Fabulous

In my opinion (since this is my blog, I can write my opinion)
Too many minds are stuck on the word "CAMP" in the title "Girls Camp" Until priority is given to the GIRL over CAMP, many girls will not have the full benefit of Girls Camp. In fact, many girls will never choose to experience Girls Camp if CAMPING is the main focus. There are Camps for sports, music, art, etc. and our Church has a Camp For Girls...Girls Camp. It is all about being a Girl. A Daughter of God. Yes, there are "Camping" activities, however, The Focus needs to be placed first on:
1) Building Testimonies of Faith, Prayer, Scriptures,
and our Savior Jesus Christ
2) Reinforcing the knowledge that each girl is, indeed, a Daughter of God
3) Strengthening Relationships and Friendships with Women and Girls
who also know they are Daughters of God.

Girls Camp is the only venue for many girls to walk away from the world and participate in faith building activities with other girls who are striving to head in the same direction they are (back to our Heavenly Father) This past week, I witnessed this in action over and over as girls bonded with each other and strengthened their testimonies of Jesus Christ.

Now, a brief report on Girls Camp in my corner of the world. The other million photos are on Facebook!
On the Way to Camp, we took a Field Trip to The Orlando Temple. This trip, I am certain, set the tone for an amazing week.

If the amount of shaving cream covering your leader is a measure of success...then camp was SUCCESSFUL!!!!!

Caroline pegged all of my quirks as she spoofed me in a skit. All of the Youth Camp Leaders (YCLs) acted as one of the Adult Leaders. Caroline had my Bathrobe, my props, and far too many of my sayings down "just right" I laughed so hard I cried. She went around the audience offering TWINKIES to everyone after the girls found my TWINKIE stash under my bed.
This was Ward Skit night. My Girls ROCKED...literally and figuratively. I LOVE these amazing girls!

Making A List

And Checking It Twice....

I am in the List-Making, Pile-Making, Note-Making,

Start-To Pack-prior-to-Girls-Camp Mode.

Tuesday morning, dark and early, I will meet the Girls from my Ward. After the girls and their gear are loaded up, we will head north to Girls Camp.

I have Twenty One Girls from my Ward,

A Five Hour (at least) Drive To and From Camp,

and lots of memories waiting to be made.

I feel blessed to have the association with each of these girls,

their parents, and leaders.

At this time next week, I will be in the Un-Packing, and RE-Packing Mode with preparations for our Road Trip in High Gear. Ahhhhh Summer, you gotta love it!

Obviously, Blogging will be light for the remainder of this month.

Girls Camp and Youth Idea

Kiss Them Good-Bye....

(And I don't mean your parents)

Yes, that is what I told the Young Women today at our Parent/Daughter Pre-Camp Meeting regarding their Cell Phones, ipods, or any other electronic device....

Kiss Them Good-Bye...they are not coming to camp, not for the ride up or the ride home. No.....they are not attending camp, in fact, they are not invited.

As I discussed this "rule", I passed around a bowl of Hershey Kisses and told them to take one. As they ate the Kiss, I wanted it to remind them to leave their electronics home so they could "plug in" to The Spirit at Young Women Camp and be prepared for a SWEET EXPERIENCE.

I told the Girls that if they can't fall asleep without headphones and music in their ears, that NOW is a good time to start practicing how to go to sleep without them.

If you are competing with Cell Phones and other electronics at your Weekly Youth Activities or during your Sunday Lessons, TAKE CHARGE. Have a Basket for checking in Cell Phones at arrival time. Don't allow your Youth to be plugged in elsewhere and not tuned in to the Activity/Lesson.

They sit in the same room and Text Message each other over and over and over...DON'T ALLOW IT. REAL Communication is quickly disappearing. We have generation of Text Message, Face Book, Cell Phone, ipod addicts on our hands. It is out of control everywhere I turn.

Tell them to KISS their phones and electronics goodbye during formal Activities and Lessons. When you present this "rule", take the edge off with a few Hershey Kisses and a large dose of your love. My girls know that I totally love them like my own. Asking them to Kiss their electronics Good-Bye was not a problem (yes, there was some grumbles, but no challenging the issue)

How do you deal with Cell Phone and ipod use during

Youth Activities and/or Sunday Lessons?

Is this a problem in your area?

Are the Parents just as bad?