Beauty and the Beasts

WEEDS & BUGS-All in a days work.

Range Management is our official title.  Killing, removing and controlling the weeds, insects and critters is our specialty.
Together with Elder and Sister Crossley, we try to cover all 8600 acres of camp property.
Since being 'transferred' to this position, we have grow to really enjoy the job and the couple we serve with.  Each day brings a new area to see and plants, animals or bugs to contend with.

 The first week we got into camp, we needed to fumigate several of the cabins as a precautionary measure.  I call this picture-'The marshmallow men'.
Now that the YW are here, we get called out to take care of bees, hornets and ants.  You'd never guess that one tiny weeny ant could bring such terror into some peoples lives.  The fun part is we get to play 'Knight's in shinning armor' and rescues young damsels is distress!!

As for weeds, there are plenty.  We combat 4 or 5 different types.  Thistles being enemy #1.  This be a Wavy leaf thistle.

 

This is a young Musk thistle.  These are now between 2 to 4 feet tall.                                                     

 
 

Spraying is the fastest and easiest way to go after these noxious weeds.

We use a blue dye in our spray to help us see where we have sprayed and where we have not.

Another type of weed.  This is a Mullin.

Hounds Tongue when it matures produces a seed or burr that sticks to your clothes or socks.

White top, if not controlled will take over the area that it is in.

Weeds are found in every location here at camp.  From the lower lying sagebrush--

To the lush meadows--

To the 'Outback' camps.--

Around the lake and water sources,

In the upper mountain pastures,

And even in the High Mountain areas.   Here we are in search of the elusive 'Abominable Snow Thistle!!!'  That's Jan busting through the snow drift.

3 times a week (if they show up) we have volunteers scheduled from all over Utah and parts of Wyoming come up and help us do our job.  These people are a great help and a lot of fun to work with and get to know.  They are very dedicated members to travel so far to do what ever they are asked to do.

Preparing to 'Seek and Destroy'

Volunteer out with back pack spraying.

Volunteer with grubbing hoe.

Then after a long day at the office we head home from where ever location we have been that day.

Security checks us back in and are pleased that they didn't have to send out search and rescue.

Each Monday morning as part of our unofficial job we get to help direct traffic.

Hundreds of cars and buses need direction and help determining which way to go to their assigned camps.

We also get to help out at each of the 5 challenge course when we have time.

Or at the lake when they are short handed. 

All in all we come home pretty tired, but look forward to a new adventure the following day.

Heber camp is where we stay, but weeds and bugs are where we play.

Next up we will show the many plants and animals we get to enjoy.

2500 Stripling "YW" Warriors

Each week over 2500 YW and their leaders descend on Heber Valley Girls Camp.  They come from all over Utah.  Some even come from Idaho and Wyoming.

Bus load after bus load start arriving around 9 am each Monday morning.

Each bus is filled with YW who are excited to be here. Some are on their 1st time away from home, others may be on their 5th or 6th.

Each Monday morning we are asked to help direct traffic and to get the different groups headed in the right direction toward their assigned camp site.

Buses, cars, and trailers filled to the rim with people and supplies must be processed and each driver given instructions and a map where to go.

What an amazing site it is each week to see these YW gathered together in Wards and Stakes and to see them experience all that the camp has to offer and the other activities their leaders have prepared for them.

While at 'Camp' there are many activities the girls get to participate in, each designed to help them strengthen their testimony and love for the gospel and each other.

The Challenge courses let the girls know they can accomplish hard things....

and overcome their fears...

and to know that through out their journey...

there will always be 'someone' there to help them.

While at the lake

they are given a chance to sing "I feel my Saviors Love" and to take a moment of silence to listen to that 'still small voice'.

Overnight hikes

 

and testimony meetings by camp fires













 bring them closer together

and renews their friendships.

Special devotionals from people such as Michael McClain inspire them to do better and to realize they can use the atonement of Christ in their lives, and that they are not the only ones going through the challenges that they face.

That united in strength, they can go forth as a new generation of 'Stripling Warriors' ready to better themselves and to conquer the world.