Week Number 12

Because this was the week of the 4th of July, the camp was open for families.  Girl's Camp will resume tomorrow, but this week we had 2,500 - 3,000 guests that were here with family reunions.

Our Challenge Courses were open for the families to use.  AND THEY DID!

We were on Challenge Course 3 this week.  It is a beautiful course. 

Challenge Course 3  - Up the cargo net, across the ladder to the nest and down the zip line

 

 

My view from the Eagles Nest

I thought I'd show you the different camps that make up Heber Valley Girls Camp.

 

Each Camp has five campsites with at least four cabins in each.  Each cabin sleeps 16 girls and their leaders.  Each camp has one large pavilion and several small cooking pavilions.

A typical camp site -- Can you see the deer?

The Priesthood who come to help have their own sleeping quarters.

Where the Priesthood sleep.  The cots are soft and comfortable

The girls sleep in cabins like this

Girls cabin -- Sleeps 16

The girls meet in the outdoor pavilion for meals and crafts, etc.

Outdoor pavilion -   Inside is a room for medical, staff and restrooms.

     Heber Valley Camp is amazing.  The girls have the Challenge Courses (of course), Legacy Lake, hiking trails, all the food they can eat, clean cabins, restrooms with showers.  Their leaders plan a week full of crafts and games and speakers who can touch the hearts of the young women in this beautiful setting away from the noise and commotion of the world.

     This week was so much fun.  We had some families with over 140 members at their family reunions.  They had a few days to get to know each other and strengthen each other.  The ages ranged from Great-grandparents (85+), Grandparents, parents, young parents, teenagers, adolescents, children, toddlers and infants.  I helped an 84 year old grandpa go down the zip line after climbing the cargo net and crossing the bridge.  I had a four year old girl do the same thing.  

LESSON LEARNED THIS WEEK:               Families Are Forever

The family unit is so important.  It gives meaning and purpose to every age.  Grandparents enjoy their grandchildren with such an unconditional love.  Parents learn patience as they teach their children the important lessons of life.  Children feel protected and cherished as they receive support from their family members.   I watched brothers-in-law acting as brothers and sisters-in-law interacting with the children of their siblings.  I watched Grandparents holding babies and cheering on their children and grandchildren as they challenged themselves on the high course.  Then the entire family watched with awe, amazement, and overwhelming support as Grandparents challenged themselves and succeeded.

This weeks tender mercy:

     We have been concerned with the fire danger this past month.  Utah has had 42 consecutive days with no rain.  The camp was so dry and dusty; making is uncomfortable for hikes, games, challenge course, etc.  We prayed for rain.  Not only to make it more comfortable and not only to reduce the fire danger but for all the people affected by the fires and all the brave fire-fighters.

     Rain came this week.  On Thursday we woke to pouring rain.  It was such a relief.  It rained all morning.  At 3:00 pm, when we started working on our Challenge Course, the rain let up and the sun shone through the clouds.  We worked with families until 8:00 pm.  As soon as we reached our cabin it started raining again and rained all night.

     

Psalms 40:11 Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy loving kindness and thy truth continually preserve me.

     (A side note:)  The deer enjoyed the cool rain also.  The forest is cool and damp.  Mike witnessed deer playing tag among the trees.  A bull moose (probably the father) was playing tag among the trees with a young calf moose.