"Is everything this beautiful..."

So I have finally got up enough endurance to write about my first week of camp. BRIDGESwas not an easy week. This was the first year that this camp ever happened, so we were all braving this together. We had to have confidence in our director and cut her some slack when things went wrong because this was her first time too (TWSS). Luckily, it wasn't too hard to do that because Laurie is a pretty amazing lady. I look up to her so much and her passion for what she does is contagious. She was a great director, when I was at my lowest and didn't want to give anymore, I would think of her and that my efforts were a small part of making her dreams come true and that was my motivation to not punch anyone in the throat. Laurie's Story is pretty inspiring and shows that her whole heart is in this camp.


For the most part, I work with a pretty awesome group of girls. Unfortunately, every issue that had to be dealt with that week centered around one or two of the facilitators. That was the hardest part. I felt like I was surrounded by people that didn't deal with things in the way that is appropriate as an authority figure. I have never felt more physically or mentally drained then I have that week. I am so thankful that we didn't do two weeks in a row. This month break was much needed. Don't get me wrong though, I am so thankful to have met these girls and have them be a part of my life. They are all beautiful people, but some people just aren't meant to be leading girls so close to their own age. This upcoming week will be a lot better though because Laurie took care of those issues and repositioned some of my co-workers.

The girls, on the other hand, were amazing! My fellow facilitator, Addy, and I had the perfect group! I have never been more proud of a group of girls in my life!


These girls range from age 13 to 15 and at the beginning of the week these girls were the queen bees. They thought they were hot stuff and everyone had to answer to them. As the week progressed they were able to examine themselves and who they were becoming. Most of them didn't like what they saw and made huge improvements throughout the week. By the last day my heart was just overflowing with love, joy and pride for these girls. There are two that call or text me about every other day and ask advice or just want to say hi. It's hard to be a teenage girls these days and with the way that these girls were heading at such a early age, I hope that I can be at least one positive influence in their life.

Even though the week was one of the toughest I've had and I felt drained, useless and out of my element, by the end of the week I saw why I was there. I found what I am good at, the age that I work best with. I realized my calling in life. I feel so privileged that I was able to be apart of this for it's first year and with the group that was involved.



More Pictures

See us on the local news!