Youth Activities: Young Women Camp

Young Women Camp

Arts and crafts

Purpose

Make arts and crafts at camp.

Description

Plan for and participate in some activities during camp that will help you learn about arts and crafts. For example, you could learn to paint with watercolors, weave a basket, sew a quilt, or make jewelry. You may want to ask someone experienced with arts or crafts to help you with this activity. Make sure you bring all the needed supplies. This activity could be part of a service or humanitarian project, or it could help you complete your Personal Progress goals.

Backpacking

Purpose

Plan, prepare for, and participate in a backpacking trip.

Description

With the help of your adult leaders, organize a series of activities to prepare for a safe and exciting backpacking trip. These activities could take place over a number of weeks. For each activity, include something, such as a devotional, to invite the Holy Ghost. Following is a list of activity ideas:

Introduction to backpacking. Invite an experienced hiker to use maps, pictures, videos, and sample gear to introduce the young women to backpacking. Make sure you understand what clothing and footwear to wear for backpacking. Learn the principles of how to pack a backpack, such as keeping your fuel separate from your clothing and food and packing emergency items so they are readily available. Be careful not to overestimate the amount you can carry or the distance you can hike. Always hike with a partner, and travel at a pace that is comfortable for everyone in the group.
Cooking. Find and practice some backpacking recipes that use lightweight ingredients and equipment, such as a backpacking stove. Have each young woman in your class compile a menu for a backpacking trip.
Conditioning and practice hikes. Find some local hikes in your area that have trails similar to the area where you will be backpacking. Complete two or three practice hikes, and make sure you learn how to camp and hike without leaving a trace. You should complete one of the hikes while carrying all your backpacking gear.
Fires, shelters, and survival skills. Practice with a variety of fire-starting materials, tents, and other supplies to gain experience backpacking and camping with appropriate supplies. Plan what you will bring on your trip. Make sure you learn how to waterproof matches and properly extinguish fires so they are completely out.
Map and compass navigation. Plan a backpacking trip using a map of some trails near where you live. Learn and practice how to navigate in the wilderness using a compass and map. Learn how to set up distress beacons or signals in the wilderness.
Service project for local hikers. Arrange with public officials for a project to build or maintain trails in your area.
Trip plan and packing list. With your class and your adult and priesthood leaders, develop a detailed, written trip plan that includes a purpose statement, a full schedule with times and activities, routes, directions to trailheads, emergency contact information, and maps. Stick to your route. Make contingency plans in case something unexpected happens, including inclement weather. Make sure you know what resources, such as water, will be available in that area. Prepare a packing list that includes packing in water or equipment to purify water. Also assign devotionals and prepare for nightly reflections, group prayers, journal writing, and scripture reading.
Backpacking trip. Make the final arrangements for the backpacking trip, giving top priority to safety. Take the trip and use the skills you learned to get ready for this trip.

Basic first aid

Purpose

Learn how to identify and treat various types of injuries.

Description

Invite an expert to teach you basic first aid skills that will help you identify, respond to, and treat injuries. These skills are an important part of self-reliance, and they will prepare you to respond to emergencies wherever they may happen. Plan a series of activities that will help you learn and practice these skills. Consider completing a wilderness first aid course before you participate in an outdoor activity that is more than 30 to 60 minutes away from a trailhead or campsite. You may also need to learn first aid that is specific to emergencies in your area. Your instruction could include any or all of the following topics.

Before you provide aid, take the following steps:

Check the scene and make sure it is safe for you to help.
Immediately call or send someone to alert professional help.
If the scene is safe and professional help is on its way, help those in need of assistance.

Life-threatening emergencies: Learn to quickly give first aid when you recognize the following symptoms in a victim.

Stopped breathing
No heartbeat—perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Severe bleeding
Choking
Poisoning through eating or breathing
Shock
Anaphylactic shock

Other injuries: Learn about how to recognize and respond when someone experiences one of the following injuries.

Animal bites
Blisters
First-, second-, and third-degree burns
Frostbite and hypothermia
Cuts and scratches
Eye injuries
Fractures
Heat exhaustion and heatstroke
Insect bites and stings
Nosebleeds
Puncture wounds
Skin poisoning from plants
Sprained ankle

Bandages, slings, and splints for transporting injured people: Learn how to transport injured people using the following methods. You could practice these techniques in groups of three people while one person in the group pretends to be injured.

Walking assist
One- and two-person carry
Four-handed seat carry
Blanket carry
Stretchers

Rescues: Learn about rescuing people in the following situations. Practice skills, such as swimming, that will enable you to help when needed.

Electrical shock rescue
Fire rescue
Swimming rescue
Ice rescue

Basic sanitation

Purpose

Learn how to keep a campsite sanitary.

Description

Plan some activities that will help you learn the basic principles of outdoor sanitation, and follow these principles during your stay at Young Women camp. Keeping a campsite sanitary will improve the health, comfort, and safety of the young women at camp. You may want to plan some activities where you practice the following sanitation guidelines and other rules specific to your area. For example, you could plan an overnight camping activity where you give the young women a chance to practice these guidelines. You could also do many of these activities during a weekday Mutual activity.

Find out about the environment of your camp. Avoid camping near sites where pestilent insects breed, such as stagnant pools, marshes, neglected latrines or shelters, and dumps. Make a plan to control the amount of insects, rodents, and poisonous plants in your camp. You should also avoid camping anywhere that may disturb natural vegetation or waterways.
Prepare soap-on-a-rope to use at your camp by tying a small bar of soap onto a thin piece of rope. Then hang this soap on a pole near where you eat, by the latrines, and outside each tent. Make sure that each young woman has a small bottle of hand sanitizer gel. You could also designate special cleanup areas of your campsite by roping them off. If your campsite is wet or muddy, build a small drain or place some gravel on the ground to reduce the muddiness.
Learn about the animals around your campsite. If there are scavenging animals (such as bears or gulls), plan ways to keep your food safe in a secure location or container. Do not keep any food near the area where you sleep. Be aware of any food smells that may remain on your clothing, and change and store or wash your clothes before you go to bed. Keep all refuse in secure containers.
Become familiar with the trash regulations of your campsite. Each day, dispose of all camp trash in one of two ways: burn it or remove it from the site and throw it away in dumpster or trashcan. At some sites, you may need to use both ways. Follow the regulations for trash disposal in your area. Recycle as many items as possible.
Keep the ground of your campsite clean from any food or garbage. Make sure any garbage cans or bags are clean and dry. To protect food or garbage from ants or other insects, use racks, rocks, or some other base to keep the containers off the ground.
Clean outdoor toilets every day. If necessary, learn how to build a latrine.

If you are hiking or camping away from a latrine or toilet, follow the rules for burying human waste. Make sure you are 200 feet (61 m) away from any water supply or camp area. Use your heel or a stick to dig a shallow hole. All human waste should go in the hole. When you finish, refill the hole with dirt and cover the area with natural ground cover.

Camp awards

Purpose

Recognize each young woman for her accomplishments and contributions at camp.

Description

Plan an activity where you can recognize the accomplishments and contributions of each young woman who participated in camp. You could hold an awards ceremony where you give certificates of praise or accomplishment. For example, you could give an award for the cleanest camper, the best helper, the best hiker, the best storyteller, and so forth. This ceremony could be held on the last night of camp or after camp is finished. Remember to pay attention to the young women during camp from the first day onward and make notes of the positive things they do. Your awards should be meaningful and account for each young woman.

Camp devotionals

Purpose

Gather together to share uplifting messages, read scriptures, listen to music, and participate in a discussion.

Description

Hold daily devotionals as part of your camp experience. These devotionals could include the whole camp or could be planned for smaller groups. You may want to invite a guest speaker to talk about the camp theme or a topic from For the Strength of Youth. Each morning or evening the youth camp leaders could gather the young women for whom they are responsible and have a small group devotional. You may also want to plan a larger daily devotional that will accommodate all the young women who attend camp. Make sure each young woman is included in planning and participating in devotionals so each one can feel the Spirit and strengthen her testimony.

Camp theme presentations

Purpose

Create skits or short plays that illustrate your camp theme.

Description

Plan and prepare a presentation that illustrates a gospel principle related to the camp theme. The presentation could be a skit, short play, or something similar. For example, if your camp theme is about the Restoration of the gospel, you may want to create a short play about the Prophet Joseph Smith or the early pioneers. Young women could dress up as early Church members who knew Joseph and Emma Smith and tell about their experiences building a temple or crossing the plains. You could plan to present the play at camp and to your ward or stake.

Campfires

Purpose

Learn how to build and extinguish a campfire safely.

Description

Plan an activity where you learn how to build campfires safely and extinguish them completely. Contact your local fire department and become aware, before you start, of the fire regulations and rules for the area where you will build a fire. Some fire departments may be willing to send a representative to teach you about fire safety. You could also plan a longer activity, such as an overnight campout, where you can use the skills you have learned. You may find the following list helpful as you plan these activities.

Gathering fuel. Learn about the different types of fuel needed for a fire, such as tinder, kindling, and logs. Use only dead wood. Make sure you know how to work with coal if you want to build a coal fire. Gather your fuel in a pile near where you want to build the fire. Make sure the area is clear from tree branches, and check with local officials before lighting any outdoor fire.
Types of fires. Build your fire in a fire ring or pit that already exists if possible. You should only build a fire in areas where you’re permitted to burn a wood fire. Learn about and practice the different types of fires. Tepee fires, for example, create high flames and will help cook food in reflector ovens. Crisscross fires burn for a long time and create a deep bed of coals, which can be useful in Dutch oven cooking. Star fires create low, slow heat that can be used in spit cooking.
Maintain the fire. Keep your campfire at a manageable size. Never leave your fire unattended, and never collect wood or branches from live trees or other underbrush.
Waterproof matches. Learn how to waterproof your matches using Turpentine, nail polish, or candle wax. Create or find a waterproof container to store them in.
Start a fire without matches. Learn how to start fires using flint and steel, a magnifying glass, or a bow drill.
Extinguishing fires. Learn to extinguish campfires using dirt, sand, or water. Drown all embers, stir the ashes, and make sure that everything is wet and cold to the touch. If it’s too hot to touch, then it’s too hot to leave unattended. Make sure you know how to clean up your fire pit so that you leave no trace of your campsite. Learn how to use fire extinguishers, and become familiar with other fire safety equipment. You could invite local fire safety officials to teach you how to deal with accidental or dangerous fires.

Church trivia dots

Purpose

Play a game to test your knowledge of Church trivia.

Description

Plan an activity to test your knowledge of the gospel and Church history. Before the activity, an adult leader should write a list of questions and answers about Church history and the gospel. The answers should be found in the scriptures, For the Strength of Youth, and True to the Faith. For example, you might ask, “What person appeared to Joseph Smith three times in his room during one night?” The answer is Moroni. Write the answers to the questions on paper plates or plain pieces of paper. On the same paper plates or papers, draw colored dots. Then spread out the dots on the ground or floor.

Divide the young women into two groups. An adult leader should read one of the questions on the list. One young woman from each group should then race to find the dot with the correct answer to the question. Once the young woman finds the answer, she stands on the dot. She stays there until the game ends. The other young woman has to return to her team. The winning team is the one that has more team members standing on dots by the end of the game. Make sure each young woman has a chance to participate.

Cycling

Purpose

Learn about and participate in long-distance cycling.

Description

Organize a series of activities that will help you prepare for and participate in a one- or two-day cycling trip. These activities could take place over a number of weeks. Consider inviting a cyclist from your Church unit or community to help with some of the activities, and make sure to stay safe.

For each activity, consider including a devotional to invite the influence of the Holy Ghost. You could invite a young woman in your class to share an experience, bear testimony, or lead a discussion about a doctrine before the activity begins. For some of the following suggested activities, each young woman will need to have access to a bicycle.

Introduction to cycling. Invite an expert from your Church unit or community to use pictures, videos, and stories to introduce cycling to the young women. Research and explore nearby areas and trails where you could practice cycling.
Clothing and technique. Learn about suitable clothing to wear when cycling, such as brightly colored, reflective clothing. In low-light conditions, use lights on the front and back of your bike to make you visible from all directions. Invite an expert to teach the young women about good cycling posture and how to shift gears. Practice what you learn.
Bicycle maintenance. Invite an expert to teach you how to maintain a bicycle, including cleaning the bike chain, checking brakes, patching and repairing tires, and so on. Make sure each young woman has an opportunity to practice bicycle maintenance.
Hand signals and communication. Learn cycling hand signals and vocal commands that will help you communicate with other vehicles on the road. Always ride in the direction of traffic and stay on the side of the road.
First aid and safety precautions. Ask an experienced cyclist to teach you about the common dangers of cycling and how to stay safe. Always wear a helmet while cycling. You should also learn the rules for cycling in your country and community. Practice first aid skills for cycling injuries.
Personal fitness program. Develop and implement a personal fitness program as a Young Women class. This program should take a number of weeks and help each young woman prepare for the cycling trip.
Practice bicycle ride and conditioning. Go on a ride together, and practice what you have learned about cycling—posture, braking, shifting gears, hand signals, and being safe. You could choose a local bicycle route that you and the other young women can ride in less than two hours. Enjoy the bicycle ride together, and make sure nobody is left behind.
Cycling routes and navigation. As a class, learn how to read and understand a topographic map. Study the cycling routes available near you and plan a trip on one of those routes.
Trip planning and preparation. With your adult leaders, plan the details and timing of your one- or two-day cycling trip. Be sure to make plans for food, transportation, safety, shelter, and equipment. Communicate with your parents about your plans and schedule. Enjoy a safe trip with the young women in your class, and use the skills you have learned. Plan for a longer devotional that will strengthen the testimonies of your Young Women class.

Emergency response cards

Purpose

Learn how to respond in an emergency when someone has been injured.

Description

Plan an activity where you invite someone with first aid experience to teach you the basic steps in emergency response and first aid. Learn how to respond to specific emergencies that could take place in your area. Make a list of possible emergencies—such as a car accident, animal attack, severe fall, or fire—and practice emergency response and first aid for each one. Following are eight steps commonly used in emergency response that you could practice during your activity.

As part of your activity, make laminated copies of these steps to keep in your first aid kit so that you can continue to review them and be prepared to help in an emergency.

Check the scene. Stay calm. Establish control and identify the emergency. Before you act, stop and look over the whole scene. Take steps to protect yourself from any diseases that could be transmitted. Ask yourself these questions: Are there dangers in the area? How many people are injured? Are there other people nearby who can assist me? How can I help others stay safe? Is it safe for me to assist?

Call for help. Specifically assign someone to call for help, or send two people to get help. If you are the one reporting the emergency, be sure to give the most accurate location and directions possible and provide as much information as possible about the extent of the injuries victims may have. Wait for any questions and obey all instructions from emergency personnel. Write down any information you receive from them.

Approach the site carefully. Keep your own safety in mind. In order to be able to help someone else, you must remain safe yourself. Be aware of possible dangers, and protect yourself from exposure to blood.

Treat life-threatening cases first. Immediately treat the cases where someone’s life is threatened, such as when a victim has stopped breathing, has no heartbeat, is bleeding severely, has been poisoned, or is choking.

Protect from further injury. Assess your surroundings. If the victim is in immediate danger, move him or her immediately. However, moving someone who has been injured can be dangerous and could increase the severity of his or her injuries. Move victims very carefully and only when necessary.

Recognize signs and treat victims for shock. Check for signs of shock in the victim, including a fast pulse, mental confusion, decreased blood pressure, and fast breathing. Shock is life threatening. Every victim should be treated for shock immediately, even if you don’t recognize the signs at first. Shock treatment usually involves helping the victim lie down, treating obvious injuries, and keeping the victim warm.

Treat other injuries. Check the victim for other injuries. If the he or she is mentally alert, you may ask him or her to identify parts of the body that hurt or check mobility in arms and legs. Pay as much attention to how well a victim responds as to what he or she says.

Make a plan and reassess. Check the victim’s condition every 5 to 15 minutes. Watch for any changes. Contact and inform emergency personnel of any changes.

Emergency survival skills

Purpose

Learn the self-reliance and preparedness skills that will enable you to survive and serve others during a disaster.

Description

In order to survive a disaster, you must prepare essential items and develop the attitude that you can cope with and overcome problems. Plan a series of activities that will help you gain the skills you need to survive and serve others during a disaster. You may want to invite someone with knowledge or experience to help you with these activities. You could also plan a culminating activity, such as a mock disaster or survival camp. The following are some ideas for activities that may help you learn emergency survival skills:

First aid. Learn how to provide the type of first aid required during various disasters, such as a flood, fire, or earthquake.
Natural disasters. Invite someone with knowledge or experience to teach the young women about the disasters that are common to your community. Make a plan to prepare for and respond to those types of disasters. Create or update your 72-hour kit and keep it in a safe place that would likely be accessible during an emergency.
Make a plan. Imagine that a natural disaster has occurred in your area. Make a plan to respond by asking the following questions: How do I communicate with my family, including those family members who live far away? Where do I go if my home is destroyed? What is my family’s designated meeting place? What food and water will I have?
Purify water. Learn how to find and purify water using boiling, chlorine bleach, iodine tablets, and filters. Create an emergency kit that includes a way to purify water.
Food storage. Explore ways to store food for long periods of time. You could explore some of the resources and information on providentliving.org.
Meals. Cook a meal using food that has been stored for a while. Use only the cooking utensils and appliances that would be available to you in a disaster.
Emergency shelters. Learn how to build a shelter during an emergency. Make sure you learn about A-frame tents, lean-tos, and snow caves. Build a shelter out of the type of materials that would be available to you during a disaster. Sleep in your shelter overnight.
Service project. Take a short trip to an area that recently experienced a disaster. Clean up the area and provide service. Write in your journal about what you see and learn from this experience. Before you go, take time to review the “Disaster Cleanup Guidelines and Church Volunteer Safety.”
Campout. Plan and attend a survival campout where you put your emergency skills to use.
Preparedness workshop. Organize a disaster preparedness workshop for your community or Church unit.

Evening programs

Purpose

Develop friendships and strengthen your talents through evening programs.

Description

Hold evening programs at camp that will allow you to develop friendships and talents. If you are participating in an outdoor camp, these evening programs could occur around the campfire and could involve cooking a simple treat or meal over the fire (be sure to extinguish the fire completely when you’re finished). These programs should involve all the young women, either individually, in small groups, or as one large group. You could sing songs, play group games, share a spiritual thought, or discuss uplifting experiences from that day at camp. You may also want to invite speakers—such as the Young Women president, an adult camp leader, or the patriarch in your area—to speak on the camp theme. The young women could also use this time to develop their talents by playing musical instruments, storytelling, singing, dancing, or participating in a dramatization.

First aid kits

Purpose

Build a first aid kit for personal use.

Description

Invite a knowledgeable person in your area to help you learn what items to include in a personal first aid kit and how to use those items. If the resources are available, each young woman could buy or find items to prepare a personal first aid kit. Those who already have a personal kit could review and replenish the supplies in their kit. Following is a list of items that could be included in a kit:

Adhesive bandages
Sterile gauze pads
Cotton swabs
Adhesive tape
Moleskin (or adhesive padding)
Duct tape or other strong tape
Soap or small bottle of hand sanitizer gel
Antibiotic ointment
Scissors
Disposable gloves
CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) breathing barrier
Pencil and paper
Whistle and mirror
Roller bandage
Tweezers
Cold packs
Mylar and a pair of socks
Pepper spray (if needed for safety)
A laminated card with instructions for what to do during an emergency

Food safety

Purpose

Learn how to prepare and handle food to prevent food poisoning.

Description

Plan an activity that will help you learn how to prepare a meal safely and avoid food poisoning or illness. You may need to invite someone with knowledge and experience to help you with this activity. Make sure you learn the basics of selecting, storing, cooking, thawing, serving, and refreezing various types of food—especially meats or seafood, if they are part of your diet. You may want to learn about the common causes and prevention of food-borne illnesses, including salmonella, botulism, and E. coli. Understand how to keep perishable foods cold, especially when the food contains ingredients where bacteria multiply rapidly, such as in dairy dishes. You may want to explore how to keep food cold in emergency situations, when you will not have access to refrigerators or freezers.

For your activity, you could prepare a simple meal as a group while practicing good sanitation and food safety techniques. You could enjoy your meal together or serve the meal to those in need. Some good food sanitation practices include:

Always washing your hands and work areas before preparing food and after handling meats.
Not allowing people to handle food if they are sick or have skin infections or cuts on their hands or arms.
Keeping the preparation and serving areas clean and uncluttered.
Using clean utensils for preparing and storing food.
Covering food between meals to protect it from dust and flies.

Grow a garden

Purpose

Plant a garden and understand the role food plays in your physical health.

Description

Plan a series of activities for your Young Women class to plant, grow, and harvest a garden. If possible in your area, you could raise chickens or other animals for meat, dairy, and animal products. Consider inviting a knowledgeable consultant to help you with these activities.

You could also plan a culminating activity, such as making a meal with the ingredients from your garden. These activities could take several weeks or months to complete. Following are some ideas for activities that can help you learn about gardening:

Visit a local farm or greenhouse and discuss the crops that grow best in your area. Learn how to enrich and improve the soil to help plants grow. Learn about the annual cycle for planting and harvesting.
Plan a garden with plants that grow best in your area. Budget for the cost of seeds and any soil-enriching materials you may need. Then buy seeds or plants, and plant your garden. Plan for regular care of the garden, such as pulling weeds and watering the plants. After you harvest your food, prepare a meal using the ingredients from your garden.
Donate the food that your garden produces to families in need in your community.
Learn how to preserve fruits and vegetables by drying or canning them. You could purchase or borrow the necessary canning materials, such as a large pot and glass jars with sealing lids.
Learn how to take care of chickens or other small animals, such as rabbits, that can be used for meat. If your family or someone in your area has these animals, volunteer to help care for them.
Plan a service project at a local farm, nursery, or botanical garden.
Hold a food drive for needy individuals or families in your area.
Help elderly people or families in need to take care of their yard or garden.
Visit a local agricultural college, nursery, botanical garden, or arboretum. Learn about the employment opportunities in those industries.

Healthy lifelong habits

Purpose

Build a healthy lifestyle using proper nutrition and exercise.

Description

Plan a series of activities over a period of three to six months to help the young women learn the habits of a healthy lifestyle. Consider inviting someone with knowledge and experience from your branch, ward, or community to help you with some of these activities. You could plan a final activity at Young Women camp that includes planning and preparing nutritious meals and participating in strenuous exercise. Your final activity could also be outside Young Women camp, such as participating in a race or triathlon.

Following are some ideas for activities that can help you develop these healthy habits.

General health:

Learn about the elements of good health. Develop a plan as a class to establish good habits and maintain or improve your health.
For 12 weeks, keep track of and limit the amount of time you spend playing video, phone, or computer games or watching TV or movies.
Invite a medical professional or knowledgeable consultant to teach the young women about the benefits of sleep. If necessary, help the young women make plans to get enough sleep.
Plan, organize, and lead a healthy living challenge for your Young Women class. This challenge could include eating nutritious meals or improving physical skills.

Physical activity and healthy eating habits:

Lead a sports night or fitness activity where the young women can learn new skills.
Learn about and apply the principles of regular exercise. Record your eating, exercise, and other physical activities for at least 12 weeks.
Invite a dietitian to teach your class about healthy eating portions and habits. Develop a plan to improve your nutrition.
Compile a list and description of hiking trails, bike paths, and other exercise resources in your community. Use some of these resources to help you develop a habit of regular physical activity.
Organize a fitness activity, such as a 5-mile (8-km) run, triathlon, or bike ride. Observe all safety precautions for the activity.
Lead a hike for your class.
Invite a medical professional or other expert to teach your class about eating disorders or other unhealthy eating habits. Make a plan to develop healthy eating habits in your own life.

Substance abuse awareness:

Learn about substance abuse and other addictions and how to avoid and overcome them. Invite an expert to teach your class the principles of addiction recovery.
Join a community campaign and volunteer to distribute information on the harmful effects of tobacco, drugs, or drunk driving.

Hiking

Purpose

Learn about hiking and plan a fun trip.

Description

With the help of your adult leaders, plan a hike (or a walk, run, or similar activity) that will help the young women to appreciate their surroundings, accomplish something difficult, and develop friendships. Plan your hike to include rest periods so you can enjoy singing songs, telling stories, writing in your journal, sketching, or observing nature. The following guidelines can be applied both to hiking and to other similar outdoor activities.

Preparation

Plan a hike that accommodates the skills and fitness levels of the young women in your class. Consider the following supply list as you plan:

Appropriate footwear
Water bottle
Food or snacks
Waterproof clothing for inclement weather
Sunscreen and hat
Journal and pen
Map and compass
Coat or sweatshirt for cold weather
Mylar blanket
Insect repellent
Flashlight and batteries
Matches and fire starter
Whistle and small mirror
Personal first aid kit
Pocketknife

Carry essential supplies in a backpack or secure bag. Keep your hands and arms free so that you can catch yourself if you trip.

Safety

Help the young women understand and follow these safety guidelines:

Avoid hazards such as electrical storms, loose rocks, dirt slides, cliffs, swamps, and dangerous plants and animals. Take the necessary precautions for your area.
Make sure each young woman has a hiking partner who can help her stay safe and get help in case of injury. Keep pace with one another. Establish a calling signal that you can use if you become separated or in case of an emergency.
Plan for an adequate number of adult leaders to help the group reach the destination safely. These leaders should be familiar with the trail and its dangers.
Keep to the established trails, if possible. Track reference points to chart your progress, and make a backup plan for emergencies.
When walking on a busy road, stay with your group, keep out of the way of traffic, and walk single file against the direction of traffic. Wear reflective clothing when you’re walking on a road at night.
Avoid heat exhaustion or dehydration by bringing enough water for your hike. Never drink water that has been unfiltered or untreated. You may want to bring a way to filter or treat water for your hike. If you’re overheated, drink only small sips of water at a time.
Respect the property of others.

Knife skills and safety

Purpose

Learn the proper ways to use and care for a knife.

Description

Plan an activity where you learn how to use a knife safely. You could invite someone with knowledge and experience to teach you how to whittle or carve. You could also learn and practice how to throw knives if you have the knives that are specifically designed for throwing. Throughout the activity, make sure you use proper safety techniques. Care for and sharpen your knife after the activity is over. Find ways to use your knife during camp, such as preparing tinder for the campfire. Be sure to obey the following guidelines during your activity.

Knife safety:

Never pass a knife to someone when the blade is exposed. Close or sheath the knife beforehand. Always pass the knife handle first.
Cut away from yourself. If the blade slips, it will not cut you.
Never leave your knife on the ground.
Always store your knife sheathed and in a safe place, away from the reach of children.
Never walk with your knife in hand, and be aware of your surroundings when you are working with a knife.

Caring for your knife:

Keep your knife clean, dry, sharp, and free from rust.
Apply a few drops of light machine oil to the knife joints and blade.
Never try to cut materials such as metal, brick, and similar hard surfaces. These materials will ruin your blade. Make sure wood is free from nails before you start cutting or carving.
Do not put pressure on the broad side of the blade or use the blade to pry something open because the blade may break.
Keep your knife away from fire. Heat will temper the steel, making the knife soft and difficult to sharpen.

Sharpening your knife:

Gather your materials, such as a whetstone and machine oil.
Place a few drops of light machine oil on the rough side of the whetstone. The oil makes any loosened metal float and prevents it from glazing the stone surface.
Hold the blade flat on the stone surface (use the rough stone surface when your knife needs a lot of sharpening and the fine surface when it needs only a little sharpening). Raise the back of the blade slightly and stroke the full edge of the blade across the stone. Use a smooth and circular slicing motion, as if you were cutting a thin slice off the stone.
Turn the blade over, and use the same process to sharpen the other side of the blade.
Continue this process until the blade is sharp. Test the knife on a dry twig or small branch.

Make journals

Purpose

Create and write in journals that you can use during and after camp.

Description

Create a journal as part of a preparatory camp activity or a craft day at camp. You could use simple items, such as buttons or stickers, to decorate small, inexpensive notebooks. You could also get blank pieces of paper and bind them together with staples or ribbon. Invite each young woman to write in her journal the experiences at camp that helped to build her testimony and increase her appreciation for Heavenly Father. Help the young women learn how journaling can help them recognize and be grateful for the ways Heavenly Father blesses them.

Memorization

Purpose

Memorize a document, story, or scripture that relates to the camp theme.

Description

Choose a document such as “The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles” or “The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” or choose part of a general conference talk or several scripture verses that relate to the camp theme. Memorize the words either before or during camp. You could use this memorization as part of a devotional, fireside, or other spiritual meeting. Write in your journal about how memorizing these words strengthened your testimony.

Menu planning

Purpose

Develop a menu for the meals at Young Women camp.

Description

Hold a few activities where you plan for camp meals. You will need information on where you will hold Young Women camp and the cooking equipment and facilities that will be available to you. You could invite a cook in your ward or community to help you with these activities. Make sure you create a reasonable budget, plan easy meals that are appropriate for your camp location, purchase the food, and safely store and transport the food. The meals at camp should be healthy and inexpensive. You may need to make a list of ingredients, price these ingredients at the grocery store, and make changes to your menu if the price for the food exceeds your budget.

Menu planning could take several activities. During one activity, for example, you could divide into groups and plan meals for the different days you will be at camp. You could use another activity to purchase the food at the local grocery store.

Music at camp

Purpose

Develop and share your talents through music.

Description

Plan to have music as part of your camp. Before camp, learn a song that you could teach or prepare a musical number that you could perform. You can use traditional songs or create new ones. If you want to perform Young Women camp songs or music associated with the annual theme, you can find it on LDS.org. You could bring a musical instrument to camp to help with the music.

You may want to plan a music night, when you can share uplifting music by singing or playing instruments. The young women could participate in small groups or individually. Make sure that each young woman has a chance to participate if she wants to.

Be sure to check the lyrics of any selected songs beforehand to make sure they do not offend the Spirit or show disrespect for any individuals or group of people. Any music that is shared (whether in audio or print) should comply with copyright laws.

Nature treasure hunt

Purpose

Use a treasure hunt to help you appreciate God’s creations.

Description

Plan an activity where you learn about specific vegetation, animal life, or geological formations found in or around your area. You could invite a knowledgeable consultant to help you identify and learn about these items. Then create a list that includes specific types of rocks, animals, and plants that you have learned about (for example, if you live in Indonesia, your list could include orchids, sandalwood, monkeys, butterflies, or igneous and limestone rocks). Form small groups of young women and give each group a copy of the list. Each group should explore the area to find one of each item on the list. Make sure not to disturb the natural beauty of your area—leave all plants, animals, and rocks undisturbed. (You may want to learn how to identify local poisonous plants and animals in a preparatory activity.) Draw pictures or take photographs of what you see.

When all groups are finished, gather together and talk about what you saw. Discuss the beauty and function of each item on the list. You may want to read in the scriptures about the Creation story or other teachings about God’s creations (for example, see Matthew 6:28–30) so that you can learn about and appreciate Heavenly Father’s work and His love for His children.

Observe God’s creations

Purpose

Appreciate the beauty of God’s creations by taking part in outdoor activities.

Description

Plan an activity where you can watch the sunset, get up early to see the sunrise, look at the night sky to find stars and constellations, or go on a hike and read scriptures about the creation of the world (see Genesis 1 and Moses 2). Doing activities in nature gives you a chance to see God’s creations, which testify of Him. Write in your journal your feelings about God and this beautiful world that He created.

Orienteering

Purpose

Learn how to find your way using a compass and map or a Global Positioning System (GPS).

Description

Plan a series of activities that will help you learn how to find your way in an unfamiliar area. You may want to invite someone with knowledge and experience to help you plan these activities. You could plan an activity where you use a map to find a landmark or a natural resource, such as a lake. You could also walk, bike, or drive to a new city or location using only a local map for directions. Consider planning a final activity, such as a day hike in the wilderness, where you can use the skills you have learned. Following are some skills and activities that could be useful to you. Before participating in these activities, make sure you are aware of any risks.

Compass reading. Invite an expert to teach you about the four main points of a compass, and make sure you know how to set a compass. Practice using degrees and compass bearings to find your way. You should also learn how to use landmarks to orient yourself.
Maps. Learn the different types of maps that will be useful to you, including basic road maps and topographical, aeronautical, and geological survey maps. Take special note of when the map was printed and note any landmarks that are missing. Make sure that the map has enough detail to guide you on a trail.
GPS. Invite an expert to teach you how to use GPS, including marking way points, making track logs, and backtracking. Learn how to find coordinates on a map and how to navigate to a marked point. Make sure you know how to enter GPS coordinates for longitude and latitude.
Geocaching. Practice your orienteering skills by searching for geocaches in your area. Geocaching is when an individual or group uses a GPS-enabled device (such as a smartphone) to locate a geocache, or container, hidden in an area. There are thousands of geocaches in cities, towns, and forests across the world, and you can find lists of local geocaches by searching online. In order to go geocaching, you will need to obtain coordinates for a nearby geocache and find it using GPS.

Outdoor cooking

Purpose

Build confidence and self-reliance by learning how to cook simple meals outdoors.

Description

Plan a series of activities that will help you learn how to cook outdoors using various techniques, such as are listed in this activity. You may want to invite someone with knowledge and experience in your Church unit or community to help you plan these activities. Plan a final activity such as an overnight campout, where you can practice the skills you’ve learned. Following are different types of outdoor cooking that you could try.

Dutch oven cooking. Dutch ovens are large cast-iron pots with close, tight lids. They are used for roasting, stewing, or baking. To cook in a Dutch oven, build a crisscross fire and allow it to burn until it creates a deep bed of coals. For easier cleanup, line the pot with foil if you are baking biscuits or a cake. Place your food inside the pot, and close the lid. Place the pot on top of the coals, and use a shovel to scoop some coals onto the lid. In place of a traditional fire, you could also use charcoal in your Dutch oven cooking.
Pit cooking. To cook in a pit, tightly wrap a simple meal, such as seasoned vegetables, in foil. Then dig a pit that is about one square foot deep. Line the bottom of the pit with flat rocks (avoid any rocks that contain limestone, shale, or moisture because they may explode). Build a teepee fire on top of the rocks. Then build a crisscross fire on top of the teepee fire. Keep this fire going for about an hour until the rocks are white with heat. Scoop out the coals from the fire, and place your foil dinner on the rocks. Sprinkle some of the coals on top of the foil dinner. Fill in the pit with dirt, and let the food cook. After about 45 minutes, dig out the hot food and refill the pit with dirt.
Reflector oven. Reflector ovens use flames from a fire, not coals, to cook food such as bread, casseroles, and pizza. You can regulate the oven temperature by moving the food closer to or farther from the fire. To make a reflector oven, you will need a five- or ten-gallon can, a metal rack or shelf, tin snips, and wire. Using tin snips, cut one side of the can open, and use wire to mount and secure the shelf or rack in the middle of the can. Cook by placing your food on the shelf and bringing the oven close to an open fire.
Stone fireplace. To create a stone fireplace, place two large, flat rocks on either side of a fire, close enough to each other so that they can hold a skillet or pot with your food. Using this method, you can make eggs, bacon, pancakes, and many other meals.
Trench fire. Trench fires are good for cooking with pots and skillets. Place two large logs parallel to each other. Then build a small fire between the logs. Balance the skillet on the large logs, over the fire. If you want to create a grill, you can notch the logs and lay metal rods from one log to another. For slower cooking, bring the logs together at one end. Be sure to completely extinguish the fire when you are finished.
Spit cooking. Spit cooking is useful for fowl, fish, or kebobs. Build a low teepee fire. On either side of the fire, place two notched sticks upright in the ground. Then make a spit out of green wood and soak it with water so it does not burn. Put the spit through the meat or food you want to cook and place it over the fire. Baste and turn the food often.
Cooking without utensils. You may also want to learn to cook without pots or utensils. To do this, you could use green wood, rocks, and coals.

Preparatory meetings

Purpose

Help get the young women and their parents excited about camp.

Description

Plan a fun preparatory activity that involves the young women, their parents, and camp leaders. Your activity could include several stations that will help everyone accomplish the necessary camp preparations.

Parents’ station: Have a station or booth where the parents of the young women can learn about the schedule, activities, and purpose of Young Women camp. Give them the chance to fill out and sign the appropriate registration and medical forms. Let the parents know beforehand what information (such as immunization dates and records) they will need to complete these forms.

Young women and youth camp leaders’ station: Plan for a station or booth where the young women and youth camp leaders gather to discuss assignments, plan meals, delegate responsibilities, and gain skills. You could memorize the camp theme, learn songs, or play team-building games. If your camp will include outdoor, physical activities, you may want to put together a physical fitness plan that will help each young woman prepare to enjoy these activities. You could also use this time to prepare equipment that you will use at camp, such as a mess kit.

Protect and preserve the environment

Purpose

Learn how to protect, preserve, and restore the environment.

Description

Although not every Young Women camp will be held in an outdoor, natural setting, all young women should learn how to protect, preserve, and restore natural environments (see D&C 104:13). Following are some principles and activity ideas that will help you learn how to take care of our natural world.

Protect the environment

Go on a hike. Use only the trails that already exist, and walk in the middle of the trail. Do not touch or take any artifacts or plants. If you see any wildlife, keep a safe distance and do not try to feed them. Never leave trash or food on the trail.
Participate in an overnight camp. Use only the campsites that already exist, and do not alter the site. Camp on durable surfaces, such as packed dirt or rock, and make sure your site is at least 200 feet (61 m) away from any lakes, rivers, or streams to avoid contaminating water resources. Store food and trash properly in sealed containers to avoid attracting animals to your campsite (see the activity on basic sanitation).

Preserve and restore the environment

Clean up a local natural resource. Find a natural resource near where you live, and plan a service project to pick up all the trash or debris in the area. Use this activity to explore the correct ways to dispose of garbage, such as burning, burying, or removing. You may need to ask local authorities to teach you about the disposal methods that are proper for your area. Never leave any trash, food, or litter on the ground. Bury all human waste in holes at least 6 inches (15 cm) deep and 200 feet (61 m) away from water, campsites, and trails.
Teach others how to take care of the environment. Invite friends to come camping with you. Show courtesy to others in your area by regulating how much noise you make.
Trail maintenance. Plan an activity to help rebuild, mark, or establish a nearby trail.
Purify a local water resource. Invite someone with knowledge and experience to teach you about the problems with water pollution in your area. Go to a local water resource and help clean out trash. Practice clean water skills, and do your part to prevent water pollution.
Plant trees. Learn about the problems with air pollution and erosion in your area. Find an area and plant some trees to help decrease air pollution and erosion.

Recycling and repurposing

Purpose

Make something new out of something old.

Description

Plan an activity where you make something new and useful out of something that you would otherwise throw in the garbage. Find an old item and bring supplies that you will need to repurpose that item. You could use some of the following ideas for repurposing old items.

Old sweaters: cut and sew into mittens, hats, or hot pads.
Old T-shirts: cut up and weave into rugs or coasters.
Plastic bags: cut into strips and knit or crochet into anything. This type of plastic is sometimes called plarn (plastic yarn).
Old magazines and newspapers: cut out the pictures and make collages, or cut the pages into triangles or strips to make a paper Christmas tree.
Hardcover books: cut out the pages from an old book and use the hard covers to make a bag or purse.
Tin cans: cut decorations in the sides of the can, and place a candle inside to create a luminary or candleholder.
Old juice cartons: cut up and use tape to make into wallets.

River rafting

Purpose

Learn about river rafting and prepare for an exciting trip.

Description

Organize a series of activities to prepare for a one- or two-day rafting trip. These activities could take place over a period of weeks or months. To ensure safety, many of the following activity ideas require the presence of a certified river rafting specialist. For each activity, include a spiritual moment—such as a devotional—to invite the influence of the Holy Ghost. Following are some ideas for activities that will help you learn about river rafting:

Introduction to river rafting. Invite an expert from your Church unit or community to use pictures, stories, and videos to teach you about river rafting. Learn about the equipment you need to make rafting safe. You could also use a map of your area to become familiar with places where you could practice rafting.
Learn about rivers. River rafting will require you to know how to read river currents and features in order to stay safe. Become familiar with the classification system for rivers and other bodies of water and the ratings for rivers near where you live.
River safety and swim test. Invite an expert to teach you about the hazards of river rafting and how to remain safe. Learn the techniques for how to guide a raft down a river or through a body of water. Practice how to communicate with each other when rafting. Practice swimming with the young women in your class and improve your swimming skills with appropriate exercise. When in a raft or swimming in a river, always wear a personal flotation device.
Practice mild rafting. Practice some of the rafting skills, such as navigation and communication, in a safe setting, such as a nearby pool or lake.
Cookout. Learn how to transport and keep food dry on a rafting trip. Practice preparing food for your trip using outdoor cooking methods.
Maps and navigation. Ask an expert to teach you how to use a map and compass to navigate a river. Practice these skills.
First aid. Invite an expert to teach you basic first aid for injuries that are common to rafting. Do your best to master these first aid skills, and make sure that you bring first aid supplies on your trip.
Practice with rapids. Use your skills to practice paddling, navigating, and rafting in rougher waters with some rapids. Make sure you have the help of a certified river guide or an expert from your Church unit or community to help you.
Trip planning and preparation. Plan and prepare for a short rafting trip. Be sure to make plans for food, transportation, safety, shelter, equipment. Make sure that a certified guide also helps you plan the trip.
River rafting trip. Enjoy a safe trip with the other young women, using the skills you have learned. Plan a longer devotional that helps you make connections between the gospel and what you have learned while preparing for the rafting trip.

River Safety

Regardless of the type of boat you’re using, you need to be aware of some safety rules. Always follow the instructions from your professional guide. Keep your legs inside the boat. Following are some safety rules for rivers and other bodies of water, in case you’re thrown from your boat.

Check to see if you’re close enough to swim back to the boat quickly so that you can get pulled back in. If you’re separated from the boat by whitewater or rapids, you may need to float downstream for a period of time.
Float on your back with your feet pointed downstream. This will allow you to push off rocks with your feet instead of hitting your head. Never lock your knees when you’re floating.
Avoid being swept under a log or bramble. If you see one ahead of you, flip onto your stomach and swim hard to get on top of the obstacle. If you go under, you could get stuck underwater.

Rock climbing and rappelling

Purpose

Learn about and experience rock climbing and rappelling.

Description

Organize a series of activities that will help you learn about and gain experience rock climbing and rappelling. Many of the following activity ideas require a certified specialist from your Church unit or community to make sure everyone is safe. For each activity, include a devotional to invite the influence of the Holy Ghost. You may want to plan a final activity to practice what you have learned. Each young woman will need access to climbing gear for some of the following activities.

Introduction to rock climbing and rappelling. Invite a trained and qualified expert from your Church unit or community to use pictures, stories, and videos to introduce you to rock climbing and rappelling. Find nearby areas or gyms where you can climb.
Safety commands, gear, and hardware. Invite a certified expert to teach you general safety practices such as double-checking knots and wearing the right gear. Learn and practice safety commands for rock climbing and belaying. Make sure you understand what gear—harnesses, helmets, gloves, climbing shoes, and so forth—is required for each activity.
Knots and essential rope care. Learn some basic knots that can be used in climbing, such as daisy chains and water knots. Learn how to set anchors on bolts and around trees, rocks, and bushes. Never step on a rope. You should also learn the different ways to coil and care for ropes and check them for weaknesses and wear.
Rappelling and belay devices. Under the guidance of a certified expert, take a short trip to a location in your area where you can learn rappelling.
Ascending a rope. Invite a certified expert to teach you how to use weighted knots and a harness to ascend a rope.
Advanced rappelling. Under the guidance of a certified consultant, choose a location where you and the other young women in your class can learn to rappel from a greater height. Make sure everyone understands that rappelling includes checking the safety of any existing anchors, blocks, and gear. Be sure to take all your trash and gear with you when you leave, and avoid disturbing the natural landscape.
First aid certification. Learn and practice basic first aid that includes treating common climbing injuries, such as cuts, rope burns, and open calluses. If you will be climbing or rappelling more than 30 to 60 minutes away from a trailhead, at least one person should be trained in wilderness first aid (see the activity on basic first aid).
Rock climbing. Find a place near where you live to rock climb as a Young Women class. Make sure you have a certified specialist with you. If you are at a climbing gym, employees often serve as climbing specialists. Learn about and practice using the gear. If possible, practice a variety of climbs and skills.

Scripture skits

Purpose

Create a presentation based on a scripture story.

Description

Divide the young women into small groups. Invite each group to choose a favorite scripture story—one that is related to the camp theme, if possible—and create a short presentation or skit based on that story. You could bring items to camp that could be props for these presentations. You may also want to act out what a scripture story would look like in a modern setting. For example, what would the parable of the good Samaritan be like if it happened in your neighborhood with your friends and family? You could also act out scenes from Church history, stories from local church history, or a skit related to the standards in For the Strength of Youth or the Young Women values.

Scripture study

Purpose

Read and ponder scripture verses that relate to the camp theme.

Description

Select a group of verses (about 10 to 20) from the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price that relate to the camp theme. Write these scripture references on a small card or piece of paper, and give a copy of the scripture list to each young woman on the first day of camp. Invite the young women to study these scriptures daily, either as a small group or alone. You could include time in the camp schedule for this scripture study.

At the end of camp, you may want to recognize those young women who participated in this invitation to study the scriptures. You may also want to ask them to share with others what they learned from these scriptures and how this activity strengthened their testimonies.

Scuba diving and snorkeling

Purpose

Learn about and experience scuba diving and snorkeling.

Description

Plan a series of activities that will help you learn how to scuba dive or snorkel. These activities could span a number of weeks. You may want to plan a final activity—such as a supervised dive in a pool—after you have learned these skills.

Make sure to get a physical examination from your health care provider and a signed permission slip from your parents or guardians before doing the following activities. For more information, research and contact local diving shops. All young women will need access to scuba equipment for these some of these activities.

Introduction to scuba diving and snorkeling. Invite a certified dive instructor from your Church unit or community to use pictures, videos, and stories to introduce scuba diving and snorkeling to the young women. Learn about scuba and snorkeling equipment. Under the supervision of the instructor, try the equipment on and become familiar with it.
Physical fitness. Develop a physical fitness plan and hold a series of activities that will help you improve your physical fitness and lung efficiency. You could test yourself by swimming in colder waters to see how your breathing changes.
First aid. Learn first aid for diving injuries and emergencies. Become familiar with diving safety equipment and emergency procedures.
Aquatic life. Explore and learn about the local aquatic life that live in a nearby water resource. Learn how to identify different types of fish, plants, and shore life.
Service project. Plan and complete a service project to safely clean up a nearby river, lake, beach, or other local water resource.
Practice dive. Under the guidance of a dive instructor, use scuba gear to take a short dive in a nearby pool.
Snorkeling. Go snorkeling in a nearby water resource, if possible. Try to identify the local fish, plants, or shore life that you come across.
Longer dive. If possible, you and the other young women in your class could complete your scuba certification and plan for a longer dive in a nearby water resource. Be mindful of the potential cost for this activity.

Secret sisters

Purpose

Build unity through secret acts of service.

Description

Plan for each young woman at camp to have a “secret sister.” Before camp, assign a secret sister to each young woman or have each young woman choose a secret sister. To select secret sisters, you could put all the names of the young women into a paper bag. Invite each young woman to draw a name (she should not keep the name if she draws her own). Make sure every young woman, including visitors, is paired with someone. The young women should not tell anyone who their secret sister is. During camp, give acts of service, notes, or small and inexpensive gifts to your secret sister. You could share with each other your secret sisters at the end of camp as part of a devotional or other activity.

Testimony meeting

Purpose

Hold a meeting where the young women have the chance to bear testimony of Jesus Christ.

Description

Plan a special meeting where the young women can share their testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They could also share how camp has strengthened their testimonies. This testimony meeting usually takes place near the end of camp and can be at night or during the day. Make sure the testimony meeting is at a quiet location where the young women can be free from distractions. Begin and end the meeting with a prayer.

Using camp equipment

Purpose

Learn how to set up and care for camp equipment.

Description

Plan an activity where you learn how to set up, take down, clean, and store any equipment you will use at camp. You could turn this activity into a race to see which group of young women can set up and take down a tent in the least amount of time. You could also race to light a lantern, roll a sleeping bag, or pack a backpack with essential items.

Using tents and emergency shelters

Purpose

Learn how to use a tent or make an emergency shelter.

Description

Plan an activity where you learn to build emergency shelters and set up and take down tents. Tents are usually purchased or borrowed, and they offer excellent outdoor cover. You can also use waterproof materials, such as a tarp, to construct an emergency shelter. Following is a list of emergency shelters you could learn to make:

A-frame tent. To make an A-frame tent, fold the tarps or plastic in half lengthwise, and place the fold over a pole or a rope stretched between two trees. Anchor the tarp to the ground with rocks.
Lean-to. To make a lean-to, tie a tarp to a pole or rope that is parallel to the ground and has been lashed to two upright sticks or poles. Use ropes and pegs to hold the upright poles in place. Anchor the tarp to the ground with rocks. You can also make a lean-to by tying two corners of a tarp to the branches of two trees. Use pegs or rocks to anchor the other side of the tarp to the ground. If no tarp is available for the lean-to, you could tie branches or palm fronds to the pole or trees and pile dirt on top of the branches or palm fronds to provide more insulation, but do not gather this material from live trees.
Other emergency shelters. You can also create a waterproof lining in a snow cave or line a rock cave with fallen leaves and branches to use as an emergency shelter.

Water purification

Purpose

Learn how to purify water.

Description

Plan an activity where you learn the different methods for water purification. You will need to collect some undrinkable water, such as water from a stream or lake. Invite someone with knowledge and experience to help you with the following methods for water purification:

Strain the water first if it has a lot of debris in it.
Use a filter to pump water directly from the source (note that no filter is perfect at removing herbicides and pesticides).
Boil the water.
Use iodine tablets or a few drops of chlorine bleach.

After you have purified the water with the different methods, test the water to see how it tastes and to find out what method you like best. Some methods may remove only certain types of contaminants or pathogens.

Depending on where you hold Young Women camp, you may need to make plans to purify water. Make sure you understand how to keep the water in your local resources clean. Use only biodegradable soaps, and do not dump soapy water into lakes or streams. You may also need to allocate some money in your budget to allow you to buy water for the camp.

Watercraft and navigation

Purpose

Learn how to navigate and steer boats and other vessels on the water.

Description

Navigating on the water requires you to learn how to plan for and respond to severe weather conditions and avoid collisions. If you are navigating in open water—without landmarks—you will also need to learn how to plot courses using latitude and longitude. Plan a series of activities over a number of weeks to help you learn about water navigation. After you finish, you may want to plan a final activity—such as a river rafting or sailing trip. For these activities, you will need access to watercraft—rafts, canoes, kayaks, sailboats, or motorboats.

Types of watercraft. Learn about different types of watercraft, and learn how to use one type. Invite an expert to teach you how to plot courses using latitude and longitude.
Astronomy and meteorology. Learn how to navigate using astronomy. Make sure you know how to use constellations, the sun, or the moon to find your way. Also learn how to recognize different types of clouds, such as cumulus, cirrus, cirrocumulus, stratus, nimbus, and cumulonimbus.
Safety and gear. Invite an expert to teach you about the gear required for your chosen type of watercraft. Learn how to tie the knots related to your watercraft. Make sure you understand safety commands. Always wear a personal flotation device when you’re in a boat, and make sure that your watercraft meets all the requirements of your government.
First aid and emergency preparedness. Learn first aid for injuries related to water recreation. Also learn how to avoid accidents, what to do during severe weather such as thunder and lightning storms, and how to respond to an emergency situation while on the water. Learn how to waterproof items such as food and matches.
Physical conditioning. With the other young women in your class, practice and improve your ability to swim. You may want to practice cold water swimming and swimming in choppy waters. You could make a plan as a Young Women class to improve your swimming skills so that you can swim for a longer distance, such as one mile (1.6 km). Learn what to do if your watercraft turns over or if you get thrown into the water.
Plan a trip. Choose a nearby lake, river, or ocean. Plan and go on a trip that will last a few days and put your water navigation skills to use. Make sure your plans include preparation for water safety, different weather conditions, charting your course, the type of watercraft you will use, shelter, and food. Create a packing list. Also prepare for devotionals, personal reflections, group prayers, and scripture reading.
Water conservation. Invite an expert to teach you how to protect water resources from pollution and conserve water during a drought. Begin to build up your supply of water in the case of an emergency.
Service project. Clean up an area with a water resource. Learn about the dangers of water pollution in your area.

Working with others to resolve conflicts

Purpose

Learn how to resolve conflicts in your personal relationships.

Description

Plan an event where you learn about resolving conflicts. You may want to invite adult leaders from your ward or stake to be on a question-and-answer panel. Invite the youth to write down the questions they have about how to deal with different kinds of conflict. (You may ask that the questions be turned in before the event so that you can be sure they are OK to ask in front of the whole group.)

As part of the panel discussion, you may want to discuss how to recognize behaviors that cause conflict, such as criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and withdrawal. How can you overcome these behaviors and learn to take responsibility for your feelings? You may also want to have activities that will help you learn various conflict resolution tactics, such as using a “talking stick” to take turns speaking or giving each person in a conflict only five minutes to talk.

Before this activity, you may want to prepare a list of possible situations where a conflict could occur. Write these situations on small slips of paper and place them in a paper bag. After you have finished the panel discussion, divide the youth into groups of two. Have each group draw a slip of paper and role-play ways they might resolve the conflict. At the end of the activity, invite the groups to share what they learned.