I had the opportunity to go to YW camp again this year (my 3rd year going). Once again I was over the 2nd years with Tami. We had a great time - and were seriously exhausted by the time we got home. It's amazing how it just completely wears you out - sucks all the life out of you almost!
We had a great group of girls. No problems the whole week. We did have one get homesick and she ended up going home a night early. Other than that it was easy-peasy.
Some of the highlights:
- watching Darcy and Jackie's faces when they saw the bathroom for the first time
- attempting to teach the running man to a group of girls and leaders
- beating the Camp Director and "her team" in volleyball
- actually getting in the lake for the first time
- the yummiest cupcakes ever that Bishop Shea brought up (the giant ones from Costco)
- the yummiest food (Hawaiian haystacks, nachos, pancakes with strawberries, Twinkies, breakfast burritos, hot chocolate, candy bars galore)
- doing knot's in the YW's hair
- playing Scum and Nert's (card games)
- the Ropes course (I could do that all day long!)
- sleeping with ear plugs to block out the snoring
- Bri Qui Qui
- the salt and vinegar cookies
Let me explain a little more about the salt and vinegar cookies. We had the girls do a Faith Walk one night. The leaders set up "Lehi's dream" in the woods and the girls had to hold to the rod (a rope) as they walked through the woods. The YW presidents were placed through out the trail to encourage them and "warn" them of dangers coming up (roots, bushes, hills, etc).
Then there was Korrin and I.
We got to stand outside the 'large and spacious building' and fill it with as many girls as would let go of the "rod". This was an interesting role to play. It isn't too often that you are asked to "deceive" anyone on purpose and you feel pretty guilty doing it. I was standing there with a plate of cookies and Korrin stood right next to the rope. She would say "You are doing a great job - Sister Crabtree has a cookie for you if you'd like one. All you have to do is come under the rope and go sit in the amphitheater to have one". Now the girls had been told that they were only to let go of the rope under two circumstances - when they heard the words "object lesson" and when they saw Sister Hainer. Neither of which happened when they got to us.
Korrin and I were not allowed to lie - we couldn't say this was the end of the faith walk, we couldn't say that so and so said they should let go, we couldn't say they had to let go. We often used the phrase "It's your choice, you may do what you would like to do".
It was very interesting to see how it all went down. There were some girls that didn't even hesitate and went right for the cookie (which was made with salt and vinegar - one of the nastiest things I've ever eaten). There were some that glanced up into the amphitheater and saw their friends and decided to let go. There were some that just got so confused and didn't know what to do and let go.
It was very hard to see them realize that they had made the "wrong" choice. I really think that everyone of them that let go (you'd be interested to know that 1/3 of the girls let go of the rope -- does that sound familiar?) learned something from it. They learned that even those you love sometimes could lead you astray. They learned not to follow peer pressure. They learned that sometimes things just aren't as good as they really appear to be. The learned that their leaders loved them (2 of the 4 leaders that came to collect their girls were in tears when they saw how many of "their" girls were up there) and that they really do want them to succeed. They learned that even though they made a "mistake" they could grab back on and continue to hold to the rod.
After it was all over I told the camp director that I was mad at her - she had now associated me with the devil. Because Korrin said over and over "Sister Crabtree has a cookie for you" I thought for sure they would hear my name and think about the time they were tricked and led astray. I did get quite a few dirty looks - but those looks were always followed by a smile. They did tell me that I really needed to work on my cookie making skills. I made sure they knew who really made the cookies. There were also quite a few that I went and apologized to. Many that let go were in my level last year and this year or in our ward. Many felt that b/c I knew them I would never trick them . . . . . . hopefully they all realize I'd never trick them in real life!
It was an amazing object lesson - one that I think will stay with them (and me) forever!
And now, just b/c I can (and because I know that they didn't have a camera at camp!) . . . . .
We had a fashion show. We were given garbage bags, aluminum foil, and colored tape. I designed Tami's outfit (I don't think I should admit that) and Jackie designed Darcy's. They had to strut their stuff on the 'runway' with the rest of the girls at camp.
I've decided I may just be a YW Camp lifer - either I take a break now or I'm in until my girls are done.....
Tuesday night we did a movie in the park. We showed Honey I Shrunk the Kids on the side of our house. We had a great time. The kids thought it was awesome. We are thinking about doing a neighborhood movie night in a couple weeks. 
Wednesday: We went to the 'blackberry' park and, you guessed it, picked blackberries. I made two batches of blackberry freezer jam. Yum!
Sunday morning we woke up to this - another benefit of attending YW camp....
Little do they know - We will retaliate! The war is on! :)
cute Miss Alli
