Recap Videos

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Wilds Videos

LAST WEEK

Week #10

Teen Speaker: Tom Farrel

JBC Speaker: 

Prayer Partner: Hannah Wallace

Monday 

On Saturday, I checked the prayer partner list and noticed that my last prayer partner was Hannah Wallace. She was a senior at Crown College, annnnnnd...her cabin was "Santa Maria"!!!!!!! What in the world?? That was my first cabin when I came as a camper! It had to have been God. My first cabin as a camper, ended up being my last cabin as a prayer partner! :) 

Buckle your seat belts and grab a hold of your hats; this is the last week and there are LOTS of pictures and even more comments about them! :D

Where do I even begin? I was dreading this week before it even started. I knew that I was going to be approaching everything as "This is the last time I..." 

At our PDA meeting, we had a good time simply talking about everything that happened not only the week before, but this whole summer, any gossip, and of course reviewing things we learned. I think I had the BEST group!! I met Tara when I came as a camper because she and Megan Hamilton are close friends and when I did CIT, Tara's sister, Tori was in my cabin. Julia did CIT the same year I did, but she was in a different session. 

Julia {She is engaged to the JBC lead counselor}, Tara, Katie, and me

I always looked forward to Monday's because our group had a blast every week, and Tara always had great snacks and coffee! :)

At first, I felt kind of bad leaving Anna all alone, but I knew that Charlotte was on her way to the Wilds!! When she got here, she asked if Anna wanted to go out to eat with her & her dad. So I knew she would be okay and not too bored. :P 

After staff meeting, Audrey and I waited for her family to get here. Audrey had requested David to be her brother's counselor, but it didn't work out because there were too many people who had requested counselors {that's why Anna and Charlotte's request wasn't approved either}, and because David was on COR {Finally!!! He was scheduled to be on it twice before but wasn't able to because people kept getting sick}. I was still a little worried because I wasn't sure who the girls counselor would be and there were some people that I didn't want her to be with.

I got to meet Audrey's family, and soon after, her mom bought both of us coffee from Cool Beans!! :) 

I'm so glad I got to work with her!! Audrey was probably the waitress I was closest to! 

At dinner, I found out that Anna and Charlotte were in Rachel Hicks cabin!! She had been my prayer partner the week before, so I not only knew her, but I thought she was good for them. After dinner, Heather and I decided to walk around and talk before the service. While we were in line to get frozen lemonade, we saw Julia. She was a member at Anchor Baptist Church!! It was kind of cool and in a weird way, made us feel like someone from "our" church was here!

Julie, Heather, and I 

That night at orchestra, I asked Will how he was able to get our sisters to room together...he said he simply talked to the ladies at the office and told them that both girls had already been at camp for a week, and the only reason they were coming back for a second week, was so that they can room together! Well, apparently it worked!! :)

Tuesday~

My schedule to work in the snack shop was one of the best! I was only working on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, which meant I had the evenings free {which also meant I could get ready for church and not rush}. I was kind of bored this particular afternoon because I had already finished my devotional books, and the books I had bought at the bookstore, so I decided to just doodle. 

Halfway through my shift, these three sweet girls stopped by and visited with me! :) 

Anna, Claire, and Charlotte

That night, the OP staff choir sang, and I must say that it was the best we have ever done. I think it's because it was the last week, and it was really hitting everyone. We HAD to make the last week the very best and give it ALL we got because this was our last chance to make our summer worth it.
It was also the last time I played in the OP staff ensemble! I had really enjoyed getting to know the people in this picture; especially Nathan Herbster. He reminded me so much of Danny because they are both around the same age, both are quiet-until you get to know them, and of course, both play the cello.

Andrea, Brooke, Nathan, and I 

Wednesday~
Most of the summer, David had been talking about volunteering in the kitchen on Wednesday to help make muffins. Campers don't realize that on muffin morning, the kitchen staff has to be at work by five in the morning!! I had thought about volunteering almost every week, but it was just a thought. Every Wednesday morning, I would turn my alarm off and sleep a little extra, because I didn't have to be at work until 7:20. Well... because David was on COR, he decided that he would volunteer and also, it was our last chance for that summer. Like a good sister, I decided to join him. I told the kitchen staff that I would try really hard to be there! The night before, I set my alarm for 4:50 {I knew there was no way I would be helping right at 5}. That morning, I got up at five and was in the kitchen at 5:25 {A record!!} Although I wasn't there right at 5, I was simply happy to have actually been there at all-alert. :P

Because it was the last Wednesday, the kitchen was full of volunteers! 

I didn't even help with the muffins! Because I kind of knew my way around the kitchen, Matt Tracy put me in charge of prepping for Thursday dinner {the kitchen is always a few meals ahead}. 

After we finished dinner prep, this crazy group got to wipe, slice, and plate enough watermelon for about 1,000 people! 

I have a hard time getting up super early, but when I'm up, I'm ready for the day! 

Little by little, the waitresses started trickling in... After a busy breakfast {muffins and cereal are pretty popular with campers} I also got two new random tables this day because we had visitors with us. 

Taking out the trash with these lovelies! 

Our LAST picnic in the field!!!! And I got to wear the hat that David's cabin bought me:) 

Hannah, Alexis, Monica, Heather, Susan, Elise, Emily, and I

I think I took a picture with almost everyone:) 

Monica & I 

Emily :) 

I was so glad David was on COR!! I think it was a nice way for him to end the summer. 

Brantley photobombing

:) 

Lauren has got to be one of the most southern girls I know! When I first met her, I thought her thick accent was fake, because it was just too much! As I got to know her, I realized that it was very genuine. 

Ended the summer with these guys as grill buddies! 

David {did CIT with David}, me, Elise, and Gage 

I think the kitchen crew is one of the most unappreciated crew at the wilds! They get up so early, and do so much. I'm so thankful I was able to work on OP staff because I don't know if I would have appreciated OP staff as much as I now do. Olivia worked in the kitchen and she was always giving the waitresses candy and notes. If anyone deserved "Thank you" notes, it was her! :)

Olivia & I 

Seeing these two girls together, always made my day! I've never seen two closer "best friends"! 

Usually because I'm in orchestra, I get to skip out on work a little early. All summer long, I would always have to work on Wednesday nights so that meant that after playing in the orchestra, I would go back and change and then head to work. It was pretty cool, because I didn't have to work this last Wednesday, and also got to hear songs that I had missed all summer long!

Thursday~

Once again, it was our last late night!!! Bittersweet! 

David was throughly enjoying being on COR and decided to help out with the donut tent! My prayer cabin was busy everywhere so I decided to chill with Anna and her CIT buddies. We asked Chris to take a picture of us and later,  I found this selfie. 

Drew & Brantley {Chris} 

I love them!! This was definitely one of the best weeks at camp; I think it was because it was our last week here.

Oh, yeah, there were more of these "model" shots. 

These four people make me happy! They are so fun and when I'm around them, I remember what it was like to  simply hang out with a bunch of friends. Moments like these are some of the best moments in high school.

Friday~

This was the last Friday! The last final scoring, and the day before everyone was about to head their separate ways. For our waitress devotions, we all got together and gave testimonies about the biggest thing we learned. Right before that, Audrey and I decided to get a picture!      

I was really going to miss her! Even though she was the youngest, and I was one of the oldest, we were closest to each other than everyone else. Audrey was the sweetest girls I have ever met; she kept me accountable in my devotions; and we talked about everything going on that summer! 

_________________________________

At lunch, Chandler's cabin gave me the sweater I had chosen :) They were so pleased that I loved it so much!

After lunch, I had a free afternoon and found David chilling in the staff lounge, so we also got a picture. He had found this shield by the lake on Monday and painted it!

Afterwards, we went to the game room & played ping pong with Anna and Charlotte. I played Josh Knoedler {blue lead counsel} & beat him! I even tried to play a little easier because I didn't want to beat him too bad :P

After that, Will, Charlotte, Anna, and I bumped a volleyball around for a little while, and then a few campers joined us, and the girls decided to leave. Soon after, I had to go to work as well, but it was still really fun! :) 

   

That night was very cherished. Everyone sang really loud, and really gave it their best! 

Saturday~

Just because it was the last day, didn't mean that we got to sleep in. :) Just like every morning, I went to get coffee before devotions. Audrey was outside too, so we got a picture. The only thing different about this last Saturday (besides the fact that we were all leaving!!!!), was that our cabins were getting inspected for white glove! My roommates and I had cleaned as much as we could before lights out but there was still so much to do! 

Wearing the hoodie I got this week! 

After serving breakfast, I still had to stay in the dining hall and clean that all up. Although there are a lot of waitresses helping, we also have to wait on the guys for certain jobs. For example, my jobs included: taking the dirty rags and aprons to the laundry room, scrubbing three sinks, refilling or changing the hand sanitizer bottles, sweeping the waitress lounge, dusting the window sills, taking lost belongings to the lost and found, and cleaning the glass windows. It might seem like fairly easy jobs {which they are} but other jobs include: sanitizing tables, setting buckets and rags, putting the trash cans in their place, putting the salt and pepper back, and adding *Sponor magnets to chairs. The last list could not get done until the boys finish mopping, putting back the tables and chairs. This usually takes them a while. 

When I went to take belongings to the lost and found, I saw Nicole and we
realized we were matching, so we had to get a picture!! :) 

Apparently, Anna and Charlotte were bored, so they "helped" me sanitize tables. It was more like Anna talking to other waitresses, and Charlotte spraying me with diluted bleach! Afterwards, I went to my room and finished cleaning it. When that was all done, I hung out with these two girls for a while. 

Connie checked our room, and I must say, we did a pretty good job! You would have never known that it was full of 10 girls for 11 weeks. :P Definitely an experience I will always remember! :) 

Taking a picture after our rooms got checked! 

Well, after packing our stuff in JD's car, we tried playing pingpong for a little while, but that didn't end up happening. :) At 1pm, we had a required lunch. They mainly told everyone to have a safe trip home and thanked everyone for our hard work all summer. Then.........the hugging and crying started! It was a mad house. It was also sad saying bye to the people who you knew you would probably never see again. 

After that, we went to say good bye to the Matthews, and Drew. 

Then we left.... 

Needless to say that the car ride back to Indiana was a long quiet one. 

___________________________________

And just like that, this is the end of my absolutely amazing summer!! It was such an amazing experience! I wish I was still there. I am so thankful for the opportunity to have worked there! To think that I almost didn't apply... Hopefully I can work one more summer.... 

Officially the LAST Weekend

Saturday~

Where do I even begin?? So much happened this weekend!!

First of all, Danny and the Kattermans went back to Indiana, secondly, Anna stayed at camp (so I got to sleep in the comfy lodge beds!), thirdly, the waitresses (really, all the crews, and counselors) had a party on Saturday, and fourth, Sunday was going to be a staff appreciation banquet. 

Well, after saying good-bye to Danny, I was finishing up my job and decided to update Will on our sisters' current counselor predicament. He said he would take care of it....     

                         _____________________________________________

After July 4th, I had been trying to set up Heather and Chandler. At first, Heather wasn't really interested, but as she got to know Chandler, she became interested. :P Chandler would talk about her a lot, but never tried to pursue it much (guys...) During our saturday cleanup, I asked Chandler if he knew that the banquet the next day was a dating activity. He was like, "What are you trying to say?" 

Me, "Never mind...." and I started walking away; I hate when people act like they don't know understand. 

Chandler, "Wa-wa-wait! Do you think I should ask her out?" 

{Ugh...guys...}

Me, "Yes, I do."

Chandler, "Well, what should I say?" 

Me, "I don't know...you're the guy. Isn't this something that's like built into guys?" 

Chandler, "Well, how would you want to be asked out?" 

Me, "Whoa. First of all, I'm not going to tell you because you're not the one I want to ask me out; secondly, I'm not telling you because you need to be original. Be unique; it has to be you and you have to want to." 

By this time I decided to ask one of our other friends for help. 

Jordan, who's also dating a waitress, decided to help Chandler so I walked away. 

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After finishing up my job, I hung out with Anna for a little while, told her I was a little worried about who her counselor would be and if her and Charlotte would even room together! I knew that I was going to be gone most of the day with the waitresses and was sorry that Anna had to be in the lodge alone. Found out later that David had invited her to watch a movie with the rest of the counselors (at their party). 

After a little while,  all the waitresses left for our "Party". 

Our first stop included *Looking Glass Falls* 

It was beautiful (like most of North Carolina)! We even saw other guy counselors who were on the trail over the falls. 

Me, Lindsay, Catie, and Heather 

It was a beautiful, sunny day!!

Mackenzie & I 

After trying for almost a month to encourage Chandler to talk to Heather, he Facebook Messaged her on the way to our picnic!!!! Of course, all her closest friends knew, and we were trying to give her advice- "Don't text back right away!" "Make him wait like 15-20 minutes, because if you respond right away, it'll seem like you do nothing but play on your phone all day." "Answer his question, and then ask a question." and so many other words of wisdom! :) It was super fun and we were all involved with and reading the messages between them. :)

Heather is one of the blondest, but sweetest girls I have ever met!
I really enjoyed getting to know her better and being roommates. :) 

After taking pictures and enjoying the sight, we got back in the vehicles and headed towards our first destination. We came to a very well hidden picnic/park area. We had so much food!!!!!! And of course, we needed to play volleyball. :) 

Emily, Hannah, and I

After good food, lots of fun and laughter, and roommate pictures, we were on the road again to our second destination; Black Balsam. Yup, my second time here!! :) But I can't complain, it was still gorgeous! This time, not only was it not raining, but I also got to watch the sun set.

In the woods heading up the trail 

Once we got the almost top of the mountain, most of the waitresses were tired and wanted to stay there. Well, I really wanted to go all the way to the top, so about three other waitresses and I ran up there, took more pictures, and then came back down. It was breathtaking!! The first time I had come, I hadn't gone all the way to the top.

It's blurry, but it's beautiful. 

Pictures cannot capture how beautiful it looks in real life. 

When we came back to everyone else, we all sat down, sangs songs, and gave testimonies about how amazing God is and different attributes of God that became real for us this summer. 

We ended testimonies as the sun went down, singing "How Great, Thou Art" 

We had to get a picture because we were all wearing Wilds hoodies!
{Heather, Lauren, and I} 

On to our third destination. We can't really have a girls party without Ice-cream can we? So we decided to stop at Dolly's and get a treat!

By now, Heather and I were tired and ready to head back! It was almost curfew and if we were going to socialize with other people, we would have to rush back. :) 

We came back around 10:45. I figured I would just get ready for bed, so I did! I got to stay with Anna in those comfortable beds!! :) 

Sunday~ 

We got to church and went to our regular Sunday School Class!

This was our last Sunday here 

During the preaching, the pastor told our group that they would miss us on Sundays. We would miss them too... the church was small so we got to know a lot of the members.

After the service, we went out to eat at the same place we had gone our first Sunday! 

We couldn't just take a normal picture-we had to take a crazy friend picture as well. 

After 10 weeks with this crazy group, it was almost bittersweet, realizing that our summer was quickly coming to an end. 

After this picture, while we were heading back to the car, Chandler {finally} asked Heather to the banquet that evening!!!!! Of course I heard the story from Heather's side, but I also got to hear it from Chandler's side as well. :P 

That evening, we had a required service, and all the waitresses were required to sit together (unless they had a date) because we were going to have to help with the banquet.

Hannah, Emily, Audrey, and I

After the service, we all ran to the dining hall, set the dessert, salad, and ice and grabbed good seats.

The banquet food was amazing!!!! 

Our table was fun and full of laughter. 

After we were all done eating, they announced the winners of this summer's they announced the people who won best cabin cheer.

Is this another selfie? 

After that, they announced the winners of the Sparkplug Award. This award went to a male OP staff, female OP staff, male counselor, and female counselor who best represented the spirit of the wilds.
Then, Connie was rewarded for being at the Wilds for 25 years, and also honored because this was her last year working here.

When it ended, we called all the waitresses to the front; old as well as new ones.

Waitresses then and now

After we were done with cleaning up, Anna and I went over to the Tracy's and watched the Food Network show. David was at a movie night for all the blue counselors.

Rode with the Tracy's to their house. 

And just like that, our last weekend at the Wilds was over. Six more days to go......

The Week the Siblings Came to camp

Week #9 

Teen Speaker: Morris Gleiser 

JBC Speaker: Mark Herbster/Big Bob 

Prayer Partner: Rachel Hicks 

Monday~

Usually on Monday's we have brunch for about an hour. It's usually some sort of sandwich with soup, lots of fruit, a salad bar, waffles, pancakes, bagels, and cereal. For some wonderful reason, this particular Monday, we had a parfait bar!!!!!! :D If you know me, I am a parfait-type of person. Greek yogurt, fruit, and granola will make my day 10x better! :) I knew that this was going to be a fantastic week!! :) 

My wonderful meal! (^_^) 

I was really hoping that Danny and Anna would get to camp before I had to be at work....but of course they didn't. While I was setting tables and preparing for dinner, Bro. Katterman walked in the dining hall. Apparently, Anna had forgotten her phone in his car! I had requested to serve Anna and Danny while they were here, so I knew I would just give it to her when she came in. I requested to serve David at the beginning of summer, and I still hadn't gotten him! I was a little annoyed because all the waitresses wanted to serve him (because he cleared fast and always bought them a gift) and many of them did serve him. When it was finally time for me to serve second shift, I saw that I got to serve Anna (and her cool counselor, Abbie Fant), Danny & Noah, Brooke Montgomery (Danny's sister counselor), AND David!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was definitely going to be a great week!! :)

First meal came around, and not only was David the table furthest away from the kitchen, but this was PIZZA night, which meant that everyone always ate sooooooo much!! Which means even more refills. All that to say, the first night, David thought I was a slow waitress (which I totally was not). After the meal, Connie asked me if I was enjoying my aisle, I told her that my brother called me slow. :P She told me that if he says anything again, she would move him. :) Of course she was kidding. :)

Tuesday~
Danny and Anna wanted to play volleyball in the afternoon, so of course I went to find them. I felt a little bad because I knew I should probably be spending time with my prayer cabin.

Love this kid! 

One of Anna's CITer's took our picture! We didn't end up playing because by the time I found them, I had to start heading back to work, and it was also extremely hot!

I have the best siblings! :) 

Wednesday~
At the beginning of every week, waitresses always worry about who their aisle buddy will be.  I was lucky to have Catie for the second time. We could almost read each other's minds and were always done really fast! Sometimes we could read each other's minds too much and ended up matching three times this week!!

Matching Aisle Buddies! 

Sometimes working in the outside snack shop can get boring...for example, if it's raining, or way too hot outside, no one even bothers to buy something. In those cases, we like to keep ourselves entertained. :) This evening, Emily made a chef's hat out of our empty nacho chip bag. :P

Emily, our nacho chip chef. 

After Fun Time, I went to give devotions to my prayer cabin and after I finished, my prayer partner, Rachel, told the girls the Vanessa Jenkins story!! I would tell you, but we would have to be at camp, or it won't be the same. :) Rachel and I clicked! She was sweet and funny, but also kind of quiet. Her brother was on my clearing aisle this week, so I would talk to him a few times about how Rachel was doing. His cabin was the Salty Dogs (that was David's first cabin when we came as campers). 

Thursday~

On Thursdays, all the churches meet for "family time". After that, the girls go on a hike. I got off work around 2, and met with the fam for a few minutes. The whole week, everyone kept getting David and Danny confused, and Anna and I confused too! It was pretty comical to watch people do a double glance when we were together. :)

I'm so glad they were able to come!! 

For every single meal, all the tables on my aisle would do a little cheer for me! They were the best! A few of them are: 1. "C-I-N-D-Y without you we would all die" 2. "C-I-N-D-Y you are as sweet as pie" 3. "C-I-N-D-Y your voice is like a lullaby" 4. "C-I-N-D-Y you're gonna get one lucky guy." and 5. "C-I-N-D-Y you don't even have to try."
That night, I gave devotions at Abbie Fant's cabin...which was also Anna's cabin.

Friday~
Because Anna was staying an extra week, I requested a certain counselor for her, and Will requested one for Charlotte...because the whole point of them coming next week was that they would room together. Anyway, I checked my mailbox-expecting to see a confirmation note, but my request was denied!!!! Not only were they not able to room together, but I did not even know who their counselor would be! :( So I figured we would all find out on Monday.

I only worked Tuesday, Wednesday, and  Friday night this week. Because I worked on Friday night, I wasn't able to go to the fireside service. Afterwards, I chilled in the staff lounge and talked to other OP staff who weren't able to go to the service either.
When the service was over, I took a picture with these cool siblings. Their parents work on staff and the two oldest did CIT with David and Anna. There are six kids total. I think it would be funny/neat if our siblings get to do CIT with all of them! I really enjoyed getting to know them (the three eldest work in the kitchen, and Matthew is on cleanup).

Matthew (14), Joshua (18), Caleb (16), Caitlyn (19), and me :) 

After that, I went back to my room and then went to my prayer cabin and heard their testimonies/devotions. Then, I stopped by Anna's cabin for a little while. :)
It was a great week....the realization that summer was ending soon, started to hit me.......