Youth Camp

Justin and I had the privilege of being able to attend youth camp with our church this year. It was AWESOME! We went to Idaho and took 2 trips down the snake river. I thought it was going to be scary but it wasn't. I want to take it up as a hobby!

We started in Hagerman, Idaho with H.A.R.T. (High Adventure River Tours)  They have a camp ground and it was an all inclusive trip that included camping, meals, and river rafting.  These guys are awesome!!! If you are looking for a river rafting trip and you are in the Idaho area, Check out HART of Idaho.

 Our whole group this year, from left to right: 

Top row; Ashton, Christianna, Justin, Chunou, Randy (our camp host and owner of HART)
Middle row; Rick, Theodore, Natalia, Elyssa, Taylor, Chloe, Debi, Myself
Bottom row; Madison, Nicolet, Juliana, Wayne (our river guide), Bree,

This was the most incredible group of kids I have ever been with. There was no drama, and such a sense of love for one another.  

  Hagerman National Fish Hatchery. These Sturgeon are 20 years old, and they are HUGE!!! They love the attention and will let you pet them. 

 Camp is not all fun and games. We had some deep discussions and a lot of bible time. 

 So much fun!!!!

 Playing slip-n-slide on the snake river. 

 Worship time and a lesson. 

 What would camping be without a nightly toad hunt? 

 Twin Falls, Idaho

 Shoshone Falls, Idaho

 1000 Springs State Park, and Ritter Island area.  This has to be one of my most favorite stops. Green is my favorite color after all. The colors, the cool, crisp water, the beauty was almost too much to take in. It was late afternoon and the temperature was hot hot hot. Taking a nice dip in the water sounded so wonderful. Little did we know that the water was super cold. Almost glacial like. Never have I seen water so clear before, in a wilderness setting. It was like glass.

We had a blast on this trip. I got to share a tent with the older girls, and we had so much giggly fun! Working with these boys and girls and connecting with them has been such a wonderful experience. So many of them come from really tough circumstances that they did not ask for, but they were thrown into anyway.  Some of them are just trying to cope. Others are beyond that stage and are survivors. They are wonderful girls and boys who have so much love to give and so much potential, if only they could see that they are loved unconditionally. I am so humbled that so many of them have chosen to call me friend and share with me their struggles, and bestow upon me their trust.