Rainbow Girls Take Trip To The Cosmos

WAITSBURG - The Waits- burg chapter of the Rainbow Girls took a "Trip to the Cos- mos" recently to solidify friendships and celebrate a new year of the group.

Ten members of the Waits- burg Rainbow group attended an annual campout at Granite Falls, about six hours away. Member Kendra Roberts said the girls left Aug. 10 and re- turned on Aug. 12. The gath- ering was large and included members from all over Wash- ington and Idaho.

"The campout is just to get together as an entire jurisdic- tion," Roberts said.

The annual campout marks the beginning of what is known as the "Grand Year," which is from July to July.

Roberts said the weekend included stargazing, storytell- ing, games, crafts and free time. This was not a glamor- ous camping trip, and the girls roughed it by putting up tents and tucking in at night into their sleeping bags.

"We thought it was going to be mosquito central, but it was really nice," said member Iris Turnipseed.

Spending a weekend away helps the girls get to know one another better and keeps the girls wanting to participate in Rainbow.

"It keeps the girls interested in coming back," Roberts said.

Parents and advisers also took part in the campout and a new pledge came along to learn more about Rainbow.

"(The adults) have just as much fun," Roberts said.

About 200 to 300 people were in attendance, including adults and dogs, she said. The theme, A Journey Through the Cosmos, was chosen by the Grand Camps officer. The Waitsburg chapter had made up signs and decorated their campsite with streamers and hanging paper stars and planets. The campout is always held at Granite Falls, Roberts said, and the weather was very warm this year and certainly worth the six- hour drive.

For Turnipseed who was ini- tiated into the Waitsburg group in May, this was her first trip to the campout. She said she most loved the free time on Saturday spent in the river. Turnipseed said the river was an icy tem- perature, but they braved the cold water because the weather was so warm.

Turnipseed added that the campout made her feel closer to the other girls in her new group. This year, one of the members' favorite events was the talent show. The Waitsburg chapter came up with a dance and skit to perform in front of the entire jurisdiction. Roberts said the dance was to the song "What Makes You Beautiful" by One Direction. She said the song and Rainbow aim to boost confidence.

"We could explain Rainbow through that song," she said.

The Waitsburg chapter came away from the competition with third place and fun memories of hanging out with the Waitsburg members and the Rainbow Girls from the whole jurisdiction.

Next up for the local Rain- bow Girls is a visit from the Grand Worthy Advisor and Supreme Inspector in late September. Roberts said the meet- ing will be held in Kennewick and will include the assemblies from the Tri Cities, Waitsburg and Goldendale.

"We will perform a cer- emony for (our guests) to show them what we're capable of," Roberts said.