girls camp '08

once we arrived at our destination-the verde (we come crawdad fishing in the summer's here, while at the cabin), we started off by playing the "name game." we were then split up into 3 groups. we rotated from target shooting, repelling and a unity challenge. we remained at this "set up" till 9:30pm. we had breakfast, sack lunches, lots of snacks and then sloppy joe's for dinner. it made for a very fun, yet long and tiring day for the 4th year girls (and leaders). we finally made it to camp lomia that night at 10pm. which we then had to find our "addi's," pick our beds, unpack, and shower. all before finally hitting the sack. then get up the next morning at 6am, and do it all again. this time it was a day full of canoeing at blue ridge reservoir (another place we visit while at the cabin). we canoed to the flattest land we could find, and set up camp. we then had snacks, skipped rocks (or got hit in the head with them-lol), had another unity challenge and a devotional. another fun, yet tiring day in the sun. we arrived back at camp around 1pm, had lunch....and then took 3 hour naps. HA! ya right. we had classes back to back, then retired the flag, had dinner, singing with the trees, devotionals from our awesome YCL's, and at 10:30pm, finally got to shut our eyes. we slept like babies that night. thursday & friday both, our cabin got pranked. thursday was our YCL's, balloons streamers, and a fun "get up" for hand-outs. friday was a group of 1st years-caution tape & funny signs all around our cabin. thursday was our hike with the 1st years. we hiked/walked-same diff, to a spring about 1.5 miles away from camp, and then back (we saw 2 rattle snakes)....and then we got our 3 hour nap. HARDLY! more classes, more food-gotta love those fun camp songs (princess pat is my fav) while waiting for your cabin/ward/year to be called up to get food, skit's-of course our wards was the funniest, singing w/the trees, a talent show, morning & evening devotionals and lights out by 10:30pm. i had such a great time at girls camp, although i do think it was a day too long (5 days)! our ward got in trouble the most, and was officially known as the "rebels," however, we gained this amazing bond. i didn't know all the young women in our ward very well. i am over the beehives, but was a cabin mom to the 4th years-miamaids. i had a blast. the girls were amazing. my love for each of them, and for all the youth of the church for sure grew deeper. the last night, testimony meeting with our own wards and bishops was incredible. my testimony of the strength of the youth and the impact they have in this world, grew immeasurably. the spirit was so strong, it was unreal. it made being away from the ones i love most, completely worth it. that night the girls planned a surprise birthday party for me at another cabin. at midnight, i went over and they had streamers and whistles and sang "happy birthday!" i showed my thanks and appreciation to them by taking them pranking till 3:15am. it was our last night. give us a break. we snuck into the kitchen, "borrowed" some whip cream, and marshmallows and did our thing. i felt like a kid again. we saw a skunk (twice) and a fox....and then figured it was time to call it a night. the food was amazing. i thought i'd loose weight going to girls camp....pretty sure i gained. i do think next year they should spend more money on crafts and stuff vs. food though. oh and i was forever grateful that i had phone service, and was able to talk to my kids and husband every day. it was a long, long bus ride home saturday. it sure was nice coming home to a clean house, and a few birthday surprises!