By: Liz Nicks
Imagine a day when cell phones were too expensive for a family plan, dial-up internet was just becoming a thing, and social media was non-existent. It was a time when we carried around camcorders and had to develop our film to make sure we got everyone in the frame. It was even a time when this year’s grand officers weren’t even born yet. Say What!?!
It was April 5, 1998. We were just a group of strangers, hearing our names called by Anna Lind at the last Grand Assembly sessions in Anaheim, CA. It was a whirlwind of a weekend to say the least and kicked off our 1998-1999 grand year.
Fifty-four Charismatic Camels traveled up and down the state making memories! That year we attended 41 O.V’s, four out of state Grand Assemblies, three Rainbow Camps, several Instructionals and receptions too. We had mass sleepovers, late night TP excursions, and road trips that lasted weeks and weeks. The bonds we formed and the memories we made are still fresh, 25 years later!
Our Grand Assembly sessions were held March 27-30, 1999, in Fresno. It was a “Rainbow Caravan Across the Sands” and our blue floral dresses made for a beautiful mirage in the warm desert landscape. Of course warm was not really the temperature, our sessions took place on ICE! Carpet covered ice, where our floor girls wore layers of thick socks to stay warm and their hoops created the perfect personal igloo!
Our sessions kicked off with a heartwarming surprise, when we dedicated our Grand Assembly sessions to Bill and Anna Lind. They had no idea, in fact Mrs. Lind approved a program dedicated to the Grand Deputies. We swapped that page out before print and presented them with a final version the day we checked in! The look on Mrs. Lind’s face and the finger shaking was well worth it!
Our Mean Mama Camel was Mrs. Darlene Cabral and our State Rainbow ‘Rad Dad’ was Mr. Bill Hutchison. Mr. Hutchison passed this last December and will forever remain in our hearts and our memories. Mr. and Mrs. H, and Mr. and Mrs. Cabral were always on the road with us, ready with hugs, support, directions, and sweets! We were a lucky bunch, having them as our mom and pop!
Our first Grand Assembly session began as our Thomson Three took to the floor! Our Grand Lecturer is the cousin of our TWIN Grand Drill Leaders. How awesome is that! The Charismatic Camels then danced their way in to songs from The Prince of Egypt, and of course, Prince’s ‘1999!’, making way for Mrs. Lind and I, as we rode in on LIVE Camels! It was hoot watching Mrs. Lind climb up in her formal. I remind my Grandies every year that we hold the title for the only GWA to ride in ON her mascot! (Love you GWAfia!)
Our Grand Service Project was The Blind Babies Foundation, a non-profit based out of the Bay Area. California Rainbow raised an amazing $85,876.37, and we were beyond proud to present that oversized check! We had a blast meeting our new Grandies Sunday night, at Revelations, when the Zany Zebras were announced. Monday sure was tough though, removing our jewels and singing ‘Rainbow Dreams’ for the “last time!”.
Needless to say, our GA sessions were only icing on the cake. We had an amazing year and I am beyond proud to be a Camel. Our core of officers have remained true sisters, supporting each other as life happens, emotionally, physically, and financially. We currently have over 85 camel babies, one of which is this year’s Grand Drill Leader (Go Alyssa!!), and more who are Rainbow Girls and Future Rainbow Girls.
This organization has changed our lives and we are stronger and better women because of it. We all need to continue to support each other and this order, sharing when you can and where you can. “Keep the spirit of Rainbow in your heart” (-Vickie Diem).