Camp Kiesel

On Wednesday I got to chaperon the Activity Day girl's camp. They went to Camp Kiesel up by Causey Reservoir. I just had to hang out with the other leaders, the camp counselors took care of everything. We had 13 girls from our ward and they were combined with another 13 girls from a ward in Layton. Our counselor's name was Amy, and she was just a little too "hyper" for my liking. All the counselors tried too hard to be funny, but some of them did a better job than others. Our groups mascot was the Buffalo and they had to learn a cheer:

We're number one, not two, not three, not four;
We're here to win, not lose, not tie the score.
We're gonna beat 'em, bust 'em, cause that's our custom,
Go-oooo Buffalo!

Of course, they had to scream it at the top of their lungs at each station to be allowed to enter. Most of the girls in our group never got really into it, so we always failed the volume test. I thought they were plenty loud.


We were a little late in getting there, so we missed the opening flag ceremony and went straight to our first station -- the obstacle course.


Then we went to the rifle range. They just got to shoot bee-bees. I always loved the rifle range when I went to 4-H camp, but I must have lost my skill. I only hit the target once, but that was after I realized I wasn't lining up my sights right.


Then it was on to archery! The girls weren't so skilled at this. It was too hard to pull the bow back. Chloe didn't want to do it, but she shot a few arrows before giving up.


Next it was on to a presentation titled "Leave No Trace" where they learned how to act in a forest. My favorite part was when they pointed out that you should never take sticks, rocks, leaves, etc. home with you :) I made sure Sophie was listening to that.

After that they got to make a leather project -- Sheriff badges.


Then we broke for lunch. After lunch we went on the nature trail. They taught us about different plants and animals. I liked learning about which plants we can eat. I'm sure I won't remember for when I'm in the forest and get hungry, but I now know you can eat stinging nettle, but not lamb's ear! You can eat the poison, but not the antidote.

Next we got to paddle canoes. They told us to break up into groups of 4-5 kids and one adult. I had my 4 kids and we were all ready to get in our canoe, when 2 more kids and 2 adults came crawling into our canoe. That made it a little crowded, and then even harder to paddle with so many people telling everyone what to do. I normally love canoeing, but this was not one of the most pleasant experiences I've had. At least we didn't tip over!


Our last station was the trading post -- the one the girls were looking forward to the most. They didn't know about this last year when they went, so they were prepared this time. They took money. Chloe only bought an ice cream sandwich, but Sophie got a pocket knife and a bear (oh yes, another bear!)



And then we just hung out for a while before the closing flag ceremony began, and then came home with some very tired girls. Three out of five of them slept on the way home.