The Big Forest Nation The M. E. Lyons YMCA October 2000 - Smoke Signal  The sun rises again on the Big Forest Nation as we welcome the Guides, Princesses, and Braves to the 2000-2001 program year! The High Council of the Big Forest Nation welcomes you all, especially our new members (WHOOP!). We are looking forward to another year of sharing time with our strong right arms in one-on-one, fun tribal and nation activities, and enjoying the company of other members of the Nation. I hope you are as well. Just for the record our mighty nation is now 262 members strong hailing from 116 families including 4 new Princesses and Guides! By the time you receive this newsletter if you are a new member you will have been assigned a tribe and everyone should be contacted soon by your tribal chief to setup tribe meetings and answer questions you might have about your tribe as well as the nation which includes all tribes. If you have not been contacted by early October please let someone in the High Council below know. Our first Nation Event is on October 21-22: the traditional Camp-in (please see flyer for more details)! Remember to bring your tribal torch for the initial council fire ceremony and any other tribal property you want to bring. As this is an official gathering of the Big Forest Nation if you have any vests, headbands and feathers you might want to wear those as well. It is suggested that tribes meet before the Camp-in in order to have their first meeting and organize a little for it to let new members know what to expect (e.g. bring an air mattress or extra padding, ear plugs, snacks flashlight, meet in the parking lot, etc.). With an official Y-Guide ceremony, "war games", swimming, movies, sleep-over, and more the mighty tribes of the Big Forest Nation will no doubt have plenty of fun. If you need any assistance or have questions pleas feel free to contact your tribal chief, the YMCA at 474-1400 or any member of the High Council below: Who to Contact - High Council Looking forward to seeing you all at the Camp-in! May the Great Spirit be with you till we meet again!  Jim Farmer - Nation Talleykeeper