Here we go! I am so grateful for an amazing Stake Camp Director, Angela. She took on so much this year, knowing I had my hands full. My counselors also helped so much. Because of the snowpack still at Camp Mia Shalom, we had to scramble and find another site. It turns out because of the existing snow that caused unstable structures, Shalom had to close for the rest of the season! I was so grateful we had something secured so that we didn't have to cancel altogether.
We reserved a site up Spanish Fork Canyon near the river and planned all sorts of rotational activities like paddleboarding at the reservoir, hiking up to the hot springs, rock climbing at a nearby canyon, and crafts and activities in camp. This site was half under water until the week before, which discouraged others from camping over on the still muddy other half. This was a blessing because it was just our stake in the whole site! My brain was having a hard time keeping up with Angela's rotation organization, so I just had to have faith it would all work out and come together. I did have some major anxiety about the nearby river and reservoir activities- so many bodies we are in charge of! But we put together a plan to settle my nerves. I still told all the girls in the daily announcements the rules to stay safe.
The first day, because we couldn't check into the campsite until late afternoon, we stayed around town doing service projects, swimming at the rec, Clas Ropes Course and archery. The weather was nice and mild when we arrived at camp with light sprinkles off and on. The campground is set up in a giant figure 8 with the stake pavillion, bathrooms and large grassy area for our tents and gathering in the center. It was perfect. Each campsite is on grass with a firepit, which was helpful in keeping things cleaner. The first night we hosted each ward (NINE in our Stake!) for desserts at the large pavillion and it was so fun to see everyone as they visited the stake area. One (kindof big) bad thing was that a TRAIN went by a couple of times each night! The first night I about jumped out of my skin as it blew the horn going by. The next night it woke me, but not as startling. I don't think I even heard it the last night!
It was of course so fun to have Paisley around all week. I loved it when she'd pop into the Stake Pavillion to say hi. I had Adren on my mind a lot as well, wondering how his first week at the MTC was going. I really did not want to miss his call and grabbed Paisley and drove down the canyon a little ways until I got reception. It was so good to see his face and chat about his neat experience so far. We ended the call and Paisley and I looked at eachother and burst into tears! They were happy tears.
The Stake YCL's did so great! They were so quiet and timid at our planning meetings but really came out of their shell and shined at the gatherings. They were great at gathering their groups and leading. It took until the end of the week, but we were joking around with each other and they loosened up by the end.
We did soap carving and bracelet making and loom tying and I shared a message about strengthening the relationship with your savior and learning to recognize the promptings of the Holy Ghost. We had delicious meals and desserts from our amazing camp chef, Angela P. There were campfire chats and all the good things that make Girls Camp great!
It was a wild week! Mainly because the rain got increasingly heavier. We took a group up to the Hot Springs. It was so lovely and overcast the whole way up, and the warm springs felt great. Soon enough lightening started up so I told the girls it was time to start heading back down. I took the first group that were ready to go, and as we hiked it started raining. Then pouring. We went from hopping over puddles to walking in a river as the rain began to flood the trail. At one point the trail had deteriorated enough that to pass you had to hold onto some roots sticking out of the side wall to avoid a 15 foot drop down into the river. I would hold the girls water bottle and pack to make sure they had two free hands to pass. As the gal in front of me slipped I grabbed her arm and yelled through the rain, "You are NOT falling!" we laughed about that later. Once our group made it back to the trailhead we piled in the cars and cranked the heat~ our teeth would not stop chattering! As we walked into camp I learned of the wild winds that overturned canopies and rain-soaked tents and bedding. I wondered if we needed to start packing up early? The 9th ward leaders came to talk to me, they had too many cold, sad girls and were heading out. I felt so discouraged!
The Stake President arrived and I felt a million times better once I had dry clothing on and a warm drink in hand. We learned there were dryers next to the bathroom and the camp host couple was bustling around trying to help. I gathered all the ward presidents and told them they should do what is best for their ward. If they felt they needed to go, they should go. The stake would stay if even one ward wanted to stay. I was surprised to hear they ALL wanted to stay! The sun came out and we all worked together to get camps cleaned up and dry. All the bishoprics started to arrive with dry blankets and warm dinners filled everyone's bellies. We all gathered for the final celebration and the girls did fantastic. They put on a "Dating Game" with the new Stake Presidency so that we could get to know them and their wives better. The Stake President spoke and shared a great message. He's newly called and I really appreciated how he just wanted to support my plans and let me and my leaders run the show. (We missed the 9th ward, but it sounds like they had a great closing at the church together that night.)
Because of the hard times it seems it made that final night all the sweeter! I am so grateful for such helpful, fun leaders. Everyone pitched in 100%. Our awesome High Counselor, Tristan is such a workhorse and another guy, Dave from my ward who just wanted to be there because 4 of his girls were there. I learned the last morning that his tent was a lake inside! He said he just kept away from the water in the center and he was dry enough. Here he spent 5 whole hours drying out all the girls tents, re-staking, just to swim around in his. It was so helpful to always have fresh dry wood stacked and garbages emptied and removed. They scrubbed all the big heavy pans after meals and loaded up and delivered the paddleboards to the reservoir each morning. There really was not much down time for them, or any of us!
As we pulled away Friday morning, I felt the weight of the world lifted and a confirmation we accomplished what was needed. I always end these things with a prayer and time to ponder and be open to the Spirit to get a sense if what we accomplished was good. I felt like we did! And I think everyone will remember this year for a long time!
