Thursday, August 04, 2011

Footprints in the Sand....Girls Camp 2011

This year girls camp was titled "Footprints in the Sand" We had 107 girls plus about 30 adult leaders. Girls camp is not just about learning to build fires and tie knots....it's about drawing closer to the Spirit and strengthening testimonies of our Savior. One of the girls painted this on canvas...then cut out the words from paper. Isn't it beautiful??
Each unit makes a flag...this year we made kites. Because our theme was about footprints, each unit chose some sort of name related to footwear, thus my unit of adult leaders chose the "Sole" Sisters.Then each morning as we gather together for announcements, songs and flag and we hang up our flags to indicate we are present. The different flags were outstanding...the girls have fun decorating them.
During free time each day the girls are able to go down to the water to swim...or canoe. It's a small area, but as you can see, very pretty.
Alot of preparation goes on to give the girls fun things to do during 2 hours of free time each day....much of our free time is spent getting crafts ready.
One craft the girls made were these tiles...they could choose black or white. They chose the paper for the name (which was cut out for them on a cricut machine) and the feet and lettering were vinyl. I chose to make one for Sadie so she will always know that she is never alone. Heavenly Father and Jesus will always be there for her.....they will carry her when she just can't go on.
Camp could not happen without our WONDERFUL cooks! They kept us full of good food and were always happy!
I helped the girls with the camp store again this year....I thought this was a fun name for our store....seeing how it was a beach theme. You can't see it but this is under a big covered area where the girls hung beach balls and sandals and miniature lights. It was cute!
All over the camp you could find different sayings posted. This one was in one of the stalls in the bathroom....a true statement indeed!
In the evening while we were sitting around our campfire the YCL's....youth leaders would come around to all the camps and sing hymns for us. These girls plan everything about camp...they choose the theme for the year, the camp song for the year...all the daily themes and they learn about leadership. This night in camp we were also serenaded by 2 screech owls up in the trees. The girls had fun seeing them with their flashlights.Then there is JAMBOREE....a day full of team building experiences. Here one girl gets on this wooden contraption and the girls on the ropes help to move her through the field until they reach a finish line.
Here a group stands on a tarp....then they have to turn the tarp completely over without anyone leaving the tarp.
This is the "monkey" bridge...a favorite hang out spot for the girls in free time. For Jamboree, they worked in teams to cross their team over the bridge and back. They are timed on all these activities. There are alot of other activities....these are just a few. The team with the best time AND points on how well they worked together...wins Jamboree.
I would love to do this....but I wouldn't look too dignified....it's a HUGE slip and slide....another favorite spot this year. The weather was perfect.
The volleyball area was alot of fun too....I had some time to go canoeing and target shooting. I was excited to get a bullseye...though my arm is bruised pretty bad from it. I call it my war wound....but hey it was worth it to get the bullseye bead for my necklace!
It was hard to come home....it was a week full of fun and learning. It was a week without cell phones, computers or i pods. A week without cooking,laundry, or running all over town. It is refreshing to go to girls camp. Till next year.......

3 comments:

Debi said...

So THATS where you were!! Mom said you were gone, but she didn't know where. :) I'm glad you had a good time with the Young Women. :)

Jenny Jensen said...

That is such a cute tile for Sadie!!! That's something I want her to always know too :)

Looks like girls camp was a sucess!! Can't wait for you and Josh to come visit!!!This time next week you will be getting all ready to go!!!

Melissa said...

Girls camp looks like so much fun! I bet it is sure nice to have it when the weather is perfect outside...it was always h-o-t when I went to girls camp. I always loved girls camp though, so I guess it is what we make of it! :) Glad you had a good time.