Planning for
Young Women’s camp is a year round process. Although camp is held in the summer
months, the theme and vision are put into place as early as possible, usually in the Fall, so planning and preparation can begin. Through prayer and inspiration, the Stake
Young Women’s President counsels with the Stake Camp director to decide upon a
theme.
As they came together in the Fall to share thoughts and feelings, the YW Presidency and Camp Director felt strongly that the Camp theme should center around missionary work. A “Mission Possible” theme was put in place.
As they came together in the Fall to share thoughts and feelings, the YW Presidency and Camp Director felt strongly that the Camp theme should center around missionary work. A “Mission Possible” theme was put in place.
The Theme
was announced in February at a Stake Young Women Camp Kick-Off. This is a
wonderful event where the Young Women come together to remember all the
spiritual feelings and memories they shared at Camp. The Young Women are
invited to wear their Camp t-shirts (from the previous year) and sing the songs
and say goodbye to last year’s theme. We took a walk down memory lane as we
watched our Camp slideshow, smiling and laughing and remembering the wonderful
spirit felt there. Things then turned more spiritual as we stood and sang
together our theme song, bearing testimony that we will stand strong and
remember Him. And now, as one door closes another opens, it is time for our
Young Women to learn the new theme. Through a fun and creative skit (put on by
our Stake leaders) the next Camp theme is revealed.
After
Kick-Off, comes training meetings that take place monthly with the Stake
Young Women Presidency, Stake Camp Leaders, Ward Young Women Leaders and Ward
Camp Directors. These meetings are used to present the Camp vision and to make
sure all leaders understand and are unified in purpose. The Camp schedule is
organized and all Young Women leaders on a Stake and Ward level go to work preparing devotionals and workshops to help make this happen.
The Stake
Camp Director meets monthly, then weekly as camp approaches, working out the
details of the schedule with her committee which consists of herself, 1-3
assistants along with an administrative assistant. There are other sub committees they meet with as often as needed; Certification specialists and YCL leaders who
hold training for the 5th and 6th year girls to prepare
them for the major role and responsibilities they will have in running camp.
There is also a Food committee and a camp nurse. Other specialists may be
called depending on activities planned.
Three
months prior to camp the YCL leaders start communication with the
5th and 6th year girls and arrange a meeting where the girls sign up for and receive responsibilities for leadership at camp. They are grouped into committees such as, post office
(making sure each girl at camp receives notes and treats – usually in a
decorated hanging shoe holder), Canteen, Big Sister assignments...
Two months
prior to camp the Certification leaders start communicating with the YCL’s to
help them prepare for the certification requirements they will teach at camp.
Certification is solely taught by the YCL’s without any leader assistance once we arrive at camp so helping them prepare to teach before camp is important.
One of our
certification leaders created the following link to make it easy for the YCL’s
to access material to study to teach the requirements: CERTIFICATION
At the first YCL meeting the 5th and 6th year girls sign up for the requirements they want to teach. We also formed a Facebook group for just the YCL’s and leaders to communicate, send reminders, and answer questions. The girls amaze us at how prepared they are to teach at camp.
At the first YCL meeting the 5th and 6th year girls sign up for the requirements they want to teach. We also formed a Facebook group for just the YCL’s and leaders to communicate, send reminders, and answer questions. The girls amaze us at how prepared they are to teach at camp.
The week
before camp a sleepover is arranged for the YCL’s to finish last minute
preparations for camp. The morning of camp the Stake Leaders, Stake Camp
committee, and YCL’s arrive several hours before the wards check in to decorate
camp based on the theme, unpack and set up their cabins, and prepare for the
wards to arrive.
The basic yearly 5 day schedule we use is this: SCHEDULE. We make minor adjustments to it each year to fit the theme. Most years we have held hikes during the day. For camp this year we held a night hike with 5 groups departing in 15 minute intervals starting at 7 pm and arriving back in camp in groups starting at 9:00-10:30 pm. The hike began 3 miles from camp with each group stopping at 5 designated locations where they participated in mini workshops. Once back in camp they gathered around a campfire to sing until all groups returned. We closed with the video "Ensign to a Nation".
Go to this link to see other aspects of planning camp such as ward responsibilities, packing list, what Personal Progress requirements the girls can easily pass off by participating in camp activities, even our YCL assignment sign up chart: CAMP PLANNING.
Go to this link to see other aspects of planning camp such as ward responsibilities, packing list, what Personal Progress requirements the girls can easily pass off by participating in camp activities, even our YCL assignment sign up chart: CAMP PLANNING.
The
following is a video walk through of our camp schedule.
The first
song in Part 1 is our camp theme song this year “I Will” by Hilary Weeks. It
was chosen by our Young Adult Assistant Camp director who was a 6th year YCL last year and is home on her
college summer break.
Part 1
covers the first 2 days: YCL’s preparing camp, Ward Check-In, Welcome,
Certification, Lunch, Groups by age level, Journaling, Water Front Free Time,
Crafts, Games, Flag Ceremony.
Part 2 covers the second 2 days: Scripture Study, Hike, 4th Year Team Building Leadership Ropes Course, Talents, Workshops, Group Games, Bishops Night, Closing Ceremony, Group Photo.