Sports, Camping, and Outdoors
Outdoor camping
Purpose
Strengthen relationships, have fun, and learn skills in an outdoor setting.
Description
Plan and carry out an overnight camping trip (this could be more than one night). Invite the youth to lead the planning—location, meals, activities, equipment, spiritual experiences, and so on. During the campout, help the youth learn a new skill (such as fire safety, fishing, outdoor survival, and so on). Include activities that are fun and spiritual. For Church policies on overnight activities, see Handbook 2,13.6.12.
Consider helping the youth prepare for the camping trip by teaching them basic camping skills before you leave. Ideas could include:
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How to build a safe cooking fire.
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How to set up and take down a tent.
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How to prepare and cook food in the outdoors.
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Basic first aid.
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How to stay safe in the outdoors (buddy system, what to do if you get lost, and so on).
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Appropriate clothing for climate and environment.
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How to respect the environment and wildlife.
If applicable, let the youth practice these skills in a friendly competition. For example, you could divide the youth into groups and see who can set up their tent the fastest or hold a Mutual activity in which the young men and young women cook for each other in the outdoors.
Nature walk
Purpose
Enjoy and ponder the wonder of God’s creations.
Description
Go on a hike or nature walk to explore and enjoy the beauties of Heavenly Father’s creations. Give opportunity for the youth to reflect on their feelings and think about the world that Heavenly Father has given us. Invite the youth to record their thoughts in their journals.
Teaching each other a sport
Purpose
Allow youth to share their knowledge and skills about a sport.
Description
Invite a youth to teach the others about a sport that is new to the group or teach skills for improvement in a familiar sport (consider inviting a less-active youth or a friend of another faith). He or she could also discuss rules and equipment of the sport. Play the sport as a group. Consider discussing how to keep a spirit of friendship even in a competitive scenario. Discuss ways you can minimize the emphasis on winning.
Noncompetitive physical activities
Purpose
Get exercise and build friendships in a noncompetitive atmosphere.
Description
Participate in fun activities that are physical but casual and noncompetitive. Below are some ideas. Encourage the youth to suggest their own, based on things they like to do. At the conclusion of the activity, invite the youth to share any spiritual lessons they learned from participating in the activity (for example, if you go on a hike, they might share their feelings about the beauties of God’s creations and our responsibility to take care of them).
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Go swimming.
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Go on a bike ride together.
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Go on a hike.
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Go roller-skating or skateboarding.
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Do a group jump rope. You could start off with one person jumping rope, and with each turn of the rope add one person until the whole group is in. Or, as the rope is turning, have the youth try to run through it one at a time.
Preserving the outdoors
Purpose
Learn to appreciate, respect, and care for the earth we’ve been given.
Description
Discuss the importance of being good stewards over our natural resources (see Genesis 1:28–30). With approval, conduct a preservation or restoration project, such as cleaning up litter, planting trees, or clearing trails at a campsite. This could be an ongoing activity any time the youth do anything outdoors. For example, if you are having an activity at a park, the youth could clean up garbage for 15 minutes before they begin.
Outdoor survival skills
Purpose
Learn and practice skills for surviving in the outdoors.
Description
Teach the youth survival skills. For example, they could learn what plants they can and cannot eat, how to build a makeshift shelter, how to build a fire, how to find their way if they are lost, how to find water, and so on. Let them practice their new skills in a fun outdoor setting. Talk about the parallels with spiritual survival.
Sports tournament
Purpose
Increase physical fitness and encourage friendships through athletics.
Description
Host a tournament in which youth participate in small teams or as individuals, playing basketball, table tennis, soccer, dodgeball, or another sport. Create teams randomly to help the youth interact with people they may not know well. Consider inviting members of the community to form a team and participate in the tournament. After the tournament, discuss what the youth learned about working as a team and communicating with others.
Game night
Purpose
Build teamwork and exercise while participating in friendly competition.
Description
Play a game that gets the youth moving and requires teamwork. Below are a few ideas. Also encourage the youth to suggest games they know of. If necessary, adapt the game so that youth of all skill levels can participate. Consider how you can relate teamwork and having fun to maintaining balance in life (see Luke 2:52).
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Play soccer while crawling on hands and feet (with the chest facing upward).
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Play volleyball with water balloons. Youth divide into pairs, and each pair holds a towel by the corners to throw a water balloon over the net, where another pair tries to catch it in their towel.
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Have a relay race, and think of creative ways to make the race more challenging. For example, the youth could race with a balloon between their knees, balancing an egg on a spoon, crawling backwards, and so on.
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Play a tug of war. Divide into two teams. Each team holds one end of a long rope and tries to pull the other team past a designated point.
Outdoor cooking
Purpose
Learn how to prepare meals outdoors.
Description
Gather the youth in an outdoor setting to learn to build safe cooking fires, cook in a Dutch oven, or cook on a camp stove. Have the youth demonstrate their new skills by cooking a meal or treat for all to enjoy. Share favorite meal plans or recipes to be used at future outdoor gatherings or camps. Consider doing something to beautify the area and serve the community while there, such as picking up garbage, and discuss our responsibility to care for God’s creations.
Fun 5K
Purpose
Develop physical fitness and build community.
Description
Hold a 5K run or walk for youth. Invite an experienced runner to teach about warming up, cooling down, or running techniques. Have him or her speak about the benefits of physical fitness. You could also invite members of the community to participate.
Backpacking
Purpose
To enjoy physical activity and to draw nearer to the Lord as you see the beauty of His creations.
Description
Organize a series of activities to prepare for a safe and exciting backpacking trip. These activities could span a number of weeks. A quorum or class member and a knowledgeable consultant from the ward, stake, or community could lead the activities. For each activity, consider including something to invite the influence of the Holy Ghost. For example, a member of the class or quorum could share an experience, bear testimony, or teach a doctrine before the activity begins.
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Introduction to backpacking. Learn about appropriate gear and clothing, cooking, survival skills, and first aid.
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Practice hikes. Complete a few short hikes to prepare physically for the backpacking trip. One of these practice hikes may include an overnight camp. Learn to use maps and compasses. If possible, learn to use GPS devices and radio communication devices.
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Trip plan and packing list. As a group, develop a detailed trip plan, including a purpose statement, a full itinerary, routes, directions to trailheads, emergency contact information, and maps. Prepare a packing list. Also prepare for devotionals and plan time for individuals to pray and study the scriptures.
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Backpacking trip. Take the trip. Use the skills learned in the lead-up activities.
For guidelines regarding overnight activities, see Handbook 2,13.6.12.
Fishing
Purpose
Learn to enjoy physical activity and draw nearer to the Lord as you appreciate the beauty of His creations.
Description
Organize a series of activities to prepare for a safe and exciting fishing trip. These activities could span a number of weeks. A quorum or class member and a knowledgeable consultant from the ward, stake, or community could lead the activities. For each activity, consider including something to invite the influence of the Holy Ghost. For example, you could invite a member to share an experience, bear testimony, or teach a doctrine before the activity begins.
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Introduction to fishing. Learn about appropriate fishing gear and clothing. Also learn or review any first aid that relates to fishing.
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Catching and cooking fish. Learn about methods of locating fish and how to prepare a fishing pole and line. Practice tying knots and casting. Learn how to set a hook and clean and cook a fish.
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Trip plan and packing list. As a group, develop a detailed trip plan, including a purpose statement, a full itinerary, emergency contact information, and maps. Prepare a packing list. Also prepare for devotionals and plan time for individuals to pray and study the scriptures.
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Fishing trip. Go on the trip. Use the skills learned in the lead-up activities.
If your trip will include an overnight activity, review the guidelines in Handbook 2,13.6.12.