To Young Women Leaders

At Young Women camp, young women ages twelve to eighteen have the world of nature as their classroom. They can experience the wonder of God’s creations and learn skills that will help them become more self-reliant and able to live comfortably in the outdoors. Camp also provides time for young women and their leaders to develop lasting friendships as they work and play together. Through shared experiences, they can draw closer to their Heavenly Father and strengthen each other in living the gospel.

As Young Women camp leaders, youth and adult, exciting experiences await you as you plan and carry out a Young Women camp. Together you will discover many new things about our beautiful world, and your enthusiasm about nature will help create a sense of wonder and excitement among the young women.

Challenging experiences are often part of camp. As a leader, your example in handling difficult situations and making necessary adjustments will provide important learning experiences for young women. Your patience and love will be powerful influences in their lives.

Preparation is a vital part of the camp experience. Your own spiritual preparation will be a key to your success in accomplishing the camp goals. When a spiritually prepared leader becomes involved in the life of a young woman, a caring relationship can grow and gospel lessons can be taught. For more information about how to teach, see pages 300–304 in the “Gospel Teaching and Leadership” section of the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2 (35903 or 35209).

Study the material in this manual carefully. Think about the special needs and strengths of the young women you will be with at Young Women camp. Seek the direction of the Spirit as you plan and carry out your camp. Take this opportunity to strengthen sisterhood and share the joy of God’s creations.

Youth Leadership

Young women should be involved in the leadership of every Young Women camp. The camp program provides leadership opportunities and experiences for each young woman during each year that she participates. Young women who are sixteen and seventeen years of age serve as Youth Camp Leaders (see p. 87). Under the direction of adult leaders, they receive leadership training. They help to plan the camping experiences and accomplish the goals of camp.

Camp Theme

A camp theme provides a central focus for the camp and helps create a feeling of unity among those attending. The camp theme can be a scripture, a name for the camp, or a slogan or phrase that supports gospel principles, the Young Women Values, or camp goals.

Camp Activities

Young women and their local leaders select and plan activities to fit their local circumstances and needs. Activities should help to accomplish the purposes of the Young Women program and the goals of the camp program. The following list shows the goals of Young Women camp. It also shows some of the activities in the “Resources” section of this manual that could help to accomplish each goal.

• Draw closer to God. (See “Testimony-building Experiences.”)

• Appreciate and feel reverence for nature. (See “High Adventure Activities,” “Nature,” “Nature Awareness Activities.”)

• Become more self-reliant. (See “Backpacking,” “Bedrolls and Sleeping Bags,” “Fires,” “First Aid,” “Food and Nutrition,” “High Adventure Activities,” “Knives,” “Knots,” “Orienteering,” “Safety,” “Sanitation,” “Survival,” “Water Safety,” “Water Supply.”)

• Develop leadership skills. (See “Friendship Activities,” “Problem-solving Activities.”)

• Respect and protect the environment. (See “Environmental Awareness.”)

• Serve others. Many activities of camp should encourage the young women to give service.

• Build friendships. (See “Friendship Activities,” “Games.”)

• Enjoy camping and have fun. (See “Campfire or Evening Programs,” “Dramatizations and Skits,” “Games,” “Hiking.”)

The camp certification activities, which are described on pages 8–25 of this manual, will help young women to accomplish all of the goals of camp.

Music should also be a part of camp activities. Plan to include recreational songs, folk songs, original music, hymns, or other music. Simple instruments such as ukuleles, guitars, or harmonicas may enhance the music.

Sharing Times

All the activities of camp can be of greater value when young women have opportunities to talk about their experiences and relate them to their lives and the principles of the gospel. Sharing times provide these opportunities. Sharing times may be held immediately following an activity or at a later time. By sharing their feelings, young women can learn to recognize the influence of the Holy Ghost in their lives.

Sharing times should include each young woman involved in the experience. Consider the following suggestions:

1. Gather the group together.

2. Allow enough time for each young woman to share what she is thinking.

3. Help the young women to see their experiences in a positive and uplifting way.

Encourage each young woman to share her thoughts by asking questions that require more than a yes or no answer, for example:

• How does this experience help you better understand a principle of the gospel?

• How did you feel about this experience? Why did you feel this way?

• How do you think others felt?

• What did you learn from this experience?

• How will you use what you have learned?

For more information about leading discussions, see pages 303–304 in the “Gospel Teaching and Leadership” section of the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2 (35903 or 35209).

Journals

Encourage each young woman to write about her experiences at camp in her journal or on the pages provided in this manual. Keeping a journal can help her become aware of her spiritual feelings, see her personal growth, and remember the friendships she has made and strengthened.

Camp Identification

A Young Women Camper Badge (34681) is available for each young woman and adult who attends camp. It features the Young Women torch, which reminds young women to hold up the light of Christ and to stand for truth and righteousness.

YW camp badge

Adult leaders and Youth Camp Leaders may wear the Young Women Camp Leader Badge (34682) after they complete camp leadership training (see p. 88).

camp leader badge

Camp Certification

The certification program for Young Women camp provides structure for the experiences of camp. It also provides recognition for the young women’s efforts.

Activities for each of the four certification levels increase in difficulty, and some skills learned at earlier levels are reviewed. However, young women do not need to have completed earlier levels in order to work on later levels. All young women may work on the same certification level as their peers.

Those who wish to certify for a past level and receive the recognition may do so by completing all of the requirements for that level except the hiking requirements. A young woman who is working on past levels may work on more than one level of certification at a time. Young women should not advance to a new level until they are the appropriate age for that level.

At age sixteen, young women become Youth Camp Leaders. If they have not completed their certification requirements, they may do so while serving as Youth Camp Leaders.

Each young woman should have a copy of this manual and keep a record of her own certification. Ward or stake leaders should also keep a record of requirements completed by individual campers.

Certification Approvals

Adult leaders are encouraged to complete the Young Women camp certification and receive the Young Women Certified Camper Award (34684). To make it possible for camp to be held in areas where there are no previously certified campers, it is not necessary for adult leaders to complete the certification process before conducting a Young Women camp or certifying other campers. However, leaders should be thoroughly familiar with the certification requirements and should know the skills the young women will be asked to develop. Youth Camp Leaders who have received the Young Women Certified Camper award may also approve certification requirements for other campers.

If Young Women leaders are holding a camp in their area for the first time and are not certified, they and the young women who will be Youth Camp Leaders could meet before camp to learn together and certify each other as part of their camp leadership training (see p. 88).

Before leaders approve young women’s certification requirements, they must determine whether the young women understand the requirements and know how and when to properly use the skills or knowledge.

Recognition of Certification

It is important for young women to receive recognition for their accomplishments. The certificates and awards they earn at camp should be presented at camp or at a time when family members can be present.

A Young Women Camp Recognition Certificate (34683) is awarded to each camper who completes a certification level. Youth Camp Leaders also receive a Young Women Camp Recognition certificate for each year of service. The same certificate is used for the four certification levels, the Youth Camp Leader program, and adult leader certification. Young Women leaders should write on the certificate what the person has achieved, for example, “Level 1” or “One year of service as a Youth Camp Leader.”

YW recognition certificate

When a camper has completed all four certification levels, she may also receive the Young Women Certified Camper award (34684).

camper award

Accomplishing the Goals of Camp

Planning with a purpose will help to accomplish the goals of camp and will help the young women incorporate the Young Women Values into their lives.

Planning with a Purpose

Step 1	Step 2	Step 3	Step 4	Step 5
Young Women Values	Young Women Camp Goals	Make the Plan	Carry Out the Plan	Evaluate
Faith Divine Nature Individual Worth Knowledge Choice and Accountability Good Works Integrity	Draw closer to God. Appreciate and feel reverence for nature. Become more self-reliant. Develop leadership skills. Respect and protect the environment. Serve others. Build friendships. Enjoy camping and have fun.

The Young Women Values and the goals of Young Women camp have been identified in steps 1 and 2 on the chart. It is your responsibility as adult leaders and Youth Camp Leaders to make the plan for camp, which is step 3. You do this by selecting and scheduling experiences and activities to accomplish the camp goals and help the campers incorporate the Young Women Values into their lives. To accomplish step 4, you carry out the plan.

You accomplish step 5 when you evaluate the activities and experiences of camp. Schedule a regular time for evaluation during each day at camp. Then you will be able to make changes or adjustments in planning when necessary. Adult leaders will also be able to help Youth Camp Leaders recognize successes and progress. During the evaluation time, you might ask the following questions:

1. Are we making progress in reaching our camp goals and helping the young women incorporate the Young Women Values and other gospel principles into their lives?

2. What experiences have been most effective? Why?

3. Were there any activities that were less effective? What can we do to improve them?

4. Did the experiences help the young women strengthen caring relationships for each other?

5. Were all of the young women involved in the experiences?

6. Which experiences helped the young women to grow spiritually?

At the completion of each evaluation, review the plans for the next day.

After camp, evaluate the entire experience and compare the results with the camp goals. Make plans for future camp experiences.

Scheduling Camp Activities

There are many ways to schedule the activities of a camp, depending on the time available, the location, and the needs of the young women. The first day of camp should include the following:

1. Traveling to camp

2. Setting up camp

3. Orientation, which could include some or all of the following:

   1. Skits or talks

   2. Camp songs or hymns

   3. Flag ceremony

   4. Prayer

   5. Repeating the Young Women Theme and Motto

   6. Introducing the camp theme

   7. Introducing the adult leaders and Youth Camp Leaders

   8. Instructions and rules for camp activities

A possible daily schedule at camp might include the following:

1. Wake-up call

2. Breakfast and cleanup

3. Morning devotional and flag ceremony

   1. Welcome

   2. Daily announcements and assignments

   3. Thoughts relating to the camp theme, the Young Women Values, one of the camp goals, the talents of the young women, or other topics

   4. Camp songs or hymns

   5. Prayer

   6. Repeating the Young Women Theme and Motto

4. Certification and other activities

5. Mealtime and cleanup

6. Quiet time for activities such as writing in personal journals, reading the scriptures, or building relationships

7. Certification and other activities

8. Mealtime and cleanup

9. Cleanup of camp

10. Evening program

    1. Skits or talks

    2. Camp songs or hymns

    3. Retiring the flag

    4. Group scripture study

    5. Spiritual conclusion (may include a testimony meeting)

11. Evening prayers

12. Bedtime

A brief evaluation of the day’s activities by adult leaders and Youth Camp Leaders should be scheduled at some time during each day at camp.

Parents and priesthood leaders may be invited to visit and participate in camp. Such invitations allow parents and priesthood leaders to build relationships with young women and support them in their activities.

An activity could be planned after camp when young women could share with their families what they learned and experienced at camp. Young Women Camp Recognition certificates could be awarded at this time.

Guidelines for Involving Campers with Disabilities

Young women with disabilities need to feel accepted. They need to have opportunities to learn, to participate successfully, and to minister to others. Leaders should keep the following guidelines in mind as they work with campers who have mental, hearing, visual, speech, physical, cultural (including language), emotional, social, or learning disabilities:

1. Like all young women, those with disabilities feel accepted when they receive love, understanding, and respect from their peers and leaders.

2. They are able to learn when barriers that hinder their participation are reduced by adapting materials, procedures, and facilities. Some things that would not be hazards to others may be dangerous to a disabled person. Plan for the safety of each camper.

3. They can participate successfully when leaders and other young women help them in their preparation, respect their independence, encourage them while they are participating, and recognize them for their achievements.

4. They are able to minister to others when they have opportunities to serve, teach, and lead. Leaders should look for ways to involve them in callings and assignments as their circumstances permit.

Camp activities and certification may be adapted to meet the needs of individual young women with disabilities. Local leaders may obtain information from family members and community specialists about the young women’s needs and ways to meet them.

For more information on helping young women with disabilities, see page 227 of the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2; pages 310–14 in the “Gospel Teaching and Leadership” section of the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2 (35903 or 35209); and Teaching the Handicapped (31108).

Responsibilities of Leaders

Priesthood Leaders

Priesthood leaders counsel with Young Women presidencies as camp is being planned and approve the plans. Priesthood leaders call and set apart women to serve as camp director and assistant camp director. They also call camp specialists as needed. If a Youth Camp Leader or specialist who is not set apart desires a priesthood blessing, she may request it from the appropriate priesthood leader.

An adequate number of adult priesthood leaders should be at camp at all times to assist with security, participate in camp activities as needed, and give blessings when appropriate.

Young Women Presidency and Advisers

The stake or ward Young Women presidency, under the direction of local priesthood leaders, determine when to hold camp, how long the camp will last, and what goals the camp will work to accomplish. They decide whether to hold a ward camp or a larger stake camp. They recommend the name of a worthy and qualified woman to be considered as camp director. When a camp director has been called, the presidency orient her to the Young Women program and give her a Young Women Camp Manual and the “Young Women” section (35704), the “Activities” section (35710), and the “Gospel Teaching and Leadership” section (35903) of the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2 (35209).

The presidency work with the camp director, assistant camp director, camp specialists, and Youth Camp Leaders to make plans and carry out the goals for the camp. The presidency also work with the camp director to provide camp leadership training for the adult leaders and Youth Camp Leaders (see p. 88).

The camp setting provides an excellent opportunity for the Young Women presidency and advisers to develop caring relationships with young women. These leaders should attend camp and camp leadership training when possible and participate in Young Women camp experiences.

Young Women Secretary

The Young Women secretary assists the presidency and keeps a record of those who attend camp and the certification requirements they complete. She also keeps their Parental or Guardian Permission and Medical Release forms (see p. 89). These records should be accessible to adult camp leaders before and during the camp experience.

Camp Director

A spiritually mature woman is called and set apart by the appropriate priesthood leader to serve as camp director. Under the direction of the Young Women presidency, she organizes and carries out the camp program. The camp director—

1. Understands the purposes of the Young Women program, Young Women leadership principles, and the goals of Young Women camp.

2. Recommends an assistant camp director and camp specialists to assist her when necessary.

3. Involves Youth Camp Leaders in planning and carrying out the camp program.

4. Plans camp experiences that will help to meet the goals of the camp with the help of the assistant camp director, camp specialists, and Youth Camp Leaders.

5. Learns emergency life-support skills, first-aid skills, and survival skills for the outdoors.

6. Meets with the Young Women presidency to discuss and receive approval for camp plans.

7. Works with the Young Women presidency to provide leadership training for adult leaders and Youth Camp Leaders (see p. 88).

8. Carries out the precamp orientation with the help of adult leaders and Youth Camp Leaders (see p. 89).

9. With priesthood approval, calls upon the ward or stake activities committee to help arrange for equipment, transportation, and other assistance as needed.

10. Assumes responsibility for the daily evaluation meeting at camp with adult leaders, Youth Camp Leaders, and camp specialists.

11. At the conclusion of the camp, prepares a brief written report and evaluation for the Young Women presidency.

Assistant Camp Director

The camp director may recommend a woman to serve as assistant camp director. She is called and set apart by the appropriate priesthood leader. She works under the direction of the camp director. She may be assigned to—

1. Organize and direct the work of the Youth Camp Leaders by doing the following:

   1. Assist with camp leadership training for adult leaders and Youth Camp Leaders.

   2. Coordinate the assignments of the Youth Camp Leaders with the camp director and camp specialists.

   3. Act as a counselor to the Youth Camp Leaders during the camp.

   4. Help them to evaluate the camp experiences.

2. Assist the camp director as needed.

3. Attend and assist with the precamp orientation as needed.

Camp Specialists

The camp director may recommend people to serve as camp specialists. Nurses, people who are knowledgeable about the use of natural resources, and others with specific skills from the ward, stake, or community may be invited to serve as Young Women camp specialists. Youth Camp Leaders with particular skills and abilities may also serve as camp specialists.

Specialists are called by a priesthood leader for a specific task and are released at the conclusion of the assignment. Camp specialists should be familiar with the Young Women program. They may work with Youth Camp Leaders in areas such as camping skills and activities, music, flag ceremonies, devotionals, group scripture study, crafts, leadership training, transportation, medical needs, planning and purchasing of food, and equipment.

Youth Camp Leaders

Young women who are ages sixteen and seventeen serve as Youth Camp Leaders. Their responsibilities are determined by the camp director. They may serve individual wards or the stake, depending on the needs of each unit. The responsibilities of Youth Camp Leaders should be meaningful and appropriate for their experience, skills, and training. If they desire a priesthood blessing to assist them in their camp responsibilities, they may request one from the appropriate priesthood leader.

Youth Camp Leaders should—

1. Receive leadership training.

2. Serve as teachers and trainers.

3. Set a positive example for younger campers.

4. Help to plan activities and carry out camp goals.

5. Assume leadership responsibilities as determined by adult camp leaders.

6. Attend and assist with the precamp orientation as needed.

7. Help to evaluate the camp experiences and make recommendations for future Young Women camps.

When Youth Camp Leaders are not involved in leadership responsibilities, they are expected to support and participate in the camp activities.

Ideas for Youth Camp Leader Assignments

The following ideas for Youth Camp Leader assignments may be added to or modified as desired:

• Help to plan, conduct, and evaluate the camp experience for either the ward or stake.

• Help with leadership training for adult leaders and Youth Camp Leaders.

• Plan and be in charge of precamp orientation.

• Keep campers informed about meetings and other necessary information.

• Help to collect camp fees and raise funds for camp as needed (see “Budget Guidelines for Young Women Camp,” p. 90).

• Plan menus, purchase food, and pack camp gear.

• Set up the campsite.

• Establish schedules for cooking, cleaning, and fire building.

• Help assess the needs that the ward or stake should try to meet during the camp.

• Help select the camp theme for the year, and carry out activities related to the theme.

• Plan and carry out assignments at camp, such as devotionals, flag ceremonies, presentations on the camp theme, campfires, testimony meetings, recreational or sporting events, adventuring activities, crafts, music, activities that protect the environment, service, and hiking.

• Serve as a camp specialist in an area of expertise.

• Plan group scripture time.

• Assess the needs that young women have in an area of certification.

• Teach and approve certification requirements.

• Plan and carry out individual programs to help disabled young women complete certification requirements.

• Record certification achievements.

• Take care of minor first-aid problems, and learn how to get help when needed.

• Plan ways to help younger campers feel confident and enjoy the camp experience.

• Conduct or assist with sharing times. Help young women understand how their camp experiences relate to the goals of the camp.

• Be in charge of evaluation meetings during the camp.

• Meet in an evaluation meeting after the camp with camp leaders and Young Women leaders.

• Plan ways to help specific young women become more self-reliant by helping them meet their needs. This could be done by—

  • Building a relationship with them before camp.

  • Getting to know their needs.

  • Planning ways to fill these needs before, during, and after camp.

  • Being aware of teaching moments.

Camp Leadership Training

Under the direction of the Young Women presidency, the camp director provides training for adult leaders and Youth Camp Leaders before the camp begins. The extent of the training is determined locally. The assistant camp director, camp specialists, and experienced Youth Camp Leaders may assist.

Training may be carried out in each ward or for the stake. It could include training in planning camp, leadership skills, camping skills, camp activities, music, and certification requirements. Adult leaders and Youth Camp Leaders may wear the Young Women Camp Leader badge when they have completed the training.

The sections titled “To Young Women Campers” and “Resources” contain information about camp skills, activities, and certification requirements. Specific information relating to your area will need to be obtained locally.

Use the “Young Women” section (35704) and the “Gospel Teaching and Leadership” section (35903) of the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2 (35209) as a basis for teaching leadership skills. Consider how this information could be used to train leaders for the camp experience.

Adult leaders who will be working with Youth Camp Leaders should be present while the youth are receiving their leadership training and also while they are carrying out their leadership responsibilities at camp. The adult leaders should provide opportunities for youth to use the skills they have learned and should encourage them in their efforts.

Precamp Orientation

Under the direction of the Young Women presidency, the camp director arranges for a precamp orientation meeting. At the meeting, young women receive information and instructions before leaving for the camp. Parents should be invited to this meeting and expected to attend. Information should include the following:

• Goals of the camp

• Review of the dates and cost of the camp

• Camp policies

• Camp schedule

• Items young women may need to bring, such as scriptures, appropriate clothing, bedding, flashlight, pocketknife, insect repellent, or sunscreen.

• Items young women should not bring, such as radios, cassette and compact disc players, or playing cards.

A handout or letter containing this same information should be given to each camper and her parent(s) or guardian(s) before camp.

A parent or guardian should sign and turn in a Parental or Guardian Permission and Medical Release form for each young woman before she attends camp. A new form must be signed each year.

Leaders can make copies of the following form or prepare a form containing the same information.

Camp Support Materials

• Young Women Camp Manual

• Young Women Camper Badge (34681)

• Young Women Camp Leader Badge (34682)

• Young Women Camp Recognition Certificate (34683)

• Young Women Certified Camper Award (34684)

• “Young Women” section (35704) of the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2

• Young Women Leadership Training (videocassette, 53015)

• “Activities” section (35710) of the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2

• “Gospel Teaching and Leadership” section (35903) of the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2

• For the Strength of Youth (36550)

• Hymns

• “Come Hold Your Torches High” (song, 32510)

• A Song of the Heart (compilation of music, 32509; audiocassettes are also available)

Policies

Budget Guidelines for Young Women Camp

Members should not pay fees or be assessed to participate in Church programs. However, approval has been given for young women to participate in the cost of one annual camp experience. Young women who participate in the cost of their annual camp are encouraged to individually earn their own money. The annual Young Women camp may also be paid from the budget allowance. For more information about using individual funds, budget funds, and group fund raising activities to pay for camp, see pages 226 and 324 in the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2 (35209).

Church Standards

Church standards should be upheld at camp. Leaders are responsible to see that the standards followed in dress, music, and activities are in keeping with what the Savior would have his people do. (See For the Strength of Youth [36550].)

Age of Participants

Young women ages twelve through seventeen should be encouraged to participate in the Young Women camp program. Leaders should determine which young women will turn twelve before the date of the camp and invite them to participate. Any exceptions to this guideline should be determined locally in consultation with parents and priesthood leaders.

Attendance of Nonmembers

Young women who are not members of the Church are welcome to attend Young Women camp. Those who wish to attend should meet with a member of the Young Women presidency, who will help them understand the camp standards and provide necessary information.

Sabbath Observance

Camps that are held on Sunday are discouraged. However, if scheduling makes camping necessary on Sunday, all activities and dress should conform to the spirit of the Sabbath (see For the Strength of Youth, pp. 32–33).

Chaperoning

“When staying in tents, youth may not stay in the tent of an adult leader unless the leader is his or her parent or guardian” (Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, p. 278). If young women leaders and young women share other overnight facilities, such as a cabin, there must be at least two adult women in the facility.

In addition to Young Women leaders, an adequate number of adult priesthood leaders must be available at all times during young women overnight activities to provide support and protection. At such activities, priesthood leaders must stay in facilities separate from the young women.

Travel

See pages 279–80 in the “Activities” section (35710) of the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2 (35209).

Insurance

See pages 277–78 in the “Activities” section (35710) of the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2 (35209).

Renting Non-Church Facilities

See page 279 in the “Activities” section (35710) of the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2 (35209).

Health and Safety

Because accidents and illness may occur in camp, provisions should be made for emergency health care. Camp leaders should do the following:

1. Make sure that the camp area and all camp activities are as safe as possible.

2. Make sure that a nurse, doctor, or person with mature judgment and first-aid experience is in camp for the entire time. Before going to camp, locate the nearest medical facilities and have on hand necessary telephone numbers and addresses.

3. Have transportation available at all times in case of emergency. If possible, the camp should have access to a telephone.

4. Be prepared to provide first aid when needed. An annual review of emergency life-support skills and first-aid principles will help prepare for emergency situations.

5. Be aware of any young women or leaders attending camp who may need special medications or medical attention (see “Young Women Secretary,” p. 86, and a sample of the Parental or Guardian Permission and Medical Release form, p. 89).

At the top of each continent surrounding the Arctic Ocean lies the tundra, a treeless rolling plain. Here the summers are short, but the long hours of daylight turn the tundra into a beautiful rock garden containing lichen, moss, poppies, monkshood, lupine, and berries. Caribou make the tundra their summer home. Caribou is an Indian word meaning “wandering one,” and it is well suited to this member of the deer family. Caribou spend their winters in the forests but migrate each spring to the tundra, sometimes in herds of about 100 but also in larger herds of over 100,000!