EVENT REPORT: Coast to Coast Camping Conference 2006

There are three reports on this page - scroll down to see them all!

Driving out to Lougheed Lodge as a brand new Camp Adviser was like going to an area summer camp. I had no idea how many people I'd know or have met before and how many new friends I'd meet.

Liz Lovis from Ontario, our National CamPING Director, and PJ Borghardt, our Provincial Camp Adviser, kicked of the conference and were stunningly motivating! (Encouraging the PING in camp) Liz and PJ hosted an information question and answer session on camp culture, tools, the dreaded paperwork and where to get support. Not one area seemed left out over the weekend. We touched up on Safe Guide, water safety, and hat craft ideas, dehydrating and backpacking hints, where to camp and where not to camp, what to wear and not wear, compass and mapping and of course Song and Games. One of our many sessions was a well-informed visit from AventureSmart on how to minimize risk.

The average person can only take in so much information on a weekend. However, I'm confident that I can be asked most anything now and if I don't know it, I know how to find out! I was lucky enough to share guiding tips with guiders literally Coast to Coast as we toured Vancouver, and had a fabulous BBQ on the beach, Dragon Boated, Kayaked, Canoed, Hiked, sang songs, played games, toured Fort Langley and visited a local winery. We all took part in a murder mystery and relaxed to slide shows from Kim Rampfl and Adele Cooshek on their recent camps ROAM and BOOTS.

Marion Weir hosted a Sunday reflection. I will always remember her wonderful display of reminding us of our roles and just how important we are as guiders to the girls in our communities. We, the delegates, were girls going to a camp and our leaders (PJ Borghardt, Karen Griffiths) wanted to offer us new and exciting things! And did they ever!

It turns out I had some of the most amazing opportunities and all with new friends.
Submitted by Pat Stavem, Mundy Lake Camp Adviser

Coast to Coast Camping Conference: Worth Its Weight in Gold!

What an exciting 5 days it was! Just imagine.....over 80 Guiders from across our country joining together as one.....and it was all about camping! The knowledge and expertise that was shared by the presenters was "top-notch". The sessions varied from Safe Guide updates, by Anne McRuer, mini-sessions including "Dining in the Wilds", "Adventure Smart" EL Games, and of course, "The Kanaka Crawl", Wilderness Leadership Training by Colleen Aver, to "Putting the '-ping' in Camping" by Liz Lovis! And, of course, words of encouragement and and praise form 'our fearless leader' PJ Borghardt!

Scattered amongst the learning was, of course, amazing food and lots of fun! Our 'fun' included the swim test at 8a.m. (EEK!); a trip to the Museum of Anthropology; Dinner on the shore at Spanish Banks; Fort Langley Tour, Murder Mystery evening;and a B.C. Salmon Bar-B-Que! It is always very refreshing to mingle and share adventures with 'our Guiding family'. The memories will linger in our hearts for many months to come. Along with these wonderful memories, I have brought back to my Area, valuable and useful tools and knowledge to share with my fellow Guiders and youth members.

When I left this conference and Camp Kanaka, I felt as rich in knowledge and exhillarated as I felt the day I panned for 'gold' at Fort Langley and retrieved those" gold nuggets"! Many thanks to the organizers and staff for a job well done!
Submitted by Marilyn Feregotto, East Kootenay Area Camping Adviser

Someone recently said to me that the thing they like about Guiding is that you never feel alone, or a stranger. This was never more evident than on my recent trip to the Coast to Coast Camping Conference in beautiful British Colombia. I arrived in BC alone but left with a wealth of new friends. From the moment I arrived at the airport to be greeted by Marilyn's smiling face to the touching closing ceremonies where I said my sad goodbyes I was treated as if I belonged. When I think back to the things I enjoyed most about the conference the exciting memories come flooding back. The hospitality was second to none with PJ and her team accommodating our every need. Beautiful camp Kanaka was an ideal location, comfortable and cozy. And there were all of our adventures; My visit to wonderful venues like the Museum of Anthropology at UBC, the Fraser Valley, Westminster Abbey, a catered supper on a beautiful beach with a view of magnificent Vancouver, Stanley park at sunset, making ice cream at the side of the road, a fabulous Pacific salmon dinner, delicious food at every meal, sharing pie with a table full of friends, a hilarious murder mystery, campfire on a beautiful night at a beautiful campfire site, singing "Donkey riding" with my "honorary sisters from Quebec", Geocaching, and all of the wonderful sessions on Sunday, please don't ask me to choose my favourite, that would be impossible. If I close my eyes I am still there in your beautiful Province with my wonderful new friends.

This terrific camping conference has given me the chance to gain new insight that I have taken into this new Guiding year. It has given me the opportunity to share with my fellow PCA's and has provided me with a head start on ideas and projects. There is nothing like meeting in person and sharing thoughts to give one that renewed enthusiasm that is sometime needed. I look forward, thanks to the encouragement of our National Camping Adviser Liz, to working on a blaze training. This is something that Quebec has never held. I was anxious to share methods and ideas from around the Country with my camping team in Quebec. It is also reassuring to know that regardless of distance we all share the same concerns, providing fun, safe, girl centered camping for all of our members.

I know the amount of time that goes into the planning of a conference like Coast to Coast but I also know that the opportunities and experiences gained are priceless. I feel a better Guider and a better Camping Adviser. My sincere thanks go to PJ and "the Team", I will never forget the "Coast to Coast Camping Conference".
Joanne Millette, Quebec Provincial Camping Adviser