It may have been our noisiest meeting night ever, but it was likely the most fun for each of the Sparks. Eight dads and one mom were on hand as helpers for building our bird houses. A couple of dads purchased special smaller hammers for their daughters to use. They hammered the nails and not their fingers. They each followed their parent’s instruction, after Grandpa Teddy (the father of one of our Guiders) gave out the kits and the instructions.
All the Sparks were very excited to try their hand at using a hammer and building something special and useful. And, we met a number of requirements for our Spark Keepers – Going Outside and Exploring and Experimenting.
Our unit plans a Dad (or male alternate) and Daughter Meeting Night each year. An invitation from their daughter is given so they can plan to attend. The dads want to be involved and look forward to doing something special with their daughter. The bird house building idea came from co-Spark Leader Kristine Kries (Ruby) and it was her dad, Grandpa Teddy, who volunteered to do all the cutting of recycled wood material he had on hand.
Grandpa Teddy did an awesome job in cutting and putting the kits together. The pieces even had small drilled holes for where the nails should be positioned. Each Spark took home their bird house with pride that night to paint and find a special spot to hang.
By guest blogger Alice Gaveronski (Sparkle), a Spark Guider for many years with Spark #8, Regina, SK, who is also the Saskatchewan PR Adviser and a member of the Trefoil Adventure Guild.