Girls in their LEADERSHIP CAMP!!

Back on July 22 Deidra, Tiffany and I flew out to Houston, TX so they could attend a leadership camp for 2 1/2 days. (Mike was already there due to the fact that he has some employee's out in Houston, and he had been working)

We dropped the girls off at camp on Tiff's 12th birthday, she was the 2nd youngest "teen" to go to camp.

They had their graduation from camp on Sunday where all the families that were able to attend did.

They had a great time making all sorts of new friends from all over the US, people they never would have had the chance to meet if they hadn't attended. They have a bond with these kids that will last a lifetime.

This is Mike (below), the founder of Discover Leadership. The kids did a lot of outdoor activities including blindfolding someone in a paddle boat and their team is directing them to an island in the middle of the "lake". They climbed a very tall wall, using only each other to get to the top, meaning the first person had to be lifted by the team to get to the top, then he/she could help pull the rest up, they had to keep taking turns with who was doing the pulling so everyone could be a helper.
They learned they can do anything that comes their way. Even know they already knew it, they also learned how EMPOWERED they are.

They sang Miley Cyrus' "The Climb" throughout their time at camp, and at the end of the "graduation". It was extremely powerful to hear all these kids signing that song, knowing they WILL make a difference.

At the end of the camp the kids had all had written a letter to themselves for the next day to remind themselves of what they can do to make a difference in someone else's life. Everyone cheers you on, it's really a powerful meeting.

Mike (from camp) had gotten up to say something about each of the kids. He had said Tiff was not only one of the youngest but she was the smallest, but that she had the biggest heart. He had said that Deidra was a great leader, she took on that role very quickly!

They also bonded more with each other, which is awesome!

Even to this day they are supporting those who have done similar camp's (they only do the teen camp 1 time a year) but the adults camp is on going, even having some here from time to time. Yesterday in fact Mike picked the girls up so they could all go to a graduation. (my Mike had gone through camp several months back). Mike (from camp) was so excited to see the girls he had them help with the graduation. He also said several nice things about the girls in regards to their camp, including how Tiffany being the smallest would have big football players listening to her and using her advice on how to get something done. He also mentioned about how Deidra was always there to make sure things got done right. All the kids, Mike and the other leaders (but Tiff, because she has to wait til she's 13) are on Facebook together, sending words of encouragement.

I'm so happy we were able to give our girls such an awesome experience. Mike's boss (my Mike) even came up to us at a recent dinner for employee's asking how the girls were doing, and that he had herd all about them and how great they are. They really are great girls, we are so proud of them.

Heart...Body...Soul...yes!!