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LDS Girls Attend Camp Despite Tragedy

LDS Girls Attend Camp Despite Tragedy
By Jessica Robison
Moapa Valley Progress
Published June 17, 2009

Teen-age girls from the LDS Logandale Stake attended an annual girl’s camp at Camp Kolob on June 10-12. The theme of camp this year was “Eternity University”. The new camp director, Kaysee Paice said, “Eternity is where we strive to end up and what better place to go to college than that?”

This year, the camp was nearly cancelled because of a tragic car accident that took place the day before

Teen girls from the LDS Logandale Stake gathered last week at Camp Kolob in Southern Utah for Girls Camp.
camp began which claimed the lives of two of the girls. But instead of cancelling the camp, stake leaders decided to go forward but cut it a day short so that girls could attend the

funeral of the two girls, Lysha Marshall and Heather Wallace, on Saturday. “This is a wonderful camp and the tragedy with which camp began made for an even more spiritual environment in camp,” said Logandale Stake president Ace Robison.

Robison, who had been on vacation back east, had not planned on attending girls camp this year. But because of the car accident, he flew back from North Carolina on Wednesday morning to spend time on the mountain with the young women.

Most of the girls arrived on Wednesday around noon to begin setting up their campsites. “I’m glad we could hold camp with all the things that happened,” said Paice. “I’m so glad and thankful that the girls and leaders came with their beautiful spirits. Without them, we couldn’t have camp.”

LDS Logandale Stake girls and leaders practice paddling canoes at Girls Camp last week. The schedule at girl’s camp this year was a bit more relaxed than in past years. Because of the lost day, schedules were changed which provided more time to interact with other girls and enjoy each other’s friendship. Amy Widdison, camp director of the Logandale 3rd ward said, “Coming to Girls camp at Kolob can heal all hearts and create lasting friendships. I have been up here three years and I learn more and laugh more each year.”

Through the two days on the mountain, the girls participated in art projects, games around a campfire, camp songs, canoeing, archery, and more. “Camp this year was a lot different than I

expected it to be,” said camp attendee, Stephanie Lyon. “I expected it to be all solemn and it has been a little; but not as much as I thought it would be.”

With the “Eternity University” theme, the girls had their meetings in a college-like setting. They learned about Camp Kolob in its earlier years and were told stories of past experiences on the mountain. They were also given blue shirts with “Eternity University” printed on the front to act as a uniform. Then, on Thursday night, they were given graduation leis.

This year was Camp Kolob’s 40th anniversary. One of Paice’s counselors, Christina Sheldon said, “I think that it is neat to be on Kolob on it’s 40th anniversary.” Forty years ago was the first time the Stake began holding girl’s camp on the mountain. It began without roads and leaders had to drive their cars up the wash in order to get to the campsites.

The service project this year was a continuation of last year’s service project which was work on a new amphitheatre.

Everyone gathers in the amphitheater for flag raising and lowering ceremonies, meetings, and other things; which makes it very important.

Girls enjoy spending quality time together at Camp Kolob. Last year, the girls cleared a large piece of land so a larger amphitheater could be built.

This year, the girls broke up dirt clods and better molded trails and walls to keep the land from flooding.

There are so many young women now that they cannot all fit in the existing amphitheater. Jeff Sommers, Stake high counselor over the Young Women was in charge of the Service Project. “We aim for all the girls to work so we can show them what they can do and they did awesome,” he said.

On Friday, bags were packed, tents were taken

down, and campsites were cleaned. All the girls gathered in the amphitheater where they sang their last songs of the year and had a short meeting. Afterward, they began their trek down the mountain.

“We love these young women,” President Robison commented at camp’s conclusion..

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