Retreat for Girls

Aubrey had the opportunity to attend  Retreat for Girls.  It is kind of like Especially for Youth but is open for just girls ages 11-16.  They have amazing speakers, energetic counselors, scripture study and devotionals, service projects, crafts, team building activities etc...  It is based off of a church program called Academy for Girls offered at BYU back in the day.  The day meaning My day!

I LOVED being an Academy girl and it was my favorite activity each summer.  Angelique and I attended several summers together and then were able to be counselors the summer after my Freshman year at BYU.   (And for those who may not know, Angelique is my sister-in-law of 25+ years.) It was so fun to have our girls have the opportunity to go together this summer.

Joseph drove them to USU and the Hildabrandts picked them up at the end of the week.  It's nice to have family and friends who were willing to go out of their way to take care of the girls.

Aubrey had been home less than 24 hours from Girl's Camp and she was off to Utah for Retreat for Girls (RFG).  That was a little rough because Girl's Camp was actually her first time away from home.  Back to back weeks being gone made her a little homesick and I felt badly about that timing.  It was the only scenario possible though if she were to attend both.

We missed her too!  Things were very calm and a little boring here.  The other three kiddos have summer jobs and workouts and often it has been just me and Aub at home this summer.  I realized I also took a lot fewer pictures the weeks she was gone.

They made these cute wreaths.

Sunday morning we woke her at 9:30 and she was heading to the airport by 10:30.  Aubrey said her throat was kind of hurting but there wasn't time to do anything other than have her gargle salt water.  There was also a strep throat epidemic at Girl's Camp so we were somewhat concerned.  That night, she said her throat was really hurting.  I was kind of in a panic because what can a mom do?  I knew of two leaders and three girls who had come home with strep.  I later learned there were over 20 girls and leaders who contracted strep throat while at camp.

Luckily she and Lauron were staying with Lauron's uncle, Josh, and he is a dentist.  I talked with him late Sunday night about  us calling a Doc in the Box and he was like "Why?  I'll take care of it."   I was so grateful....almost in tears grateful.  He prescribed her a z-pack and I felt much better knowing she wouldn't be miserably sick and miss out on her entire RFG experience.

She and Lauron had a great time at RFG.  Aubrey loved making new friends and staying in the dorms.  They had six girls in each apartment and  I think it was like a week long slumber party.  Their counselor, Shosty, was a lot of fun.  Aubrey also enjoyed the lawn activities and the inspiring/funny speakers.  Her throat hurt until Thursday and she was a little homesick; but overall she had a great time.

Aubrey and Lauron's group.  Back row: Sophie, Kelly, Jessica, Shosty, Eliza, Emma and Lauron. Front row: Aubrey, Brooke, Annie, Kylie, Emery, and Hannah

Aubrey and La with their counselor Shosty.

Kylie and Aub

Aub and Eliza