EMpact Leadership Summit Day 7

Day 7
June 22

Monday was the moment of truth for many of the girls at the summit. After a great breakfast at the 4H Resort, the girls started off on what was called the low ropes course. The low ropes course involved skills such as teamwork, communication, and collaboration. Some of the games that were involved but not limited to were: games of trust where each girl had to trust and have confidence in each of the other girls. One of the games was a rope game in which everyone leaned back holding onto the rope and sat down on the ground. The weight was evenly distributed amongst the girls, but they had to trust that nobody would let go of the rope. If one person would have let go or not sat down at the same time as everyone else everyone would have fell. Another one of the trust games had everyone in a very tight circle. Then at the count of the instructor everyone would have to sit down on the lap of the girl behind them. They definitely had to trust that each girl would follow the instructions or everyone would fall to the ground. Another game that was played involved the girls figuring out how to use teamwork with other teams to accomplish a unifying goal. When the trust and teamwork games were over, it was then time for lunch.

After lunch came the High ropes course. The high ropes were to consist of overcoming obstacles and facing your fears. Many of the girls faced their fears of heights to climb the obstacle course. When someone struggled with an obstacle, everyone in the group would cheer that person on and encouraged them to finish. It was this kind of motivation that pushed many of the girls past their limits. Some of the girls were able to get through the entire ropes course, but some just to get up the ladder was an amazing thing. Each girl was able to push through their fears and not leave with regret.

After dinner we had an optional Spiritual Fitness Meeting. This was not a mandatory event, but each of the girls wanted to come. We had a nice bonfire, sang songs, ate smores and marshmallows, and had a candle lighting ceremony. This was so powerful. The candles represented a torch being passed down from one leader to the next. Staci and Larry Wallace the founders of EMwomen lit each of the leaders’ candles and gave them a word of encouragement. Then each of the leaders lit each of the girls in their teams’ candles and gave them a word of encouragement. It was an emotional night, but definitely for the good. After we did this most of the girls got in their canoes to head back to the rooms to get their swim suits on. Most everyone wanted to have one last swim in the pool before the camp was over.

We would like to give special thanks to 4H for their great hospitality.

Megan Markham