JFW - Junior Forest Wardens
AJFWA - Alberta Junior Forest Wardens Association (Our Provincial Body)
A child that is enrolled in the Club (Grades 1 - 12; Ages 6-17)
Wardens are subdivided into smaller groups for weekly meetings and some camps based on their school grade.
Pathfinders - Grades 1 - 3 (Ages 6-8)
Trailblazers - Grades 4 - 6 (Ages 9-11)
Adventurers - Grades 7 - 9 (Ages 12-14)
Challengers - Grades 10 - 12 (Ages 15-17+)
Once a month the Council gets together without the kids to discuss what is happening with the Club, what is planned for the coming month, how our finances are doing and other topics. Although it is called a Council meeting, ALL PARENTS are welcome. It is a great opportunity to see where the Club is going and voice your opinions.
Once a month one adult from each family is REQUIRED to attend the Parent Meeting that happens in conjunctions with the regular meeting. The Club Coordinator will go over what is happening and what is being planned.
Adult Socials are planned several times throughout the year and may involve a potluck at someone's home, axe throwing at a facility, going on a scooter ride through downtown Red Deer or anything else we may come up with. These evenings are a great way for the parents to get to know each other.
Everyone who is attending a Warden camp or outing MUST complete a Personal Profile. This profile includes identifying information (eg. shoe size, allergies, and a photograph) and emergency contact information. The binder of profiles accompanies all warden activities where there is any possibility that someone could become lost.
Red Deer is in the David Thompson District along with Innisfail, Rocky Mountain House, and Stettler. The District plans an annual camp for the Clubs to get together and have some fun. The District also plans educational events through the year such as Project Wild, the Fall Workshop and keeps members informed of AJFWA activities.
Don't be put off by the name! Cold Camp is our winter camping experience and it is anything but cold. The shelters are built by the children and adults in early winter out of willow and spruce boughs. The Cold Camps take place in January and February with each group going out individually. The shelters are heated by an external fire and the complaint is usually that they are TOO warm. There are many advantages to winter camping - there are no bugs, you won't get rained out and you don't have to worry about ice for the cooler! The kids often say this is the highlight of their Warden experience.
At these camps, each family is responsible for their own food (with the possible exception of a potluck) and sleeping accommodations (tent or trailer). At other camps the lodging and meals are provided by the Club.
At every camp we attend (with the exception of cold camps) the red Warden uniforms are worn for the Saturday night supper. Parents are encouraged to purchase a red shirt if they wish.
Camps usually begin Friday after supper. As most people have had a rushed evening finishing work, packing up for camp, grabbing a bite and stuffing the kids in the car, we have an evening snack known as Mug Up. Traditionally this means hot chocolate and cookies.