Stake Girls Camp 2016- Heroes of the Heart

Girls Camp. Ah. I wouldn't have been able to tell you that I knew I would be going this summer but I can tell you that it was the best time. I absolutely was spoiled to be able to have this calling as Camp Director. Even if it was with a 2 Week notice to get everything ready for camp. 

We made it up to the stake camp and were ready to enjoy the next few days. 

Nothing better than adorable beehives enjoying smore's

Then you find the laurels... 

Our ward had Nephi as our character and Faith was our value. 

We spent an activity a couple weeks before to design the flag we made for our camp. 

We also made our "Ships" for a game we would be playing with the stake.

The girls in my ward are so creative and could paint anything. One ship had a big mermaid painted on the side. They each had their handprint on a box. It was awesome.

As camp leaders we were asked to decorate our campsite. Well with two weeks notice I kind of freaked about how to do this in enough time. Mainly the fact that 5 other wards would be having decorations. We had to have something. 

I made some easy quotes that went with faith and then stuck them on to a stir stick after laminating them. I also made a pennant banner that the girls secretly helped with. I had them write their testimonies on one pennant and then tied them up at camp for the girls to spend some time enjoying each others testimonies. 

As for the flowers that were on the canopy shade tent were so easy to make. I got some white paper sacks and used some hot glue to make them. They were perfect and held up great. 

I do have to admit I was frustrated that once I got up there that NOT ONE OTHER CAMPSITE WAS DECORATED! But you can sure bet that the White Rail Ward was. :) 

Superhero Training (Certification)

The stake spent some time with the girls finishing up some certifying  even though we still didn't get everything covered for our ward. No one attended the dates for certification before camp so we didn't really get much done on that end nor did we have camp manuals for everyone.

Once we were done with certification they had a value chalk toss.. It was mess but the girls loved it once we convinced them it would come out of their clothes and hair. I really loved watching this girls get each other dirty it was hilarious. But then to watch them freak out after their skin was dyed a little pink or blue. We had some smurfs at camp thats for sure. :)

Our ward has a joke about being the "White Whale Ward" even though it really is Rail not Whale. But Sometimes it sure sounds like you're saying whale. So I also took it upon me to name the tents and assign the girls to which tent. They were all named after whales. (Beluga, Orca, Hammerhead, etc.)  

So then Barnabee was born. The girls loved carrying him around to different activities. The last time I went to girls camp with my ward I had a frog ball that everyone loved then so I knew I had to do that again. I also taught the girls a whole bunch of camp songs so we had our own ward song too for this year that of course had to do with Whales.

Barnabee got attacked by a different ward. It happened in the middle of the day. (not the best time to prank... obviously not professionals. aka. beehives) But one of the beehives came and grabbed me to tell me that something had happened to him. They said he was covered in shaving cream and maxi pads.. She then said some of the other girls don't know what the maxi pads are.. hahaha I had to laugh & take a picture of it for sure.

One of the beehives then washed barnabee up and we kept a better eye on him the rest of the week. That was until he got whale-napped and was held hostage in the middle of the day. One of our leaders that were coming up for a couple hours saw him get taken and told me where he was at so we went back and stole him from that tent. ...once again don't break during the day. 

Did I mention how cool our bishopric is? They are amazing we got to do superhero masks (facial masks). It was great to see Sister & Brother Furner do the masks on each other. 

So I am one of those leaders that make our girls eat last because I was a little fed up with how people just would jump in instead of just waiting to go up and let all of our guests eat so we waited a few minutes and enjoyed our rolls before they actually got to eat dinner. 

After dinner we had the Iron Rod activity. It was great to be able to see the girls try and choose the right path. I had to be the devil and sometimes an angel. I absolutely couldn't bring myself to say things to get them to take the wrong path it was so hard. Luckily when it was my ward I was able to be an angel. It was amazing to see how these girls listened to my voice and didn't listen to those who were trying to lead them off the path. So spiritual and I hope they will remember that when they aren't just holding on to a rope going in and around trees.

Ward time! 

We have the best men in our ward who came out and hung out with us. They built fires, helped with meals and just were great & fun with the girls! They helped with some funny pranks & did some fun stories with the girls. Our girls loved snipe hunting and our Bishop joined in on the fun. The girls couldn't believe that he would do that with them! They absolutely love that they can joke around be normal kids around all of us so called "adults".

Our girls were great to pack up and clean up camp. That we stopped and got them each a treat at Maverick on our way home. They were so worn out from staying up so late the last couple of nights thats what girls camp is for right! 

I now have 9 months until next years camp. Can't wait to spend a few days with these amazing girls!