Girls Camp - Camp Zion 2016

July 8-16, 2016 - Girls Camp took place back in Kolob this year and was named Camp Zion. We started preparing for this camp months ago when I was asked to head the food/kitchen committee.  Instead of making menus and gathering a committee to feed the girls, myself and my two assistants were called to prepare menus such that the girls could cook for themselves. This involved dutch oven and/or foil dinner cooking. Kelly was a rock star purchasing a dutch oven and trying many recipes ahead of time in our back yard. We narrowed the recipes down, created a menu that included nearly each meal being prepared by the girls, shopped for supplies and hauled everything to camp. Kelly drove a large truck with the food supplies and other gear while I drove our truck.  We got to camp early and set up our little family tent in the aspens.  Heather and Jenna helped each day with clearing the area of cow pies (yuck!), helping with the big shopping at Costco of the perishable food items, loading the refrigerated trailer that brother Hoke built, and setting up the kitchen area. We had boxes for each ward which we filled with their necessary food items and menus, and the girls came to pick those up before meal prep each day.  The girls and leaders reported that it was the best food and best camp experience they had had where the food was concerned thus far. There is a feeling of accomplishment that comes with hard work, and our stake president knew that. I was happy to follow his council, and grateful for Kelly and my two side kicks.  Kitchen ladies rock!

As for the rest of camp....haha.  It wasn't all about the food for Heather and Jenna. Heather was a 6th year leader, and boy did she impress! We were filled with joy to watch her take that leadership role and run with it. We received compliment after compliment on her hard work and leadership skills. Jenna, who does not enjoy camp, was a trooper, and she was able to be with friends and do the activities. It was great to be up there as a family and have our daughters check in periodically at "the kitchen" to say hi.  This was a great camp experience!