Before I could leave for Girls Camp (I chaperoned at our 4 day/3 night church youth camp), I had to drop the kids off at my parents house. I was only there for a couple of days to get Kevin settled (Elena needs no "settling" when it comes to Granny's house), but we managed to squeeze in a trip to the beach. Shelby Condon joined us there with her three kids. It was so nice to sit on the towel and talk and relax with the babies while my dad had a blast playing with the big kids.
Shelby's Benjamin:
My Kevincito:
Okay! The rest of the post is about camp! This was a pretty area on our 5 mile hike. We arrived, ate lunch and hiked. Then went to the camp (thankfully the tents were already set up by the time we got there), ate dinner, played games, and totally ran out of time for fun before it got dark. We camped at the Apple Tree Campgrounds in Nantahala National Forest. It was gorgeous and very shady and a whole lot cooler up there than down here. I loved snuggling up in my hoodie and sitting by the campfire for our devotionals each night. It was a blast.
Day #2 we went white water rafting. The leaders in charge planned awesome activities for us because we were tent camping and usually Girls Camp is at a 4H camp and we stay in cabins with ceiling fans. Tents mean more money for fun stuff! Well, they are geniuses because the girls had a great time and there were NO complaints about the tents. :) This was my first time white water rafting believe it or not. When I was a teenager, I was at field hockey camp/California/something when my own stake (group of several congregations) went. It was so much fun. I want to go to WV and try the Gauley/New River soon. This was not our bus, but I didn't take my non-waterproof camera when we went, so I took a picture of a bus that looked kind of like ours on the way back to camp.
I was in charge of this awesome group of girls. They were all 13 except the Youth Leaders were 16 and 17. They are in a knot and untangling themselves. I never got a picture of the girls that I camped with: the 7 young women from the Spanish branch (congregation). I could kick myself!
This is a view from the field were we played various games during the late afternoons. Gorgeous! We went over here one night to look at the stars and it was amazing. I wish my dad had been there to point everything out to me. The moon was either new or had set because it was clear and pitch black. Nothing quite so humbling as millions of stars and galaxies staring back at you. God is good. :)
Day #3 was horse back riding. I haven't done this since freshman year of college. I went to NM with Ann and Beckie and rode horses on Ann's ranch. I remember it being intimidating and awesome. It was the same this time. We went on a great trail with ups and downs and trees everywhere. We even had a cross a little creek. I can totally see why some people just love riding horses!
I look like a giant in this picture and Hermana Rivera looks so small, but really I am less then a foot taller. We went to a high ropes course after horseback riding.
Do you see me walking across that telephone pole? I had a lot of fun on this part of the course. I am really quite scared of heights and felt proud that I made it all the way to the top on this one. The first part of the ropes course that I tried, I chickened out and only completed half of it. So I was extra proud when I finished and enjoyed this section! I guess I'll never be a tight-rope walker. :)
I'm so glad that I went. Thanks Mom, Dad, and Bethany for your help with the kids! And thanks Dan for letting us all leave you lonely for a week. Sorry about that, Babe! You're the best!
Shelby's Benjamin:
My Kevincito:
Okay! The rest of the post is about camp! This was a pretty area on our 5 mile hike. We arrived, ate lunch and hiked. Then went to the camp (thankfully the tents were already set up by the time we got there), ate dinner, played games, and totally ran out of time for fun before it got dark. We camped at the Apple Tree Campgrounds in Nantahala National Forest. It was gorgeous and very shady and a whole lot cooler up there than down here. I loved snuggling up in my hoodie and sitting by the campfire for our devotionals each night. It was a blast.
Day #2 we went white water rafting. The leaders in charge planned awesome activities for us because we were tent camping and usually Girls Camp is at a 4H camp and we stay in cabins with ceiling fans. Tents mean more money for fun stuff! Well, they are geniuses because the girls had a great time and there were NO complaints about the tents. :) This was my first time white water rafting believe it or not. When I was a teenager, I was at field hockey camp/California/something when my own stake (group of several congregations) went. It was so much fun. I want to go to WV and try the Gauley/New River soon. This was not our bus, but I didn't take my non-waterproof camera when we went, so I took a picture of a bus that looked kind of like ours on the way back to camp.
I was in charge of this awesome group of girls. They were all 13 except the Youth Leaders were 16 and 17. They are in a knot and untangling themselves. I never got a picture of the girls that I camped with: the 7 young women from the Spanish branch (congregation). I could kick myself!
This is a view from the field were we played various games during the late afternoons. Gorgeous! We went over here one night to look at the stars and it was amazing. I wish my dad had been there to point everything out to me. The moon was either new or had set because it was clear and pitch black. Nothing quite so humbling as millions of stars and galaxies staring back at you. God is good. :)
Day #3 was horse back riding. I haven't done this since freshman year of college. I went to NM with Ann and Beckie and rode horses on Ann's ranch. I remember it being intimidating and awesome. It was the same this time. We went on a great trail with ups and downs and trees everywhere. We even had a cross a little creek. I can totally see why some people just love riding horses!
I look like a giant in this picture and Hermana Rivera looks so small, but really I am less then a foot taller. We went to a high ropes course after horseback riding.
Do you see me walking across that telephone pole? I had a lot of fun on this part of the course. I am really quite scared of heights and felt proud that I made it all the way to the top on this one. The first part of the ropes course that I tried, I chickened out and only completed half of it. So I was extra proud when I finished and enjoyed this section! I guess I'll never be a tight-rope walker. :)
I'm so glad that I went. Thanks Mom, Dad, and Bethany for your help with the kids! And thanks Dan for letting us all leave you lonely for a week. Sorry about that, Babe! You're the best!
2 comments:
Why did you have to post this? I just got called to teach Sunbeams and have been missing YW like crazy!!!! Plus, why did they wait the summer after I leave to FINALLY tent camp? Ha! We miss you guys and its great to check up on your blog! :)
Okay NO FAIR!! Your girls camp is amazing.. we never got to do that kind of stuff?? You are a lucky lady. Looks like tons of fun!!
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