My Outdoor Journal 2013

May - July 2013.

My summer.

This will go down in my books as the summer that I had it all. I did what I loved. I didn't have a care in the world. No job. No school. Nobody to support. I was free to do whatever I wanted.

I was a trail guide at Elevation. A leadership camp for high schoolers.

I went backpacking in Yosemite.

I spent time with extended family in Alaska.

I went Mountaineering with NOLS.

I spent a total of 46 nights sleeping outside this summer. :)

I am packing up my house as of July 21st in preparation to move into a school bus with my 5 other family members to go on escapades across the United States before finally embarking on the ultimate culmination of all of my learnings: my LDS mission trip.

Journal Entries- May:

Elevation Day 1.

"I arrived in canyon last night at 4:45. No one was around but I was just so happy to be there! I set up my tent but it wasn't waterproof. It had been raining off and on all morning. We ate a delicious taco soup made by Heather (a mentor) and proceeded to introduce ourselves. Dan/Bambi seems to be Camp Director. James won't be here this week but we have some fantastic staff! Laura, Layne, Megan, Me, Angie, Dan, Glen, Nels, Tasha, Jessica, Heather, Ben, and Adam. We did Walls after dinner. I need to get better at receiving. (One of my weaknesses?) I cannot wait for this Canyon to fill with students. To see their excitement grow and anxiety dissipate as they enter the canon. Todays word is Focus. We want to focus in on the week, our pods and ourselves. I am nervous as all get out. Will I measure up? Can I release my walls and get to know others? Get them to know me? I am so excited to have Angie as my mentor. She has so much to teach and is almost like a mother to me. :)"