Girls Camp {Summer Fun!}

I absolutely, cannot, nearly refuse, to believe that Kayley is turning 12 this summer.  Of course, with 12, comes a lot of new adventures for this girl as she advances into Young Women's really soon.  She was thrilled to learn that she (barely) made the cut-off to go to Girls Camp.  She had an absolute blast and was so exhausted when she got home but said she can't wait for next year...

Thanks to a wonderful bestie, who happens to be in the Stake YW, who sent me many pictures after drop-off so I could keep up with what everyone was doing... 

Kayley said the camp was all about Being Strong and so they faced many different challenges to test their strength...  Physically and spiritually. 

She got to try out several new things too.   

She made a few new friends from across the stake and got to know some girls better from our own ward.  In this picture she wanted me to be reassured that she did NOT forget to put on sunscreen each day.  LOL.

She was pretty loopy by the time I picked her up.  4 days, 3 nights (really, really late nights) at camp can really make a girl go crazy.  She was glad to be home I think...  I know I was glad to have her home.  The house was really quiet without her constant chit-chat.  

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Discover Nature - Fishing {Nature Study}

We had a great opportunity to participate in The Missouri Department of Conservation, Discover Nature Fishing Course for kids.  Even better, it was totally free!  

The classes start with about 45 minutes of lecture (which honestly can be a little boring and a bit over the younger kids heads).  

Each course consists of the following:

• Lesson one: Equipment, Casting, and Proper Fish Handling
• Lesson two: How to Tie a Knot and Bait a Hook
• Lesson three: Five Common Missouri Fish - Their Anatomy, Habitat, and Life Cycle
• Lesson four: Fishing with Lures and Fishing Regulations 

After completing the lecture portion you then move to the fishing part of the class.  It is a catch and release program and each girl ended up catching at least 2 or 3 fish each time.

The girls have learned how to bait their hook.  (You literally rip the poor worm into about 3 sections since the hooks are so small.)  Kayley goes for it but Maggie is a little disturbed by it, so luckily she has a big sister willing to bait her hook for her.  They also learned how to remove the fish from the hook, which isn't exactly easy.  Fish are sharp!

In the second class Kayley really got the hang of tying her own hooks. 

Thank goodness because she needed to tie her own pretty soon after the lecture due a fish swallowing the hook!  Worm and All!

They also learned how to identify different types of Missouri fish.

And in the next class they are going to learn about fish anatomy!

We have gone twice and even though it has been scorching hot, the girls have had a pretty good time!  This definitely fills a bucket list item for Kayley.  Maggie, not so much...she is a little less into smelly fish and a little more into other pursuits, but she has been a good sport and had a pretty decent time.  

To learn more about the MDC Fishing Program check out their website!

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