Sunday, August 3, 2008

GIRLS CAMP 2008

What can I say. Girl's camp is always fun. I think it's even more fun for me because I only attended one year when I was a girl. I still lament over it. I really missed out. I, of course, thought I was too cool for such things. Now I wish I could have a do-over. Lucky for me, I got to have some of the fun experiences I missed out on. We went up to Heber Valley Girls Camp and it was beautiful. The cabins are so nice and we even got to take showers! We were lucky that the weather was a little cooler than usual so that the cabins didn't get too hot.


I LOVE these girls! They are such an inspiration to me. They have simple faith and they are so intelligent. They are always asking great questions about the gospel. They have courage to ask questions about things that they don't understand. I remember feeling confused as a young girl, but too afraid/embarrassed to ask. I love that they have confidence to ask those questions. Most of us leaders have similar questions. Enlightening discussions always follow those questions.


Being with the girls makes me feel like I am 12 all over again. Everything is very well planned and scheduled at Heber Valley. That meant that we had very little responsibility which was great because we were able to hang out with the girls. I found myself acting more goofy than usual. Man, I used to be so goofy and fun. It's a bummer when life gets so serious. The girls brought out the fun and crazy side to me.
The girls had challenges on the 3rd day and we went to watch. We thought we were going to be involved, but we weren't allowed to help them. It was so frustrating. All the girls were trying to figure out how to accomplish challenges like how to get across wires without touching the ground and having everyone get across together. Teamwork, right? It's amazing to see what happens when people don't listen to each other. A few of the girls had great ideas, but no one would listen. They kept trying the same thing over and over. At the last challenge they figured it out. They asked each other for ideas instead of shouting over each other and tried each idea one at a time. Interesting how that still happens in teams/families/groups everywhere.

Climbing, Climb on...The leaders were able to do one of the challenges. We had to climb up a tree and cross a wire to another tree and then repel down. I found out it was more unstable than it looked...and I usually love these things. I was a little uneasy but I had no time to think about it because they said we had to hurry so that all the leaders could get a chance. So, that made me do it without having time to get scared.
Here I am getting suited up for the task in a very flattering harness and helmet that really accentuated all my best areas.

I stayed for 3 days and it was great. It's always hard to work out babysitting for my kids while I'm at camp, but it's worth the effort. Next year I would love to be there for the whole thing. As a bonus, I come home with immediate blessings. Case in point...I usually get really stressed before and during vacations, but as soon as I got home from girls camp at 6 PM, we started packing up for Flaming Gorge. We got everything ready and left the next morning at 9:30. I wasn't stressed and I felt pretty relaxed the whole trip. Blessing.

9 comments:

Eric Gaoiran said...

They should start having "adult camps" and have the kids take care of us. Looks like you guys were having fun.

Anika said...

I'm going to cry. I miss these girls so much! And my leader friends! Oh... boo hoo hoo!

Garrett-Ashley & our Peanuts said...

Jay- Love the blog background and all your fun pics. of camp!!!! Wasn't it a blast? We may have to try mafia again on a little more calm of terms. Did I make any sense out of that last statement?
Love you guys

Jessica said...

How fun. I love girls camp too. Looks like you guys had such a fun time. You are so cute. What a great blessing for the girls to have you as a leader.

bechtold clan said...

ah girls camp. I think that would be a blast! So glad you had a fun time!

Abigail said...

It was so good riding with you yesterday. I was so tired last night that I went to bed at 9 can you believe it! I was wasted, my legs felt like jello. Anyways, your awesome. We need to go ride Friday when I am recovered.

Debbie Thomas said...

I miss those girls so much, I had all of them, but Lindsay in my class. You would be the funnest leader. I ended up going riding today, I went to Kennocot copper mind about 34 miles. A couple of good hills, not a canyon, but got my heart rate up good. I am thinking I might go on Friday. Hope you feel better.

Deb

Natalie said...

I loved girls camp too! I just got put in as YW Pres two weeks before camp!!! We went to Heber Valley as well and had sooo much fun! I'm way behind in my blogging, so it's not on there, but we have to get together! I used to be that fun too ;) Did I hear something about Mafia? Totes Fun!

Mimi said...

I bet the girls loved having you there. W/my kids situation, I can usually only visit camp for a day - but I would love to stay longer - it is such a bonding experience.