What’s the Buzz??

Well there’s all kinds of buzz going on right now. Everyone is getting so excited and anxious to get the party started. GM 2010 is less than 2 weeks away!!

The GM 2010 team at the national office is scheduling activities and finalizing travel arrangements – it’s been a huge job to sort the details for Core Crew and Rangers but it’s almost done and the information will be out to you shortly. Meanwhile you can plan for travel on the date that you indicated on your travel form. Those are the dates that the office submitted to the various airlines, rail, etc. so that is what will hopefully be booked. Remember to travel in uniform – provides great public relations for our amazing organization and it makes it so much easier to identify the groups arriving at the airports, train and bus stations, when making connections with your transportation to the campsite.

The Neighbourhood gals are busy working out the final plans for your home away from home. Infrastructure and Camp support teams are all busy with logistics, logistics, logistics - site registration, set up, transportation, and security, The Communications team is busy editing participant booklets, ordering signage, and creating all things printed. Food services….well, they are working on the obvious – keeping us all well fed during this adventure. The Program folks are plotting out all of the amazing activities that are being offered, and all that is associated with making those happen…and “Town Square” is coming together nicely. What is Town Square you ask??

Town Square

A lovely little spot adjacent to the dining halls where you can mix and mingle, shop, and so much more. Canadian cash, debit cards, and VISA/Mastercard are all welcome. Town square will not accept foreign cash so please have some exchanged before you leave home, if you are coming from abroad.

The Olde General Store – souvenirs, clothing, treats, and other kinds of other stuff, available for purchase during store hours. Each neighbourhood will have time reserved just for them to do their shopping. General shopping hours will take place around dinner time each day too.

The Sweet Shoppe – buy candy and snacks to fill your sugary needs! **Please note that you can purchase a limited number of items here and will need to have your Sweet Shoppe card stamped at each visit.

Black Socks Laundry…. lost something? Found something? Need something washed? This is your lost and found and your laundry depot where you can have laundry done, for a fee.

I Gotta Make a Call…. A bank of pay phones will be set up for a little chat with friends and family.

You can bring a calling card with you or dial collect.

I Gotta Connect …Visit the Internet Café “Virtual Mosaic” to send and receive e-mails and do a little surfing. You can purchase a block of time in cyberspace to satisfy those needs for $1 for 15 min.

I Gotta Write – Want to send out post cards or letters back home? Just visit the post office and they’ll help you do just that. Postcards and stamps will be available for purchase!

Pictures – a photo printing service will be available on site too – for those pictures that just have to be printed…right now. **please note: there will be a cost associated with printing pictures at camp.

Life Centre – Have a different wellness experience every day. Fun exercise programs like spinning and yoga, food preparation demonstrations with a chef, book reviews with the actual authors on hand, a graffiti experience at which you will express in art your opinions on important social and global issues…this will be a very happening place.

History of Guiding Museum – 100 years is a long time and we’ve done a lot of things and been a lot of places. Have a look through the museum and see how much we’ve changed…and how much we’re the same. We’re still a bunch of girls and women looking for new experiences, new memories, and new friends!

TAIGA - Taiga, the natural environment where moose live, and the name of our international centre, is the place to meet campers from other countries. Taiga is the place to learn about other countries, see their displays. Taiga is the place for SWAP Meets.

Special Events

It’s ‘Outta This World’ – imagine a connection with the astronauts. Girl Guides and NASA have been working together to make it happen. Coming soon to a gigantic screen at the Mosaic campsite – the Space Station

We’re 100 and proud of it – let’s party. The special events team has been working hard to create and amazing evening of music, games, and fun, fun, fun!

Important Tidbits We’ve Gathered

The following are tips and answers we’ve gathered from the many questions we’ve received via e-mail and Face Book. We thought we’d share those so that you have current, up to date information to plan with.

Travel Tips

• Remember to check baggage restrictions with your airline to avoid surprises at the airport. Some airlines allow checked bags for free, others charge for every bag.
• Check your departure time before you head to the airport to be sure you're on time. Remember, it takes longer to check in with a group of people than it does to check in one or two.
• Have all your group's luggage identified the same way - the GM luggage tags are a good start. When you are collecting your bags, grab any bag that belongs to your group, and then sort out whose is whose.
• Liquids and gels under 30ml (3 oz) may be carried through security, in a clear plastic bag (no larger than 1 litre/1 quart). Bring an empty water bottle with you, and fill it once you're through security. It's cheaper than buying water in an airport store.
• You will have to carry all your luggage and equipment from the front gate to your neighbourhood, so pack accordingly!
• **VERY IMPORTANT** If you are a Ranger or Core Crew, please make sure you enter your confirmed travel detail as soon as you receive them from the carrier, on your Mosaic registration page. The link is: https://www.multisoftevents.com/girlguides/user/login.aspx
• Without this information, we will not know when or where to meet you!

From the world of the “Kit List”

• Print out the kit list from the website and get started with that – then add those few things that will make life a wee bit more comfortable: hand lotion, baby powder, hand held fans, kiddie pools, misting bottles are all great suggestions that past campers have contributed.
• We’re all hoping for perfect weather – sunny, warm, with a light breeze. But to deny that we might just have a few not so perfect days is just not wise – wet weather gear is a must, activities will continue rain or shine and you will want to be dry and comfortable every day – its way more fun that way!
• On the topic of swim suits – think “ACTIVE” – you will want a suit that enables you to ACTIVELY move, dip, dive and paddle
• Label your belongings – just do the math – 2500 people with just 50 items each creates 125,000 items that have potential to go missing. Your name will go a long way to reuniting you with that favourite sweater or flashlight….
• Don’t forget a contribution for the time capsule. Every participant is invited to put an item in the 100th Anniversary Time Capsule. The item needs to fit inside a small film canister (bring your own or use one of ours). Think about what you would like to leave to a future generation of Guiding so that they can understand our time. Some ideas: a pin from your city or town, a note to future Guides, a USB stick with pictures and music, crests, coins, etc. The item can be personal or connected to Guiding - the choice is yours.
• ¬Let’s collect “Oodles of Noodles” – bring a package of dry pasta along with you to donate to the local food bank – another step in our GGC quest to eradicate hunger
• Please be seated: don’t forget a sit-upon of some sort. Kneeling pads for gardening, stadium seats, and foam in moisture proof covering are all light, easy to carry, and pretty comfy.
• Label your medications – ALL medication must be clearly labeled and in its original container. That means your name, the contents, and the dosage information.

From the world of “Health and Safety”

• All medication must be clearly labeled and in its original container: your name, contents, and dosage information
• Once you receive your camp hat, you will need to keep it on your head at all times!
• Please make sure you bring closed toe shoes that are appropriate for your activities!
• Bring three copies of your health forms – physical copies need to reside in different locations to ensure that staff know what they need to know should the need for first aid or medical attention is necessary.
• For fire and safety reasons we cannot allow the use of propane at this camp. That includes camp stoves, lanterns, heaters, etc. No worries – all your food and beverages will be cooked for you, flashlights are being provided for everyone (bring extra AA batteries), and there is lighting throughout the campground.

Keep Sharing on Facebook

Facebook has proven to be a great spot to share personal tips, meet your neighbours, and even vent…you know venting with respect for your fellow girls and Guiders is OK fine. Everyone is working hard to make this event the very best. We’re a large group of volunteers who really appreciate your support and understanding. There are often factors well beyond our control that we need to work with so please, keep up the cheerleading and we’ll see you all soon at Guiding Mosaic 2010!!