Girls' Camp

2009 was Arianna's first Girls' Camp. She was excited to go.  She went, and came home... sad!  :(  Now, she's not a complainer... at... all.  I admire that about her.  She really tries to see the good in everyone and everything.  So when she came home sad, that resulted in tears a few hours later, I was perplexed... and concerned.  She didn't say much about what happened, so I tried to figure it out myself.  There was another girl her age in our ward that had been doing some pretty mean things over the last year.  Figuring that was a possibility, I asked her if this girl had done anything unkind.  She wouldn't talk about it so with nothing else to do, I consoled her the best I could and let it go. 

Arianna and Alex

2010 Girls' Camp came.  A new girl had moved into the ward and Arianna and her had become great friends.  Arianna had also become friends with one of the older girls.  AND Bennett was asked to come up one day/night as a priesthood leader.  So, although a little concerned, I figured the stars were aligned and Arianna would have a good experience this year.  

Arianna and Nicole

When I picked Arianna up this time, we didn't even make it out of the church parking lot before the tears started.  I couldn't get a word out of her for several days.  So, I took the slow approach and asked her questions throughout the next several months.  With some things she said and some things Bennett noticed from his time at the camp, I tried to piece together what was going on.  What I discovered disappointed me and I was unsure what I could do to prevent the same things from happening in the future.  What does a mother do when her child is hurting from things outside her control?  Things that, while not evil, not really okay either.

  2011 Girls' Camp came and I was hesitant to send Arianna.  Understandably so.  Nevertheless, we scheduled her summer so she could attend.  About 6 weeks before camp, there was a major change to our ward boundaries.  Alex moved to another ward, Nicole graduated, and Arianna hadn't connected with any of the new girls. In the end, we ended up with a different week for Girls' Camp.  Turned out to be the same week as Arianna's EFY trip.  Somewhat relieved, she missed Girls' Camp that year in lieu of EFY.  EFY turned out to be a FABULOUS experience for her and I thought, "Sometimes things just work out."  (Samantha did go to this one.  It was her first year and she had a good time.  Yep, sometimes things just work out.)

Arianna on the ferry to Catalina Island

2012 brought another Girls' Camp.  Four wards from the area were all going to Catalina Island.  Arianna had started seminary and made some great friends in the other wards.  I thought things just might be great this time.  Then we found out that our ward would be doing things separately.  As things started to come together, I watched carefully for needed changes.  Maybe Girls' Camp could be a good experience for my daughter after all?  I talked to Arianna quite a bit and we waffled back and forth on her going.  In the end, we finally let her decide whether to attend or not.  She decided to go.  Then, a few weeks before, the bishop couldn't attend, and they asked Bennett to attend as a priesthood leader again.  My baby girl was going to be okay!!!  :)

Samantha and Annie

And, they had an absolute ball.  They did a ropes course, snorkeled through a kelp forest, sea kayaked, hiked, jumped off a big rock into the ocean, saw wild bison... a lot, read scriptures on the beach, crafted, sang songs around the campfire and most beloved of all Girls' Camps... had a marvelous testimony meeting.  The girls came home not too dirty, spiritually fed, and better friends.  It's been fun to hear about their grand ol' time at Catalina Island.

And here's some more pictures.  Yes, they had a good time!  Sometimes, things just work out.

Leaders - Gail, Dave

Samantha on the ropes course

Arianna on the ropes course

I just HAD to include this one...
This is what Bennett would look like if he 
gained 100 pounds.          Bahahahahaha!!!

Arianna ready to go sea kayaking.

Annie and Samantha
Scripture Study... so peaceful...

Emily and Arianna ready to snorkel.

Arianna and Bennett at the top of the first hike.

Samantha, Lily, and Lily  :)  on the second hike.

Bailey and Samantha
They had to use 2 bags and some twine to keep someone afloat.

Samantha behind one of the bison who joined them at the camp.

And no Girls' Camp is complete without a testimony meeting around the campfire.
:)