Angels Among Us Special Needs Girls Camp
When I was the President I started planning this camp. We've had it scheduled for over a year and when our camp director was released last August I had to keep the ball rolling. I was thrilled when I was called to be the Camp Director so I could focus on the camp. I was seriously guided by the "Spirit" in planning everything. I just knew what to do all the step of they way. It's so much easier depending on Christ than doing things on our own. I am completely Happy with how everything turned out! I'm sure just being at Heber Valley Girls camp had a lot to do with it too...the place is sanctified and the spirit is strong. We did a lot of "chillin" because I think that's what makes camping enjoyable.
The first day was pretty chill. Seven of the leaders had to go to a meeting so they would know what to do for the Rope Course. I had to meet with the Missionaries to make sure everything was scheduled correctly. We made sandwiches for lunch to keep it simple since we had things to do. The leaders had just left when I fixed me a sandwich. After just a few bites I chomped on something hard....it was my tooth! What the Heck? I didn't know there was a problem with any of my teeth...must have been! Chanel...nicknamed me Hillbilly!
While the leaders were gone I passed out our Angel shirts and Halo's. I gave all the "Angels" adult coloring books and crayons. They enjoy them when we have down time. Then MonaRuth and I helped the girls paint wooden Angels. They never turn out quite like the sample. hahaha
Our activity today when the leaders were back was "The Greatness I See In You". The girls all caught on really well. I think everyone that did this activity had a really great experience. We switched partners about 3 times. You take turns looking into each others eyes and listen to the thoughts that come into your mind and share them. It's a cool activity.
We played some Bingo afterwards because the gals really seem to enjoy Bingo. I think it's fun too.
We had lots of treats for prizes and it's a great filler if things get slow. We only got it out one other time.
Virginia brought polish because that's another thing the girls really enjoy. I hadn't thought of it this year and so I'm really glad that Virginia did. Some years we have had polish and it hasn't been used but this year it was out every day, I think.
The Shiffman's did our Family Home Evening tonight. They are Stake Missionaries in Barbie's stake and so I knew they would be able to give us a lesson without worrying much about it. It was great. It was about Christs characteristics. We talked about quite a few and the girls determined if they had them or needed to work on some. The girls rolled dice to see who got to spin a wheel. Everyone had a few numbers and when the dice landed on your number, you got to spin to see if you got to add to the tower of characteristics. It was a lot of fun and very good.
We just visited around the camp fire and roasted marshmellows and made s'mores. I didn't think much about singing. I forgot to bring my camp song book that I made years ago. I have a hard time remembering songs and seriously everyone was just enjoying themselves while they visited, so it was good enough for me.
Barbie, Mona Ruth and Linda did a devotional each morning. They all did a wonderful job and I know their messages were inspired. My heart was full every day. I just felt good.
We went on an Angel walk Tuesday. Each of us formed a line and one person would walk down with their eyes closed. You took a step and leaned your head so that the people in the line could tell you something great about yourself. If you are "giving" you have to pay attention to the thoughts that come to you....angels are whispering them to you so that you can share. It was a success. A few of the leaders were forgetting to close their eyes which totally made me laugh out loud. The girls all did well.
Tuesday was our day at the lake. Most of the girls went on paddle boats and we had a few in canoe's. It is a beautiful place. I would have loved to have joined them but it was time for me to leave so that I could make it home for Jared's setting apart which was at 6:00. They saw a Moose drinking from the lake.
I had everything planned for the leaders to take over while I was gone. The girls colored a message board after the lake. Carla had cute cloth Angels that they could hang from them. They turned out really cute.
A speaker came tonight and spoke about "Our Savior's Love". I heard there were some tears shed. I'm glad it turned out so good. The girls sang by the campfire this night and laughed at the song that Marilyn taught them and the game Virginia taught them. They were fun!
Wednesday they played Musical Bag. A bag was passed around that had props in it. When the music stopped whoever had the bag got to reach inside and pick out a prop. The props were used to make skits. We had another speaker today that spoke about "All Things Bright and Beautiful." The girls worked on their skits and then made another craft. The craft today was Rock Angels. I loved how they all turned out!
Carla and I got back after the speaker. I beeped my horn and the girls came running from everywhere to welcome us back. I got some much needed hugs. Oh "Angel Chanel" was so right when she told me that God knew I needed them after sending Jared off. I really did!
We did an activity about "Labels" we get. Everyone had a label that they got to stick on everyone else. We made sure the labels we gave each other were kind and positive so that when we feel sad or down we can look at them again and know that we are important. I gave the girls a coloring page to stick their labels on. It was fun and nice seeing what others think of you.
Oh and when I got back the girls told me about the Moose they had seen. They saw one at the Lake and another by the camp fire pit that morning. I was jealous and prayed that I would be able to see one too. Some of the girls said a prayer for me also. A few hours later my moose appeared. It was close and so cool to watch. I "high fived" my Heavenly Angles. I know God hears and answers prayers.
The girls put on their skits and President Fillmore joined us along with his brother who is a missionary at Heber and over our camp. I had a great time watching them all. The leaders skit made me laugh and was so cute. The girls all did well and were so good at including everyone. I love these gals. The Fillmore brothers sang us a few songs and boy are they good!
Everyone was excited to join at the fire and teach me the song and game they learned the night before. I had such a good time. The song was a little different than I had learned. I think it's called Flee...Flee Fly....or Not! It has a bunch of tricky, hillbilly words that you would think I'd be good at but wasn't. The game was "Do You Want to Buy a Duck?" Kind of tricky but a load of laughs. Virginia has a good memory and could remember what everyone was suppose to say. The girls picked up on both really well. I love hanging out around the camp fire.
Thursday was started off with a Speaker. It was Sister Fillmore and she spoke about "Women of Great Faith" and especially Eliza Snow (we stayed in the camp named after her) It was good and the group from Snow 1 joined us. Then as I was organizing some groups for our rope course, I lost it. We have two gals who have something negative to say about everything and only do what they want, if they want and when they want. Before I could put them in a group I heard one of them tell the other one that they were going to be in the group they had chosen for themselves. I would have put them in that group if they would have waited but since they didn't I blew up. I told them that Yes they could be in that group since they only do what they want, if they want. I also told them that I had heard that they had been rude and spoke out with some inappropriate talk and that I was done with all of it. I let them know that if they had anything negative to say to keep their lips tight. I was shaking inside. These two have been a bit of trouble all year. I'm not even sure why they come since they really seem to dislike everything. I got after one of them again when she was sitting along the trail to the course refusing to go with us. I told her that when she turned in her permission slip and showed up at the church she had chosen to do what we do. I have to give her credit because she did get up and join us then. I'm not sure what I would have done if she would have been stubborn. haha ☺ All the girls were cooperative from that point on. I guess being pushed to the limit again was good. (remember it worked on Jared too but I don't like it and always feel guilty afterwards)
The challenges were awesome. I was so proud of the girls. We had several that zip-lined. Funny Jessica D let go of the rope and flipped upside down on her zip. Her head was inches from the ground but she loved it. She told me not to tell her parents. I know we had Angels protecting her...Holy Cow...that could have been deadly. We saw deer along the course. Everything was so peaceful. Everyone worked together to accomplish their tasks. The messages shared after each task were awesome. What a good time and fantastic experience!
After a little rest and before dinner Liz spoke to us. I thought it was funny that she wanted and expected everyone to join in when she has chosen not to. She did a great job on teaching about gratitude. She had Ann Marie read The Giving Tree (another shock since she didn't want to be in Ann Marie's group...yes...Liz was one of the gals that I got after) She had an activity where we all threw some yarn around after saying something we were grateful for or why we were grateful for the person we threw it to. The yarn made a big web and Liz pointed out that we were all connected. I was proud of her. She gave me a bag that she had knitted or crocheted with a journal inside with some nice comments from the gals and leaders. It was nice.
After dinner we were preparing for our Faith Walk that Virginia and Dyan had planned, and along came a moose. It walked right between the cabins and off the mountain. No sooner had the one left and Virginia got company while she was sitting up by the other camp fire behind the cabins. That moose had just plopped right down while Virginia got set up. Virginia took a few things down and called everyone to come see. This moose didn't mind all of us watching him at all. In fact, I think he enjoyed being the center of attention. He just ate and stayed close for over half an hour. I never did see him leave. I think he just moved closer to the other fire pit we had been using. My day was perfect and complete and I knew we still had an awesome activity coming right up.
For the Faith Walk the girls were all given a bag. We had about 5 stations where the girls came and got some burdens (rocks) that we carry around in life. I was at the first station and I got a little emotional as I gave the burden of being left out, or feeling alone, or being made fun of to the girls. I know that some have really suffered from that burden. They went and got more burdens at each station. No one could help them carry their burdens except the Priesthood at the end. The Priesthood couldn't take their burdens from them but could lift them so they were lighter. They got to drop their burdens when they reached Christ. He is truly the One that can take our burdens away. It was awesome! I know these ladies were inspired on this presentation and I know I was inspired to ask them to be over it!
This activity was perfect to start our Testimony Meeting. I felt the spirit a lot! I loved hearing the girls share their thoughts and testimonies. I was really proud that Carla stood and shared her thoughts with us all. I was in tears! This is Carla's first girls camp and she learned a lot. I believe things happen for a reason. Carla is seeing and feeling good things...things of God. Marilyn told her that as a missionary they will be visiting her soon. Carla begged me to tell them not to come but I can't. I want her to be taught by someone that can answer her questions. I want my dear friend to be happy and have a life full of love and joy (she needs it), and she will find that in this Gospel...The Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I know this Church is True and Complete. I love it and I'm so thankful that Christ leads and guides me every day. I'm glad that I finally recognize how involved He is in my life. I feel His love and I know that we are His instruments, "Angels" here on Earth. I love this group! I'm so thankful for the leaders that helped me make this camp wonderful...it really was!
***here's a funny thing said to me on Friday as we cleaned up. Krystal (the pill) told me she hates cleaning and thinks someone else should do it for us. I gave her a rag and instructed her to clean the bathroom walls while I cleaned the toilets. The entire time she complained. She told me she hates Mormon's because Mormon's hate Gays. I jumped right in and set her straight on that. I told her that God and the Leaders of our Church love everyone....there are no conditions. I let her know that some people might be against Gays but that she would find those kind of people in every church. Then she asked me why we only did Mormon things and not Catholic. I laughed...I couldn't help it. I guess she didn't realize that this Special Needs Program is part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I told her that she should probably go to a Catholic Church and see if they had any programs for Young Adults if she wanted to learn about Catholic things. I assumed everyone knew this was a program sponsored by our Church. Ya learn something every day right? ☺
