Week Twenty: Better Days

Song of the Week: Better Days by The Goo Goo Dolls

For days I've been trying to think of an intro for the following pictures. I still haven't come up with one, and they probably don't need one. I think the pictures speak for themselves.

"I wish everyone was loved tonight

and somehow stop this endless fight

just a chance that maybe we'll find better days"

- The Goo Goo Dolls

We believe there are better days ahead, not only for girls, but for everyone.

Week Nineteen: Fun in the Sun

Song of the Week: This Is Your Life - Switchfoot

Hey y'all! Ashley here.

I can't believe it's already the middle of July. This summer has really flown by so quickly!

This week, I thought I would give everyone 7 things you can do to make the rest of your summer unforgettable and worthwhile.

Number One: Go to concerts and get into the local music scene. A lot of bands have summer tours going on right now! Some of my favorites currently on tour in America are Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, Lady Antebellum, MGMT, The Maine, Goo Goo Dolls, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, and Ray LaMontagne.

Number Two: Learn a new skill. Summer is the perfect time to learn something you've always wanted to learn! Whether it be learning how to play an instrument, mastering a new sport, cooking, or something else, take time to become skilled at something new.

Number Three: Go visit someone you haven't seen in a while. In the midst of school and work, often times we get carried away and don't have the time to see the people we love as much as we would like. Go see family that lives far away! Go see friends that you haven't seen in a year.

Number Four: Organize a neighborhood tournament and cookout. Summer is the perfect time to meet new neighbors and spend time with the ones that have always been there! Some fun ideas for games are kickball, baseball, and bocce ball.

Number Five: Volunteer at a local organization. Some great ones to check out are the Humane Society, Habitat for Humanity, and Invisible Children.

Number Six: Clean out your closet and room. Summer clothes are going to be pushed away soon when Fall rolls in. Make that transition easy by going ahead and cleaning out your closet. Donate your old clothes to Goodwill or have a yard sale with everything you find!

Number Seven: Go on a spontaneous trip. Now is the perfect time for that "last minute" trip at the end of summer to go to the beach, the lake, the river, or even the mountains!

Hope you find these helpful in embracing the last few weeks of summer!

Week Eighteen: Work Weekend

Song of the Week: Let's Work Together by Canned Heat

Hi All, Katie here. Camp Yona had a fabulous 4th of July weekend. We were blessed to have a wonderful group of volunteers spend their holiday weekend with us working. And we sure did a lot of work. The pictures I've posted for this week do not suffice. Here's a few projects we tackled:

1. Cleaned the Spring House and surrounding areas(now known as Five Points) for camp-outs with girls

2. Cleaned-up trail leading to Five Points

3. Blazed Fox Trot Trail

4. Built Beaver Bridge and Trail

The building of Beaver Bridge

My mom hard at work.

Beaver Bridge almost finished

I must admit. We aren't all work. Our evenings were spent in fellowship.

Ben catching a quick snooze. Don't be fooled, not only did he work really hard, but he was our motivator and resident storyteller

There's always time for fishing. Rheto catching his first fish.

Despite the poison ivy, bee stings, blisters, and chiggers our group was all smiles.

Story-time with Benny

Thanks again to everyone who helped make our weekend a success. We hope to do it again soon.

If you'd like to join us for a Yona Work Weekend or Work Day please email katie@campyona.org

Week Seventeen: Sunshine and Summertime

Song of the Week: Hey, Soul Sister by Train

Hey guys! Hope everyone's having a fantastic week and weekend.

If you haven't read the previous post, then STOP! Last week, we posted the questions to seven jokes, and this week we're posting the answers. So go check out last week's post and then laugh at these silly answers!

Answer One: No thanks, I'm stuffed!

Answer Two: Chili today, hot tamale!

Answer Three: Meet you at the corner!

Answer Four: Water.

Answer Five: In case she got a hole in one!

Answer Six: She had no body to go with!

Answer Seven: A traffic jam.

"You see, I can be myself now finally. In fact, there's nothing I can't be."

-Train

Week Sixteen: Laughter

Song of the Week: Strawberry Swing by Coldplay

Hello all! Ashley here. I am so excited to be working with Camp Yona this summer and can’t wait to update you on all of the progress that's getting done and all of the great things that are happening.

For my first blog post, I decided to kick things off with a little humor.

Today, I will post seven jokes and next week we’ll post the answers! Hope you enjoy.

Joke One: What did the teddy bear say when he was offered dessert?

Joke Two: What is a Mexican weather report?

Joke Three: What did one wall say to the other?

Joke Four: What runs but never walks?

Joke Five: Why did the golfer wear two pairs of pants?

Joke Six: Why couldn't the skeleton go to the dance?

Joke Seven: What jam can't be eaten on toast?

Week Fifteen: Bad News, Good News

Song of the Week: Pressing On by Relient K

First the Bad News, Camp Yona is sad to announce we have officially cancelled camp this summer for our Sisterhood of Founders. Due to weather delays and a lack of funding, we didn't think we'd be able to provide an experience for girls that represents our vision for Camp Yona.

Now the Good News. Though having to cancel our plans for this summer was a disappointment to all involved with Yona, we will not be defeated. We still have much to be excited about. We're Pressing On!

Meet our Intern, Ashley Power.

Ashley just finished her freshman year at UGA. She has a heart for service and a passion for youth. Her sweet spirit and joyous energy will be a wonderful addition to the Yona family. We're lucky to have her.

Irby Construction generously donated 19 telephone poles to Yona that will be used for the ropes course and picnic pavilions.

Our website will be live by the end of the week!

Be sure to keep checking at

www.campyona.org

We're having a Work Weekend!

There will be a group of volunteers on the property July 3rd and 4th. We'll get a little dirty and have some fun. There are several projects we'd like to complete before ......

Campout's with Ashley and Katie!

We're looking forward to having several different groups of girls campout on the property. We'll have fun, food, and fellowship.

Our Challenge!

A local Atlanta foundation has graciously given Yona the opportunity to raise $300,000. We have the challenge of raising $150,000, then the foundation will match that amount giving Yona $300,000. This means ANY donation to Yona will be doubled.

If you'd like more information on the 4th of July work weekend, camping out at Yona, or the Challenge Grant; please call (706)990-9734 or email katie@campyona.org

"I think we're going somewhere. We're on to something good here, and we're gonna make it after all" - Relient K

Week Fourteen: Memorial Day

Song of the Week: Proud To Be An American by Lee Greenwood

I was fortunate enough to be able to spend Memorial Day Weekend in Washington D.C. I've been to D.C. several times, but there was definitely a different kind of energy in the air this weekend. Seeing all the flags and patriotism made me so proud to be an American. The weekend was also a stark reminder that freedom really isn't free at all.

Memorial Day Concert on the lawn of the Capital.

Rolling Thunder First Amendment Demonstration Run. There were thousands of motorcycles that filled the streets of D.C. for hours. They were riding to demonstrate their respect for our troops and Prisoners Of War and Missing In Action.

The National Memorial Day Parade

Honoring All Veterans

Photos of fallen WWII Soldiers

WWII POW

Camp Yona wants to thank all our service men and women and their families who are currently serving, have served, or have paid the ultimate price to allow us at home to enjoy the freedoms they fought so hard to protect.

Week Thirteen: Signs

Song of the Week: I Saw the Sign by Ace of Base

This week we're featuring signs in our area. These little signs are the markers we follow to camp everyday. We hope one day these are the signs you too follow to camp. With each sign you are getting closer and closer. Your heart pounds more and more with excitement. Until finally you have arrived, wondering what could Yona have in store for you this summer?

We are at Exit 148.

The South Fork of the Ogeechee River borders two sides of our property.

Camp Yona is located in Taliaferro County, pronounced Tolifer by the locals.

Our Street

The sign in front of the old farm house on the property.