Just Jessica: July 2011

2 weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend our ward Girl's Camp. I definitely had a lot of mixed feelings leading up to it, especially when I knew that both of my parents would be coming up also. But my overall feeling was a happy one. One thing about Girl's Camp is that it is never what you expect it to be. You never know the mix of girls that are going and how well they are going to mesh together or which ones are going to have a particularly moody week.

Despite the hormones, the lack of outdoorsy-ness that our girls always seem to possess, and capacity for complaining this week couldn't have been more fun, enjoyable and rewarding.

I had the perk of just being an extra adult leader at a ward camp. Megan and I had been adult leaders 2 years ago at a stake camp which is a little bit grander scale so compared to ward it is quite a lot more manageable. Being a lot younger than the other adults and just a little bit older than the girls allowed me to "play many parts" (the award I got at the end) of being a camper/ leader. I fit in well with this group of girls. Some of them Megan and I had spent time with 2 years ago and Chantelle's two younger sisters there helped me feel quite welcomed. I got to be a goofball when I wanted (leading them in "Purple Lights") and take a back seat when, say, different years were assigned cleaning duties. I also got to play horseshoes and sneak off and do archery with the priesthood (my dad and two other brothers who I get along well with) while the girls were otherwise occupied.

I may be biased (and I am) but there is nothing like getting in touch with nature than in the Northwest. Even though I've lived here for most of my life I still am in awe with the beauty of this great state. Whenever I went to girl's camp I remember that I always felt closer to Heavenly Father because I was so close to all of his creations. There's nothing like the peace of walking in the woods or waking up to birds singing (whilst tuning out the girl's screaming that is.)
It's just the perfect environment for the spirit to feel you with peace, love and happiness.

I also took it upon myself to become the camp photographer. Equipped with my new-ish DSLR, which I am always looking for opportunities to become more familiar with, I saw this as a perfect opportunity to capture moments and learn about my camera. Switching from point and shoot to my many-mode and settings camera has been a learning process but I think this week taught me a lot. The weekend before this one I actually attended a photography workshop that told me manual mode is the easiest mode to shoot in and I'm beginning to agree. Although I saw it as a great opportunity for refining my camera skills I was really more grateful that I will be able to give the girls captured memories that will hopefully last a lifetime.

it's not a proper girl's camp with out braids, and lots of them

Dad challenged all the girls to a banana eating contest when we had bananas we needed to get rid of. This was the 2nd round. In the first round Angie, the girl in the white hat nearly won but I pointed out that she was almost done and my dad just shoved the rest in his mouth. He still gave her the $1 prize.

Best part of girl's camp: getting the priesthood to do whatever we wanted them to. Including dancing to "Single Ladies"

skits!

Archery was among one of the activities the girls could do

Service Project:
Pulling these viney burr plants from among the other wanted plants along the path.

MUDBALL/MUD WRESTING: (and who said girl's don't like to get dirty)