YW Girl's Camp

To say I was excited for girls camp this year was a severe understatement. But I guess that's what I signed up for when I accepted my calling. Who would have known? I was very anxious the week before as I prepared to go, as I anticipated the sleepless, cold, dirty days ahead. But, everyone promised it would be a fabulous experience so I went with a good attitude. I went prepared with ear plugs, a warm sleeping bag, and sleeping pills.

Our first day at camp we spent preparing our camp site and surprisingly we got to relax a lot. The girls were very helpful in trying to figure out how to pitch the tents. Luckily though, we had a few men their to help our inadequacies.

We all had matching pajama pants. The girls were a riot the first night as they did a fashion show to show off their new pants. I loved getting to know the girls better, and see their personalities come right out.

When we spent time around camp the girls colored, made bracelets, hair braids, gave Sis. Schmidt massages (hmmm... still trying to figure out how she kept getting them,) talking, playing games, and getting to know each other better. The girls were awesome at reaching out to each other and making new friends.

I loved each night sitting around the camp fire. I am a sucker for a nicely toasted marshmallow. Each night the girls would sit and sing, and one by one trickle off to their tents to go to bed. It was fun listening to them in their tents just giggling and having a good time.

One of the best activities while we were up there was a visit from the former Miss Utah. In preparation we got to make our own beauty queen. Her dress had to be made by a few random things they gave us like toilet paper, string, duct tape, and pipe cleaner. And we could also use anything we could find in nature. It was amazing to see Krista transform into our very own Copper Creek beauty queen. It was amazing seeing the creations the girls came up with, just using nature! We had some workshops we got to attend with Miss Utah and they were so incredible. She was so humble and motivating and uplifting. I know the girls learned so much from her. It was great hearing her experience from attending Miss USA as a Mormon girl. She told of different experiences of how she was blessed and protected by being true to who she was and holding true to her standards. It was an incredible day. We ended the night by having a ward dinner and testimony meeting.

Since it was stake camp we only had to cook as a ward one night, it was heavenly. We made breakfast for dinner, so yummy. We made crepes, french toast, and sausage. It was great having the bishopric up for testimony meeting. The girls are so amazing and I am always blown away by how strong they are. I am continually growing and learning from them. This is truly the reason I am in young women's.

After coming back from the fireside with Miss USA this is how we found our leader's tent. Totally empty. To tell you the truth, by this last night, I was seriously giving myself pep talks, "you can do it, only one more night."  I was dirty, the camp ran out of water, so we were using out houses instead of the flushing toilets. I REALLY wanted to wash my hair, and I had had a headache the entire time I was up their. This truly about did me in. I turned to Brother Johnson and just asked if he would take me home with him that night (he thought I was joking, but secretly, I wasn't.) Nobody messes with my sleeping stuff. That is my security.

We quickly found our pillows. Yes. They were up in a tree, with all the spiders, and bugs, and wildlife. That didn't make me feel much better. Especially knowing I had to cuddle with it later that night. It took us about an hour to find our sleeping bags and blankets. They were shoved in a corner, on the floor of the trailer. My blanket on the very bottom. I just smiled, and said, "Oh you Laurels are so darn funny:)" Breathe, One more night, One more night. And I did make it, and only with a few spider bites on my neck.

The experience ended up being great, despite the little things that drove me crazy while I was there. I got to know some of the girls better, which was my ultimate goal. I learned that we have some amazing young women, and leaders within our ward. Testimony meeting was so powerful and I'm glad I didn't miss it. It was great having the peace and solitude of being up in the mountains and taking the time to appreciate all the wonderful things we've been given. Overall it was a great experience.

 Front row: Shaylee Torgerson, Heidi Harrington, Hunter Daniels, Katie Chadwick, Krista Parker, Sam Chadwick, Alex Higgs,

Middle Row: Olivia Bradstreet, Kirstie Fehr, Tammy Parker, Shannon Parker, Kayla Mitchell, Fran Arangua, Madi Taylor, Katie Taylor, Laura Walker, Karen Harrington, (behind laura) Marrissa Clement, Kennedi Kikel

Back Row:Keri Chadwick, Steph Schmidt, Brittney Hibbard, Kayla Mullins, Stacy Conley, Karen Standage, Mary Mullins