Ideas for Camp Service and Activities

Following is a list of possible spiritual, social, physical, and intellectual activity ideas to consider as you plan camp.

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.

girls at camp — “All things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator” (Alma 30:44).

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 General Handbook, section 38.8.18 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.ChurchofJesusChrist.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), “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 129), or “The Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: A Bicentennial Proclamation to the World,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
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.

girl writing at camp — Invite the young women to reflect on their camp experiences. Encourage them to share what they learned with their family and friends.

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,* 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.

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.

* These activities pose above-average risks and require the help of an appropriately trained or certified specialist.