The Girl was terrific at camp. She was a YCL (Youth Camp Leader) this year and, while I wasn't trying to spy on her, I had the chance several times to watch her in action. She guided younger girls with kindness and gentleness and played with everyone enthusiastically and with little (seen, at least) judgement. On our High Adventure day, she took my camera and harnessed herself to the top of the cliff with the repelling crew and photographed all the girls in their trips over the edge. The photo are great!
The final night we had a closing Fireside all together as a camp and a testimony meeting for us stake leaders with our stake presidency and their wives. It was a wonderful pair of meetings. The Spirit was very strong as we shared our feelings about what had happened at camp.
I shared that I knew the purpose of Girls' Camp was not in the camping, hiking, or orienteering the girls learned--though that was part of the skill set each girl could possibly learn there. The real purpose is to develop young women; to build testimonies and strengthen individuals; to provide leadership experiences and confidence in themselves.
With that as our goal, I'd say we had a highly successful camp this year.
The Girl took my camera and shot all the repelling we did...off a 90 foot cliff...while she was harnessed to the top with the manly help we had with us. This is a shot she took of our dear friend Nicole on her way over the edge.
