This year, I learned a lot at camp. I definitely enjoyed it much more this year, because last year, it rained almost every day, I got heat exhaustion on the one day it didn't rain, I then got a cold and popped a blood vessel in my eye, lost my voice, and to top it all off, the entire stake had to go home a day early. Oh well, the past is in the past. This year was so much better, because it only rained for a few minutes on Friday, I drank plenty of water, I didn't get a cold or pop a blood vessel, my voice was fine, I loved my YCL group, and we got to stay the entire time. Here are a few things I learned from my camp experience.
- Don't pre-judge. A person you think is totally stuck up could be the sweetest person you have ever met.
- Talk to everyone! A friend can be found in the most unlikely of places.
- Make sure to bring lots of kindling for a fire. On the last night, we ran out of dry leaves, sticks, and dryer lint, and didn't get a fire.
- Make an effort to go above and beyond. One of my least favorite things at camp was when I saw girls that didn't care at all about their groups, and honestly didn't want to be there. If you work hard on chores, even though they are obnoxious, you will be blessed.
- Try new things! The campsite we were at had a high adventure course, and we got to go on it. The activities were much more fun if everyone tried it.
- Be encouraging. This refers to the item above. If you just beg someone to climb over the wall (one of the team building exercises we did), they probably won't just do it. If you offer to help them get up, and make sure they feel comfortable, they will enjoy it more.
- Be kind to your YCLs. They work so unbelievably hard to make camp AMAZING, and they can't do that unless their girls care about them.
- Participate. Honestly. No matter how cheesey that stupid camp song is, or how dumb you think the activity is, just do it. All of the first years are watching the older campers to see how to act, and they want to learn the songs.
- Write in your journal every day. Trust me, you'll want to look back on it when you are older. When I was sick last year, I was too tired to write in my journal each night, and I really regret it. This year, I wrote down as much as I could, and am excited to read over it later.
- Bring lots of bug spray. Hopefully, you won't have the same tent mates I did this year, who took my bug repellent on the first night, and sprayed EVERY SINGLE spider in the tent, which was a lot. The next morning when I woke up, I picked up my can of repellent to spray myself before flag ceremony, and it was empty. I had to borrow from others in my group for the rest of the week.
All in all, I had a great camp experience, other than almost dying on one of the high adventure activities. I did eventually get back up on it, which got me a few camp awards. I'll try and link the video of the second time.
This specific activity was called the flying squirrel. There are two wooden poles, probably 30-40 feet high. There is a cable stretched between the two poles. In the center of the cable is a pulley. There is a rope threaded through the pulley. On the left side of the rope is a carabiner, and a knot tied maybe five feet above it. On the other side of the rope are smaller ropes and another carabiner for the anchor, who pulls the person on the left side into the air. The other girls hold the other ropes and run with the anchor. So, I was the first person to go. I look much heavier than I am, but I wasn't worried about anything happening. The instructor, who was my old YW leader, strapped me into the harness, and clipped the carabiner to the front. Everyone on the other rope got ready. The leader told them to not go past a specific line, because it would be dangerous. She said the commands, and then we started to run. I went flying in the air, and it was awesome... until the knot went through the pulley. I flipped over the top cable, hitting my neck on the pulley and my right knee and left shin on the cable. There was an awful grating noise because the pulley was scraping against the cable as well. I was then let down. I sat on the ground, crying in pain. My knee hurt, and it was my bad knee too! I couldn't move my neck for a few minutes, but after a little bit, it was feeling a bit better. The nurse came by and checked me out, and gave me some Ibuprofen and ice. My diagnosis was an over-stretched trapezius muscle, and bruised legs. After holding ice on my neck for a few minutes, my legs stopped hurting. A few other girls had gone on, after the leader of the course tied the knot much higher than before to minimize the chance of anyone else going over. The instructor then asked if I wanted to go again. I knew that I wouldn't go over again, and asked if they would just walk. I did get to go, and it was a lot of fun! There is no bruising on my back, just on my right knee, and it's pretty nasty. I'm glad I didn't die. If I had hit the pulley three inches right of where I did, I would have hit the top of my spine, and probably had to go home. I am going to call it a tender mercy of the Lord.
The rest of the week was awesome! My group didn't win the certification competition, but we had fun. I'm already excited for camp next year.
Starting on the fourth of July, I get to go to EFY at Southern Virginia University. I am elated to go and have a great time. I'll try and post every day I'm there, as we're allowed to have our phones. I get to go with one of my really good friends who is moving soon, so it's a last hurrah before she leaves. Argh, I'm so excited! This friend is staying with me this weekend so her family can move, and we're having a Doctor Who marathon tonight. Better get back to it!
-Erin
