I have been to Aspen Grove on a tour when I was in college. I thought about applying to work there because your food and lodging comes free, but I didn't think I could swing college classes and driving up there and everything, so I decided against it. However, my family used to drive past that place all the time when we would go for Sunday picnics at the Theater in the Pines, so I knew exactly where it was.
Let me tell you, Aspen Grove hires stellar people to be your friends! My kids LOVED their counselors and all the activities! The adults didn't have counselors which I thought was really dumb. I know that we could've schooled all those little twerps at all the competitions. (Just kidding, in case you couldn't hear my sarcasm.) Actually, the planned activities were awesome for the kids AND the adults. Lily did a great job on her blog telling about all the fun experiences she had up there. Here are the links to her posts:
My experience as an adult up there is a little different than Lily's. Let's talk food first. It was AWESOME! We were never hungry. They have a large cafeteria, you come at your assigned time to eat. They say a prayer before they open the doors, then they let you in. There are 4 main buffet lines with hot food which you could go down both sides (so, 8 lines), and on the opposite side of the cafeteria there was a salad bar/ healthier options buffet (2 lines), and there was another buffet that always had bread, peanut butter and jelly, applesauce, and little kid foods. You never had to wait in line very long. And there were fruit baskets always available too. The staff waited until all guests had gone through the lines before they brought out desserts and put them on the buffet. Condiments were at a few differing locations. There was a large wall lined with drink options- soda pops, juices, hot cocoa, water, milk, etc..
Dinners:
Fajitas (chicken or ground beef), black beans. Also- Fish and Tomatoes.
Penne Pasta (marinara or alfredo), sausages, breadsticks. Also- Soup
Pulled Pork sandwiches. Also- soup
Desserts:
Fruit cobbler
Ice Cream Sandwiches
Cookies
Lunch:
Build your own ham or turkey and cheese sandwich
Hamburgers, chips
and something else I can't remember
Breakfasts:
(There was also a cereal bar available everyday for every meal.)
(Also available during breakfast- Oatmeal, Yogurt parfait bar, Hard boiled eggs.)
Pancakes and sausage.
Biscuits and gravy, bacon
Pastries
Next, let's talk activities! The kids were put into groups and were in good hands with a pair of counselors. They were gone doing activities in their age groups from right after breakfast until lunch. Then right after lunch until dinner. We were always together for all our meals, and the evenings were filled with family-togetherness activities. While the kids were gone, the adults could sign up for sporting competitions, or choose to do another activity like go on a hike to Stewart Falls, check out board games, play pool or ping pong, paint at the craft house, woodwork at the woodshop, climb the ropes course, free swim, or go to classes.
Some of the things I really enjoyed were the classes given by Hank Smith. He's a BYU religion professor and his classes that we attended were captivating, insightful, and inspiring. Alex (Heather's hubby) is actually in one of his classes, and Hank kept quizzing him, which was kinda fun.
 |
| selfie with Hank Smith |
We also played laser tag with the Blads in the wilderness! Steve and I were just going to watch, but they let us play even though we never signed up for a time. I remember just running through the woods and hiding and waiting for anyone to cross my path so I could start shooting. I was by Amy and she took a wrong step and fell all tangled up in a tree. I had to break a branch to free her ankle, and she was fine, just embarrassed. Near the end time, I was trying my best to hit Andrea and Steve, but I didn't get them even once. I think I took over 300 shots and I had zero hits. I was hit 3 times. After 5 hits, you're dead. Guess my gun skills are not very war-worthy.
Steve and I also took a hike to the falls on Monday, which happened to be Memorial Day. That was the most crowded trail ever! We got to the falls, took a picture, and headed back as fast as we could so I could catch another of Hank's classes. We literally jogged down the trail any chance we got.
We missed half his lecture, but had a great time anyway.
Now let's talk about the evening activities. Friday they had an opening ceremonies/skit program put on by the counselors and the children. Our kids went up and performed their skits. Saturday night was Frontier Night with lots of Western-themed activities. I took the girls to do some painting with me, so we were a little late for the frontier night, but we have awesome soveniers.
 |
| Amara's cat she painted with acrylics made to look like Smokey. |
 |
| Lily's plate painted with a glaze. |
 |
| My cute owl salt and pepper shakers I painted with glaze. |
 |
| Steve attempting to whip the balloon off |
We loved Aspen Grove!
Note fore next time- I'll bring a blanket for the evening ampitheater programs! And if we can afford it, we'll stay in the lodge instead of the cabins for more space, better temperature control, and our own bathroom.
