Girls Camp 2008

Girls Camp: Spending 3 ½ days with 24 young women and 12 great “mature?” women, dirt, campfires, no sleep, tons of food, laughter, singing, improving old friendships, making new friends, a cross-dressing husband, secret sisters, strengthening testimonies, building great memories.

This year our ward went to Camp Shawnee up in Liberty. This was our 3rd year in a row to have the opportunity to stay in cabins! Whew Hoo! No tents for us! Shawnee had a lodge for all of our meetings and meals. We almost had all of the comforts of home – less warm water in the showers. Jenny Hepworth told us that we used the “Hokey Pokey” method of showering, “you put your right foot in, you put your right foot out, then you shake it all about” all the while trying to breathe and squealing “ooooo, oooo, oooo!”

We had a cute mascot, Hercomer, a giant spider who would appear labeled with the names of two girls. When those two girls found where Hercomer was hiding, they would take him to Jodi or Heidi who would give them a camera and two more names. They then would place him in another spot and take a picture of him with the two girls. It was a fun activity.

Tuesday night we did our camp skits based on the motto "Steadfast and Immovable" and our camp theme, "One Heart, One Mind". Of course we couldn't have the skit without Kim dressing up as a girl. He played Mohanna, the foreign exchange student from a tropical island who was loved and accepted into our group right from the start.

Wednesday night we had a Walk with Christ. We had the opportunity to visit several stations where there were people who had been touched by Christ in some way. Kim and I played the part of a learned man and his wife. Kim’s character was present when Christ taught the rabbis in the temple when he was 12 years old. It was an incredible experience. It really made me realize that those people who had been touched by Christ’s life were real, not just stories. I was very touched by the experience. Marilyn wrote the program. She is such an amazing authoress as well as a spiritual giant.

We took a field trip on Wednesday and visited the Monastery in Huntsville as well as President David O. McKay’s home. Then a short but fun visit to Pineview Reservoir for a swim before the Relief Society Presidency joined us to help us tie a couple of quilts for a humanitarian project.

When the bishopbric came up for our big dutch oven dinner, we we had a surprise. Since we were to be of "one heart" and "one mind" each of our hands were tied to our neighbor. At first it was REALLY tough to eat! But, as we started working together, we found that we were able to fare quite well! It was actually quite fun.

I am so very impressed with the Young Women in our ward. They are very special girls. They got along extremely well, and were so kind, patient, and helpful with the one girl that is a little slower than the rest. The Leaders are phenomenal. So much fun, so kind. I feel honored to have served with them. I will treasure my friendship with these fine ladies.

We had a terrific time at Camp this year! I’m so glad that I was invited to go even though I’m not serving with the Young Women any more. My experiences while working with these wonderful young women have enriched my life. They are incredible!