1. If you ask nicely and promise to write the cook's sons letters while they are on their missions, you might just be able to snag a few snickerdoodles before dinner.
2. The first year girls are adorable. I had originally wanted to YCL for the fourth year girls and go back packing, but because I was needed in Unit 1, I got to YCL there! It turned out to be a great experience.
3. a. This year we started a new camp tradition...YCL nicknames! Can you guess mine? SPARKLES.
3. b. I loved calling people by their nicknames. It was so fun to say, "Hey Stiletto, what time is blah blah blah" and, "Rockstar, can you pass me the salt?" or, "No one told you to do that, Chip. It was the people in your head who told you to!" (That last one was an actual quote.)
4. We play pranks on each other. The best one by far happened on Friday night, our last night in camp. Apple/Spunky/Stephanie, our almost fearless YCL leader informed us that the one thing she is really afraid of are alien invasions/abductions. So Friday, we all decided to have a BIG sleepover downstairs (we stayed in a lodge, slept upstairs and had a sweet hangout downstairs). We sat around a table until 2:30 making friendship bracelets, telling stories, and laughing our heads off. Around 2, Apple decided to go to her car across the way to get a CD to play for us. Lexi, who in a moment of brilliance decided to pull an alien prank on Apple, ran upstairs and got her headlamp and three glow sticks, strategically placed in the band of the headlamp strap. When Apple came into the door, Lexi began clicking her tongue with all the lights about her head. Apple ran away as fast as she could. Hysterical.
5. One of my girls this year is actually my friend from seminary's cousin. It was really random to find that out, but way cool, too!
6. I love the stars. My very favorite part of camp is the star gazing. There's something wonderful about laying on your back, looking through the trees at all those little bits of light in the sky.
7. a. My other very favorite part of camp is talking with the leaders. Staying up until 2 AM with Apple, Forte, and Jane Eyre was one of the best nights I've had in a long time. We talked about everything and it was so easy to discuss stuff with them.
7. b. Talking with my dad is also really fun. The night of the dance, he made me laugh so hard I peed my pants. True story.
8. The food at girl's camp is always amazing. I think that I eat more at girl's camp than I do the rest of the year. Ok, slight exaggeration. Major exaggeration. But seriously. One night at dinner I ate two whole baked potatoes, a salad, jello...I can't even remember everything. But I also ate cookies, ice cream, and an apple crisp. Delicioso.
9. I learned how to make a mean friendship bracelet. Tell me what pattern/colors you want and I'll make you one.
10. a. I found my power animal: the butterfly.
10. b. To discover your power animal, it must come to you. For example, I did not know my power animal until two butterflies that were basically dancing flew into my face. And the rest was history.
So basically Girl's Camp is the best thing ever and I love it. That's all, the end :)
This is Unit 1. During our certification, the girls used their knowledge of knots to tie up Brother Savage!
My girls: "Sparkles, it's knot time!"
Me: "It's not time for what?"
Rockstar and I. Best YCLs evah!