Girls Camp!

I miss going to YW's camp so bad!
I was looking at some pictures that people uploaded of YW's camp and I remembered going all of those years. I didn't go all six because one year I had torn up my knee and had a pretty bad injury so I couldn't hike hills and I didn't want to risk it. They told me I could be driven around but I said no-- that would feel awkward.

I remember my first year, at Camp Jackson. And my Mom sent a little care package for me with the ward. I remember reading her testimony that she put in the little book they gave us and thinking Wow. I still think Wow when she bears her testimony-- hint hint Mom bear it next Fast Sunday-- yeah, do it!

But I remember the friends I made, and singing the songs. My first year is when Victoria Wynn and I really became friends. It's also when our tent collapsed, the roof at least from the rain and we had to switch tents.
Then we moved camps and went somewhere else for our second year.. Bear Creek or Lake? Something like that. I think that was the year I swam in the Lake with shorts on? haha

Then I skipped my 3rd and 4th year and they let me be a YCL. Then they built Camp Hulaco.

It means a lot to me to be at Camp Hulaco knowing that Pres. Brown really wanted this camp built so the girls and whoever else needed to use it wouldn't have to travel that far away.
I remember the YCL retreats at Donna Kay's house. It was always neat knowing that the women who were leaders, I knew from Winchester Ward so I felt comfortable with them.

I always loved being outside. We'd stay up late in our cabin and sing songs and eat food and talk about boys-- yeah that's girls camp for ya. haha just kidding.
But the Spirit there was so strong. It didn't matter if I knew the girl next to me or not, I was there to be her friend and help her out. We would be in skits and plan things out. Help out in the kitchen and just be ourselves. There wasn't anyone to be pressured by, no make up, no boys, just girls. Girls that were trying to become better leaders, and learners and appreciators of nature. I remember learning the types of clouds and how to build a campfire and to tie a knot.
Those will be things that I can always look back on and say, hey I learned how to do that!

Testimony meetings were always long... but they were the best part about girls camp. I believe that it is necessary for Young Women to take a week out of the year to do this kind of thing. They need the time to associate with other Young Women and to feel the spirit. To seclude themsleves away from the world and their cell phones and facebook and school and just focus on the Church. They may not see it at first, but their testimonies will be impacted by their choice to come to Girls camp for the rest of their lives. Even if they hated it.

The Lord truly does love us and he loves each and every one of his daughters. I am thankful for the leaders that I had while in my Youth who encouraged me to go to Girl's camp and who made it fun. I always felt the spirit and had such a good time. If I am ever called to a position that includes going to Girls Camp I hope I can share my enthusiasm with the girls that I lead.