Pixar in Concert with the VSO

Girls from the 54th Brownies and the Highlands Guiding unit got together for an outing to the Orpheum theatre in Vancouver to attend the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Pixar in Concert.

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The show featured music from all 14 Pixar films performed live by the orchestra while images from the films were projected on a screen above. The concert really illustrated how powerful the music is, and how it is used to set mood, character, and place in some of our favourite movies. At times funny, sad, and scary, the music and images worked well together — well enough that the sold out audience was held in rapt attention through the whole performance. pixar

The Guiders would like to acknowledge that the girls were exceptionally well behaved, proving yet again that there is nothing our girls can’t do. For many of the girls, this was their first time seeing a live orchestra performance and we’re thrilled by how much they enjoyed it. We were all impressed by the talent of the musicians and the splendor of the Orpheum. It was a night that none of us are likely to forget soon.

Sparks Go to Dance Studio

The girls of the 1st Sparks love going out into the community to try new things. One of their recent outings was to ArtSpace for Children where they participated in a Dance Expression workshop. The studio was turned into an imagination playground by a wonderful workshop leader who encouraged the girls to move creatively and to work together. Feb 2014 018

The workshop was meant to show fundamentals in contemporary dance technique while acquiring coordination, balance, strength and physical confidence. Girls go t to develop improvisation and creativity while exploring movement, self-expression, rhythm, body awareness and musicality. They were active for almost two hours.Feb 2014 026

Most importantly, they had a great time! It was so much fun to go somewhere special and take part in something like contemporary dance. Thank you to Artspace for Children for having us!

This outing was entirely funded by our unit’s cookie sales — way to go girls! This is just one example of where that cookie dough actually goes.

Sparks at Disney on Ice

The 1st Burnaby Mountain Sparks had an exciting night out at Pacfic Coliseum in Vancouver when they went to see Disney on Ice: Rockin’ Ever After. disney

The show featured the stories and music of The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Tangled, and Brave, all performed by talented skaters. Jan 2014 056

The girls were excited to be out at such a fun event with their friends from Sparks. The highlight of the show was definitely the sequence from Tangled, as the girls had watched that movie at their sleepover earlier in the year. Some of them even wore the Tangled Rapunzel hair we made as a group. Jan 2014 065

Shown here is part of the Tangled sequence when the coloured lanters floated through the air. Thank you to our Sparks who showed how well behaved a large group of girls can be, even in a coliseum with thousands of excited little girls.

Shadbolt Seasonal Festival

Girls from the 1st Sparks, 24th Brownies, and 54th Brownies all came out to a community event at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts. The Seasonal Celebration featured crafts, snacks, music and more from various cultures showing how they celebrate in the winter time.

Girls got to meet particularly animated characters like the Gingerbread Man as they wandered through the different activities.

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Girls got into the spirit of the season and had a great time making crafts with their friends.

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This great family event was a huge success. Thank you Shadbolt Centre and the City of Burnaby for putting it on!

Sparks and Brownies go Mini Golfing

Over the past few weeks the girls of the 1st Sparks and the 54th Brownies have used the mini golfing facilities at Eaglequest Golf in Coquitlam. The groups weren’t there on the same night, but both were lucky to have great weather and had a good time.

The Sparks went first in early March. It’s definitely one of those “dress for the weather” kind of activities.

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 It was chilly outside and the course was pretty dark by the time they were done, but the girls had a blast. For many this was their first time playing mini golf, but nevertheless there were some skilled golfers on the course!Spark golf 2

A couple of weeks later the Brownies hit the course. They had the advantage of daylight savings time and enjoyed a beautiful sunset through most of their game.

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The Brownies played a little more competitively (they actually kept score!) and also had a great time.

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Aquarium Sleepover

On February 23rd, Guides from our district took part in a sleepover at the Vancouver Aquarium. It was a fun and educational event for all.

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The girls got to watch demonstrations involving dolphins. They are such cute and entertaining creatures.

Aquarium 3The helpful and informative aquarium staff had lots of great information to share. The girls were certainly a captive audience audience.

Aquarium 4One of the highlights was the hands-on activities that they were able to partake in. It was fun to feel  the sticky arms of the sea anenomes and feel how a sea cucumber seems
like a blob of jello.

Aquarium 2One of the most special things about this sleepover is that the sleeping happened next to the beluga tank. It was very tranquil watching the belugas swim around in their tank during the night with the ripples of light being reflected in the water.

Overall it was a memorable evening that will not be soon forgotten. The girls and leaders all had a great time. Thank you to the Vancouver Aquarium for offering such a great program.

Herritage Christmas

On December 17th, the 1st Burnaby Mountain Sparks and the 54th Burnaby Mountain Brownies went on an outing to the Burnaby Village Museum Herritage Christmas. It was an especially exciting time because they invited families to join — since the museum is celebrating the 100th birthday of the carousel, admission was free so it was easy to have lots of people come out. 

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All together there were 32 girl members, another dozen or so siblings and cousins, and a bunch of moms, dads, aunts, uncles, grandmas, grandpas, and even a couple Guider husbands.

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Girls went out in small groups to do a Christmas treat themed scavenger hunt and see such attractions as the blacksmith, the old fashioned movie theatre, a visit to traditional Father Christmas, and do a craft.

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The highlight, of course, was the 100-year old carousel. They filled the carousel one and a half times!