Algonquin Outfitters Mini Contest

We've heard a rumour that Algonquin Outfitters is having a mini contest but it will ONLY run on Christmas and Boxing Day!

All you have to do is provide a gear review for any of the gear brands that Algonquin Outfitters carries in their store (Badger Paddles included!).

You can see a list of some of those brands here: http://www.algonquinoutfitters.com/pt/pr2.html.

The prize will be a Souvenir Badger Paddle and a moose antler Badger pendant necklace set PLUS a $50.00 GIFT CARD FROM ALGONQUIN OUTFITTERS!!!


For full details visit the AO Facebook page and be sure to visit them on Christmas day or Boxing day morning to enter...

Their Facebook page says to: Think "Gear Review", what's your favorite, what's your best story...


We say: think $50.00 to spend on more gear!!


Sounds like fun, doesn't it?!  And just think of the new gear you can buy with a gift card...

Thanks Algonquin Outfitters!  Guess it really 'tis the season of giving!!!

Good luck if you enter and have a safe and happy holiday everyone!!!

Congrats to the CGIT's - 95 Years!

For the past 95 years, the Canadian Girls in Training (CGIT's) have been running a program developed for young girls up to the age of 17.  The girls and their leaders participate in activities that interest the girls while in keeping with the "four elements" of the CGIT purpose:

CHERISH HEALTH

SEEK TRUTH

KNOW GOD

SERVE OTHERS

According to their website:

"In 1915, girls didn't go to the mall, play Nintendo™, or watch television. They didn't wear jeans and t-shirts and they didn't download music from the internet. But that doesn't mean they didn't have fun. Like you, they enjoyed getting together with friends, doing crafts, playing games, and learning together. This is the common thread that runs throughout CGIT's history -- the desire to get together, learn, and have fun."

And - this time a small group of young CGIT girls (pictured above), who meet regularly at their local church in rural Ontario, chose to make little Badger Paddles for their craft!


When Susan, one of the CGIT leaders, sent us the pictures we were stunned by the fantastic artistry the girls showed.  Each paddle was unique and each paddle was absolutely beautiful! 


The girls worked diligently on this project over several meetings, first patiently sanding and shaping the little paddles and then designing and painting them.  "Each night the first thing they asked me was if they could work on the paddles.  They really enjoyed them."  Susan, one of the CGIT group leaders, later reported.

Pictured above with their paddles (from left to right) are:  Emilee, Emily, Katelyn, Madison, Channelle, Ivy, Courtney, Jessica, Kaitlyn, and Olivia

Susan (see photo with the girls below), a very vibrant lady in her eighties, has been dedicated to the girls thru the CGIT program for many years.  

Susan has been a passionate canoeist her whole life and has spent many days with a paddle in hand, herself.  Susan is also the grandmother of Fiona (owner of Badger Paddles) and brought the girls the little paddles blanks* thinking they would all enjoy the craft together.  Fae, another fantastic lady, and CGIT leader, also devotes her time to this great organization and the girls.  Fae can be seen posing with the girls and their little paddles in the picture below.

Interestingly enough, although the girls could have painted anything they would have liked, many chose to do a little Badger Paddles Paw Logo.  The logo is a pretty hard design to reproduce but the talent and focus of the girls resulted in amazing illustrations and colourfully creative spins on the "Badger Paw".  Some even painted theirs with a scene or more!  The results were spectacular and speak for themselves.  Awesome job ladies!!!


Badger Paddles would like to thank Susan, Fae, and the girls; Emilee, Emily, Katelyn, Madison, Channelle, Ivy, Courtney, Jessica, Kaitlyn, and Olivia, for their great pictures. We hope you will cherish the memories of making your little paddle with your friends as much as we are grateful you shared your lives with us in this small way.  We truly enjoyed the photos and all your fantastic paddle art!  Ideally you will all get a chance to get out on the water or enjoy nature's splendors this summer.  We are also hopeful that your important organization will last for many more generations to come.  Congrats to the all the CGIT's on their 95th year anniversary in 2010 and all the best in continuing to bring girls together in the spirit of friendship and community across this great land of ours.


For more information about the Canadian Girls In Training program in your area or to join, please visit their website at www.cgit.ca.


*Badger Paddles makes little paddle blanks for kids'n camps.  Contact us for details.

For those who dig CREATIVITY!!!

For those who dig the unique.....

Badger Paddles is excited to help introduce The Faces Of Dunsany from the concrete to the abstract.....  whimsical hand-made art for the garden or the indoors.  These pieces are made by Steve Plunkett, a relative - and interesting character - in the lives of us Badgers.... he's part of the "clan".  The godfather of Fiona - Steve, a retired school teacher and accomplished musician - creates these fantastical original pieces and more.  His wife, also an amazing stained glass artist and painter, encourages Steve's artistic pursuits as long as they keep him out of the house. (tee hee hee)  Be sure to check out The Faces of Dunsany.... from the concrete to the abstract.... you will be sure to find something you like!

For those who dig Algonquin..... 
Algonquin Outfitters Photo Contest is back!!!  This time the theme is "Seasons of Algonquin" and the prizes are better then ever with first prize being a Canon Powershot SD780 IS 12.1 mega picel digital camera with accessories and more from Cavalcade Photo Lab, in Huntsville, ON plus a gift card to A.O. and even a 24"x32" poster printed of your winning photo from PosterJack.ca. And that's just first prize!  Other prizes include a Badger Water Colours Gift Set (Badger "paw" pendant necklace and a Water Colours souvenir paddle - see photo on left) and even more...  Check it out and be sure to enter your photo of Algonquin soon!