The theme for this year's Girls Camp was STAND, an acronym for Stand Tall And Never Despair. And that we did.
We created some amazing memories, laughed some good laughs, ate more food than ever before, and most importantly, we all grew spiritually.
One our way to our campsite in Bear Lake, we stopped at the Logan Temple and got to see a newly wedded couple! There they received their workbooks, and we walked the temple grounds.
We then had lunch then a devotional about standing in holy places. One of our girls demonstrated skipping in shoes that were too small, shoes that were too large, and shoes with huge holes in the bottom of them. We then related this to life.
Life is harder when you're wearing the wrong shoes. It's uncomfortable, causes blisters, and is usually more painful than necessary. When we wear the "right" shoes, or the shoes that fit us, we are safer and more comfortable. This is like staying on the Lord's side of the line and following His path.
We arrived in our beautiful campsite and worked together like Santa's elves. It was blissfully wonderful! I'm sure their parents are wondering how we get them to be like this at home! :)
The weather was warm, but thankfully it was just right in the shaded area we had. Our skits that first night were hilarious and had everyone rolling. Pictures to come!!
The first morning there we enjoyed a beautiful devotional by our two youngest girls (AKA Beehives, age 12-13). They had a pair of flip flops and a pair of house slippers and gave personal examples of how they Stand in holy places while wearing those shoes. They did awesome!!!
Our morning hike was sweaty and beautiful, and our afternoon of crafts & swimming was refreshing and awesome. We made these washer necklaces to remind us to STAND on the Lord's side always! We also made temple blocks this day. They turned out so cute.
We created some amazing memories, laughed some good laughs, ate more food than ever before, and most importantly, we all grew spiritually.
One our way to our campsite in Bear Lake, we stopped at the Logan Temple and got to see a newly wedded couple! There they received their workbooks, and we walked the temple grounds.
We then had lunch then a devotional about standing in holy places. One of our girls demonstrated skipping in shoes that were too small, shoes that were too large, and shoes with huge holes in the bottom of them. We then related this to life.
Life is harder when you're wearing the wrong shoes. It's uncomfortable, causes blisters, and is usually more painful than necessary. When we wear the "right" shoes, or the shoes that fit us, we are safer and more comfortable. This is like staying on the Lord's side of the line and following His path.
We arrived in our beautiful campsite and worked together like Santa's elves. It was blissfully wonderful! I'm sure their parents are wondering how we get them to be like this at home! :)
The weather was warm, but thankfully it was just right in the shaded area we had. Our skits that first night were hilarious and had everyone rolling. Pictures to come!!
The first morning there we enjoyed a beautiful devotional by our two youngest girls (AKA Beehives, age 12-13). They had a pair of flip flops and a pair of house slippers and gave personal examples of how they Stand in holy places while wearing those shoes. They did awesome!!!
Our morning hike was sweaty and beautiful, and our afternoon of crafts & swimming was refreshing and awesome. We made these washer necklaces to remind us to STAND on the Lord's side always! We also made temple blocks this day. They turned out so cute.
At Logan Temple, looking fresh and clean!
Our newest leader! She's amazing!!
SO HAPPY we had the 6th ward girls join us! They were amazingly fun and awesome!
All these happy faces make me happy!
Bomb diggity.
A field of flowers.
Do the caterpillar dance.
Walking with closed eyes on a rocky trail...following their leaders with faith!
Out of focus, but so pretty!
This thistle stung me...ouch.
A tree with an elbow.
Make a wish.
The real deal right there.
Not happy about the paparazzi.
Our bear stood in holy places, as you can see.
Lead the way, laurel!
Learning to tie knots using pull-n-peel Twizzlers! Yayuh.
Long night, no sleep...hi g'mornin!
Laurels leading the way.
Peek-a-boo.
Laurel devotional.
The next day we heard a wonderful devotional by our three amazing Mia Maids (age 14-15). They had a pair or sneakers, tennis shoes, and Toms, which they then shared personal examples about how they Stand in holy places while wearing those shoes. They also shared stories from the scriptures relating to the topic. Amazing.
We then did some certifications, another fun craft, and then the Burden Walk.
I asked a few of the girls what their favorite part of camp was, and their reply, "The Burden Walk!" Given that this experience was in 95F degree weather, on hot, hard-to-walk-in sand, carrying a pillowcase full of heavy sand, this would surprise many to discover this was their favorite part of camp from a teen!
We then did some certifications, another fun craft, and then the Burden Walk.
I asked a few of the girls what their favorite part of camp was, and their reply, "The Burden Walk!" Given that this experience was in 95F degree weather, on hot, hard-to-walk-in sand, carrying a pillowcase full of heavy sand, this would surprise many to discover this was their favorite part of camp from a teen!
So I'll explain...
We set up four "Burden Stations" along the sandy beach (of Bear Lake, UT) where we had a leader sitting and waiting at each one. At the beginning, a leader gave each girl a pillowcase and briefly explained that they would be walking along the beach looking for the pink signs/stations to stop at for further instructions. The girls were all very inquisitive, but we told them they'd just have to see for themselves!
Each girl was spaced apart about two minutes, so they had to walk alone. The 1st station represented little sins we commit, & a leader used a tuna can (empty of course) to scoop the sand into her pillow case, explaining what burdens she had just acquired (ie. lying to parents, cheating on test, immodest dress). The 2nd station was things like bullying, being teased (sins of others), and we used a soup can to scoop the sand into their sacks. For the 3rd station, we used a larger can (one used for food storage), and it represented burdens that we cannot control (ie. divorce, death in family, natural disaster). The 4th station represented heavier sins we commit, like immorality, and we used a shovel to represent this burden.
By this point, each girl looked sweaty & pretty tired...And now their burdens were feeling really heavy. One of my Laurels (age 16-17) explained later that she didn't think she could go five more feet, until she said she saw the Bishop and realized he was there to help her. The Bishop symbolized the role he plays in helping us give our burdens to Christ.
From that point, they walked the rest of the way to the picture of Christ with the Bishop, where the Bishop stopped and explained how Christ was there to take their burdens. They laid their heavy sacks at Christ's picture, and walked around the corner where we had reverent music playing (and water!). They were then instructed by another leader to sit quietly and write in their journals about what they had just experienced and what it meant to them. After they finished writing, they were given letters from home to read.
Pathway to the lake, where the Burden walk ended...
Pathway to the lake, where the Burden walk ended...
By the time I was able to leave my station (#4) and join everyone at the end, the girls were sitting quietly, listening, reading, and tear-stained. I had felt the spirit strongly before and during this activity, but I didn't expect what I found.
The spirit literally pierced my heart as I pondered what this experience may have meant to them, and what it meant for me. Each of these girls were carrying burdens, whether it was choices they had made or circumstances they did not choose...regardless, we have all felt the heaviness of our burdens. Once the other leaders arrived, we all sat in silence for about 10 minutes, listening, hugging, pondering. You couldn't help but feel something.
After one of the songs ended, I led a group discussion about what we just experienced. It was even more powerful to talk about it and relate it to their lives. These girls are AMAZING and I feel so privileged and blessed to be their YW leader!
The real them.
On the last morning there, the Laurels (age 16-17) gave their devotional and had a pair of shoes you would wear on a wedding day. They shared examples of how they are standing in holy places now so that they can get married in the temple for eternity. What a blessing!
Lunch lady laurel makes a mean meat patty...
