At camp we have an option for second year campers to go on an overnighter. This is where we meet Wednesday afternoon with our sleeping bags, tarps, and a few essentials and we take everything on a short hike to a camp spot. We lay out our tarps and sleeping bags, have a cookout for dinner, play some games, have testimony meeting, roast marshmallows over the fire, and sleep under the stars.
This week was my turn to be in charge of these girls which included a whopping 41 campers and 5 other staff members. Everything was running really smooth at the beginning. I had looked up the weather before we left and it said that there was a 20% chance of rain. As I prayed and asked if we should cancel this overnighter or not, I looked up to the sky and saw that it was clear. I felt like we should still go.
As we arrived to our location and as the campers were setting out their tarps and sleeping bags, it was beautiful outside except for the clouds of mosquitoes swarming around our heads. All of the staff decided to go off and say a prayer together. We asked for safety, and guidance. We asked that the storm would hold off until the next day so the girls could have the experience of sleeping under the stars. Lastly, we asked that the mosquitoes would be at a minimum so that they would not be a distraction from the spirit. This prayer may sound funny to you, but I have learned that if something matters to you, it matters to the Lord and we wanted this experience to be a good one for the campers.
16 dutch ovens + 1 rock = Only at Brighton
It was now time for each counselor to break off with their unit for testimony meeting. Each counselor picked a nearby spot to hold their testimony meeting with their girls and reported back to me so that I would know where they were in case of an emergency. As they were all heading to their chosen locations, one unit of girls came running to me and yelling that there was a moose just up the hill from where we were. I quickly got all of the campers' attention and had them sit silently on a big rock while me and the other counselors kept a close eye on the moose and where it was walking.
All of the girls silently sitting on the rock while the moose was nearby
As I continued to watch the moose come closer and closer to camp, I had a thought that if it walks in front of the girls that one of them was going to scream and startle the moose. I knew we had to get the girls off of that rock and down the trail. I also knew that there would be a possibility that the moose would go down the trail, but I knew that I had a plan. They could either be sent straight back to camp or they could hide within the nearby trees. These girls were so cooperative. They silently followed two of the counselors down the trail, making sure each girl was calm and safe. Now it was my job to watch and wait to see what will happen next.The moose walked directly through camp, stepping on sleeping bags and tarps while eating the nearby leaves. I continued to follow it as it left camp and the girls were able to silently come back to camp.
When the girls left our camp site and headed down the trail while the moose was in camp, I suddenly noticed clouds of mosquitoes swarming all around. I was constantly swatting at them and they were so distracting! This is when me and the other counselors realized that Heavenly Father answered our prayers. When the girls were at camp, there were hardly any mosquitoes, but as soon as they left, they were all over. As soon as they came back, the mosquitoes were gone again. it was like Heavenly Father put an invisible shield around our camp site so that the girls could feel to spirit without getting distracted by the swarming bugs. What a miracle!
When the campers did come back, there was a completely different feeling and atmosphere than when they were about to start testimony meeting before the moose incident. Something had changed within these girls. As I talked to campers and the counselors after their testimony meetings, I soon found out what the girls had been doing while we were busy following the moose. They had all been praying. They prayed fervently to their Heavenly Father for their safety and for the Staff's safety. They had witnessed for themselves that their prayers were heard and answered. They felt peace in their hearts, trust in the Lord, as well as trust in the staff members that were working so hard to take care of them and keep them safe.
After our testimony meeting, we sat around a campfire roasting marshmallows and just hanging out. When we felt it was time to go to bed, the staff started to sing quiet camp songs and other church songs. As we sang to the girls and some of them joined in, the feeling of the spirit was so tangible and we could feel the Saviors love for these sweet girls.
Around 1AM, all of the girls were fast asleep and I was sitting on the rock with two other counselors just relaxing and talking. Right before we went to bed, I looked up at the sky and noticed that it was still crystal clear with all of the stars shining brightly above my head. I said a silent prayer asking if we should go back to camp and asking for these girls' safety as they slept. I still felt like we should stay. Then, we got into our sleeping bags and I tried to fall asleep. Sleep never came to me since I was very uncomfortable and I was just wide awake. I couldn't understand why I couldn't fall asleep and I just kept thinking that it was going to be a very long night...
Around 2AM, me and another counselor noticed some lightning in the distance. We couldn't hear any thunder and I didn't feel the need to wake everyone up an go back to camp. We decided that we would try to wait until 6AM before we would wake the girls up and head back to camp. As I continued to lay there wide awake, I saw clouds slowly start to roll in. At 3AM, lightning light up the sky. I jumped up out of my sleeping bag and told all of the counselors that we had to get back to camp as quickly as possible. Everyone went to action. It was amazing how the other counselors automatically knew what to do. They quickly and easily woke up all of the girls as I told all of them to grab their bags, sleeping bags and tarps. Even though they were half asleep, they quickly did as they were told.
Through all of this chaos and the quick decisions I had to make, I constantly heard campers ask each other "who needs help" or "how can I help you". This was so selfless of them! They could have just been worried about themselves and their safety, but they were so willing to help each other. A couple counselors quickly lead them back to camp as I secured the things we were leaving behind and as I grabbed all of our garbage and food bags. By this time, I was soaking wet, but I didn't even notice how wet and cold I was. I was only worried about the campers and other staff.
While I walked down the trail, praying the entire time for safety, I was also communicating with the other two directors about what was going on through our walkie talkies. When I had time to think, I started to question myself. Why didn't I have them leave earlier? Did I miss or ignore a prompting? Then, I became angry and discouraged with myself thinking, "I just put 41 campers and 5 staff members in danger". Then the tears came... I was wet, cold, tired, worried, discouraged, and sorry. Thank goodness all of the counselors and staff made it back to camp safely. I made the decision to leave at 3AM and all of the campers were in their cabins by 3:18AM. What a miracle! But, I didn't see this miracle. All I was worried about was my relationship with my Heavenly Father. The tears kept coming and I was flooded with discouragement and disappointment in myself as I spent the next half hour running from cabin to cabin making sure everyone was safe and accounted for.
When I got to my room, our heater had been turned on and I finally realized how cold and wet I was. Sleep still did not come. As I listened to the pouring rain and the thunder that literally shook my bed, I tearfully played back the events of the night, trying to recall when I may have missed a prompting to go back to camp. Then, I began to pray. I apologized to my Father in Heaven for being a bad leader and for putting so many girls in danger. I prayed for remembrance of exactly when I may have missed a prompting. I thanked Him for keeping us safe. I made many many promises to Him about how I would change myself and how I would work harder to become the assistant director that He expected me to be. Lastly, I prayed for comfort from my discouragement, energy for the next day, and sleep for the rest of the night. Well, sleep finally came 15 minutes before our alarm went off to wake up for the day.... Great...
Every Thursday night, the staff gets together and we reflect on the tender mercies that had happened throughout the week and we are invited to share with everyone if we feel like it.I was still upset with myself and the events that had occurred the previous night so I was not paying close attention until one counselor that shared was one of the counselors that was on the overnighter. She shared that the rain was her tender mercy because it united her girls more. They learned how to follow instruction and help each other. Another counselor shared about how overnighter was the highlight of her campers' week. She shared how her girls testimonies were strengthened and their relationship with the Lord was becoming stronger. I was beginning to realize that the past events were all part of the Lord's plan.
As I look back, I cannot pinpoint a moment when I had missed a prompting to go back to camp. The spirit was so strong the entire time there that it was almost tangible. Heavenly Father's hand was at this overnighter and He had a plan. There really were so many blessings and miracles from this night. The mosquitoes were not a problem at all. They were safe from the moose and the staff knew exactly what to do. The girls were cooperative and positive the entire time. We were able to wake up the girls quickly. And the girls got back to camp safely before it started to rain too hard and before the lightning was too close for comfort. The Lord held off the storm long enough for the girls to be safe.
Although I am still kicking myself for putting these girls in danger, this night strengthened my testimony so much. My relationship with my Heavenly Father has been strengthened and I have learned to have more confidence in myself and my leadership abilities. I have learned to trust the Lord and to know that He has a plan. For some reason, we were supposed to stay at that camp spot until 3AM. People may lecture me or they may think that I made the wrong decision, but I know in my heart and I am accepting that I did make the right decisions. The Lord guided me the entire time and He helped me make decisions and devise plans to keep His daughters safe. This was hard for me to learn, but I wouldn't change this experience for anything.
The Lord truly is in our lives. He has a plan for each of us and He will be there every step of the way. I am thankful for this experience. I am thankful for the staff that willingly and selflessly helped me and the campers. I know that miracles happen everywhere and that prayers are heard and answered. All you have to do is look for them. I challenge you to look for the good in everything and I promise you will begin to see miracles just like I have while serving at camp this summer.
Oh my gosh Sox. I love that you are writing a blog about your camp experiences this year. Just reading about them brings the spirit to my heart, and reminds me that miracles do happen when we have faith. Thank you. :)
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