Ward Adult Camp Leaders

Women Camp Guide, youth camp leaders and adult leaders counsel together to plan camp based on the needs of the young women.

A successful camp includes all of the leadership principles found in Handbook 2: Administering the Church: prepare spiritually, participate in councils, minister to others, and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. This training module focuses on counseling together as you plan camp.

Young women are vital and central to the planning, carrying out, and evaluation of camp. Youth camp leaders should be part of the planning process from the very start. As an adult camp leader, you may at times think it is easier, faster, and more effective to do it all yourself. However, as young women have opportunities to serve, organize, and lead, they are learning skills that will bless their families and the Church now and in the future.

President M. Russell Ballard taught that councils are the most effective way to bring collective wisdom together under the influence of the Lord’s Spirit. Council members first share ideas and concerns; then after all have shared, possible solutions can be discussed. (See “Counseling with Our Councils,” M. Russell Ballard, April 1994 General Conference).

As you counsel, prayerfully ask yourself this question: What does Heavenly Father want to have happen in the lives of the young women as a result of camp?

Choose activities that help the young women explore their interests, increase in self-reliance and outdoor skills, develop leadership skills and friendships, and grow in the gospel of Jesus Christ. There are many ideas for camp activities in the Young Women Camp Guide and in the Young Women Camp section of the youth activities site.

Traditions from past camps may not meet the needs of the young women today. Hazing, pranks, and other unkind, immoral, or disrespectful conversation and behavior are unacceptable. Only positive, kind, and building activities should be a part of camp. Consider inviting parents to share what spiritual needs and hopes they have for their daughters and what activities and skills would benefit their families. As you counsel, carefully consider the health and safety of each young woman.

 “After the experience is over, we want these young women to leave camp having had a joyous experience and with a deeper testimony and greater faith in the Savior and their Heavenly Father. We hope they will leave with an increased understanding of who they are and how they connect to this beautiful earth created for them. We want it to be something that truly elevates them.”