Camp Courageous 2010

So--girls' camp was amazing. :D We have some absolutely awesome, incredible girls. We had about 60 come this year. They have such strong testimonies of Christ already...it blows my mind sometimes. I think back to when I was a youth and I know they are much more prepared for the world than I was at that age--at least spiritually. As a presidency, we have been trying to focus more on spiritual growth and development than other things, and I believe camp was a success. We had spiritual workshops besides our certification and music and we had the girls try out a ropes course. We had group devotionals nightly and then had our YCLs (youth camp leaders) have devotionals with the girls every night in their years.

Our theme was Be Strong and Courageous--from the youth scripture for the year (Josh. 1:9) and we had our girls attend the "Warrior Training Center" to learn to become Warriors of Light. We taught them about spiritual preparation to ward off the evil arrows and darts of Satan. We used the Parable of the Golden Pathway by Jenny Philips as a lesson. We showed the film Forever Strong and discussed the importance of staying strong not only at camp, but at home as well. Of course, we had fun, too. There was a pool and our hike and the girls loved the craft cabin--they made journals and necklaces and shimmery pictures of Christ. Then, during our closing exercises, we had a devotional taken from 1 Thessalonians 5 and Sister Sheri Dew's You Were Born to Lead, You Were Born for Glory. We discussed the Atonement and how Christ is the key to salvation. Then we had the girls stand in a circle and present each other with silver key necklaces as a reminder to stay strong and remember Christ.

We had some of our leaders teach Zumba during free time--that was very fun. The girls played a midnight game of capture the flag. The girls thoroughly enjoyed the pool (and they wisely avoided the lake and the ticks and leeches therewith associated). You've Got Talent was a big hit. And, of course, there were pranks galore (luckily, they stayed out of the stake leaders' cabin). But no damage was done, there was very little, if any, drama, and we didn't have any girls that gave us problems this year. It was a ton of fun and I can't wait for next year. :D