Girl's Camp 2015Be Brave

Be Brave 

This year's camp theme was "Be Brave".  I was called to be a 4th leader and it was a total blast.  

4th years - ready to go

We left Tuesday morning for Green's Peak.  I was really worried about driving the girls to camp.  I got a little nervous when the dirt road got steep and there was a cliff on the side of the road.  The girls in my car sang the camp song and it helped me to be brave.  We didn't even get to camp yet and I had a spiritual experience.  I learned that we should help each other and support each other.  When we got to camp, we started that huge task of setting up.  The girls worked hard to set up 2 large tents and a canopy.  Afterwards, we drove to Show Low to go horseback riding.  Angela rode a horse named Ace, and I rode Tip.  I was a little scared at first, but after awhile I felt that I had better control of the horse.  My knee was killing me though because the stirrup was too high.  After we returned to camp just in time for dinner and a stargazing lesson.  It was an awesome first day.

Our campsite - see the large canopy and tents

Angela on Ace

Cowgirl helped Angela

Here I am riding Tip - he was a tall horse

Day 2 of girl's camp started off with a hike.  We drove up to the very top of Green's Peak.  Green's Peak is a little over 10,000 ft.   I heard that the drive to the peak was more narrow and steep than the road to the campsite.  I learned that it is brave to admit our weaknesses and ask for help.  One of the leaders that didn't drive was willing to take my vehicle up the peak.  I'm so glad that she did too.  It's okay to ask for help from our leaders and our Savior when we need it.   I'm having some amazing spiritual experiences and insights at girl's camp.  It was really windy up on top of Green's peak.  We took pictures and then we hiked down the mountain.  Some leaders returned vehicles to the campsite while others hiked down with the girls.  We had a trail guide going down the mountain with us..  We were told if we got lost, just follow the power lines down the mountain.  A group of us did fall behind and we lost sight of our trail guide.  We didn't see any power lines, so we just followed the trail down the mountain.  Finally we saw the power lines and I was relieved.  Our priesthood leader was with our group felt that we should follow a road that went another direction.  It was a main road and he felt it would lead us to the campsite.  We followed his direction and 5 minutes later, we arrived at our cars.  I learned how important it is to follow our priesthood leaders.  If we didn't, our hike would have been much longer.  Another lesson for me.

There is Green's Peak - you can see the road.
My dad wouldn't love to see those towers 

4th years girls and leaders on top of Green's Peak

Angela and I on top of Green's Peak 

Angela hiking down 

Angela and I on the hike

After the hike and lunch, we went canoeing.  The lake was half swamp , and half water.  Getting into the lake was a muddy mess.  Half of the girls were able to get far enough to enjoy canoeing and the other half got bogged down in the mud.  After our failed canoeing experience, we headed to one of our leader's homesteads for a much needed shower.  It was a fun packed day.

Angela and I standing in the muck, before our canoe trip 

Check out all the muddy shoes

We really need a shower

Day 3 - We went rappelling, did crafts, and did some fun COPE activities.  I don't know what COPE stands for, but it' was a lot of fun.  The girls had to learn to work as a team.  I didn't go rappelling.  I know that I should have, but I didn't every thing else until then, so I chickened out.    We spent a lot of time making yummy food and sitting by the fire.  We were so lucky not to have fire restrictions this year.

Brave leaders who rappelled down the mountain

Spider Web 

Angela going through the spider web

Dutch Oven Pizza

Dutch Oven Chicken

FIRE - What a special treat to have

 Day 4 - We packed up our stuff early because it was going to rain.  It rained at night, so when it stopped, we packed up our stuff and headed back to the homestead.  All activities planned that day were cancelled, so we hung out making dog tags.  The girls had a blast.  We arrived at main camp and did our 4th year welcome home skit.  Afterwards, we spent time with our wards.  Our ward had a surprise trip to Sonic planned.  That was a lot of fun to sit and hear about the experiences the other girls were having at girl's camp while eating ice cream.  That evening was Bishop's night.  I love our Bishop and he loves to go to girl's camp and feel the spirit.  He just had surgery 4 days before and still came.  You can tell he really loves the girls.

My girls and I - I couldn't wait to see Danni

Sonic Trip

Pic with the Biship

Danni went to Girl's Camp as a YCL 2 leader.  I wanted to share some of the pics that she took.

Danni, Brittany, and Jocelyn

They napped a little too much

Danni - Flo
Britt - Baby Flo
I wish I could have seen it

Horseback Riding - Britt and Danni
What a great hat Britt!!!!!

These two stick together

The theme was for camp this year is "Be Brave".  The leaders wanted the girls to learn to be brave in their everyday life and every decision they make.  

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Phillipians 4:13

Wednesday June 3rd - Be Believing -  “And Christ hath said: If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me.”  Moroni 7:33

Thursday June 4th - Be Obedient - “…[they] were converted unto the true faith; and they would not depart from it, for they were firm, and steadfast, and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord.”  3 Nephi 6: 14

Friday June 5th - Be Virtuous - “…let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God”   D&C 121:45  

The camp song is "Brave" by Hillary Weeks

" There are moments when you feel it, and you know

Something amazing is happening within your soul

And nothing can hold back what's inside you

Let it move you, let it lead your heart

Don't be afraid to let yourself believe in who you are

Cause today you're gonna be

Brave, you are brave

Let your brave come through

Let it define you

You are meant to be brave

Get your shoes, grab your courage. open the door

You're about to see a you you've never seen before

And heaven will be there, beside you.

In the moments when the walls seem way too high

Trust your instincts, breathe, and start to climb

Cause you have always been

Brave, you are brave

Let your brave come through

Let it define you

Cause you are meant to be brave

When you think you can't 

Strong when you have fallen

Bold enough to stand and be

Brave, brave

Brave, you are brave

Let you brave come through

Let it define you

Cause you are meant to be brave

You are brace 

Let your brave come through

Let it define you

Cause you are meant to be brave

There are moments when you feel it, and you know

Something amazing is happening within your soul

and nothing can hold back what's inside you."

I loved Girl's Camp this year.  I loved being apart of this amazing program this year.  I learned a lot about myself and how I can be brave in the decisions that I make.  I learned a lot from the girls that I was with this past week.  They were kind, helpful, and just great to be with.