We jumped right into our first day of camp with a team-building, edge-stretching morning at the Lakewood Challenge Course. We gathered in the parking lot for our Opening Circle, introducing ourselves to the group and sharing a chosen attitude that we would bring to each day of camp (positivity, preparedness, open-mindedness, etc.). We then discussed the motto Stretch Your Edge and connected with one another over the things in our lives that push us out of our personal comfort bubbles a little bit (or A LOT!). With that, we were ready to take on our first big challenge of the camp week- the ropes course!
Some highlights of the day included:- Meeting and greeting the Challenge Course instructors with silly ice-breakers including funny handshakes, partner dance-offs, and a prompt to choose and act out a two-in-one animal of your choice.
- Solving the first challenge- to unlock the imaginary keypad...ask your daughter about this activity!
- Collaborating and Compromising to figure out how to get every group member through the Spiders Web without touching it.
- The Leap of Faith, a high ropes element that requires you to climb up a latter and runged tree to get to a high platform and then...JUMP! to reach a swinging trapeze. The girls were incredibly encouraging of one another and every gal tried this element!
- Enjoying a group debrief and acknowledgements during lunch after an adrenaline-filled morning!
- Breaking the WWWR (Wild Whatcom World Record) for fastest time solving the code to free the loch ness monster...14.8 seconds!
- Enjoying the peace and quite of the lake during Peaceful Place to complete our day.
Day 2: Blanchard Mountain trek
We had perfect hiking weather, with scattered clouds and sunshine for our second day of camp. This 8 mile trek was both physically and mentally demanding, but the peaceful lake and lunch spot at the end of our trail was well worth the effort! The girls exemplified a positive and supportive attitude throughout the day as we meandered our way up the trail to Lily Lake.
Some highlights of the day included:
- Testing our navigation skills as we reviewed our chosen route and got our bearings with map and compass during Opening Circle
- Playing trial games such as "Inky Pinky", telling stories, learning about edible plants, and solving five minute mysteries as we hiked our way up, up, up to Lily Lake.
- Getting to our destination! Ahhhh and what a beautiful sight it was! We had lunch and shared jokes...some longer than others:) while birds and bees hummed and flitted around us. Ask your daughter about the new bird and bird call we learned (the Cedar Waxwing).
Day 3: Lummi Island Biking
- Ferrying across the bay with expansive views and sun shining down on us. What a way to start off a great day!
- Setting off on our journey around the island after a quick fill-up of trail snacks at the local general store.
- Discovering the hidden labyrinth at the community church and taking a moment to commemorate and learn about the lives of those burried on this island.
- Cycling our way to the beach where we kicked back and relaxed after a few full days of activity.
- Swimming, sunning, and enjoying a long peaceful place at the beach. The water became calm and still and all we could hear were seagulls calling and sea lions crying to one another directly off shore from where we sat.
Highlights of the overnight:
- Great edge-stretching from the girls while climbing at Mt. Erie!
- Watching sunset at Deception Pass- a double rainbow even emerged!
- Hanging on the beach and collecting wish rocks
- Connecting and learning about each other and ourselves during the leadership quadrant activity.
Overall this week was full of new connections, edge-stretching activities both physically and mentally, a lot of support and encouragement of one another, and growth as a group and as individuals.
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