Dearest Badgers,

This morning I had the privilege of gathering with a conglomerate of members to help with some renovations at Badger. Now that the Church is turning it into a girls camp—"Holes" reference, anyone?—they're looking to add more campsites (three Stakes worth?), and to soon get water and electricity to them. I was stationed up at Buffalo, in the forest behind the yurts. We were tasked with clearing a new site for multiple tent pads.

A whole new road, with multiple offshoots

Represent ;)

The view you know and love so well #nofilter

Oh, you know I did...

It was exciting to think that soon there would be many participants snuggly nestled in so many new nooks and crannies on the grounds. I think it's an excellent use of the forest we rarely trod during our summer together.
I've been back so many times to Badger, since 2008; I'm probably the closest of our group now, proximity-wise.
For some reason the nostalgia and longing for our summer really hit me, this time. So many memories came flooding back during and following this visit; and I kid you not, I nearly ran over a ground squirrel on highway 33, driving back! XD

I greatly look forward to our time together, in the next few months.

617, signing out.
*KRD 999 CLEAR*

In response to you, 617, I thought I would share a picture or two.

I used a disposable camera that summer, continuing the habit I had formed as a missionary in Brazil just a few months earlier (my digital cameras always got stolen). It's funny how the poor quality of the pictures make it seem like 2008 was generations ago, rather than 8 years ago.

 The first work crew, and the prizes we made.

At Badger Creek, everyone is the center of attention.

 The Teton Range in the spring. Amazingly green.

The week Pam and I won the HOUSE CUP. I mean, our kids won it... 

The hooligans Emily and I took care of for a week. 

I left the camera out in the LC one day, and someone (Abe, I think?) thought it was a camper's camera that had been left behind by mistake. So he (Abe) started taking pictures with it, thinking they would never be developed. First was Emily, turning around unsuspectingly. 

Then he took a picture of me. Acting totally normal. 

 Then a picture of JP (I think?) sweeping the floor of the LC. Then I realized that Abe was messing with my disposable camera, and I took it back.

Our hike to the wind caves. I am in no way retaliating against Abe for the earlier picture fiasco. 

 Looking down on everyone from the wind caves. Jason Lewis is much too close to the edge.

Sunset over the leech pond. I mean fish pond. 

The ol' climbing tower, with your's truly on the top. 

Zip lines can make anyone look cool.

Upon reflection, I don't know that I would trust a cook that has this written on their apron. 

"The Griz" at the bear cave.

Brother B leads a song in his house. 617 tries to photobomb in the corner, while Jason Lewis seems to be enjoying the song a little too much.

And those are all the pictures I have of that summer. I was really that lame. But it's enough to get the old memories flowing, so I thought I'd share them with y'all - only 8 years late!

Check in

Calling all Badgers, this is 617, Over.
What's your 20, Over?

Badger Bash

Ok, folks I am a selfish person and decided we need a badger reunion 08 style. After conversing with Jason Lewis, since we are both in Logan, we have decided that it should be in Logan. This is due to the fact that people from Rexburg don't have to drive all the way to Provo, and those in Provo don't have to drive all the way to Rexburg, it is the middle ground. That being said the festivities will be held at my house where we have large amounts of floor to sleep over night on. There will be an awesome spaghetti dinner and a wonderful crepe/pancake breakfast the next day. There will also be an appearance by the famous actress (who does everyone think is cool) who everyone wants to meet*. I am thinking that this event could take place the weekend of the 18th or the 11th of February. Please let me know which weekend works best for you and we will make sure the most amount of people can come. I was thinking we should start the festivities around 6 pm. It can be later if people request. I hope that all of you will come, not to put pressure on anyone, but if you don't come I might get seriously depressed quite my job (when i get one) and then move into my mothers basement to deal with the disappointment*.  I hope you can all get back to me on this if you can do it if you can't. Thank you all. 

Love, 

Willie

Please spread the word

I love you guys!

Well, I'm sitting here on my computer, when I should be sleeping (as usual). I was feeling just a bit sentimental, and wanted to go to this blog to feel even more sentimental.

JP, I am loving that you are doing the logo for our beloved Badger. I can't wait to see the final-final product!

Everyone else--I love running into you, and just catching up. I was lucky and was invited to dinner at the Davis' home. Max, I just love your family! Gabe is going to be a great missionary, and your mom is just awe inspiring. I always leave feeling uplifted; and you, of course, are great to have a conversation with!

Lark and I were finally room mates this semester...for about 1 1/2 months. Now she's off at Badger, trying to thump me in the position of "the chef." ;)

I don't really know why I'm writing all this right now. I just really love you all, and I miss you all, and I really do hope that we can stay in touch and really love and support each other in all the good things we do!

Hope everyone is doing well. To those of you who don't post very much: please do! Keep us updated!

Love you guys!

-Rachel, amazing ninja, chef extraordinaire

First off, there are a ton of exciting things happening with everyone and I am so excited. And there is even more! But I won't spoil the surprise for others:)
Just wanted to update you on the logo. Here is a latest version that I was toying with. My thoughts are back to basic and simple as everything including life seems when you are at Badger.
(Colors are always subject to change).

Zion The Never Ending Quest

Ok, so I just got back from doing Summit. Which was amazing for all of you wondering how it was. It was different from Badger that is for sure. However, that feeling of being in a group with a common purpose and goal reminded me of Badger. I wish I could have that feeling of Zion with me always. It is a quest that I have been working on and will continue to work on for forever.

I do believe I have had glimpses of Zion. I have seen Zion when people who get to sleep in the warm comfort of the lodge go out of their way to bring me a warm nalgene, or when someone knows when to call me at just the right moment on a bad day. I have seen it when trying to mountain bike a ridiculously long uphill road, and in my usual style have injured myself to the point that I can't even push my bike up the hill, and a close friend pushes it for me. I could go on and on. I am truly grateful for all of you that help me come closer to understanding Zion and how to build it. It is that never ending quest to find it and make it bigger. I love you all.

Willie

P.S. Jeremy gets home on Wednesday, Yay!! Also, Congrats on the BABY Megan, I can't wait to meet one of the luckiest children alive, do to the fact they will have amazing parents.

O'Brien Update

I just realized, I don't think I have ever posted something! I think it's about time.
I thought I would fill everyone in on recent events that have occured in our live:

1) Jordan is LOVING his job at Unicity as their graphic designer. In fact the company love him so much that they are doing everything to keep him including sending the two of us to Cancun on vacation! Wahoo! It looks like we will be in Utah for a little while.

2) The last few months have been the most stressful time in my life. I have been able to finish all my school requirements and graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Dental Hygiene. I successfully took and passed the National Written Exam. I passed my anesthesia exam and am now licensed to give local anesthesia. And I finally finished last Friday with my Clinical exam, but I won't find out if I passed for another month. (but I feel good about it).

3) I recieved my very first IV in the hospital because I have been very sick through this whole ordeal.

4) Oh yeah...and did I mention, Baby O'Brien will be joining our family in November!

I Need ALL of the Badgers Help

Hey everyone. First off, I just found out that I was spelling Hey wrong my whole life. Secondly, I just got done with another amazing opportunity to work at Badger Creek for a short 7 weeks. It was amazing. I have gone through many of the feelings that Tiffany spoke of in her last post. Finally I settled on the feeling that no matter where I go (and I will be going places) Badger Creek will keep being an amazing place that even if we have been distant from it for years.
I'm sure many of you have felt the desire to help it out. I have felt that many times and thought that when I am rich, I will do likewise. But the fact is that we all have helped Badger by giving it our talents and time. I have been given an opportunity to help with mine. I hope that you can with yours as well as follows.
Badger Creek is an eve evolving entity. So has it's appearance been. It doesn't have a solid visual identity. Below are some examples of logos. I need your help to determine what you guys feel about the direction of them. As you can imagine, creating a symbol for a symbol of something so great in the history of our lives is daunting. I don't want to create something lacking that is attributed to me but rather something cool that is attributed to us.
IMPORTANT NOTE: These are IDEAS. Meaning some are more refined then others. So their finished product gives them a nicer feel. All will be finished with a nicer feel, but right now the most important thing is the simple form-the unifying element. There may be a number of logos (a mother one for Badger, one fore OYA, Quest, etc.) but even though they may be different, they will have a similar unifying element. These are just ideas, starting places. The borders, boxes etc. can all be changed around. There will be different versions. For example, a detailed ornate one for a plaque, another for a letter head, simpler for shirts. Should the staff coats have a different logo then the program title? Or maybe I'm missing an idea all together. Please give me your input and ideas in any and all aspects. Thank you so much and I hope that life is finding EVERY one of you well. I miss and love you guys.

JP

Dreaming of Badger

Last night I dreampt that I was at Badger for training as a staff member. I was driving in a car to the upper pasture with Karrie and Brother A for a campfire to start training. It was then that I realized I had a little baby and husband at home. I was really worried about spending the whole summer away from them. I told Brother A that I couldn't work because I would have to wean my baby and I would even get to see my family every weekend because it was too far. I was torn because I loved Badger, but I knew my life had changed and I could never be a staffer again. I quickly went back to the lodge to grab my camera for some pictures before I departed.
My life has certainly changed, but I guess I will always have a desire to spend my summers at Badger Creek. For those of you that still can, enjoy!