Girls Camp

Well for those who didn't know I was called as the Girls Camp Director. This year it was ward camp year which meant I got to plan everything from location to theme to activities to menu....just everything! It was a huge responsibility but oh so much fun. I used a survivor theme so I could incorporate certification challenges and tribal councils for firesides. It was fun to break out the tiki torches and to add an element of tribal competition.

Anyhow this week was a blast--we had our own little section of the lake at Dworshak Lakeand we went swimming every day, had a big boating party on the last day, a big faith walk Tuesday night, a game night Wednesday, and a sunrise hike and service project Thursday among many other things. I just really enjoyed being camping (minus the hard ground for sleeping as pregnant lady). I am so proud of the girls of our ward they are so amazing and the YW presidency is so inspired. I felt like I spent the week among some of the most talented woman and teenage girls. Not a day went by that I wasn't in tears from laughing so hard and from feeling the spirit so strong. I feel much closer to my Heavenly Father after spending such a spiritual, fun week with the girls on the mountain. Although I am physically, mentally, and spiritually exhausted I am so grateful for the experience and the friendships.

Anyhow here's a few pics.

(As you can see our campsite was right on this gorgeous lake)

(Which meant we did a ton of swimming and activities in the water, including this early morning challenge. You can't tell from the picture but it is 6:30 a.m. here. Let's just say it was an invigorating way to start the morning)

(Kylie Ashley and I were determined to make a raft out of the drift wood. We never quite dominated the raft building skill...it looked pretty sweet but it didn't float so well).

(Of course the girls used the lake for a little beautifying. This here was part of the "stellar hair" contest we had one afternoon. I saw some pretty impressive mohawks).

(No camp is complete without some crazy games...like this one where you try to move m&ms by sucking through a straw. I was at a distinct disadvantage due to my limited air capacity as a pregnant woman. I think I only moved 1 m&m while others moved an entire cup full!)

(And of course there were skits)

(If you can't tell the leaders' skit was on the YW values. My part was on the value of knowledge...hence the glasses and dorky pigtails).

(For a service project we mulched the playground at the main campground. The girls are not wet with sweat...I'm not that big of a slave driver. They are wet because us loving leaders kindly sabatoged them with a water fight!)

(This was one of my favorite nights when we had a picnic dinner down on the beach)

Well it's back home and real life now. Although it felt great to shower and sleep in a bed and see the husband I sure miss the beatiful trees, the lake, and the fun girls. What a great time!