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.

FOR '5' DAYS

Our journey "THROUGH THE UNKNOWN" began the first week of February.  While delivering a UPS package to the Timpanogos temple, a friend of mine (Wayne Anderson) who works at the temple came out and talked to me for about 20 minutes about the Heber Valley Girls Camp Mission. Much to my surprise when I told my wife what he had said, she said 'we ought to go'!  So we did.  My last day at work was March 29, and then we had to report April 15 to a temporary camp side in Heber where we stayed for 2 weeks.  

Among other things there were 2 items we needed to bring-(1) was a trailer and (2) was a 4 wheeler.  We have never own either. (More on these 2 items latter). We were able to borrow my sons truck to pull things up with.  When we got to camp amongst all the other
65 couple missionaries and their 5th wheels and motor homes, we determined we had the 3rd smallest outfit in camp.  Its proved to be snug but adequate.

This was one of the signs that greeted us as we moved up on the mountain the 1st week of May.
We spent the next 4 weeks getting the camp put together and ready for over 2500 Young Women each week and about that many family campers each weekend. Each day was filled with work and projects and training that needed to be done.  After 8-10 hours of being on duty, we were glad to get home and shower and rest each night.

The road up from Heber to the camp is quite steep and more than what Caleb's truck could pull, so besides required items 1 and 2, we also needed to purchase a truck big enough to pull our 3rd smallest trailer up the hill.

It has been studied by the church that most young men gain their testimonies while out on their missions and that most young women gain their testimonies while at girls camp.  This is what sets this camp and mission apart from other missions.  Each day is spent with the soul purpose of trying to give each person here a personal spiritual experience that they can take home and use throughout their life.  For a lot of young women it is a turning point.  Each missionary here, no matter what their job position is has a responsibility to make a difference in these YWs lives.

After a couple of day upon coming up the mountain, we were ask to make a change from being Camp Host to being over Range Management-a position we have come to enjoy. (You can read from a earlier blog how this came about, and our feelings at the time).  Because we were no longer camp host, we also had to move our trailer location to another place in the camp.  We are now the 'highest trailer' on the mountain.  Thankfully the snow has all melted since this picture was taken.

As part of Range Management, we get free run of all 8600 acres of camp property.  Our 3 main responsibilities are weed, animal and insect control.  Here we are at one of the 'out back' camps spraying pre emergence on the sight before the weeds can come up.  A lot of days, Jan and I will be gone all day doing weed control and also acting as security patrol. 

It has amazed me on how much effort the church puts in in making this camp so nice and beautiful.  We have come to accept that though most of what we have been asked to do will not be seen or known by any of the people attending camp, we provide an atmosphere and facility that is free of displeasing or annoying distractions.  Through our efforts, the campers can concentrate on those things that really matter.  They get to see the beautiful  things the Lord has created.  They get to feel of his spirit.

The Lord also provides 'volunteers' who travel many miles and spent most of their day here helping us accomplish our task.  We know that their lives will be bless for their efforts and sacrifice.  They are truly appreciated.

But of course the most important aspect here is the individual.  Whether it be the Challenge Course's, the Lake or the Hikes, all these things are for one purpose.  To help each individual gain a greater appreciation for their Heavenly Father, and to get to know him and his son Jesus Christ.

Through over coming their fears and doubts, they can find the inner strength they need to over come the temptations and evils of the world.  For 5 days they can be in paradise.  For 5 days, they can say 'I am an important child of God-I can do this!' For 5 days, they can feel something that will last through eternity.                                        For 5 days, we as Missionaries get to feel of their love and appreciation for all that is being done in their behalf.  We to are truly blessed and our love for our Savior and our testimonies grow also. 

The truly sad part about being a Missionary here is the perception that most people who have not been here have. They feel that because we are up in the mountains, and drive 4 wheelers round all day, that this is more of a fun and games vacation, and not really a mission.  Granted-we are not in some distant or foreign land knocking on doors or proselyting, nor are we in a mission home, or temple mission, but we are here serving our Heavenly Father, and doing what we have been called to do.  WE are here strengthening the youth who in turn will be the future missionaries of our Heavenly Father.

The gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored.  We are in the last days, and the youth of the world are being pulled in many directions.  As they 'JOURNEY THROUGH THE UNKNOWN' they can reflect back on what they learned and felt while attending Heber Valley Girls Camp. They will remember that for '5 days' they felt their Saviors love.  Hopefully this experience can carry them over the rough dark and ugly places.

For '5 days' they will know that someone was willing to be a "Weed Sprayer" so that they could see the beauties of the world, and know that their Heavenly Father loves them.
We love you all--Elder/Sister Hendrickson

The next Blog will be titled- "2500 Stripling Girl Warriors"