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! 

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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. 

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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....