Camp Kiesel

I got to go to Camp Kiesel with Douglas (and other youth from our ward) yesterday. We all met in the church parking lot at 6:30am and then we drove up into the mountains to the Boy Scout camp to spend half the day participating in various activities.

We went on a short nature walk while two of the Boy Scouts taught us about nature.

Our next activity was boating on a small reservoir.

Then we moved to the obstacle course.

Our neighbor, Roman, on the rope bridge.

Here's our neighbor, Grayson, trying to maintain his "cool man" face while I was making goofy faces at him.

Receiving instructions at the BB gun range.

Racing to see which team could fill up their bucket the fastest.

Hydra, one of the staff, told the winning team they could squirt her.

The final activity for our group was Gaga Ball. I had not seen this game before yesterday.

Douglas, one of the last remaining survivors during one of the rounds.

He needed to get two more kids out.

One more

"I won!"

I should note how green the mountains are right now. This might be the first time in my adult life that the mountains have been so green all the way into July. We were blessed with massive amounts of precipitation this past winter and spring. Utah's Governor Cox declared today, Sunday, July 2nd, a day of prayer and thanksgiving for all the moisture we received. See below.

Declaration

Whereas, Utah is one of the driest states in the nation and has experienced drought conditions in various parts of the state nearly every year since 2000;

Whereas, Utah experienced “extreme” and “exceptional” drought conditions statewide during 2022;

Whereas, Utahns had to reevaluate how to conserve and use water resources wisely and sparingly;

Whereas, Utahns across the state poured their hearts into prayers to receive needed water to combat the intensifying drought;

Whereas, Utah residents come from a variety of religious denominations, affiliations and beliefs;

Whereas, Utahns not only expressed faith and hope through prayer, but have done their part statewide, conserving billions of gallons of water in whatever ways they were able;

Whereas, by praying collaboratively and collectively and asking our higher powers for more snow and rain, Utah received record-breaking snowfall this winter season and ideal spring runoff circumstances;

Whereas, we believe there is real power in people of all different faiths and backgrounds uniting together and pleading for help from a higher authority; and,

Whereas, we want to express our gratitude and appreciation for the water our state has received;

Now, therefore, I, Spencer J. Cox, governor of the state of Utah, do hereby declare July 2, 2023, as a

Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving

Spencer J. Cox

Governor