by Sue Fielding
At the last Guiding meeting before summer break, the unit said farewell to our two third-year Rangers Kim Faminoff and Thao Atkinson, who will be moving from Midway in September to continue their education.
They were presented with a framed quotation, a gift card and the B.C. Guides pin. Savoury snacks and cake were enjoyed by all.
Kim joined Boundary Guiding Unit as a Brownie when the unit opened in 2005 and has been in the unit as a Guide and Pathfinder and finally a Ranger. Kim was awarded the B.C. Youth Commitment pin for continuing through four levels of Guiding, an achievement to be proud of and a pin to be worn on her uniform as an adult in Guiding.
Thao joined the unit as a Guide when she moved to Midway, then following through to be a Pathfinder and Ranger.
Both girls have been very involved in all aspects of Guiding and enjoyed many varied experiences, from meetings and camps; travelling to Vancouver for the 100-year celebration of Guiding; representing Canada at the Guide World Centre in Mexico, cookie selling and canoe camp.
They achieved the Canada Cord as a Pathfinder and the Chief Commissioner’s Gold Award as a Ranger. These achievements all required a major level of commitment and responsibility; leadership; teamwork and problem solving, each was a three-year program and gained them high school credits.
Through their Guiding experiences they have gained in self esteem and confidence, discovered how to take the initiative; and evaluate every aspect of everything they have undertaken and also enjoy themselves. They are a role model and inspiration to the younger girls in the unit and frequently led them in activities and meetings.
As members of GGC, they participated in various community and service projects, and were always willing to help when there is a need to be filled and always with a smile.
They helped plant trees in our Community Garden; sorted clothes at the drop-in centre; assisted in the collection of canned goods for the food bank; helped the Lions prepare food hampers at Christmas; served and washed dishes at many community functions including a fundraiser for the Philippines disaster; made items for the women’s shelter in Grand Forks, planted trees in Mexico as a part of the International Guiding trip and helped the younger girls plant bulbs every fall in the community.
