YW Camp

It was a stake camp this year.  Theme was Christmas in July.  It was once again a lot of fun.  For the first day is was just my girls and Emry.  We got all loaded up and off we went.  My parents meet me on the road and picked up Blake.  He had so much fun with Grandpa and Grandma.  Mowed lawns, jackhammers, watched movies, saw a wild turkey, lot of fun things with just him.

We got to camp and all set up, then we decorated.  Each ward was given a Christmas theme to decorate with.  We were told about this back in December so we could pick things up on sale.  First night we were to wear ugly Christmas shirts or sweaters, and we had a turkey dinner with all the trimmings.  Very delicious.

After dinner we all had prepared a song or skit to perform.  We then played some Christmas games.  Made antlers out of balloons and panty hose.

Shook jingle bells out of Kleenex boxes.  

Cora really struggled with that one, it was hilarious.

We were given tissue paper and tape and we had to make an outfit.

Last was a game I have been wanting to do for a long time and haven't had an occasion yet.  There was different candies wrapped up in different layers of saran wrap.  Like the oven mitt game, you had to roll a double and then got to unwrap.  What ever dropped in your lap you got to keep.

We were also treated to a visit from Santa that night and got a candy bag.  Instead of asking what they wanted for Christmas however, he asked how they were doing on their Personal Progress.

Each night the stake would come visit us.  Wearing a different hat each time.  They had a little gift for us and a story to read.  First night all the girls got nightshirt, then a game for our ward, M&M's, and Christmas glow stick

Next morning we ate and then meet together to get Christmas trail mix.  Some of the best I have had.  We had all packed a sack lunch and went for a hike.  Along the hike they looked for items, such as a star, angel, present, etc.  It was a good hike, not to difficult for me.  Cora and Leah had a great time with the Maycie and Emily.  They would run back and forth to each others camps and play games, look at decorations and got to know the rest in each others wards.  Anyways after we stopped for lunch at the top and got a group picture.

Then it started to rain.  And then hail.  We went pretty steady on the way down so we could get back.  All of us were quite wet when we arrived back at camp.  We came down a different way then going up.  When we were almost back the trail was block off with construction tape.  OH NO!!  After a few minutes of talking to the workers and looking around, we were able to walk through.  It was very deep sloshy mud.  At least we did not have to go all the way back up.  :/  There was a big group of girls singing behind us as we treked through the rain and mud.  The workers looked at us a little funny.  I just started laughing and said it was no wonder people think we are peculiar.  When we got back I discovered rain in my tent.  The sun had come out so we tipped the tent up to dry and hung my stuff over the car to dry.  It was all good by bed time.  After the hike and some fun activities I had my last YW join us. 

She came in time for the craft from the stake,  We made bracelets and nativities.  

Dinner and another visit from the stake.  Emry is waiting for Leah to scrub that pot so she can dry it.

Last full day, we all had lunch together and then did some games.  Frozen T-shirt, Obstacle course, water balloons, we were in charge of the ski races.  Dave got some board and put twin though them for handles for the girls to walk on.  We had a little more free time.  The girls went around and got tons of girls and leaders to sign their shirts.

We had dinner and then a closing fireside.  It was an amazingly done production of the nativity.  We were served Christmas cookies and hot chocolate before hand.  After we went back to our own sites for testimony meeting.  The girls then did some camp visiting with other wards, played card games at theirs and ours, back and forth.  It was a really late night, but that is what girls camp is for.  Get to know others, hang out, stay up late.  They had a blast.  Next morning we started packing up and then ate breakfast all together.  A final devotional, the left-right Christmas gift game and then finished packing up to go home.  The stake said they had chosen Christmas in July because they thought it would be a good way to really focus on our Savior Jesus Christ.  It ended up being fabulous.