Camp Director

      There are not many church callings that have a specific end date, but I got one.  I was called as the Camp Director for our ward.  Not as huge a deal as, maybe, in Utah, because they do Stake Girls Camps every year.  My job description was mostly gathering forms, handing out information and practicing songs for camp with the girls.  Then I got some added responsibilities.  Like the Ward Spaghetti Dinner, that was big, and so nice to check off!  Also High Adventure, I was one of three leaders for all the 4th years in the stake.  And my final big assignment was hikes for girls camp.  I was so busy, and looking at that list, I realize why I haven't felt like I've had much spare time lately.  At the end of last week I could finally check it all off!
 
High Adventure:

      This was the highlight of my calling!  I love my 4th year girls!  They were such a great group!  I loved that since we were a smallish group, it could be more laid back.  And I had a blast rappelling, climbing and canoeing with them!

      Oh, and beautiful scenery!  We were out by Shenandoah, and I loved the drive.  We were about three hours away, and the part of my heart that thinks I am a country girl, was right at home.  Green country- I love it out there!

Girls Camp:
To be honest, a week camping, and away from my family, is a bit long for me.  And Stake Camps have never been my favorite.  Now I'll get over my bad attitude, and say that it was actually a pretty good time.  I got to stay as a leader over my 4th year girls in the stake, and it was so nice to already know them coming into it.  And again, I really liked my group of girls, they were great!  I came grumbling a bit about all the excessive planning and over and beyond kind of activities, but it was nice to see how great it all came together.  The girls, I think, really were happy with their experience at camp. They had a good balance of spiritual things and fun things, and delicious food!  We had tons of crafts, did service, had a day at the lake, day with a blow up water-slide and a day which included spa.  It was fun.  Super structured, but we had 140 girls, so that is a necessity.
      Almost everyone was in cabins, except my group because there was not enough room.  I semi-volunteered us to be tough,
and sleep in tents all week.  I kept a continual covering of bug spray and we did pretty good.  We got poured on a couple nights/days, but our tents came out mostly dry inside and we're all water proof too.
      My favorite part of camp was meeting new friends!  I loved being able to meet the other leaders and hear their background.  Something I have realized over and over, since being in Virginia,... my normal isn't everyone's normal.  It's not typical.  The majority of people don't have my background.  I realize how blessed I am, and I LOVE to hear how these amazing people go through all their trials, and different, hard situations, and come out AMAZING!  I find other people's lives so interesting. So I made some new friends and that was probably the highlight this go round.

My group.  Green- 4th year, Pink- YCL, Orange- Leader

Have you ever seen such an amazing s'more spread?

The Pavillion- and pretty Virginia green.

 We were the High-Fivers!

 Bishop's night- our ward.

 Our Theme was: Hand in Hand.  We had lots of good morning devotionals and evening firesides.