Who's Your Hero?

"Who's Your Hero?" was the theme of our girls camp this year!  Brittney was called as our Camp Director and I was her Assistant.  This was Brittney's FIRST Girls Camp EVER!  I know that she was called by inspiration.  I was called because I really wanted to go to girls camp and the Bishop thought that there should be at least one perk to being a Bishops wife.  That's why I was called.  I was called to assist Brittney and it was a bit hard.  I had a lot of people come to me and ask me the things they should have been asking Brittney.  I became real good at saying "I am just the assistant" and you need to ask Brittney.  I didn't want Brittney to think that she couldn't do it or that I was taking over.  It turned out great and Brittany got good at saying "I'm in charge".  My biggest advice to Brittney was to delegate.  We didn't have a whole lot of time once we were called and Brittney needed another surgery on her leg and so she took my advice and delegated.  It was a wonderful girls camp and pretty stress free.  Having others help with things was the way to go.  We even had camp cooks which was a huge relief.

I missed the first days activities because Julie took out her endowments on Tuesday (the day the girls left). I know that Crystal came up and helped the girls make journals and Buffey came up and make necklaces with the girls from the tops of pop cans.  Both projects were really cute.  I got to camp just after 4:00 since I had to stop and pick up a few more things for camp.  Hahaha it seems like there's always something else that needs to be brought.

I took Savannah up with me and so she had some catching up to do when we got there.  The other girls are really good at helping each other out.  All of our girls get along really good and include everyone.  We really do have some awesome young ladies in our ward.  I don't ever hear meanness or gossip between them.  I just love them all. (that's why I weasel my way into girls camp)

During free time there's a lot of cards being flipped.  There's also a lot of laughter and noise.  I enjoy playing but I also enjoy just watching.  This year I just watched and laughed.

There's also a lot of chatting going on.  I love seeing everyone relax and have a great time!  Our Young Women's President, Judy Taylor, does foot zoning and so there was always zoning going on.  That interests me and so I liked sitting close so I could hear the advice given. On my zoning she noticed my crooked back, my lungs, my thyroid, and lymph's.  I have some work to do to get them healthier.  I knew I had issues with all those things except my lymph's.  Heck I even learned how to give myself a face lift.  I worry though because if I turn the circle the wrong way I wonder if I will add to the wrinkles. It's pretty darn cool.  Kittie has also learned about foot zoning and worked on some of the ladies too.  I think everyone was zoned. (by parents permission)

WHO ARE YOU???

(we think we're funny)

Larry was able to come up Tuesday after work and spend the night with us and all day Wednesday.  He loves girls camp like I do. He also really love Brittney!  We have both become really close to her since her accident.  Sad that it took that but some times that's exactly how it's suppose to be.  She's kind of like our kid and we look out for her.

Every day the girls chose a name from a bucket for their "secret sister".  That way they had a different one each day. They brought different gifts for each day.  We also had them write on shields something good about that girl and put it on the wall for everyone to see. I really enjoyed reading the nice and funny things that they put.  I noticed the girls reading them every once in a while too.  I liked this idea.  They only put the girls name on the shield and didn't sign it so it too was "secret".

On Tuesday night each of the girls shared a story about one of their ancestors with the other girls.  Some of the girls were really prepared and I think some made up their stories.  It was a great activity that went right along with the Theme and the Elijah Project (searching for ancestors on line to do their temple work) that the youth have been doing.  The spirit was strong and I felt the presence of angels!

Wednesday the Bishop took the girls on a hike.  It's one of their requirements for certification and since the Bishop likes to spend time with the girls we delegated the hike to him.  Brittney and I stayed back and got things ready for their return.  We had some pampering planned for the girls. I brought stuff for pedicures.  We also popped them each a bag of popcorn and gave them some "bubbly" in special glasses.  (I really hope this doesn't make them want to drink the real stuff.....using nice glasses should be for any beverage)

The girls really enjoyed their pedicures and pampering.  They also enjoyed serving each other.  It was a great activity.

 Larry rested while the girls got some pampering. (I wonder how many mice live in the couch?  we were told the cabin furniture was infested with mice.  We did not see any signs of them however the whole time we were there)  However because we heard that I put my mats on a big table and slept on it.  I felt like a "Princess" since Brittney was "Queen".

After the pedicures we made camp buckets.  These are 5 gallon buckets decorated with a soft seat that are used to store treats, cup/plates, camp books, flash lights etc. About half of our girls needed one.  We also let the girls decorate their shirts with some spray paint.  Brittney had cut our letter's to lay on the shirts first and then they sprayed.  The shirts turned out cute and the girls all enjoyed it.

Madi did a bunch of the leaders shirts for them and ended up with a stained arm.  It was a fun idea for the shirts.

We didn't get to have a fire on Tuesday because of the weather but the other nights we did.  I love having fires and cooking treats over them.  I miss the singing though that some times happens at girls camp.

On Wednesday night the girls did skits.  Brittney had an envelope with a women from the scriptures and some info about that women.  The girls acted them out in pairs and the rest of us had to guess who they had.  I think everyone learned a little something that night.  The girls enjoy skits so much and are so talented and creative.  A few groups even involved some other people that were there watching.  It was great!

Everyone laughed when Madi and Megan got up there.  Brittney was one short and instead of having a few groups of three I suggested they act out Judy. (YW Pres)  They did some foot zoning and a few "Good Morning Ladies".  It was a great way to end the skits.

One of the favorite "free time" activities is Volleyball.  It's so much fun playing all together.  Some get a little too competitive though and say things that hurt others.  It's innocent and not meant to hurt but with the lack of sleep some times our feelings are sensitive.  It was Kimi who got her feelings hurt when someone corrected her and told her how to play.....she knows how to play!  She got over it after awhile.

I love our stake camp.  They are actually improving it and clearing trees and making more camping spots.  It's getting nicer....but with all the movement and stirring up of things the critters are moving.  We saw a Rattle Snake right by the lodge we were staying in.  It was pretty scary but we all wanted to see it and watch it be caught or killed.

The camp has senior missionaries assigned to it now and we went to them for help.  They came right away and didn't even hesitate has they chopped off the head of the snake!  Our Priesthood guys were trying with rocks to kill the snake but that wasn't as successful as the shovel. (our guys didn't get as close either...but were still pretty brave)  So thankful for the Elders for saving us all from the Rattle Snake!

We had our Stake YW Presidency come and talk to the girls.  They were all really good.  Missy talked about her grandma and how she has affected her life.  Ranae talked about keeping a journal for our posterity and loved ones.  Tami talked about the "links" in our families and how "our link" is so important!  They all did a wonderful job and the girls enjoyed the things they had to say....it was after they spoke we found the snake.

Each night we had "Fear Factor".  We had the leaders each bring a different "treat" for the girls to try.  If they dared eat the treat all the way they were rewarded with a better treat.  All the girls were brave and tried everything.  That is until the last night after Testimony Meeting when we served the girls a treat that we let them believe was "rattle snake".  It was really just chicken but a few girls wouldn't try it.  Even after they knew the truth they wouldn't.  A snake is a snake after all! Yuck!

Speaking of Testimony Meeting I must say that this is one thing I really look forward to at girls camp.  The spirit is usually very strong and the setting is perfect.  This year we went to the new area that they just cleared out.  We probably built the first fire in the pit we used.  You could hear the birds singing and we even saw two dear run right in front of our spot.  Everyone was able to see them and I thought that was really cool.  I love hearing the girls testimonies.  I love sharing mine too.

In my opinion this was a very successful girls camp.  Everyone had a good time.  We didn't have injuries or sickness.  Well we did have a bit of any injury.  Julene fell back over some logs by a fire pit and hurt her leg. When she gets hurt she gets sick and was going into shock.  Thank goodness for the Priesthood Brotheren and the Priesthood. They gave her a blessing and she was up very quickly after it.

I insisted on getting some pictures with us all in our shirts.  It finally happened the last night when everyone was finally all together.  I think we had a fun group of people and I am so glad I got to be one of them.

A few hours after getting home the door bell rang.  I was the one to answer it and there was a guy holding flowers.  I always am surprised and love getting flowers.  I felt pretty cool when he said "These are for Dawn" and I got to reply..."I am Dawn". Oh happy day to me!

I don't understand when I hear women say that flowers are a waste of money!  I absolutely love getting flowers.  I would probably love getting the money that the flowers cost but that has never happened.  (here Honey is $$$ for you instead of flowers.....nope doesn't happen....I have never heard of it happening to anyone....so if you are one that says it is a waste of $$$ STOP IT and enjoy the Flowers!)

I wonder how I will weasel my way into going to girls camp next year!  Hmmmmm I will be thinking!