Youths celebrate transition at resort

The weather was perfect. The mood was right. Kah-Nee-Ta Resort was the place for Sisters youths to celebrate in a trip organized by local Girl Scouts.

"We stayed overnight in teepees and had so much fun!" stated Melanie Farley.

"And, the swimming was great," Natalie Marshall said. "The pool was really warm and the water slides were a blast!"

Thirteen girls celebrated promotion from middle school to high school.

"Eighth grade was awesome," said Molly Boyle. "Now we're looking forward to what high school brings."

"We had a good experience at Kah-Nee-Ta," said Jenny O'Connor, one of three Girl Scouts to lead the event. "Sometimes we can learn more from our friends in how to face important changes and decisions."

Reflecting on the transition to high school, the girls offered hopes of new friends, more freedom, learning to drive, and lunch off campus. Some of the girls also said they were ready for more homework and cliques that change or disappear. All of the girls were excited about sports, including soccer, volleyball and basketball.

The girls learned open-fire cooking skills over a campfire.

"My biscuit was so lame," laughed Dakota Wagner, "until I learned how to wrap the dough around the stick."

Moreover, they learned important lessons of teamwork, friendship, inclusion, understanding, and social skills. "We worked together on this trip and learned how to persevere together for high school," said Nila Lukens.

All 13 girls went on a vigorous two-hour hike at dawn, which included a trek up in elevation of about 500 feet to a plateau high above

Kah-Nee-Ta Lodge and the teepee village far below.

"We saw the glory of sunrise from the top," mentioned Emma Gurney. "It was beautiful!"

Sand volleyball was another team-building activity.

"We played for fun and rotated girls," said Kendra Kemp. "It was our goal to work together for a sense of community."

Kemp, O'Connor, and Kayti Schlatter were project leaders for the event. Together they earned the Girl Scout Silver Award.

"We learned leadership and communication skills," said Schlatter. "It was a great way to celebrate eighth grade and begin the summer before starting high school in the fall."