Stake Girls Camp

This year Eden got to attend her first Stake Young Womens Camp!  She was so excited, and had been looking forward to this for a long time.  Because of COVID, girls camp experiences for the last couple years have not been normal.  2020 was supposed to be her first year going to camp, but everything got cancelled completely that year.  2021 we still couldn't hold a large group gathering, so there was no stake camp, though we were able to do a ward camp in Angel Fire, NM.  So 2022 was the year to have her first stake camp experience, and she sure had a great one!  I am also so grateful that I was able to attend most of it as well.  I love having these experiences with the young women in general, but having Eden there and getting to observe her experiences is also pretty special!

The stake leaders pulled off a pretty amazing camp, especially since about a month from camp beginning, all the camp grounds were shut down due to fire danger.  So they had to completely formulate a new plan quickly, and it was amazing.  They found some private land in Bernalillo, near the river where everyone was able to camp.  They also spent some time using the local church building to help get out of the heat during some hot afternoons.

There were so many fun things to experience at camp this year, including ice skating, laser tag, horseback riding, tubing the river, yoga, tons of classes, skits, dance parties, team building challenges, etc.  I think Eden loved every minute of it.

Here's the Woodmont ward crew that went to camp this year!

The first night Brad went up and helped with various jobs the stake needed help with.  I stayed back with our kids, and the Bogopane kids so Kristin could spend some time at camp too.  I was happy to split the time, since sleeping outside isn't my favorite for many days in a row. :)

Our ward sang a song for the devotional night and we had a beautiful ensemble of instruments as our music.  So much talent!

And now for a large amount of photos, in no particular order.  It was such a good time!  

Eden had a ton of braids in her hair the first few days, but on the last day they had a hair washing station so she had a team of helpers to get her braids out so she could get her hair washed. 

Getting their hair washed during camp was such a special treat!

A few weeks before camp, Kairi had broken her wrist so she wasn't able to float the river and the girls were feeling bad that she was left behind.  When they got back, they formulated a plan to get her arm wrapped up, and then to work as a team to keep her afloat and take her down the river.  It was sweet to see them rally around her and help her feel so supported and loved.

What didn't get pictured was our huge rainstorm that came on the last night of camp.  Earlier that afternoon we had left to the church building for a few classes, and then we were returning to camp for our final musical performances, testimony meeting, etc.  While at the church, a huge unexpected rain storm came in and completely flooded out the entire camp.  The tents were left open, nothing was left prepared for anything like that.  Not to mention, the campsite was completely muddy and the leaders cars were getting stuck as they went back to try to close everything up.   The stake made a decision to end camp that night and send everyone home, with a plan to return the following afternoon to clean up camp.  Most the girls were devastated, but it was still a great camp overall!

I love these girls, and I love these experiences for Eden.  She had a great week of deepening friendships and personal growth. Yay for girls camp!!

Meanwhile at home, Brad the the other kids had a grand ol' time!  He took them to their first escape room and they solved it, and loved it, especially Bentley. :)