Spring Outing coming up

How How,

Just a reminder that our Spring Outing is in two weeks! try to complete all your feathers before then. Consult your book for activities and things to do. Don't forget to also assemble and bring a relief kit to Spring Outing. please see previous blog entry for details. I'll send out an update, directions, etc. next week.

- Chief Laughing Horse

- Little Red Wolf

Haiti Relief for Spring Outing

Coyotes - Please read info below and plan on bringing a relief kit. Thanks.

Haiti Relief at Spring Outing

There is a reason why we call ourselves the "Mighty Arapahoe Nation." There is strength in our numbers. As you are aware the entire nation of Haiti was affected by the earthquake that occurred on January 12, 2010. As with most human disasters on this level, there is an initial overwhelming response from the global community; however, there is a natural tendency to move on with our lives. In Haiti, the pain, suffering, and need continues. This is where the Mighty Arapahoe Nation can step in to help make a difference.

The Third Year tribe Raging Ravens is spearheading an effort with the Arapahoe Nation to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake. They are asking every father/child pair to make a Personal Hygiene Kit and bring it to the Spring Outing where we will collect the kits. Dads and kids will need to purchase a 1 gallon zippered plastic bag. Inside the bag please include the following items:

• 
  1 Hand Towel
  1 Washcloth
  1 Bar of Soap (3 oz and up)
  1 Toothbrush (single brush only in original wrapper, not child-sized)
  1 Tube of Toothpaste
  1 Large Comb
  1 Nail File or Nail Clipper
  6 Band-aids
  1 One Dollar Bill (in an envelope to defray various project costs)

Please help the Raging Ravens and the Mighty Arapahoe Nation support the citizens of Haiti. Each pair that brings a Personal Hygiene Kit to the Spring Outing will receive special patches for their efforts. You only need one kit per pair to receive the patches, but you are welcome and encouraged to make more than one kit.

The Raging Ravens are also looking for additional support for this project. They need help procuring suitable cardboard boxes for packing the kits, large collection bins for the Spring Outing, a rental truck to transport the kits from Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer to the drop off location after the final Spring Outing weekend, and other needs. If you can help with these additional efforts, please contact John Jenkins at jjenkins@stewart-eng.com or (919) 906-8508. Thank you in advance for your time and support!

Aim 5: To Love My Neighbor as Myself

Notes from the Spring Chiefs Meeting

How How,

Here are some notes of interest from the Chief's meeting. First one is most critical

Spring Outing

- Registration starts 7AM Jan 19th and ends Mar 12.
- Registration cost is $119 per dad/son. Cash, Check (payable to YMCA), and Credit Card are accepted.
- There are only 100 swaps allowed for each weekend. All money MUST come with registration form to secure another weekend. Translation - if we want April 23 or May 14, we need to have ALL the money and registration in the office on Jan 19.
- I will be out of town this week so I need another dad to collect the money and take it into the office. I need a volunteer.
- Cabin assignments are made week of camp. We can get our cabin assignments at that fishing store in Kinston.

Other potential activities and items of interest - We can bring model rockets to kite day. Moose used the "don't ask, don't wanna know" policy here.
- There is a park clean up day on Feb 27th (Bond Park - I think) where we can earn our green bear claw. Not sure if we want to add that to our calendar.
- DQ is offering a backstage tour of their facility and each kid (and dad) gets to make their own Sunday. May be a good add later in the spring. email (for my future reference) is Yexperience@triangleDQ.com
- Y-Guides circus night is Feb 26 and 27. $13.00

We can discuss more during our next meeting but I do need a volunteer to collect payment and register for our spring outing on Tuesday Jan 19.

Countdown to Fall Outing

How How,

Fall Outing is upon us. A couple of loose ends to tie up before we head out on Sunday.

Food
Rushing Ram volunteered to get food (smithfields or similar) so we don't have to worry about cooking and keep it simple. Please plan to bring some cash so we can all reimburse him on Sunday. I would guess anywhere between $5 and $10 per person. Does anyone have any suggestions for the group? Chick-Filet, Quiznos, wings, and a road-kill special (:)) are other options.

Sports
Is Frisbee Football a good sport that everyone can play? Not sure if we would have the room so we may need a backup. I welcome suggestions.

Dues
If you haven't yet paid your dues, they will be accepting checks at the fall outing.

Any other questions or issues? Please reply to all so we can address them before the weekend hits.

Fall Outing Details

How How,

Got some information from Moose on the upcoming fall outing (Sunday Nov 8). See below for details. Let's plan on carpooling at the swimming pool parking lot at 12:30PM. I am thinking it'll take about an hour to drive up there and set up. Here is tentative afternoon agenda. If anyone has suggestions, please let the group know.

1:00 - 1:30 - Setup Tents/Chairs/Grill / Check in at Mess Hall for patches
1:30 - 2:30 - Big Brave/Little Brave Kickball/soccer/Frisbee Football game. (Dress appropriately)
2:30- 3:15 - Eat / Cleanup / Stories (Everyone bring what they want to cook/eat/drink)
3:15 - 4:00 Coyote Meeting (Rushing Ram and Red Thunder are hosting)
4:00 - 4:30 Open Play (Chiefs Meeting)
4:30 - 5:00 Break Camp - Prepare for Torch Ceremony

When you arrive:

You will follow the direction of the parking attendants. Parking is in the upper pasture; check out this link for a map of Camp Kanata. Bring a wagon or wheel barrel to carry your gear (grill, coolers, toys, sports equipment, tom-tom and other meeting supplies) into Camp where you can find a place to "camp out" for the day. NO COOKOUTS IN THE PARKING LOT (HORSE PASTURE) PLEASE!

What to bring:

• Cookout supplies (i.e. grill, charcoal, lighter fluid, food, coolers, drinks, plates, cups, napkins, utensils, trash bags, bucket of chicken, etc.)
• Wagon or wheel barrow to carry your stuff to and from the parking lot
• Camp chairs
• Outdoor games (i.e. corn hole, ladder golf, horse shoes, etc.)
• Sports equipment for field games (i.e. soccer ball, football, baseball mitts, kickball, Frisbee, hula hoops, kites, etc.)
• First Aid Kit (the Camp Nurse will be at the Mess Hall if you need further assistance with medical concerns)
• Camera
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable clothes and shoes for all types of weather. It will get cool at night. Bring a sweatshirt or buy a Y Guides & Princesses Sweatshirt on the Deck at the Mess Hall!
• Money for Y Guides & Princesses Gear and CASH for snacks on the Deck.
• Meeting Supplies (i.e. tribal tom-tom, wampum bag, beads, bear claws, and other Talley keeper's supplies, etc.)
• Vests
• Other items to consider:
• Tailgating tent
• Portable fire pit and firewood

Outing Schedule and Program:

CHECK-IN AT THE ARAPAHOE NATION HEADQUARTERS AT THE MESS HALL

• Pick up Fall Outing Patches
• Make your 2009 "WeBuildPeople" Wampum Gift
• We have "WeBuildPeople" patches
• Check out our SMOKIN' HOT Arapahoe Nation Gear (look out for something totally new!)
• Pick up a Kanata Trail Map

• 1:00-5:00 Check-in/Program time with tribe
• 4:00 Chief's Meeting at the Mess Hall
• 5:15 All 2^nd Years w/ torches meet at Mess Hall
• 5:30 Gather at the upper field next to the pasture
• 5:45 Processional to the lake/Ceremony
• 7:00 Head to the home tee-pee

What can we do while at Camp Kanata?

Your tribe can cookout, play games, or go on a hike to get your yellow feather. Have fun being outdoors and exploring camp!

Your tribe should also plan to have a meeting while at Camp.

Arts n' Crafts and canoes (weather/water dependent) will be available until 4:00 p.m.

What if we are a 2^nd Year Guide or Princess Tribe?

Each pair in the tribe should bring a torch. Check out torch building instructions. Report to the Mess Hall by 5:15PM with your torch and a single role of toilet paper. We will provide the kerosene and lighters.

During the Ceremony you will stand around the seating area at the Campfire.

Upon completion of the Campfire please empty your torch either into the campfire or there will be a container near the event where you can empty the contents of your torch. This will also be the appropriate receptacle for your hot ashes and used charcoal. DO NOT dump the contents of your torch, fire pit or grill on the ground, in the woods, in the landscaping, or into any trashcan or dumpster. Please help us prevent unnecessary dangers and damage to Camp.

Please DO NOT LEAVE YOUR TORCHES AT CAMP! You will need your torch for other activities throughout the year.

Get into the Y Guides & Princesses Spirit!

• Wear your Y Guides & Princesses Gear and/or buy some stuff from the Y Guides Store on the deck at the Mess Hall
• Wear your vest to the Ceremonial Campfire
• Meet Moose, Brown Bear and Gold Otter on the Deck for pictures, autographs, hugs, and high fives
• Make a pledge to WeBuildPeople on the deck. Help make the YMCA and Y Guides & Princesses available to all people!
• Practice your Pledge, Aims and Slogan. We will say them together at the Campfire.
• If you take a really great picture at the Fall Outing please share it will us. Email it to Brown Bear at meredith.stewart@ymcatriangle.org.
• Consider bringing some items to donate the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. Here is a list of the most needed items. Please, no glass. We will collect items on the deck. We, as the Arapahoe Nation, have the ability to make a big difference in our community. Let's collect as many items as possible and show them that we can do!
• And the we are holding the FIRST ANNUAL Y GUIDES & PRINCESSES DRAWING COMPETITION! All Guides & Princesses can enter a drawing into the competition. It can be anything Y Guides related. Just use your imagination to create the best drawing about Y Guides & Princesses. Write your name, Indian name, tribe name, and year, on the drawing and we will be collecting them on the deck. Really cool prizes will be awarded for winners of the competition. The winners will be announced on the website after Fall Outings. There will be a category for Big Braves too!

Remember the two rules;

1. You are your child's ticket and your child is your ticket. Stick together!

2. No firewater.

Yates Mill Event this Sunday

How How,

A reminder that our Yates Mill event is this Sunday. I was checking the Yates Mill Calender and they have a Mill tour at 2PM. There is a cost though.

When: Sun, October 25, 2pm – 3pm

Description: Explore Yates Mill’s business and social history. View a presentation on the mill’s owners and operations in the Finley Center auditorium, then head to the mill for a guided tour. Explore the first floor of the fully restored mill and see how power is transferred from the mill’s waterwheel to its grist-milling machinery. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required. Fee: $5 for adults, $3 for children age 16 & under, $3 for seniors age 60 & over, babes age 6 & under are FREE.* Max limit: 15 participants per tour.

After the tour, we can walk the .44 mile tree trail. Here is the brochure. This will enhance the tree recognition tour we did at our recent overnight (thanks to Thunder Eagle and Daring Eagle). One idea is to have your little brave bring a bag to collect the different leaves and paste them in a book with his notes.

Probably would need to leave around 1:30 to get there with a bit of time to spare.

Please respond to all so I can get a headcount and reserve space for the 2PM tour. We can carpool from the swimming pool parking lot. Plan to leave at 1:30. See you Sunday.

YGuides Day at NC State Fair

Is anyone planning to go? I may be taking Red Wolf.

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Monday, October 19 is Y Guides & Princesses Day at the NC State Fair!

You get a really cool patch! Bring the whole Tribe!

Go to our home page and check out the Smoke Signals at the top left for how to to order tickets. Look carefully for the secret password. When you arrive at the fair, head to a main entrance gate and turn in your voucher for patches.

Our specially priced tickets are available for any day of the Fair but patches are only available on Monday, October 19.

What can I do at the fair, you say?! Well it is going to be a day of fun and excitement. Check out the day's schedule and make a plan for where you would like to go. There is also a fair map so check out how to find the places you want to explore.

Have a good look at the map because Moose, Brown Bear and Golden Otter are going to the Fair too! If you find them you will win a prize! Golden Otter will be updating our Twitter page throughout the day with hints on our location. You can sign up to receive updates on your mobile phone via texts.

You can also pick up a copy of the daily program and map at the entrances and information booths when you get to the Fair.

Also, there is an official NC State Fair Scavenger Hunt;

If you complete it you can get a ribbon. If you find the Moose, Brown Bear, or Golden Otter and show us your ribbon we will give you a special prize!

And, of course....there will be GIANT FIREBALLS and GOLDEN BRICKS hidden at the fair! Find a giant fireball or golden brick then bring it to Moose, Brown Bear, or Golden Otter to turn it in for your prize.

So, DO NOT MISS THIS GREAT NATION'S EVENT. Your patch is waiting for you at the fair along with fun rides and games, yummy fair food, friends to make and play with, lots and lots of things to see and learn. Kids, bring your BIG BRAVE to the Fair! The whole family is invited.

Reminders and Tips for a successful trip to the Fair:

You can bring a wagon for all of your things. Take note that everything is subject to search and there are certain things that are not allowed at the fair; glass containers, weapons, firewater, and NO PETS. Water bottles and bag lunches/dinners are allowed.

Family Restrooms are located in the Martin and Expo Buildings.

Your whole tribe can even eat together in the Murphy House, the Fair's on site restaurant. To ask about group meal discounts contact Johnny Sledge at the Murphy House at 919.497.2046.

We suggest that you think about bringing the following items:

• Camera
• Comfortable shoes
• Your Y Guides & Princesses Gear! Leave your vest at home but wear your logo t-shirts, hats, and any fun items that you can that will show your How-How SPIRIT!

Guides, Princesses and Braves as you plan your big day at the fair think about the following...

Some recommended exhibits:

• The Village of Yesteryear, where nearly 100 crafters make and sell traditional crafts. Crafters are usually demonstrating and are eager to explain what they are doing.

• GreenNC, an environmental exhibit where students can take a mini scavenger hunt and make "green" pledges to reduce their impact on the earth. Lots of interactive activities can be found here

• Field of Dreams, a display of various crops grown in the state. Students can also "harvest" some crops and "sell" them at a market in the exhibit. The exhibit features a new Kidz Zone with lots of fun activities, including a simulated cow-milking booth, bean bag toss and scarecrow-making.

• Livestock barns (Jim Graham Building, Expo Center, Kelley Building), where cattle, sheep, goat and hog shows are held daily except for Monday, Oct. 19. Junior grand champion cattle, sheep, hog and goat winners will be on display in the Expo Center daily throughout the State Fair.

• Heritage Circle, where a working tobacco barn, working blacksmith shop and wood turner can be seen. For the first time, artisan bread-making demonstrations by Neomonde Baking Company of Raleigh will take place at 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday each weekend. The one-room schoolhouse in Heritage Circle also houses the State Fair Museum.

• The Folk Festival provides a great place to sit, rest and enjoy dance and music. This event started 61 years ago to celebrate North Carolina's rich and diverse musical and dance heritage. Shows start at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

• Education Building. As its name implies, this is a great place to see the handiwork of North Carolinians. Quilts, canned goods, 4-H displays and decorated cakes are among the items on display. Students can also step on the scales at the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Standards Division exhibit and get a print-out of their official weight. Teachers' choice on whether to weigh before or after lunch!

• Arts and Photography (Kerr Scott Building). This area features adult entries and student art from all grade levels on display. Look for your school's art to be on display.

• Hobbies and Handicrafts Building - Adult and children's entries are on display, including entries in the Lego competition.

• Grist mill. Stop in to the working mill by the lake and see how corn was ground using the power of water. You can also pick up a free hush puppy sample.

**Most exhibits have people on hand that can answer questions and create an interactive learning experience for children.

Insider tips for unique educational experiences:

• The Flower and Garden Show holds daily workshops/seminars on various gardening topics. This year, pumpkin carver Tim Trudgeon returns to showcase his unique talent at creating pumpkin carvings with realistic looking faces. Check out the Flower and Garden Show schedule posted at the site.

• Try to find all the Farm Animal Frenzy animals scattered throughout the fairgrounds. This year, high school art classes will be creating "green/ecofriendly" animals using a 3-foot sawhorse base and recycled materials. Check out the various fruit and vegetable entries, including the largest pumpkin and the largest watermelon, in the Expo Center. There is a photo-op site near these giants. One of the most interesting categories is for unusual shaped vegetables.

• Check out the "buzz" at the Bee and Honey competition area. Beekeepers are on hand to talk about beekeeping and the critical role bees play in producing our food. The exhibit in the Expo Center features a screened cage with an active beehive.

• Smokey the Bear and forestry exhibit. By the lake and up the hill from Heritage Circle, be sure to check out the 21-foot-tall Smokey the Bear and learn about trees and how to prevent forest fires.

• Steam-powered sawmill. Also up from Heritage Circle is a working steam powered sawmill. Volunteers are on hand to explain how the engine works and show how it was used to turn timber into boards.

• Stroll through the Old Farm Machinery exhibit near the Children's Barnyard and see a collection of vintage tractors and horse-drawn equipment on display.Volunteers are on hand to answer questions and explain how equipment was used.

• See how tobacco leaves were cured in a traditional flue-cured tobacco barn in Heritage Circle. On Friday, Oct. 16, a tobacco-stringing contest will be held at 2p.m. and then the working barn will be loaded with tobacco. Once the barn is loaded, a fire will be started to begin the curing process. A mock tobacco auction will be held in the Expo Center on Friday, Oct. 23, at 2 p.m.

• Check out the Steve Trash green magic show, where gives will get tips on being green. Steve Trash performs daily at 1, 3, and 5 p.m. in the Kiddieland Fun Park, except for Oct. 15, when he will only have a 5 p.m. show.

Where kids can see other kids competing or participating in the Fair:

• Livestock barns and shows. Many youngsters participate in livestock shows, some barely taller than the animals they are showing. In the Expo Center, students can even milk a cow at the N.C. State University Animal Science Club's Milking Booth for a nominal fee.

• Folk Festival. This event features kids of all ages competing in dance and singing.

• Arts and crafts. School work for grades K-12 is on display in the Kerr Scott Building.

• Poultry tent. There is a variety of birds to see in this tent, but one of the highlights for many people visiting the Fair is holding a baby chick. N.C. State University Animal Science students oversee this popular display.

• 4-H displays in the Education Building features scenes created by 4-H groups in the state.

• County Fair Exhibit (Commercial & Education Building), where adult and junior Best of Show winning entries from fairs across the state are displayed.

Other activity ideas:

• Take a picture of yourself at as many photo-op spots as you can find on the fairgrounds. These are located in the GreenNC exhibit, Field of Dreams exhibit, Expo Center, Flower Show area, inside Dorton Arena and Kiddieland Fun Park.

• Decide which agricultural heritage activity you found most interesting on the fairgrounds (blacksmith, boat making, craft-making, growing large horticultural crops, cutting flowers, raising and showing livestock, making clothes, etc.), then write a short essay or story, or draw a picture about it. Email them to Brown Bear so we can add the very best ones to the Arapahoe Nation Website.

• Try to name as many crops, animals, pieces of machinery and crafts as you can in alphabetical order.

• Visit the State Fair history exhibit in the old school house. Tell the story of when and why the Fair was started. What years DIDN'T the Fair take place and why?