Once again I was given the opportunity to be camp director for the girls in my ward. Camp this year was SO much fun!! EVEN though there was WAY TOO much throwing up going on around there ;) You know I don't do well with puke.... All things considered, we had a great time and laughed more than I remember laughing in a 3 day period! Which is exactly what we needed after all of the drama we had start two nights before leaving for camp...when the YM Leader in our ward took off for the week with the trailer that had all of our tents, dutch ovens, coolers and firewood. It was a interesting 48 hours of trying to round up all of the supplies we needed, YIKES :|
On the first day, after setting up tents and eating lunch, we tie dyed t-shirts and played a game where the girls were divided into teams and then went to 8 different stations. Each station was a fun activity were the girls had to work together...and the leaders spent a lot of time laughing! That evening the girls were once again split into groups and given a backpack with misc. house hold items. The girls had one hour, which went by quickly, to prepare a commercial advertising a product that had something to do with this year's theme... "It take COURAGE to be who you really are". The commercials were all very original and funny! Around 9:30 we started our video. Earlier in the day Joel had set up a movie screen on the back side of the cabin and then we used my laptop and a projector for our outdoor movie theater. It worked great! We watched a video by John Bytheway, "What's in your backpack". It was perfect! The video went perfectly with our theme and with the age that the girls are at.
The second day started with our hike....I mean, nature walk ;) They asked the wrong lady to be in charge if they wanted a vigorous hike. Half way through the walk we gave each girl an egg to protect and cherish. Then the leaders were asked to do anything possible to get the girls to give them their egg to carry. It only took about 10 steps before the first girl handed over her egg...Oops. Once the leader got it she was asked to throw it on the ground. It was hard on both the leader and the girl, but it worked perfectly for the talk we had prepared for when we got back. One of our fabulous leaders spoke on Virtue. Laura did an amazing job! She talked about how one of our girls gave the egg to someone she loved and trusted, and how once it was broken there was no way to ever put it back together again, resembling their virtue. After we gave the girls a copy of the new virtue insert for their personal progress book and sent them for solo time.
After lunch it was craft time! Each girl was given a carpet sample...rug, and ask to put something on it that would remind them to say their prayers. They were all so different and very cute! Once completed the girls were given free time, most of them had fun playing in the river :0) Brrr......
That evening Brother Fowers, Shawna's Dad, came up to speak to the girls. He brought such a strong spirit while speaking to us about the trials he has endured during his life and how each one of his trails brought a blessing in one form or another. He is a perfect example of being courageous and strong. Afterward we all gathered around the campfire to play a game of two truths and a lie. Each person took a turn at telling their two truths and a lie while the others had to guess which was which. We really got to know each other a little bit better, again, while laughing :)
The next morning was spent cleaning up camp. The girls were in charge of packing up their stuff, taking down tents, and cleaning up...making sure we left the area better than we found it. After lunch we spent time playing more games and holding our awards ceremony. Later that evening parents were invited up to camp for dessert and to attend our testimony meeting. Then....ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END! Even though we had a blast...Joel and I were exhausted!! It is amazing how much sleep YOU DON'T GET at camp :)
My amazing husband attended all three days...and two nights of camp. Him and Jimmy O. were our Priesthood Leaders through it all, the good and the puking! They were even given camp nicknames... Joel aka Water Boy, because of his MANY trips on the four wheeler, with Dax, to the spring for water ~ Jimmy aka Camper Boy, because of his monstrous fifth wheel he brought up to house him and Joel...they also enjoyed his TV and satellite dish a little too much. I still can't believe someone toilet paper his trailer ;)
Next year,...if not released..., is stake camp. The girls will be going to camp with all of the young women in our stake instead of just our ward. Stake camp is easier for us leaders...but the girls don't enjoy as much ~ It's kind of bittersweet :(
I want to thank Kyle, Shawna, and their 3 year old son, Dax for letting us invade their cabin! It turned out perfectly and couldn't have asked for a better location... Thanks Again!!
