“I give unto you a commandment, that when ye are assembled
together ye shall instruct and edify each other, that ye may know how to
act” (D&C 43:8).
Ideas
for Camp Activities (From the New Young Women Camp Guide)
Following is a list of possible
spiritual, social, physical, and intellectual activity ideas to consider as you
plan camp. Additional activity ideas can be found at the Youth Activities site
(lds.org/youth/activities).
Preparatory Activities
Activities for camp may begin before you depart for camp
and continue after camp is over. Consider planning activities that will enhance
preparedness, increase learning, and build anticipation for camp.
•
Hold a preparatory activity for the
young women and their families. Share the theme and details of camp.
•
Have a planning activity where you
develop a schedule of assignments. Some of these assignments could include cooking,
cleaning, setup, and trash disposal.
•
Create a camp menu within budget
that includes nutritious recipes.
•
Learn ways to protect the
environment, such as avoiding waste, keeping water pure, or restoring natural
areas after they have been damaged.
•
Practice using camp equipment and cooking
outdoors.
•
Begin learning outdoor survival
skills.
•
Make a physical fitness plan and
participate in hikes, bike rides, or other activities that will help you
prepare for camp.
Spiritual Growth
•
Plan a time each day for personal scripture
study, journaling, prayer, and reflection. You could focus on the scriptures
that are related to the camp theme.
•
Plan daily camp devotionals.
•
Go on a nature walk or treasure
hunt.
•
Prepare and give classes or
devotionals that share gospel principles and standards. See Handbook 2, section 21.1.20 for instructions on
guest speakers.
•
Hold a testimony meeting and help
young women understand the nature of a true testimony (see True to the Faith: A Gospel Reference [2004], 178–80; Gospel Topics, “Testimony,”
topics.lds.org; and M. Russell Ballard, “Pure Testimony,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2004, 40–43).
•
Memorize a scripture, poem, hymn, “The
Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles” (Ensign or Liahona, Apr. 2000, 2–3), or “The Family:
A Proclamation to the World” (Ensign
or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 129).
•
Prepare for a mission through
activities such as a missionary study or missionary role-play.
•
Participate in family history by
sharing stories, making traditional recipes, or participating in scrapbooking.
•
Prepare to receive temple
ordinances through activities such as a faith walk or standards games.
•
Have a sacred music night.
•
Play a game or create a presentation
or skit that teaches a scripture or gospel principle.
Physical Activity and Health
As you choose from this list or select other activities,
remember that all physical activities should be appropriate for the age and
physical and mental condition of the participants. Involve appropriately
trained specialists or certified guides for specialized activities, such as
river rafting or rock climbing. Abide by all safety policies for activities and insurance
regulations for facilities being used.
•
Plan sports or physical health
activities around the interests of the young women attending camp.
•
Play a group sport, such as soccer,
volleyball, or basketball.
•
Plan and participate in a long or
overnight backpacking trip.
•
Participate in a hike, bike ride,
or nature walk.
•
Go river rafting.*
•
Participate in water activities,
such as swimming, snorkeling,*scuba diving,* canoeing, sailing,* and so forth.
•
Go rock climbing* and rappelling.*
•
Invite someone with training to
teach personal safety and self-defense.*
•
Make a health plan and practice and
develop good exercise and eating habits.
•
Study the Word of Wisdom and learn
about nutrition. Learn about behaviors or attitudes that may lead to unhealthy habits,
including eating disorders.
•
Invite an expert to teach about
mental health, emotional health, and coping skills.
•
Learn the dangers of the internet
and pornography, and learn how to protect yourself and your family.
* These activities pose
above-average risks and require the help of an appropriately trained or certified specialist.
Emergency Preparedness and Survival
Skills
•
Invite trained professionals to
teach basic first aid or emergency response, including what to do in
life-threatening situations, bandaging wounds, and rescuing victims.
•
Learn how to make and maintain a first
aid kit.
•
Learn and practice techniques for building
and maintaining
a fire safely.
•
Invite someone with training or
experience to teach you about the potential natural disasters, resource
shortages, and pollution that are common to your area.
•
Learn to navigate in unfamiliar
places by using a compass, different types of maps, and the positions of the sun,
moon, and stars.
•
Learn about cloud formations.
•
Learn basic outdoor survival skills.
•
Build emergency shelters.
•
Learn how to find and purify water.
•
Invite an expert to teach you how
to identify harmful wildlife, insects, and plants. Also learn how to identify
plants and animals that are safe to eat.
•
Practice environmentally friendly ways
of camping. Learn to set up a camp.
•
Learn and practice the different types
of knots and lashing techniques.
•
Try different methods of outdoor
cooking, such as reflector ovens, Dutch ovens, or campfire cooking.
•
Learn how to store food and water.
•
Learn knife skills and safety.
Friendship and Leadership Skills
•
Assign each young woman attending
camp a “secret sister,” whom she will serve during camp. She can serve by
leaving kind notes or by making sure the “secret sister” is included in all the
activities.
•
Invite a panel of Church leaders to
teach about building trust and resolving conflicts.
•
Plan a talent show where each young
woman can participate.
•
Participate in a humanitarian or environmental
service project.
•
Show your appreciation for your
adult camp leaders.
•
Hold a simple awards ceremony to
recognize the accomplishments and contributions of everyone at camp.
•
Hold evening campfire programs.
Talent and Skill Development
These ideas are not traditional outdoor camping
activities, but they may help you meet the needs of your young women.
•
Learn and develop musical talents,
such as singing or playing an instrument.
•
Practice different types of arts
and crafts, such as basket weaving, painting, sculpting, or knitting.
•
Practice leading music.
•
Invite an expert to teach you basic
carpentry, home repair, or other homemaking skills. Use these skills to serve
others.
•
Learn the basics of budget and
resource management.
•
Invite a mother with small children
to teach the basics of child care.
•
Learn how to grow and preserve your
own food. This could include how to plant and cultivate a garden.
•
Learn the basics of sewing by
making a simple piece of clothing. You could also learn how to mend clothing.
•
Learn how to recognize and identify
different constellations, planets, and other features of the night sky.
•
Prepare and perform a short play or
skit for the camp.
•
Practice writing and giving talks for
sacrament meeting. Share your talk with others.
•
Take a tour of local educational or
vocational training facilities. Make a plan to continue your education. Learn about
the Church’s Perpetual Education Fund.
• Learn how to recycle and repurpose items.
