FRASER DELTA AREA HAD A BANNER DAY FOR A SPARK SPREE JUNE 2, 2002

A core group of Guiders arrived on site at 6:25 am. People started trickling in to help set up about 7am and they just kept coming. Volunteers came to help set up, they came to help run the actual show; they came to help take down. A truly AMAZING group of girls and women! Every volunteer signed in at the information booth and was given a big sparkly name tag to identify them as a Staff member of the Spree.

The place was set up and ready to go by 9:30am and some decorating went on until 10:00am when the first of the crowd began to arrive. A Husband and Wife Team did an absolutely incredible job of controlling parking with a little help from some amazing Guiders We couldn't have done it without them.

The Gate had a wonderful team of ladies managing it. They ensured that each person that came through the gate signed a Photo Release form, produced a ticket and had their hands stamped for easy in and out privileges. They sold tickets, told everyone where the information and first aid tents were located and handed out loot bags to every child as they left with membership information and goodies in them.

Girls and their friends and families were all over the Park enjoying the carnival games, crafting, marshmallow roasting and much more. The train ride was one of the highlights of the day and many a child and adult alike took more than one ride. Crafts, led by a marvellous crew of Guiders, Pathfinders and a very wonderful Brownie, were a big hit too. The tables at that station were always full of children delighting in being creative

There was a Professional photographer who volunteered her time to roam the grounds and take photos of the event. Three Guiders roamed the grounds all day keeping their eyes out for first aid incidents or crying children, making sure that all were happy and that all staff had what they needed. They made sure that everyone had a break and time for lunch, making sure that all booths were always staffed. They also took around a survey/evaluation and randomly asked people attending the event to fill it out. They spoke to the people attending the event about membership and more.

There were Rangers and Pathfinders having fun doing face painting, Pathfinders running the carnival games along with 3 Guiders and even one Brownie. The Carnival games went off well and were worth the money it cost to rent them and everyone was happy with the prizes.The Food Shelter was run by members of the Independent Coast to Coast trip.

The kids loved the water relays and parachute games led by our Senior Branches Members and it gave parents a chance to sit and relax for a few minutes while watching their kids play.
Janine the Genius came and set up shop. She was the science lady and had some great stuff to show off; dry ice bubbles and talks about burps and more. All loved this station.

We had a most delightful clown roaming the grounds, handing out balloons and helping out where needed at Carnival games. The campfire sing-a-long and marshmallow roasting was a great station and next time we'll have better signage so it gets more attention.

People left between 1:45 and 2:15. Clean up went very quickly and was all done by 3 pm.
A few Guiders and a Pathfinder did a garbage sweep of the park and moved the picnic tables back to where they were before the spree. One last sweep of the park and washrooms was done to be sure everything was left in the same condition it was found. The caretaker was happy. In fact he said this was the best event that had been held there since he took over.

It was a fun day for everyone. The volunteers did a fantastic job of keeping everything running smoothly. They all should be properly proud of themselves!
It was a Banner day!

Heather
Spark Guider, Massey District, Fraser Delta Area