opportunities and experiences in leadership. Participants will explore how GGC's mission and vision, governance, structure, and focus on inclusive leadership support capacity building. Additionally, participants will partake in activities and discussions about how they can contribute to building strong networks, teams, and ultimately, serve as a catalyst for both youth and women.
Target Audience: Rangers, Bridging Members, all Guiders
Presenters: Janice Williams and Mae Lefrancois
Participants will learn about their role as a Guider, the youth‐driven approach to Guiding, and strategies to engage youth in planning and decision‐making. Additionally, participants will explore how to construct effective Unit meetings using program components that ensure youth have fun in Guiding.
Target Audience: Unit Guiders
Presenter: Brenda Harvey
The purpose of this module is to develop the skills needed to plan an outing. Outdoor activities take time to plan. However, the reward for time spent on planning will be a successful event. A team of youth, Guiders and parents/guardians should share the work in creating the camp. As well, assigning roles or responsibilities is an important aspect of planning.
Target Audience: Bridging Members, Unit Guiders
Presenter: Cathy Langille
Chemical reactions are exciting but there’s so much more to STEM! Learn fun activities for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math that you can bring back to your units.
Target Audience: Rangers, Bridging Members, all Guiders
Presenter: Debbie Mellish
The volunteer level food safety course is required when food is being prepared by Guiders, for any event. Not just for guiding but anywhere food is being prepared. Attending this session will get you that check mark on iMIS required to take your unit to camp.
Target Audience: Rangers, Bridging Members, all Guiders
Presenter: Nicole Marshall
Great leadership begins with self-leadership. Grow self-awareness by identifying the skills and leadership style you bring and how you apply them to your leadership role. Consider how you influence your emotions, thoughts, and behavior for a positive impact on your leadership goals. You’ll have the opportunity to identify areas of growth and apply strategies to help you lead yourself as a more effective and responsive leader. This course utilizes the WAGGGS Reflective mindset and Creative and Critical Thinking mindset.
Target Audience: Rangers, Bridging Members, all Guiders