i am one of the assistant young women camp directors in our stake. and as we have for the past few months, already started planning for camp this coming summer, it's made me stop and reflect on the days of my young women camp experiences. the first year especially is clear to me. (wishing it weren't so clear!)
we always went to the same location, "camp lo mia" in pine, arizona. all the girls and leaders in the stake would load up in big buses, monday morning and head up to camp for the week.
the first year we went, there were about 13 of us in our beehive class. (some of us a little more rambunctious than others). the sunday night before camp, we were told that we might not get to go to camp, because our leader was sick and they couldn't find any one to go with us. then we were told that one of the yw presidency had a relative that she thought might go. soooo.... monday morning, we were all excited, it was our first year, and we thought we were so cool and all that. anyway, we got to the church, got all loaded up on the bus, and waited for the replacement, who was, and i quote, "a return missionary, unmarried, and a ton of fun!". well... all of the sudden, 'amanda' got on the bus. (now, mind you... she was going to be our leader for the rest of the week). sure enough, she was a return missionary and unmarried, and to my recollection, was 75 or plus years old! she had on a DRESS , and high top boots!, with a 'cute' little sweater wrapped around her shoulders (and it was probably at least 105 degrees). she would have probably been about 5 foot nothing, except for the fact that she had a big hump on her back, so she wasn't quite that tall. i'm ashamed to tell anyone this, but i don't think we we're all that nice to her. i have tried to block some of that year at camp, out of my mind, but i do remember putting her nightie up in the rafters of our cabin. she was so short, she couldn't reach it. a couple of us would sneak off, when ever we could, to the swing that was over the creek. finally, after a few days, they sent one of the yw presidency from our ward over to stay in our cabin with us, too. i know now, that 'amanda' was just a sweet little old lady, trying to help. and we were just a bunch of little 12 and 13 year old brats, that thought we were having fun.
so... now that i know how much work goes into planning a camp, that will help young women gain confidence, learn to work together, gain testimonies of Jesus Christ, to learn and have fun...
i need to apologize to some the leaders who spent endless hours in preparation for years of camps for me. i really didn't appreciate it at the time, but as i get older and wiser, i realize, that i really did learn and grow from my young women camp experiences. in fact, that is where i gained the most knowledge that my Heavenly Father really does know me and loves me. you know the old saying "what goes around, comes around." well, it already has, and i have learned to stop and think about how i was at certain ages, then i appreciate more and more the leaders that put up with me and loved me, (even if i was a brat!), and i can be a little more patient with these young girls that are just trying to have fun!
so...so, so, sorry to the leaders that i put thru H*E*doubletoothpicks! PLEASE accept my apology from clear down to my toes and up! and...
we always went to the same location, "camp lo mia" in pine, arizona. all the girls and leaders in the stake would load up in big buses, monday morning and head up to camp for the week.
the first year we went, there were about 13 of us in our beehive class. (some of us a little more rambunctious than others). the sunday night before camp, we were told that we might not get to go to camp, because our leader was sick and they couldn't find any one to go with us. then we were told that one of the yw presidency had a relative that she thought might go. soooo.... monday morning, we were all excited, it was our first year, and we thought we were so cool and all that. anyway, we got to the church, got all loaded up on the bus, and waited for the replacement, who was, and i quote, "a return missionary, unmarried, and a ton of fun!". well... all of the sudden, 'amanda' got on the bus. (now, mind you... she was going to be our leader for the rest of the week). sure enough, she was a return missionary and unmarried, and to my recollection, was 75 or plus years old! she had on a DRESS , and high top boots!, with a 'cute' little sweater wrapped around her shoulders (and it was probably at least 105 degrees). she would have probably been about 5 foot nothing, except for the fact that she had a big hump on her back, so she wasn't quite that tall. i'm ashamed to tell anyone this, but i don't think we we're all that nice to her. i have tried to block some of that year at camp, out of my mind, but i do remember putting her nightie up in the rafters of our cabin. she was so short, she couldn't reach it. a couple of us would sneak off, when ever we could, to the swing that was over the creek. finally, after a few days, they sent one of the yw presidency from our ward over to stay in our cabin with us, too. i know now, that 'amanda' was just a sweet little old lady, trying to help. and we were just a bunch of little 12 and 13 year old brats, that thought we were having fun.
so... now that i know how much work goes into planning a camp, that will help young women gain confidence, learn to work together, gain testimonies of Jesus Christ, to learn and have fun...
i need to apologize to some the leaders who spent endless hours in preparation for years of camps for me. i really didn't appreciate it at the time, but as i get older and wiser, i realize, that i really did learn and grow from my young women camp experiences. in fact, that is where i gained the most knowledge that my Heavenly Father really does know me and loves me. you know the old saying "what goes around, comes around." well, it already has, and i have learned to stop and think about how i was at certain ages, then i appreciate more and more the leaders that put up with me and loved me, (even if i was a brat!), and i can be a little more patient with these young girls that are just trying to have fun!
so...so, so, sorry to the leaders that i put thru H*E*doubletoothpicks! PLEASE accept my apology from clear down to my toes and up! and...
just look at me now!
i'm am you!
i'm am you!
4 comments:
haha well good luck to you
so are you the one w/ the dress & hiking boots now?
should i start my apology too?
funny Mel! Maybe he hiking boots, but definitely NOT the dress! You know me better than that....
you're definately taller than her too!
you are the best camp leader..always have been and always will be.;D
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