Girls Camp 2014

This year I was able to go up to girls camp with Ashley all week!

We weren't in the same cabin or even on the same side of the camp but I was able to experience the week with her and touch bases with her when we would all meet together. 

I think I had just as much fun as she did (though I think I was more tired at the end of the week)

Ashley is in the front row all the way to the left in this picture.  

(I'm way in the back)

Camp for us started off at the Stake Center where we worked on certification. I was in charge of lunch which was dutch oven meals of chicken and rice and cobblers. 

While the girls were learning about cooking... 

knotts, nutrition, knives and fires and such...

the older girls were up at camp decorating and getting ready for the younger campers. 

I brought a van full of girls up a little early and they were there with balloons ready to welcome the campers who rode up on the bus.

The theme this year was "Come unto Christ and be a Hero"

All the cabins had superhero names

Ashley's cabin was Wonder Woman

She was happy to have Anna Hales and Nina Rioux from our ward in our cabin that she already knew and then she got to know a lot of new friends. 

I was in the Hulk cabin.

I was glad to get to know some great girls and fun leaders. 

the inside of the cabin. 

Camp started off with some unity games...

and that night we had a great fireside. Even Ashley agreed that the speaker did a great job, she really liked him!

Ashley loved spending the week with silly friends and cousins Jenae and Jolene too!

I think one of the most memorable activities they did was the color activity. The girls didn't know what was happening. They were to turn around and close their eyes. All they knew was that it was going to be messy and they were nervous. 

Sister Hales then gave a powerful analogy. She talked about having a colorful life, where everything was good. Then life turned upside down when her husband had his accident and broke his neck and became a quadriplegic. Then she told about how her husband is her hero, he is Humble, Ever Faithful, Responsible and Obedient. She said life hasn't been easy but it's still a colorful life. So when life gets turned upside down remember that you can still have a colorful life.

The girls all then received 4 bags of color representing the 4 attributes and went to town...

Color everywhere!

Kelzey got Ashley good with the green when she dumped the whole bag on her head!

She was cleaning green out of her ears a week later.

Thanks Kelzey!

Everyone was quite colorful.

Luckily it was right before the trip to the lake where they could get washed off a bit. 

The showers were full all that afternoon with girls trying to get clean. 

It didn't work that well and you could see traces of color on some of them through the end of camp :)

One of the workshops called up some girls and they were challenged to eat two warhead sour candies. Ashley thought it would make a great picture. Kelzey...I guess she got you back.

Another highlight of the week was the Variety Show. Ashley liked Jenae and Jolene and their invisible tennis match.

And we were all impressed with the Bradford's Karate skills.

Ashley and I on the hike with Jolene.

Beautiful view from the top. 

Eating lunch before we head back down.

The last day was a bunch of fun games. Jared allowed his sisters to beautify him for the occasion. 

There was rock climbing (Kelzey again)

And a drip tank rather than a dunk tank...it got pretty cold. 

Jared was a good sport and participated. You can see his smile underneath all the water. 

That night was bishops night. Jeff got to do the song and dance even though he was just representing Bishop. Ashley and I enjoyed having him come up to camp that night with us. 

After his spiritual lesson we played a game of Boccie ball and then headed up to the fire pit for testimonies.  

The last night of camp I got about 3 hours of sleep. After a late night girls wanted me to set my alarm to wake them up for the sunrise hike. So at 5:30 I got up with them and thought I'd enjoy our last morning in Big Bear. 

Here is the view from testimony rock. 

It was a nice way to end the week. 

Meanwhile while Ashley and I were at camp...

Jacob was at a camp of his own. 

He was at cheer camp all week learning how to be a mascot!

Taylor was at UCR at an overnight orientation where he registered for classes and is set to start the physics program this fall.