Young Women's Camp 2010 - Shoe Delivery

Okay...I know I promised that I was finished putting entries up on the blog about this past year's Young Women's Camp, but today I had the privilege to go with my daughter, my son, and some of the Young Women from our Ward to deliver the shoes that they had collected and cleaned as part of our camp service project.  Our Ward choose the Mustard Seed Foundation as their local charity to donate the shoes to.  I can promise you that I was holding back the tears as I watched our Young Women unload the shoes and take them inside where they had the chance to place the shoes they had cleaned on a very empty shelf inside the foundation's warehouse.  As the Young Women were displaying the shoes, on the shelf, I observed several individuals anxious to see what they were pulling out of the box.  I knew that they would be running over to pick out a pair as soon as we left.  The woman that organized a tour for us of the facility mentioned her gratitude to the girls and told them that by the end of the week all of the shoes would be gone.  I certainly know that I was touched and could tell that the Young Women were very pleased with their accomplishment.  To learn more about the Mustard Seed of Orlando please visit their website at http://www.mustardseedfla.org/.  They are always looking for donations!

Young Women's Camp 2010 - Testimony Meeting & Evaluation Sheet

What a wonderful week we had at Young Women's Camp this year.  Thank you all for touching my heart with your beautiful testimonies.  It's hard to believe this year's camp is over.  I love you all so very much!

After camp...each Young Woman had the chance to fill out our Camp Evaluation Sheet.  If you would like a copy of our form please comment here or email me directly at jennifer.hawkins@hotmail.com.  Please be sure to leave me your email address.

This is my final posting for our Young Women's Camp 2010.  It makes me sad, but I am already thinking about next year and it's going to be SUPER, TERRIFIC, and FUN!!!  See you in 2011!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Young Women's Camp 2010 - I Stand All Amazed

Well...if there's going to be an activity that causes you to stress out a little because of having NO POWER it would be the one at the very end of camp.  The one you were hoping would change lives.  The one you had kept a secret from all of the Young Women.  The one you had parents coming without girls knowing, etc.... Get my point?  This activity didn't exactly go as planned due to our power issue on the last day, but it still was pretty fantastic.  So...let me share with you what took place.

Prior to camp, I had given each of our Ward Camp Director's an assignment to find one or two parents that would be willing to come to camp to sit at a booth that would be part of a Little Town of Bethlehem Marketplace.  They would have to keep this a secret and would have to come dressed in the proper Little Town of Bethlehem attire.  Once at camp...these parents would be in charge of setting up their booth without the girls seeing them.  Which they did and it was great!

At camp on the last day our Bishop's come up to camp to be part of our final activities which include the award ceremony, dinner, and testimony meeting.  We had a little chicken dinner which was followed by a few special musical numbers performed by some special guests we had asked to come.  This was where a video was going to be played of our Savior's birth, but that obviously didn't happen.

Then, our Young Women with their Bishop's and Young Women's Presidency's traveled through the Little Town of Bethlehem where 2 video clips were played at each booth based on the Testimonies of the Savior by our Apostles and Prophets.  These were played on laptop computers.  I was able to burn DVD's for each table with just the two messages that needed to be played at that booth.  While watching the video they could munch on the food provided at that booth.  This was a great place for all the left over camp food.  Some of the booths also had games that were played or other messages that were shared.

Originally, the Ward's were going to meet separately after going through the town to listen to their Young Women's President recite THE LIVING CHRIST, share her testimony of the Savior, and tell the story of the Savior washing the feet of His Disciples.  After she finished the Bishop and other Adult Leaders would have the chance to bear their testimonies.  This did not happen at camp due to time and earlier conflicts so the Wards did this the Sunday after camp.  I understand what happened at church Sunday was amazing!  So....sometimes things happen for a reason.  We were then going to gather back together for the end of the activity which was going to be our guest singers singing His Hands with a video in the background.  Oh well, right?!

We did gather back together and I presented to each Young Woman a copy of The Living Christ with a VIRTUE RING as their camp souvenir and reminder to always live VIRTUOUS so they can return someday to live with our Heavenly Father and Savior.

If you would like a copy of the Marketplace Assignments...please comment here or email me directly at jennifer.hawkins@hotmail.com.  Don't forget your email address!

Young Women's Camp 2010 - Worship through the Hymns

This activity was inspired by the March 2008 Ensign article Worship through the Hymns on page 64.  I had read this two years ago and it was a perfect tie in to our camp this year.  I am a BIG MUSIC person and love hearing others sing.  It saddens me when I look around on Sunday's and notice that our Youth are not singing.  To me singing is just like saying a prayer to our Heavenly Father.  The older I get the more I love our sacred hymns.  I wanted there to be something special at camp that our Young Women would never forget.  I decided that we needed to find a guest speaker/performer to come and sing a little...talk a little...and then sing a little more.  I found just the right person to do just that.  Our special guest sang so beautifully and brought the spirit immediately with her performance and special messages prepared about the Hymns.  It was amazing!  Truly amazing! 

Young Women's Camp 2010 - Shoe Cutouts

Thanks to one of our YCL'S we had these darling SHOE CUTOUTS that she made especially for camp.  Let's just say we all had fun taking our picture wearing them.  What a HOOT!

Young Women's Camp 2010 - Camp Awards Ceremony

We feel strongly about highlighting each one of our Young Women at our Camp Awards Ceremony.  Each of our Young Women that have completed their camp level requirements receive their Church Camping Certificate and Patch.  I also presented each of our Young Women's Presidency's with flowers for all of the time they put into camp.  Our Camp Director's received a special gift for the many hours they spent coming to meetings and working with our YCL'S and the Ward.  This year our YCL'S received a special gift from me.  My Mom was so happy with the hard work our YCL'S put into camp that she made each of them a special VIRTUE PIN.  You can see it pictured.  There were also some nice gifts for our Camp Chef, Camp Nurse, and Priesthood Leaders.  I can't thank these Leaders and Young Women enough for the many hours they sacrificed to make camp a great success!