Spring Camp Prep

As the weather heated up this spring, my prep for Young Women Camp did, too. As the director this year, I have a few more things to do, but I'm encouraged by the team of people that are supporting me. I already have so many people to thank. In March, Courtney, Staci, Dan and I pre-hiked the Rip Rap Trail in Shenandoah National Park. There were snow flurries on the Skyline Drive and the temperature was 12 degrees.

We crossed icy streams no fewer than five times, and though everyone had wet feet, Staci took the one and only fall into the river with grace. By the end of the hike she had tiny icicles hanging from her gloves and we had to do a little trailside problem-solving because the below-freezing temps had nearly paralyzed her soaking feet.

We completed the ten-mile loop that day in less than five hours. We wondered how our youth leaders, aged sixteen to eighteen, would do when we brought them back. We determined to play it by ear on the April hike day.

Dan has been such a great support through my endless hours on the computer and phone, and I was happy to have him on that adventure with us that day. So much of camp tasks are done without him, but he sees my stress level and hears all of my concerns leading up to every event.

Our kids also joined the fun this spring in supporting me. I visited each ward to meet briefly with the young women throughout our stake and these kids had great attitudes. One ward meets in Franklin, West Virginia, two hours away, and these three made visiting a new place look easy, going to two hours of primary all by themselves while I met with the young women. 

We stopped for a little breather on the way home. I sometimes have to pinch myself (and take a picture) that I live in such a beautiful area of the country.

Youth camp leader training started in April in the basement of a good friend for a fun overnighter with sticky notes, games, devotionals, debates, and lots of snacks. 

That night we got just enough sleep before hiking the same RipRap Trail with eight of these amazing teenagers. This hike was warmer (!) and the youth leaders amazed us with their great attitudes and stamina.

I love being with and learning from them, and sometimes I wish I could do my teenage years over because they are such great examples of how to do it right.

As we hike, we joke and tease and tell stories. Ten miles flew by with them, and we finished two hours ahead of our estimated hike time. These girls are so strong.

This time we had Sarah along with us. Our team felt pretty complete.

Our May training was a great sleepover in the home of another friend. We sang and planned and reviewed important logistics. And then we pulled together and activity for the seventy teenagers who will come as campers. 

There were color-coded name tags, camp songs, first aid dramatization skits, and get-to-know-you-games that day, and that was before our campers arrived.  
I can hardly wait for June 22nd--I'm only holding off because there is so much to be done between now and then.