YW camp 2013

Young Women camp was a wonderful experience in Trinidad.  The girls loved the beach location and the activities were a hit.  The devotionals worked well and overall the theme of the conference was understood and remembered.  We are happy to share the ideas and planning with you! 
 

 Outline of camp

Bird’s Eye Itinerary YW camp

-Friday- arrive, put gear in secure location

-Opening devotional –prayer, hymn I Am A Child Of God

·       Far above Rubies, Proverbs 31:10,

·       What does virtue mean? Matt5:25-34,

·       Scripture search activity

·       Journal entry/ pondering/encourage writing down thoughts during camp

-Lunch

-Value flowers Craft
      hand out gems and read scriptures attached to each
      glue gems to center of flowers 

-Afternoon devotional

·       Muhammad Ali's story

·       Introduction to Gems

·       Letter to myself (hand out envelopes)

·       Gem value presentations- divide into different groups (with leader application, James E. Faust’s quotes after each group)

·       Free time, if available

·       Dinner, clean up

·       Evening devotional and testimony meeting

-picture of Christ, flashlights, ye are the light of the world

-Thomas S. Monson’s words, lighthouse application

-Testimony meeting

-Settle bedding/ sleep

·       Breakfast

·       Group Sand creation and presentation

-Take varied shape container

-create and present to group; from one of the ten virtues: Faith,Diamond-White,

/Honesty-Coral-Orange, /Chastity-Gold-Gold, /Humility-Pearl-Yellow, /Self-

Discipline-Amethyst-Purple, /Fairness-Emerald-Green, Moderation-Tiger’s Eye-

Brown, /Cleanliness-Rose Quartz-Pink, /Courage-Ruby-Red, Grace-Sapphire-

Blue

·       Lunch, clean-up

·       Unity Activities
 -                            -Scripture Puzzle ( create different groups, hand out bags, all recite)

-The Human Knot (break into groups of no more than 10)

-Electric pulse game (stool, coin, )

·       Clean up and pack everything ready to go

·       Final devotional

-Prayer, hymn Oh My Father, hand out copies

-Read poem, The Touch of the Master’s Hand/ testify- YW worth

-Show downloaded video on computer, “Significant in every way.”

- hold up ID card, discuss

- hand out LDS ID card

-Testify, Closing Prayer

·       Depart for home

Detailed description

-Opening devotional – opening prayer, hymn I am a child of God, present the theme, Far above Rubies, Proverbs 31:10 “Who can find a virtuous woman for her price is far above rubies.”
 

Ask the girls - How valuable are rubies? (A) An exceptional stone is extremely rare, used in only the finest quality jewelry. It may command a price up to nearly $5,000 US per carat, more expensive than diamonds.

Ask the girls - What does virtue mean?  This value was added to the YW values in 1986.  Most often since then, it has been used to emphasize that young woman should dress modestly and maintain moral purity until marriage.  The message of “virtue” has been a list of DONTS. Don’t dress immodestly, Don’t have sex, Don’t have a steady boyfriend until you are older. Don’t look at pornography, Don’t do a whole list of things to stay pure!  The question in some of your minds might be what are the DO’s of virtue.  What should I DO and BE to have “virtue” and be worth more than rubies.  Where does the power to follow all the DONTS come from?  The answer is found, as all answers are, in the scriptures.  Matt 5:25-34

25 And a certain woman, which had an ^aissue of blood twelve years,26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his ^agarment. 28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that ^avirtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? 31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. 33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy ^afaith hath made thee whole; go in ^bpeace, and be whole of thy plague.

In this story, the power that healed the woman of an illness that had plagued her for twelve years, was VIRTUE.  That power was not specific just to moral purity, but encompassing an incredible divine power…..strong enough to HEAL a long- standing affliction of the flesh.

The English word “virtue” comes from the latin “vir” which means “man”. Not in the generic ‘male’ sense, but it actually implies an ideal man with ideal attributes: courage, strength, fortitude, integrity, etc. In ancient Rome, ‘virtus’ was almost never applied to women because those traits were thought of as exclusively masculine. Ironic, considering that “virtue” is now considered almost exclusively feminine. The reality is that virtue in its pure and original sense applies to both genders and is embodied in our master, Jesus Christ.  The key to developing the power and strength of virtue will enable us to understand WHY we will want to obey the DONTS of virtue.  We are here on this earth to follow the Master such that we will be worthy to be in His presence for eternity.  We become like him or develop true and powerful virtue, his kind, as we look at the additional scriptures after Proverbs 31:10 for clues to what we need to BE as virtuous women. 

Scriptures: Ask them to find in modern words what each of the following scriptures say they should DO to become powerful, strong, virtuous women with value far above rubies.  Ask them to read each verse aloud and describe in their words what is meant. Refer to the translation below the scriptures after each verse.

11 The heart of her husband doth safely ^atrust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her ^ahands.14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.15 She ^ariseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. 19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the ^adistaff.20 She stretcheth out her hand to the ^apoor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her ^aclothing is silk and purple.23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 25 Strength and honour are her ^aclothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of ^akindness. 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of ^aidleness. 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30 Favour is deceitful, and ^abeauty is vain: but a woman that ^bfeareth the Lord, she shall be praised.31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Answers: Look for them to come up with the following. 11-A woman of virtue can be trusted. 12-She is a good person. 13-She is a willing worker.  14-She doesn’t slack off when work is hard. 15-She is unselfish. 16- She’s wise and self-reliant. 17- She is physically strong. 18-She is pleased with her work and sticks with it until it is done. 19- She has varied talents. 20- She is empathetic and serves the down-trodden. 21- She is prepared for what may come. 22-She knows how to sew. 23-She desires and aids her husband’s success. 24-She is competent and knows how to make money. 25- She knows her choices will last for the long term and bless her life. 26-The words she says are considered and thoughtful – she is not brash or obnoxious. 27- She is not lazy. 28- She has peace with her life choices and her family honors her. 29 – She excels because she is balanced and well-rounded. 30-She understands deep in her heart that people that show favors to her may or may not be trusted and physical beauty is very temporary, but living to please the Lord rewards everlastingly. 31- She will enjoy the fruits of her many talents and efforts and will be honored by them.

Developing true Christ-like virtue AND understanding you are a divine daughter of God gives you strength and power to follow the DONTS of moral purity. That strength springs from a deep, soul-felt understanding that you are a divine daughter of God filled with strength and power to enable you to return to His presence and fulfill your eternal destiny.

-Give each of the girl’s small notebooks and a pencil and have them put their names on the front page.  Have them write the following questions and give them time to answer them.  Questions: What Christ-like virtue characteristics do I need to focus on to feel the power of virtue in my life? What changes or steps should I take starting from today to become a virtuous woman as He is virtuous? Encourage them to write in this journal during their camp experience, impressions that come to their mind from the Spirit.

 

-Value flowers craft. You will need scissors, the string, the looms, the centers; “Christ-like virtue” 

For the value craft, you will need to prepare in advance looms to make them on.  These are made by cutting from a cardboard box circles whatever size you want the flowers to be.  We chose a 3" diameter circle.  When those are all cut out, (make one for every girl) then stick in long straight pins, the kind that have the tiny ball at the end, stick the pins half way into the cardboard circle, leaving them extending out from the cardboard.  They should be pushed into the cardboard wiggling them front and back to make sure they are firm and secure with half the pin extended outward.  They should be attached at 12 oclock, 6 oclock, 3 oclock, and 9 oclock on the circle.  Then evenly attach two more between each of those first four, ending up with 12 attached pins.

- Then with yarn of various colors start with a 3 inch piece of string hanging off the center, hold that with your left thumb and with your right hand loop the string around the opposite pin starting with twelve to six, then 11 to 5, then 10 to 4 etc. all the way around the circle going to the left.  When you get back to the top, go around again.  So you will have gone twice around every pin.  There should be about a ten inch piece left of string.  To get the picture in your mind, visualize that you are creating the center of the flower with a big eye needle by looping each of the petals securely in place.  Thread the yarn into the needle by doubling the string and pinching it tight between your index finger and thumb and pushing the eye of the needle into the place between your fingers where you are pinching it and gradually releasing your finger pressure while you push the eye between your fingers into the pinched string, then grab the tiny end that goes into the eye and pull the thread through. Basically , to secure the flower you are going up and over twice, each double loop of the flower, pulling the string into the center and securing every two loops, then carefully removing each pin and re-attaching them as you release each secured petal. Then finally tying the starting string and the ending string together in a double knot and cutting the ends off or letting them hang, as desired.  Whoever is teaching this should make several flowers ahead of time to be very comfortable making them before teaching others how to make them.  In the center of the flower, with a hot glue gun, attach the gems of the different colors to the center of the flowers.  (Buy the gems at a craft store)

Second devotional -At camp this year, we will be talking about precious gems.  What do they have to do with understanding our value to our Heavenly Father?  Share the following story, taken from the book: More Than A Hero: Muhammad Ali's Life Lessons Through His Daughter's Eyes

The following incident took place when Muhammad Ali's daughters arrived at his home wearing clothes that were not modest. Here is the story as told by one of his daughters:

“When we finally arrived, the chauffeur escorted my younger sister, Laila, and me up to my father's suite. As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us. We exchanged many hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day.”

My father took a good look at us. Then he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, "Hana, everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground, covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in a mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You've got to work really hard to get to them."

He looked at me with serious eyes. "Your body is sacred. You're far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too.”

As LDS young women there should NEVER be any question that we KNOW our true value.  When we dress immodestly, we are advertising that we are interested in sex.  We are not conveying that we have great worth to ourselves and our God.  We are sending a message that we believe our value is as a sexual object, instead of an eternal Queen clothed in the Holy robes of the Priesthood and bound for mansions in the kingdom of God.

Do not believe the lies of the world that scream that if you have sex with someone who tells you he loves you, you will be taken care of and will be happy.  You will not.  You will have a baby and your life will be harder.  You will have betrayed your knowledge of God’s expectations of you and your eternal destiny.  Make a decision now to dress modestly, to develop qualities of Christ-like virtue, to be a pearl of great price that can only be earned by a righteous priesthood holder after marriage, after he proves his loyalty and commitment to you, not before!  Hold fast to that commitment and do not be lulled into believing the lies of the world. 

-Introduction to Gems– We are each precious jewels in the Crown of God and are empowered through Christ to behave with that knowledge constantly in the forefront of our minds.

Nephi 24:17 And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

We are reading scriptures and learning about Diamonds, Sapphires, Emeralds, Coral, Pearls, Amethysts, Gold, Rubies, Rose quartz, and Tiger’s Eye jewels. Each jewel has a virtue of a righteous woman attached to it which we will talk about during camp. In James E. Faust’s, “ The ten Virtues of Righteous Daughters of God,” he said, Many people do not fully understand the meaning of virtue. One commonly understood meaning is to be chaste or morally clean, but virtue in its fuller sense encompasses all traits of righteousness that help us form our character. An old sampler found in a museum in Newfoundland, stitched in 1813, reads: “Virtue is the chiefest beauty of the mind, the noblest ornament of humankind. Virtue is our safeguard and our guiding star that stirs up reason when our senses err.”

Ask these questions and wait for their responses. How do our senses err?  What does that old fashioned language mean? How are we attracted to things through our senses that might not be for our best good?  How can we make Christ-like virtue our safeguard? Decide now!  Believe that sex is NOT what Satan makes it out to be in movies and books and songs that are filled with lies.  It is only good, sweet and strengthens marriages when confirmed by the Spirit in the bonds of matrimony. Wait patiently for a sexual relationship without guilt, without regrets and approved by God.  Satan tempts and tries to drag you away from God through temptations in your body precisely because he does not have one…….and never will!  His effort is to drag you down to misery and endless woe that you might be miserable even as he is miserable. 

-Hand out the brown envelopes with the cards inside.  Have them write a letter to themselves stating that they are committing today to wait until they are married to have sex.  Have them describe to themselves why they are making this promise to themselves today; to become women of Christ-like virtue. Then close and seal the envelope and write the date on the front corner.  Write in large letters on the front; To me. Do not open until I am engaged! When the day comes, sooner than you think, that you open this letter, it will be a great victory, a spiritual celebration to you to open and read.  

Activity- Gem value presentations Each group presents to the combined group, one group at a time, in a creative way; singing, a skit they make up, however they want, the value of their precious gem and how some characteristics of the gem have similarities to the young women.  Give copies to the girls and they should have preparation time to prepare their presentation. (say 15 min.) Whoever is facilitating this activity should read the following, from President Faust, after each presentation. The gem names included here  should be cut apart and randomly assigned to each of the ten groups, and hand out the gem information (just get characteristics of the various gems from the internet)to the respective group.  Rotate these ten groups during camp so they are not always with the same girls. 

The facilitator should present James E Faust’s ten virtues of a righteous woman after each presentation (separate copy)

James E. Faust’s Ten virtues of a Righteous Woman

1. Faith-Diamond-White

I list the virtue of faith first because it is the most important. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is “the foundation of all righteousness.” ² I promise you sweet young ladies if you will strive to live the commandments, your faith will continue to grow. In exercising faith, we become cheerful and optimistic, charitable and courageous, because faith is the moving cause of all of these virtues.

2. Honesty-Coral-Orange

A young woman on a university volleyball team tells of the time when she and her friend Muki were playing together in a championship match:

“I remember it being a close game. … Gracie [on our opponents’ team] rounded her approach, jumped, and smacked the ball as hard as she could. … The line judges signaled out, and the head official raised his finger to show a point for [our team]. We began giving our usual high fives when we noticed that Muki was hand-motioning to the official that she touched the ball on her block. Muki was calling her own touch. The line judges … were … signaling out, [indicating] that there was no touch.

“The quiet, withdrawn Muki had showed an act of integrity and honesty like I had never seen before. Gracie Shute was so impressed that she talked with Muki after the match. … Muki later gave Gracie a Book of Mormon. I don’t know if Gracie has read the book … , but I do know that Gracie was touched by Muki’s example, as we all were.” ³

You cannot be honest with others unless you are honest with yourself.

3. Chastity-Gold-Gold

In “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” we read, “The sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.” ⁴ Furthermore, the Lord says in the Book of Mormon, “I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women.” ⁵ Those who engage in physical intimacies with someone outside of marriage are likely to suffer feelings of guilt as well as deep emotional and physical hurt. Intimate relationships between men and women outside the bounds the Lord has set bring great misery, shame, degradation, and unhappiness to those involved.

In contrast, when these sacred gifts are exercised as the Lord intended within the bounds of a temple marriage, they bring us our greatest joy and happiness. We become co-creators with God in having family and posterity. Chastity before marriage followed by fidelity after marriage is a sacred passport to self-respect and happiness for everyone. President N. Eldon Tanner gave some good advice that I would like to repeat: “Always remember that you can go much further on respect than on popularity.” ⁶ I refer you to the excellent counsel on sexual purity contained in the pamphlet For the Strength of Youth.

4. Humility-Pearl-Yellow

Humility is all about keeping one’s balance. For example, when you receive a compliment, receive it graciously, but don’t let it go to your head. You young ladies have learned much, but you have more to learn. A person who is humble is teachable. Indeed, the Lord has promised, “For my Spirit is sent forth into the world to enlighten the humble and contrite.” ⁷ One of my favorite sayings is this: “Learn to say, ‘I don’t know.’ If used when appropriate, it will be often.” ⁸

5. Self-Discipline-Amethyst-Purple

You must have the strength to discipline yourselves so that you can accomplish your goals and enhance your natural strengths. Habits of self-discipline formed while you are young will become part of the makeup of your character for the rest of your lives. The character thus formed from self-discipline will rise with you in the Resurrection. ⁹

The principle of work is part of self-discipline. Now, my dear young sisters, I have lived a good many years longer than you, but even back in Grandpa’s time there was something to make you want to lie down and go to sleep—they called it work.

6. Fairness-Emerald-Green

We need to be fair and compassionate in our dealings with other human beings. The Savior gave us the parable of the unjust servant who owed a large sum of money. His master forgave him the debt, but that same servant went out and had a fellow servant put into prison for a much smaller debt. Their master rebuked him for not showing the same compassion that he had himself received, and then sent him to the same fate as his fellow servant. ¹⁰

If you will be fair to other people, they will more likely be fair to you. The story is told of a Sunday School teacher who was teaching this principle. She told her class, “Remember, we are here to help others.” A girl in her class asked, “Then what are the others here for?”

7. Moderation-Tiger’s Eye-Brown

Part of the spirit of the Word of Wisdom is moderation in all things, except those things specifically forbidden by the Lord. It is well to avoid extremes in dress, hairstyles, makeup, conduct, speech, and music. Extremes may attract the attention of some, but they are more likely to turn off those you really want to impress.

When I was a young man, my friends and I went to an amusement park, where we rode the flying saucer. It was shaped something like an upside-down plate that went round and round. Most of us tried to get to the middle so we wouldn’t be thrown off by the centrifugal force as the saucer picked up speed. Sometimes those on the edge would grab a friend who was closer to the middle, but that would pull them both completely off the saucer. I soon recognized that the centrifugal force was far less powerful in the middle. I was quite safe in the center even though the saucer was still spinning. But it was risky when someone on the fringe latched on to me. I learned that safety comes from staying close to the center.

8. Cleanliness-Rose Quartz-Pink

Years ago, President Howard W. Hunter, Sister Faust, and I visited with some BYU students when the study abroad program in Jerusalem was housed in a kibbutz, an Israeli hostelry. On the door of two of the students was a notice that read, “If cleanliness is next to godliness, welcome to purgatory!”

President Hinckley gave some excellent counsel when he said: “Be clean in dress and manner. … The age in which we are living now has become an age of sloppy dress and sloppy manners. But I am not so concerned about what you wear as I am that it be clean. … Be sure of your personal cleanliness.” ¹¹ Remember that you and the Church will be judged in part by your cleanliness and neatness in appearance.

9. Courage-Ruby-Red

You precious young ladies will need a lot of courage—courage to stand up to peer pressure, to resist temptation, to withstand ridicule or ostracism, to stand up for the truth. You will also need courage to face the challenges of life. One young woman who was a cross-country runner wrote: “I am often tempted to give up and quit during a race. During my first race this year, when I was just about to be overpowered and stop running, the words to the third verse of ‘How Firm a Foundation’ filled my mind. The words gave me the courage to finish the race.” ¹²

Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,

For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.

I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, …

Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand. ¹³

10. Grace-Sapphire-Blue

We are told in the Doctrine and Covenants that we are to “grow in grace.” ¹⁴ Grace is a God-given virtue. It is a disposition to be kind and to do good. It is a charming trait or accomplishment, “a pleasingly graceful appearance.” ¹⁵ Charm is attractiveness which comes from a feeling of personal dignity, an inner beauty that comes from a feeling of self-worth. It has been said that your expression is the most important thing you can wear. A fine young single man I know has a list of qualities he is looking for in his future wife. Cheerfulness is at the top of the list.

We frequently find that the influence of good women is underrated. It is an influence that is often subtle but yet has tremendous consequences. One woman can make a great difference for a whole nation. I cite two examples from the scriptures, one for evil and one for good.

In the book of Ether, Jared’s beautiful daughter enticed Akish to marry her through a seductive dance. Akish was to pay for her hand in marriage by murdering her grandfather, King Omer, so that her father could become the king. At her urging, Akish formed oath-bound secret combinations which caused the destruction of the Jaredite nation. ¹⁶

On the other hand, Esther, a Jewess in the Old Testament, saved her people. When the Jews were in captivity, Esther was married to King Ahasuerus. The king signed a decree that all Jews were to be put to death. Esther’s cousin Mordecai urged her to intercede with the king on behalf of her people by saying to her, “Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” ¹⁷ Esther, at the peril of her own life, pled with the king that her people should be spared. The king listened to her entreaty, and they were saved. One woman can make a great difference, even for a nation.

These are challenging times. I believe your spirits may have been reserved for these latter days; that you, like Esther, have come to earth “for such a time as this.” It may be that your most significant, everlasting achievements will be your righteous influence on others, that your divine feminine inner beauty and intuition will find expression in your quiet strength, gentleness, dignity, charm, graciousness, creativity, sensitivity, radiance, and spirituality. Enhance these sublime feminine gifts. They will make you appealing and even irresistible as you serve others as the handmaidens of God.

Diamond-Faith  

Sapphire-Grace  

Emerald-Fairness  

Coral-Honesty  

Pearl-Humility 

Amethyst-Self-discipline   

Gold-Chastity   

Ruby-Courage   

Rose quartz-Cleanliness

Tiger’s Eye-Moderation   

Faith, (White, gem - diamond)

Alma 19:10And Ammon said unto her: Blessed art thou because of thy exceeding faith; I say unto thee, woman, there has not been such great faith among all the people of the Nephites. 

Grace, (Blue, gem - Sapphire )

Dictionary definition: elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action: We watched her skate with effortless grace across the ice. Synonyms: attractiveness, charm, gracefulness, comeliness, ease, fluidity.

2. A pleasing or attractive quality or endowment.

 Fairness, (Green, gem-Emerald)

Acts 10:34  Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 

Honesty, (Orange, gem – Coral)

Zechariah 8:16 These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates: 

Humility, (Yellow, gem-Pearl)

D&C 104:79  And it is my will that you shall humble yourselves before me, and obtain this blessing by your diligence and humility and the prayer of faith. 

Self- discipline, (Purple, gem-Amethyst)

Galatians 5:23,24  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affctions and lusts.

Chastity, (Gold,  gem – Gold)

Jacob 2: 28  For I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women.  And whoredoms are an abomination before me; thus saith the Lord of Hosts.

Courage,  (Red, gem-Ruby)

Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. 

Cleanliness, (Pink, gem-Rose quartz)

D&C 42:41 And let all things be done in cleanliness before me. 

Moderation, (Brown, gem-Tiger’s Eye)

Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 

-Evening Devotional& Testimony Meeting - Lighthouse faith activity on the beach in the dark with the flashlights.  In advance of this activity get a 8x10 picture of the Savior and glue it to cardboard.  Place it outside somewhere.  Attach it to a tree nearby with a hammer and nail, prop it in a tree or duct tape it in place on a branch.  Have the girls walk out in the dark night to a place away from the house with their flashlights ( prepare squares of cardboard for them to sit on so they will be comfortable for the testimony meeting) If the setting will not work outside for the testimony meeting, go out for the light activity and message from the prophet, then go back inside for the testimony meeting.  Gather in a circle. Ask the girls to all point their flashlights together to the ground in the middle of the circle.  Recite the scripture;  Ye are the light of the world. … Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:13–14, 16.) Then slowly, as you lift your light, have them all follow where you move your light to rest on the picture of the Savior.  Tell them to notice the significant light that is created with the combined light of everyone’s flashlight.  Liken that to the increased protection and strength in choosing the right if we surround ourselves with friends who are also filled with the Spirit, following the Lord and striving to keep His commandments.  Then have all the girls turn them off except the girl next to you, (prior to the walk tell her you will ask her to keep hers on and to just keep it on the Savior as you complete this)  Point out that even in the blackest night, one single, solitary, tiny light can pierce the darkness.  It doesn’t matter how small it is, it can be a pen light, but it will always be able to overcome darkness.  That is the truth for us too.  We can ALWAYS turn our lives to the light of the Lord.  There is never a problem too deep that he will turn away from us.  He never leaves us; his arms are always outstretched; only we can turn away from His constant, beckoning love.  If there are any among us who have strayed from His Spirit, He wants you to return to Him.  To repent, to pray, to find Him through the scriptures and to return to the warmth and love he offers you.

Invite the girls to turn their lights back on and place them in the center for the remainder of your meeting.  Read to them the following words from President Monson.

 “I have always loved the words frequently quoted by President David O. McKay as he described you: “Woman was taken out of man—not out of his feet to be trampled underfoot, but out of his side to be equal to him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be loved.”

But the thought that never fails to stir my soul is the simple and sage advice: “Men should take care not to make women weep, for God counts all their tears.”

Do we in attendance tonight know who we are and what God expects us to become? If we will but realize that we have been created in the image of God, we will not find Him difficult to approach, for God did create “man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” (Gen. 1:27.) This knowledge, acquired through faith, will bring inner calm and profound peace. 

No one has described the teenage years as being easy. Indeed, they have become increasingly more difficult. The world seems to have slipped from the moorings of safety and drifted from the harbor of peace.

Permissiveness, immorality, pornography, and the power of peer pressure cause many to be tossed about on a sea of sin and crushed on the jagged reefs of lost opportunities, forfeited blessings, and shattered dreams.

Anxiously you ask, “Is there a way to safety? Can someone guide me? Is there an escape from threatened destruction? The answer is a resounding yes! I counsel you: Look to the lighthouse of the Lord. There is no fog so dense, no night so dark, no gale so strong, no mariner so lost but what its beacon light can rescue. It beckons through the storms of life. It calls, “This way to safety; this way to home.”

The lighthouse of the Lord sends forth signals readily recognized and never failing. “Our beloved young women,

“We want you to know that we love you. We have great confidence in you. …

“We desire everything in this world for you that is right and good. You are not just ordinary young women. You are choice spirits who have been held in reserve to come forth in this day when the temptations, responsibilities, and opportunities are the very greatest. You are at a critical time in your lives. This is a time for you not only to live righteously but also to set an example for your peers. …

“God loves you. … His desire … is to have you return to Him pure and undefiled, having proven yourselves worthy of an eternity of joy in His presence. …

“We counsel you to choose to live a morally clean life. …

“You cannot do wrong and feel right. It is impossible! Years of happiness can be lost in the foolish gratification of a momentary desire for pleasure. …

“You can avoid the burden of guilt and sin and all of the attending heartaches … as you keep the standards outlined in the scriptures and emphasized in the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet.. …“We pray that you—the young and rising generation—will keep your bodies and minds clean, free from the contaminations of the world, that you will be fit and pure vessels to bear triumphantly the responsibilities of the kingdom of God in preparation for the second coming of our Savior.”   In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

-Testimony meeting - Bear your testimony and turn the time to the girls to bear their testimonies.  

-Group Sand creation- Divide into different ten groups -and come up with a design to create something in the sand with a theme from one of the ten virtues.   Leaders bring different size containers, cups, bowls etc to help design in the sand.  Each group presents to the whole group what they created and how it represents one of the virtues of a righteous daughter of God.

-Beach time -

 

Optional Activities: (As time permits) The Human Knot

Principle: Communication and cooperation will enable us to succeed!

Arrange the group into teams with no more than ten in a circle standing shoulder to shoulder. Each team member must use his left hand to reach across the circle and take the hand of a teammate on the other side.

·       Team members must then use their right hand to reach across and take the hand of a different member across the circle.

·       No one should take the hand of a team member next to him in the circle.

·       The group must then untangle the knot without any member letting go of another’s hand. This builds on the group’s ability to work together to solve a problem.

Application: To succeed in unity we have to help others solve their problems as well as our own. 

Electric pulse game

Principle: If you are involved in good things, pass the word along and bless someone else’s life.

·       Divide the group in half into two teams. Have each team stand in two long lines facing each other. Instruct each team to hold hands to form two long human chains. At one end of the two lines, in between the lines, place a stool with a duck tape ball on it. A leader stands at the opposite end in the middle of the lines facing the stool.

·       To play the game, have the two players at the front of the line watch the leader.  Have everyone else close their eyes and look downward.  Everyone has to be silent. 

·       The leader flips a coin and quietly shows it only to the first two players at the front of each line.  When the coin is “heads”, the two people at the front of each line immediately squeeze the hand of the next person in line as quickly possible.  Whenever each hand gets squeezed, he or she quickly continues to pass the current by squeezing the next person’s hand and so on. 

·       The goal is to be the first team to grab the ball on the chair when the last person in line feels the squeeze. 

·       If “heads” was flipped and a team grabs the ball, that team wins a point. 

·       If the team grabs the ball and heads was not flipped, then the point goes to the other team. After each coin flip, wait several seconds and then flip again.  Keep flipping until the coin shows “heads” The winner is the first team to score 10 points

Application:  Stand as a witness of Christ at all times and all places…..pass the word along!

Scripture puzzle

Principle:  For the worth of souls is great unto the Lord. Understanding the eternal value of each child of God helps us to realize the strengthening power of surrounding ourselves with those of like values and standards

·       Unity Scripture puzzle Mosiah 18:21 

·       “And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.”

·       Arrange teams of 8.  Each will receive a scripture puzzle in a baggie.  After everyone has received one, call begin and the teams work together to figure out the scripture.   The first team done gets 10 points (or as many as there are teams) and on down to the last team get 1 point. 

·       The entire group then reads the scripture aloud together. 

Application:  We have a sacred responsibility to knit our hearts together in love and unity that we might strengthen each other in our trials.

Clean up and have everything packed and ready to go, then begin the final devotional.

-Final Devotional  Prayer, hymn “Oh my Father” (words to hymn printed  ) A leader then reads “The touch of the Master’s Hand” to the girls.  Be very familiar with it before camp, so it can be beautifully read. (separate copy)

-Discuss the poem, the value change, the foolish crowd and how we listen to them, the weak, worldly reasons we conform to the crowd and social pressures, without tuning our hearts, eyes and ears to our true value through the Spirit.

O My Father

1. O my Father, thou that dwellest
In the high and glorious place,
When shall I regain thy presence
And again behold thy face?
In thy holy habitation,
Did my spirit once reside?
In my first primeval childhood
Was I nurtured near thy side?

2. For a wise and glorious purpose
Thou hast placed me here on earth
And withheld the recollection
Of my former friends and birth;
Yet ofttimes a secret something
Whispered, "You're a stranger here,"
And I felt that I had wandered
From a more exalted sphere.

3. I had learned to call thee Father,
Thru thy Spirit from on high,
But, until the key of knowledge
Was restored, I knew not why.
In the heav'ns are parents single?
No, the thought makes reason stare!
Truth is reason; truth eternal
Tells me I've a mother there.

4. When I leave this frail existence,
When I lay this mortal by,
Father, Mother, may I meet you
In your royal courts on high?
Then, at length, when I've completed
All you sent me forth to do,
With your mutual approbation
Let me come and dwell with you.

Text: Eliza R. Snow, 1804-1887

 The touch of the Master’s Hand

 'Twas battered and scarred,                                      
And the auctioneer thought it
hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin,
but he held it up with a smile.

"What am I bid, good people", he cried,
"Who starts the bidding for me?"
"One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?"
"Two dollars, who makes it three?"
"Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three,"

But, No,
From the room far back a gray bearded man
Came forward and picked up the bow,
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet
As sweet as the angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said "What now am I bid for this old violin?"
As he held it aloft with its' bow.

"One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?"
"Two thousand, Who makes it three?"
"Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Going and gone", said he.

The audience cheered,
But some of them cried,
"We just don't understand."
"What changed its' worth?"
Swift came the reply.
"The Touch of the Masters Hand."

And many a man with life out of tune
All battered with bourbon and gin
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like that old violin

A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,                          
A game and he travels on.
He is going once, he is going twice,
He is going and almost gone.

But the Master comes,
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,  
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the Touch of the Masters' Hand.                                                 

Myra Brooks Welch

Testify of the following truths to take from YW camp. You girls ARE glittering jewels, as stated in Nephi 24:17 And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of Hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels;………of inestimable value for an eternally important reason that should never be forgotten: …… You are God’s Spirit daughter, nurtured at His side with seeds of divinity within you!  You shouted for joy at the opportunity to come to this life to be tried and tested to prove your worthiness.  You may be:

·       qualified in educational or vocational training

·        talented in a variety of ways

·       beautiful in the ways the world describes or not

 all of these may impact on your confidence as you deal with difficult life choices and challenges; in fact some of the pitfalls and glorious heights of your life may be influenced to some extent by them…..regardless of those things, and the noise the world throws at you  nothing will have greater determining impact in your life now and in the future than understanding your divine origin, worth and destiny!

·       John chapter 3:1-3 (gender adapted)

1 Behold, what manner of ^alove the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the ⁽daughters) of God: therefore the ^cworld knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

 2 Beloved, now are we the  (daughters)  of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall ^bappear, we shall be ^clike him; for we shall ^dsee him as he is.

 3 And every (girl)  that hath this ^ahope in (her)  purifieth (herself) , even as He is ^cpure.

Download the video “Significant in Every Way” from lds.org.  Show it on your laptop

·       To the extent that you let the Savior into your life and turn your will over to Him, he will remind you of whom you “really are” and through the spirit make of you the virtuous, noble daughter of God that you are, by the touch of the Master’s hand. 

Hold up an LDS ID card (Find these on Mormon share.com.  Enter LDS ID into google and you will find them.  Put them into photoshop and fill in your location, print them off, laminate them, and cut them out, wallet-size.) Tell the girls you are going to give them one to keep in their wallets.  Ask the girls about the value of the ID cards in their possession?  What do ID cards do?  (A)  They allow certain privileges.  A driver’s license allows a person to legally drive approved by the government agencies that allow such privileges.

·       The LDS ID, next to all your secular cards, will hopefully serve as a constant reminder that, most importantly, (above all that mortal man can offer you in this life) you are qualified to be ushered back into the glorified presence of your eternal Father,…… (to the extent that you keep your covenants with Christ for this short period of mortality that we call life.) 

Know you are qualified, deep in your heart, to be in eternal courts on high with worlds without number.  Remember you are an heir with Jesus Christ, worthy to inherit all that your Father hath as you prove worthy of your destiny.

 Romans 8:17  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Hand out ID cards to each girl. 

Testify and closing prayer, depart for home.