Girls Camp Rocks!

After our ward split, I was a big hesitant about going to girls camp. Since we changed wards I no longer was called to be in Young Women (although no one is called to be in YW or even called to be the bishop, yet). Some of me felt released and I did not want to get to camp and just not fit in. We went with our old ward, since we had planned it with them and two weeks is not enough time to plan again. Since no one in the old ward presidency was going, it made be feel a bit better. I really worried about Emily and wasn't sure she would want her mom up there with her and I didn't want to Mom her all the time. I wanted her to have the experiences and learn from all the things around her.

It turned out awesome. We had an incredible camp director and assistant. That is a big key to success. Unfortunately my body does not do what I thought it can, and I would tire easy. (Altitude?) We put up tents and got everything set up before the first campfire. The girls loved going down to the ampitheater where the stake girls sang and ran the show. It was fun for them to learn the songs.

Thursday night we had ward fireside. We planned a Faith Walk on the Iron Rod. We set up 100 Feet of nylon rope with some other rope going off in different spots. Blindfolded, they went through the trees and over stumps. Along the way we leaders were giving them directions and helps, but there were others who we trying to take them off and make them go a different direction. The first 5 girls on the course choose the wrong path, and I realized that I was not giving them enough instructions. I changed my words to tell them to feel the rope, know what it feels like. These words did not stop Emily from falling off the Iron Rod. We got them all to the finish and then the leaders (dressed in white) sang to them "Walk Tall Your a Daughter". There was really a great spirit there and the girls felt it.

Friday during the day we had a ropes course that they stake set up. They had to work in groups to achieve this. Before they began they had to get rid of the things that they don't like about themselves. They were laying down in the grass, saying things about them. This was really hard for me to hear, because these girls are all so awesome, they have so many good qualities. Then they were off to do a faith fall, while the other members of their team caught them; they also had to lift their team between to ropes, and scale a wall 10 feet high. WOW! I was glad it wasn't me. They really felt like a team after this, but most importantly they felt like Daughters of God who could do anything in life if they set their mind to it.

We survived rain on Friday (barely). Emily bore her testimony and even said that she was glad that her mom was their to share her first camp experience with her. Wow--I must be doing something right. I was panicked because of the rain and sent word with the Bishop's wife to call Brian and tell him to come up Saturday morning. Of course he came and the sun was up and we had everything packed. I always can count on him.

Best thing about camp--Everything. But I really loved my showers I got after I got home!!