This year of camp marks my 11th year of YW camp. I missed Coqui's first year but have been blessed to have been able to go to all the rest of the years with my girls. This was Klaira's last year. With this being Klaira's last year, I'm really not sure if I will be asked to go again, and I wanted Jeff to come with me so that he could see what his girls have been doing for the past 11 years. WHAT FUN!
I have been able to experience camp from just about every angle. This year was my second year as an assistant to the Camp Leader. (Kirsten Greenlaw (the blond) is the Camp Leader with Jana Wilkerson (the really tall one) as first assistant and I am second.....)
We have been planning since October of last year for this one week. We had 4 great girls to work with as our Sr. counsel with 25 YCL 2 leaders. (YCL 2 is a fancy term for the Sr. girls)
I have to admit that I was a bit worried if we were going to be able to accomplish all that we had planned since I didn't see most of these girls very much before camp.
Monday was set up day. The 4th years also go up and help us to unload the trailers and then they go on a over night hike/campout. Jeff and Cory (Cory is Kirsten's husband) were our priesthood for this hike. Coqui, Keana, Klaira and I have done this hike and it was fun to hear Jeff's side of the adventure. Jeff got some great shots from on top.
On Tuesday the rest of the girls come up to camp and when everyone is settled in, the 4th years come back into camp! It is a huge production! For some of these girls, it is the first time they have ever been "Camping" and sleeping outdoors. It is a difficult hike and they find many parallels to life on this hike.
After the 4th years come back into camp, we take our ALL CAMP picture are have skits to introduce the theme for the week and the rules for camp.
We have many activities for the rest of the day, with a wonderful skit/devotional/activity that we do with the girls that night. We send all the other years back to their cabins after and then have a special night out with the 1st years. All the YCL 2's have picked a 1st year as their little sister to help them through their first year at camp.
Wednesday is hike day. All the levels go on hikes except for the 4th years that have already done their hike. The 4th years do a service project to help protect the environment or improve the camp. In years past, the girls have cleared a path up to the waterfalls, they have cleared a path down to the river and this year the girls made steps up to the repelling. Jeff was involved with this project and was GREAT with the girls. He wishes he had understood better what the project was going to be, the girls did not have enough materials that day, or they would have just kept going!
The 4th years also dug a pit and cooked pork in it and all the years did some kind of out door cooking for a all camp meal. (Very busy year for the 4th years)
That night is the night walk. It is a very spiritual night that the YCL 2's plan. Klaira wrote her station in the night walk. It was about Emma Smith. She also sang a song and there were several tears..very emotional to watch..(she even made her Dad cry!)
The next day was certification day. The girls are very busy with finishing up certification requirements (they have been doing activities all week..) finishing up the day with a talent/skit show performed by all of camp..yes, even the cooks and the priesthood!
Friday is when we start wrapping it all up. The certification ladies have a all camp survival contest, then we have a all camp activity...these two things take up SEVERAL hours. Then that night the Bishops from each ward come up for dinner and testimony meeting. This year, Klaira put together 2 videos that had pictures of Christ and quotes from the YCL 2s. As she was putting it together, she would have me preview parts..I cried every time...the spirit was so strong...All loved ending testimony meeting that way and it is now something they plan on doing every year!
We end camp on Saturday morning with closing ceremonies where the 4th years recieve awards for the first 4 years of camp, the YCL 1s and YCL 2s recieve awards for their years of certification and we close with final words to take them home...
OH and all in-between the crafts and other activities, we have rappelling and zip line. (Jeff helped on the zip line this year!)
I have been very blessed! I am so Thankful that I was able to share this year with Klaira and Jeff!
(The second one is my favorite...turn up the volume so you can hear the beautiful music)
I am so proud of Klaira for all she accomplished at camp. I love that she has a testimony and is helping it to grow.
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