Hi Neighbour,
As Girl Guides of Canada – SOAR 2017 we wish to introduce ourselves to the neighbourhood and let you know what will be taking place at the Bulkey Valley Fair Grounds and within the townships of Smithers, Houston, Hazelton, Telkwa and many other spots in the region from July 22-29.
SOAR 2017 will be based at Bulkley Valley Fair Grounds in Smithers, from July 22 to 29. On July 22 almost 2,500 participants will start arriving at this years’ camp from all over Canada, welcoming international guests from New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, Scotland, Japan, Peru, and Washington and Oregon States.
We start setting up on Monday, July 17 and over the next couple of days about 260 core staff arrive to prepare for the arrival of the girls and their leaders on Friday. This camp has been two years in the planning and is completely organized by volunteers. The site will be a sea of tents and the logistics of a small township complete with a quartermaster’s store, souvenir shop, hot press Garment Company, health centre, cafeteria and over 80 port-a-potties! The site is secured and patrolled 24 hours a day.
The program will consist of traditional camp-type activities such as cooking, campfire sing-alongs and crafts. The girls have signed up to try out activities in each of the program areas — Active Recreation, Crafts, Environment, Fine Arts, Service, Science and Technology and Waterfront — and to go on day trips to tour the local area. The Ranger girls (ages 15-17) have also had the opportunity to sign up for various adventure trips.
Active recreation examples: archery, cycle touring, riflery, horseback riding, fly fishing, hip hop, belly dancing, yoga, amazing race.
Environmental examples: weather wizards, salmon seeker and wetland wonder.
Science examples: tree talkers, brain boosters, rocket robo, mineral exploration and simple machines.
Waterfront activities: like canoeing, river rafting, paddle boarding, snorkeling, swimming, floating obstacle course and raft building.
Crafts: like beaded wind chimes, jewelry and memory boxes.
Service projects for the local communities.
Fine Arts: painting, manga art, and photography.
Our mainstage will feature the opening and closing ceremonies, nightly entertainment and a Fox Fest as our final on-site day with activities from several local associations and performers.
We would like to invite you to our Tour Day Wednesday, July 26 from 1–4 p.m. You will be able to see Guiding in action and what all the fun is about. For more information about Girl Guides check out our website at soarbc.com. If you have further questions about SOAR, email SOAR 2017 media relations director Laurie Hooker at guiderlaurie@shaw.ca or call 250-565-5169.
Hope to see you on Tour Day.
SOAR 2017
Steering Committee