9th Vancouver Pathfinders

After selling cookies this Wednesday, we will make our way up to Vancouver City Hall to talk about the election. 

Vancouver’s municipal election is happening on Saturday, October 20 but advance voting is open from October 10-17. 
During this election voters will elect:

• 1 mayor and 10 councillors for Vancouver City Council
• 7 commissioners for the Vancouve Board if Parks and Recreation 
• 9 school trustees for Vancouver School Board

How does voting work? Watch out his great How to vote video for more details. 

If you are curious about who is running for office, check out the Plan Your Vote tool that lists every candidate running for office. You can select your voting location and time as well as the candidates you are interested in. This list will be emailed to you so you can bring your voting plan along to the voting station. Check out this guide and see if you can find candidates that are campaigning on an issue that connects with you. 

Although you have to be 18 to vote, this year the City of Vancouver is hosting a kids vote on October 13 and 14. During these advance voting days, youth under 18 can get a special kids votes ballot and get a feel for what it is like to actually vote. Encourage your family to head to the polls together on the weekend so you can participate.
And if you are uncertain what services the city provides, this short video is a good overview. 

For more information on the election visit Vancouver.ca/votes 

We have lots on the go this month!

On Wednesday October 10, we’re selling cookies at Broadway-City Hall Canada Line station from 4:30-6:00 pm, and then learning about the city election at City Hall! Drop off is at the Canada Line station (SE corner of Cambie & Broadway) at 4:30 pm. Pick up is at 453 W 12th Ave (City Hall), on the south side of the building, at 7:00 pm.

The Southridge District Great Canadian Shoreline Clean-up on Saturday October 13 is an annual favourite for Pathfinders and families alike. There is no cost to attend, but we need to RSVP so please let us know on October 10 if you plan on attending.

We also have two exciting seasonal special events coming up! The West Coast Area Amazing Race event is taking place on Sunday October 28. Race other teams of Pathfinders, Rangers, Scouts and Ventures for spooky excitement in Queen Elizabeth Park. Event costs $30 to attend. Forms and payment are due no later than October 17.

Also, by popular demand, we’re heading to Fright Nights at Playland on October 24. Fright Nights features 8 haunted houses, rides, and other carnival curios. Event costs $35 to attend. Forms and payment are also due no later than October 17.

Reminder that uniforms are mandatory for all public events. Please speak with a Guider if you have any questions about the Pathfinder uniform.

At our first meeting of the year, we discussed the actions and behaviours we wanted to foster so we could have a great year together. 

After individual visualization exercise and a small group discussion, we came together as a whole to create a list of agreements. 
Here is what we agreed to:

• Be respectful 
• Include others
• Be kind
• Socialize with new people
• HAVE FUN
• Be prepared
• Participate!
• Wear your uniform

One thing we didn’t discuss, but I would like to suggest we include, is an agreement to “leave no trace.” Not only does this apply to camping behaviour, it also applies to leaving a meeting room how we found it. 

I have no doubt that we will have a successful year together as we follow these agreements! 

We’re looking forward to ringing in the new Pathfinder year with all of you at our IKEA/Fraser Delta Guide House Sleepover on Saturday, September 29th!

For more information, visit the event page.  Forms are available here.

We reinvented s’mores at Camp Olave in July! Here is our next level brainstorm for you to try at home, or plan for a future camp!

1. Replace graham cracker with square chocolate wafer
2. Use Reese’s peanut butter cups instead of graham crackers
3. Use brownies instead of graham crackers
4. Put peanut butter in a classic s’more (we tried this – it was awesome!)
5. Use Celebration cookie (the vanilla cookies with chocolate on them) instead of graham crackers
6. Use chocolate chip cookie instead of graham cracker
7. Put peanut butter and banana in a classic s’more

Registration is now open for girls who want to attend the Girls First launch party on Saturday, September 29 at the University of British Columbia. Girls will have the chance to try out fun new activities, see cool girl performances, and have delicious food and treats.

The event for Pathfinders, Rangers and friends is 2:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. and includes snacks and dinner.

Spaces are limited and registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis – register a.s.a.p. to avoid disappointment.

P.S. A limited number of spaces are available to non-GGC girls to attend these events. Girls can register along with a girl who is not currently a member (space permitting).

Visit our webpage for FAQs and details on how to host your own Girls First launch party.

(This is the same night as our Sleepover at the Fraser Delta Guide House, but don’t worry – you could come after the launch party!)

We made scones at Camp Olave this past weekend, and they were a huge hit! (Especially with Karla’s homemade apricot jam) Here is the recipe:

Scones

• 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
• 1/2 cup currants  or raisins
• 1 cup buttermilk (or milk soured with a small amount of vinegar or lemon juice)
• 1 egg lightly beaten

Instructions:

1. In large bowl stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
2. Using a pastry blender or a box grater to grate the butter, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Stir in currants.
4. Add buttermilk all at once, stiring with a fork to make soft, slightly sticky dough.
5. With floured hands press dough into ball.
6. On lightly floured surface, knead gently 10 times.
7. Pat out dough into 3/4″ thick round using a cup.
8. Place on ungreased baking sheet.
9. Gather scraps and repeat dough once.
10. Cut out more rounds.
11. Brush tops with egg.
12. Bake at 425F for 12-15 min or until golden.

Makes 12.

Homemade Devonshire cream

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 Tbsp powdered sugar

3/4 cultured sour cream

Instructions:

1. Whip heavy cream with the sugar until soft peaks form.
2. Add the sour cream and beat until just fluffy and well combined.
3. Refrigerate until serving.

Top warm scones with jam and Devonshire cream.

Delicious! Enjoy!

 

At our last meeting of the year we brainstormed some ideas for summer reading. Consider checking out some of these books!

Fiction

• The Golden Compass series by Phillip Pullman
• A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
• Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
• Wildwood by Colin Meloy
• The Pigman by Paul Zindel
• Sabriel by Garth Nix
• Slated by Teri Terry
• The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
• The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
• The Raven Boys by Maggie Stillwater

Non-Fiction

• 101 Hikes & Walks Around Vancouver
• Babes in the Woods by Bobbi Hoadley

It’s the last meeting of the year! Come hungry, because we’re having a pizza party!

Also, don’t forget your forms and payment for summer camp at Camp Olave, any remaining cookie money, and to RSVP for our last service event of the year, the First Lutheran Church Community Picnic!

See you at 6:45 pm!