Peace4Kids Camping Trip 2007

This year P4K took 40 kids to Thousand Pines in San Bernardino for our annual camping trip. Many of the children have experienced camping with what they have come to know as their P4K extended family as this was P4K's 9 year camping anniversary. Personally, I have attended twice and both times have been experiences that I will cherish. This year the camp offered the zip line, giant swing, off roading, swimming and everyone's favorite a karaoke party! I had the pleasure of sharing my cabin with two volunteers and 5 girls ages 8 and 9. Really my description of the camping trip will not do it justice.

These girls challenged me, made me laugh, made me fall in love with them and at times made me want to pull my hair out!! I wouldn't trade it for the world. I watched the girls as well as all the other kids at camp bond not only with each other but with the volunteers. They faced their fears and encouraged each other to do so. I watched as children climbed up a tree, got fitted into gear and harnessed so that they could zip down to the ground. Most were afraid but with the help and encouragement of their peers and counselors were able to get through it. The look of fear on their faces was quickly replaced with a look of pride and that's the look that made it all worth while. My fondest memory of camp is lying in my bunk, listening to the girls in my cabin talk about their day and their experiences, asking why camp couldn't be "just one more day longer", and then out of nowhere they began singing and these girls had the most beautiful voices. They sang current songs as well as choir songs and in between songs they praised each other; my favorite "Girl you can sing!!" I was lulled to sleep.

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