A Spark Guider Shares

Since I became a Spark leader in 98/99 I've always thought if you want more kids to join the movement get groups out and about in the public eye. To make sure kids stay in the movement, do a lot of fun activities that aren't always in the meeting area, and make sure the kids learn something so they can look back and say, "I remember when I was in _____ and we did _____." It’s the reason why you get youths coming in as leaders. : )

Here are some of the things my girls have done over the years that may be different from the normal Spark activities...

Christmas party with Beavers (almost every year)
Since both groups meet at the same church and the leaders and kids all know each other, we just have a big party with the parents as the last meeting of the year. It’s one less planning meeting for both groups and it’s a chance for both groups to notice the similarities in our programs.

1999: day camp
We had a day camp at Woodward’s landing.. made homemade ice cream, set up a tent (with some help) and even helped a Pathfinder group set up a tent.

1999: visited a library
Some of the girls had never been to one…… and it was a nice way to say here’s a lot of books.

2000/2003: camp in a box
Each girl gets a fridge size box, decorates it with the camp’s theme, play a few games and make a craft for their hats and watch a movie (based on the theme)

2002: take-apart night:
”Take-apart” night, is a meeting where each of your girls takes apart old radios or hard drives with the help of an older section (bridging event), just make sure if this event is done indoors to have a tarp on the floor with cardboard on top to protect the floor. You can ask each girl to bring something in or have the leaders bring everything in. The girls should have their name on everything they bring.

2003: visited radio station
I know a few of the people at XFM, and they offered my groups (Sparks and Beavers) a tour of XFM, 1130 and JACKFM .. The kids got to be on the air (with Jack), and to see what a radio station looks like.

2003: bike safety night
Have a meeting where the girls bring their bikes (and helmets). Set up a course using chalk and signs for the girls to ride through. This activity works best with parent helpers.

2003/2004
The other leaders and I are planning for the unit to visit a tv station; bus down to Granville island and having a picnic watching the dragon boats, kayaks and outriggers go by on a weekend; have an indoor camping event in tents in January (but do all the cooking and washing dishes outside)

Kimberly Mitchell