Calling All SUPERHEROES!
2014 YW's Camp
Scripture theme: "Come Unto Christ"
sub-theme: "Finding the Power Within"
**Pinterest board with ideas: https://www.pinterest.com/cargut/superhero-lds-yw-camp-2014/
Quick Glance: Planning for Camp
November 2013: 6th yrs helped Stake Camp Director and Assistants choose this year's theme.
Super Heros!!!!!
They assigned all Wards and YCLs a Super Hero
(Spiderman, Batman, Hulk, Captain America, Wonderwoman(Stake), Thor, Ironman)
December 2013: Bishops called Ward Camp Directors (WCDs)
January 2014: Stake Camp Director met with all WCDs for camp info.
February 2014: Stake Camp Director met with all Stake Camp Specialists
(Cook, Crafts, Lifeguards, YCL Leaders, Nurse, Certification, Personal Progress Tent...)
March 2014: WCDs hold a Camp Fundraiser
April 2014: Camp Kick-off
May 2014: First Aid Certification Day & Camp fee/registration due
June 2014: Ward Camp Leaders Called and Camp Supplies Collected and Skits/Cabin Banners made
August 4th - 9th IT'S CAMP TIME !!!!
Monday: Stake Leaders and YCLs arrive at camp
Decorate Camp Stage and setup Camp
Devotional to YCLs on Leadership and Unity
Tuesday: "Calling All Superheros"
Welcome to Camp Orientation- Rules & Pictures
Camp Certification
Super Hero Training/Obstacle Course (rope maze, oversized Jenga, frisbee toss, "flying" race)
Campfire Devotional "You Are Awesome"
Wednesday: Hike Day
Afternoon Scripture Devotional
Singing Trees (Every ward choose a song to sing in among the trees with lights out)
Thursday: "Saving Souls" Day--Wear your CAPE!
11 year-old Visiting for the Day (next yr's 1st yrs)
Certification (Everything but First Aid requirements)
Spiritual Walk (Iron Rod activity)
"Faith Walk" Details
We didn't want any of the girls to have the slightest clue what we were up to.
We had all the girls in our Craft Cabin with a Missionary activity.
We had them writing letters to missionaries from our stake and some of the adult leaders were sharing stories and letters from their missionaries. We randomly, without any of them knowing what we were doing, would grab a few girls and take them outside and blind fold them.
The leader, after blind folding the girl, would escort her to the beginning of the rope and she would tell them, "Do not let go no matter what! Keep your hands on until you hear Sis. Miller tell you to let go and that you're finished."
The rope was a few feet away from the Craft Cabin and it was strung throughout the grove of trees. We wrapped it around the trees and made an "iron rod" that led them to our stage. It was hard at times, because we had it going over a fallen trees, and where one rope ended and another started, it was confusing, especially since they were blindfolded! It was dark, no lights!!
We staggered the girls so they weren't all starting at the same time and had space to move at their own speed. Throughout the grove of trees we had "whisperers" near the rope. About 4 leaders represented Satan's voice of trying to lure them away and about 4 leaders that represented the Holy Ghost, it was an encouraging voice that told them how far they still had to go and to keep holding tight. It was interesting to us that about 3/4 of the girls let go in the middle of the rope. That particular leader was lying and telling the girls that they could be finished and let go now and that they didn't need to go all the way. At the end, I was there, dressed in white and told them, "I'm Sister Miller and I'm going to remove your blindfold" I gave them a hug and then they went to the stage and received a hug from the Stake YW Pres. and a card. Earlier that day, we asked all the leaders to write special thoughts and compliments to each of the girls in their ward on cards that we provided. So, all the girls had a card from their leaders that they sat and read privately while they were waiting. We also had music playing and the girls had their scriptures and journals with them that they were encouraged to read. (Stake Leaders and I all wore white that evening.)
After all the girls were finished, we had a short devotional on their self worth and having the power within themself to make it to the end- to their heavenly home. We shared our thoughts on Lehi's Dream and the iron rod and asked them all to remember their Savior's love for them. The front of the card that we provided for the leaders to write for them said, "God's love is there for you, whether you deserve it or not, " by Holland. We shared the story about the women who thought she was like a beat up, torn $20 bill and how it's still worth the full $20 regardless of the state it's in. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/you-are-my-hands?lang=eng
It was a powerful evening.
1 thing I would change if I did it again...it was a super long activity! For about 100 girls, I think it took us at least 2- 2 1/2 hours. For those girls that went first, they had to sit there on the hard benches for that length of time and wait. Many of the girls enjoyed watching the reactions of their friends coming from the rope. For those leaders in the Craft Cabin, the girls were getting super restless, so we should have provided more activities/games.
Friday: Service Day
Mile Swim (early in the morning, swim across lake)
Campfire Breakfast burritos
Service Project (5th yr YCLs in charge of this)
Stake Presidency Afternoon Devotional/Activity
Bishops Come!!- Dinner and Devotional
Campfire Testimonies
Saturday: Clean-up and Head Home
***I made Wonder Woman aprons for our Kitchen helpers! I also made 26 capes that we gave out to all our Priesthood Brethren and Sister Missionaries that came and helped at camp! ***
