i heart girls camp!

Every summer I spend 3 days with some of the most awesome girls ages 12-18.  I look forward to it as much as any other summer trip and this year did not disappoint. 

We hiked through the pines of northern AZ, tipped every canoe over at Woods Canyon Lake, dared each other to eat disgusting food, danced until 2:30 am, drank pina coladas, hung bras on the flagpole, painted our faces with toothpaste and went snipe hunting, and learned how to hula.

The purpose of camp is for each girl to leave feeling happier, more loved, and more secure than they came.  It's about knowing who they are, what their purpose is, and how to increase their relationship with Heavenly Father.  In a world that is so chaotic and demoralizing to young girls, I can get behind anything that helps build them up. Our camp theme was "Be your own kind of beautiful" and every day we talked about how to be kinder, stronger, more courageous, beautiful daughters of God.

Before camp the girls bagged gently used womens and kids clothing from people in our neighborhood for a shelter that houses abused women and their children.  We took a tour of the Butterfly Boutique where these clothes are sold to help raise money for the shelter.  Then we sorted, hung clothes, and cleaned the store.  It was a great way for the girls to give back to the community and we left feeling happy and thankful.

Our fearless camp director shared a quote with the girls and I LOVE the message.  It rings true for women of all ages, no matter how old, pretty, or confident. 

{click on the 8 x 10 image to print}

While at camp we were spoiled with some delicious cooking.  My next door neighbor, Charde, and our friend Randi, came up and made a feast three times a day.  One of my favorites was the Hawaiian, ham and swiss sliders.  They're so easy to make and they're to die for!  Don't worry about counting calories while eating these puppies, there's enough butter here to grease a pig at the county fair.

Hawaiian Sliders
1 pkg Hawaiian, sweet dinner rolls (12 ct)
1 pkg deli ham
12 slices swiss cheese
1/2 c butter, melted
1 Tbsp poppy seeds
1 1/2 tsp worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 tsp dijon mustard
1 tsp onion powder

Slice tops from rolls and place bottoms in baking pan. Layer ham and cheese on rolls. Replace tops. Combine butter, poppy seeds, mustard, Worcestershire, and onion powder and mix well. Drizzle over rolls.  Cover with foil and bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until cheese melts. Uncover and cook for 2 additional minutes. Serve warm.