July 12-15 was our ward’s Girls’ Camp. This was the first time I have attended girls camp since I was 18, but I was pleased to find that camp as a leader was almost as fun as it was when I was one of the girls. We went to Timpooneke Campground up American Fork Canyon. It was a very beautiful, forested area. There was a small stream (or at least it should have been a small stream, but it was pretty full and moving very quickly because of the late run-off) nearby, and it was comforting to hear the sounds of the river (at least as long as the girls were not anywhere near it). We did the regular girls camp stuff, such as certification, preparing and eating camp food, and incorporating spirituality where we could.
The highlight of the camp was our hike to the Timpanogos Cave. I last made this hike when I was a Beehive, and I remember it being somewhat difficult, but I am apparently in worse shape than I was when I was 12 or 13. Two wheezing episodes and quite a while after we started up, I made it to the top. However, I did not lack for entertainment, as I hiked it with our youngest Beehive. She apparently has no fear of heights and would frequently veer towards the side of the trail closest to the edge of the mountain. I was constantly steering her back to the “safe side” of the trail. I think she honestly just got too wrapped up in her stories and wasn’t really paying attention to where she was going. The cave was beautiful of course. I wish I would have had our big camera, but I feel I got some decent photos of the inside.
I am really grateful for the opportunity I had to go to camp this year, and I am grateful that I get to serve in Young Womens. I was pretty terrified of the whole thing when I first started, but I am slowly growing more and more comfortable with the calling. I have grown so much in the last year, and while there is still plenty of room for improvement, I am grateful for the progress I am making. I have truly grown to love the girls and I am constantly looking for ways to be a good example to them so that they can rise up to their full potential. I hope I get to spend plenty of more time with them.
Three of the girls sending the raft "off to sea." It was in memory of all the flood victims from this year. We all signed it.
Stretching in preparation for our ascent up Timpanogos
Although this is only a 1.5 mile hike, it is a very steep hike. I think I was more tired than when we were on our temple walk. I also angered my IT band hiking it. My knees just aren't fans of Young Women activities.
Once we got to the top, the girls started showing off their flexibility skills.
The fearless leaders: Anne, Jodi, Misty, and Megan
I don't think Anne was quite ready for the photo. I was prepared for the cave, I didn’t really wear my jacket while hiking up the mountain.
The next few pictures are from inside the cave. This is where I especially wish I had the new camera, but mine did pretty good considering the lighting.
The young women and their leaders, plus the two dads who were our "body guards."
The view from the cave exit. We even saw a fire burning off in the distance.
Briaunna and her watermelon vs. Tia and baby Beckham. Baby Beckham was born three days after this photo was taken. We missed Tia, but we understood why she only came for the testimony meeting.
