Popular Post bsjkki Posted March 15, 2018 Popular Post Posted March 15, 2018 The church is doing away with the old girls camp guidebook and it will no longer contain any form of certification. https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865696478/Changes-to-Young-Women-camp-detailed-in-new-guide.html “You will see on the first page under the introduction that one of the purposes of camp is that young women need a place they can ‘gather together, separate from worldly influences, feel the Spirit of the Lord, grow in unity and love and strengthen their faith and testimonies of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ,’” said Sister Oscarson. Sister Neill F. Marriott, second counselor in the Young Women general presidency, added, “Because the new guide is principle based, it allows the youth camp leaders space to receive personal revelation for their own camp. They aren’t just told what to do. They are practicing the leadership principle of counseling together and learning to seek direction from the Spirit to meet their needs. These skills will bless the young women, their families, and the Church for years to come.” The new guidelines will also contain a few warnings of what not to do. These were needed. I have heard of few pranks at camp that were out of line...some leaders need these warnings. My ward had a history of 'pranking' that was inappropriate. I've also seen plenty of that have tried to manipulate emotion. I am very happy they are adding this guidance. “I think this is a fresh new look at camp,” Sister Marriott said. “We are also extending the invitation through this guide to consider traditions that have been long-held in camps, especially those that may not help accomplish the goals of camp or that may involve pranking or unkindness and don’t engender a spirit of truth and love at camp.”... The presidency encouraged leaders to shy away from experiences that rely on emotion or that try to force a spiritual experience through drama. “Sometimes young women — especially those who are just learning to respond to the Spirit — might think, ‘everybody else is crying, why am I not crying? I must not be feeling the Spirit,’” Sister Oscarson said. “People can feel the Spirit working in their lives and everybody reacts differently to it. Stick with the scriptures, the basic doctrines of Christ and of the gospel, and choose appropriate activities that invite the Spirit, but which don’t try to manipulate emotions.” Sister McConkie added that the new guide emphasizes safety. “Safety in every aspect — spiritually, morally, emotionally, and physically safe. We want all young women to feel safe and secure wherever their camp setting might be.” 5
Popular Post bluebell Posted March 15, 2018 Popular Post Posted March 15, 2018 I saw this a couple of weeks ago and, as a YW president in a ward that is having ward girls camp this year rather than stake, could not be more excited to be able to do away with certification! I also appreciated the warning about manipulating emotions and pranks. It'll be hard to reign in for those wards where the adults are caught up in the tradition of pranks but I've always hated them. They are just mean. As for manipulating emotion to get kids to feel the spirit, that is very much needed. Cool activities that rely on symbolism to help girls have experiences are sometimes fun, but trying to make the girls cry is a weird goal that i've seen embraced too often. 6
Jeanne Posted March 15, 2018 Posted March 15, 2018 Quote Quote Can't get rid of this mindless quote above...fill it in for me.. Anyway...I would have loved girls camp without all the certifications...I would have loved primary without the all the stitches in a quote...would have loved MIA...had I not been turned into whatever it was I was supposed to be in the future..Let girls be who they are..go camping ...have fun..the boys do!! 1
bluebell Posted March 15, 2018 Posted March 15, 2018 43 minutes ago, Jeanne said: Can't get rid of this mindless quote above...fill it in for me.. Anyway...I would have loved girls camp without all the certifications...I would have loved primary without the all the stitches in a quote...would have loved MIA...had I not been turned into whatever it was I was supposed to be in the future..Let girls be who they are..go camping ...have fun..the boys do!! I think the certification in girls camp was originally meant to mimic boy scout camp. Part of the problem, from my perspective, is that boys go to scout camp for 2 years typically, and then are allowed to do 'high adventure' for their summer activity. They can do everything from traveling out of state for a white water rafting trip to spending a week going to all of the temples in Utah (with other fun activities mixed in). While the girls were stuck in perpetual 'scout camp' mode for 6 years. There had been some talk in the past about having the girls do high adventure type stuff on top of having girls camp but having the women leaders (and a few priesthood leaders as well) take off more time during the summer just isn't feasible for most people. I already have to be gone (overnight) 11 out of 30 days in June and July just with the typical scheduled activities. Giving the girls the opportunity to personalize their camp experience is a wonderful gift. 2
Jeanne Posted March 15, 2018 Posted March 15, 2018 (edited) 3 minutes ago, bluebell said: I think the certification in girls camp was originally meant to mimic boy scout camp. Part of the problem, from my perspective, is that boys go to scout camp for 2 years typically, and then are allowed to do 'high adventure' for their summer activity. They can do everything from traveling out of state for a white water rafting trip to spending a week going to all of the temples in Utah (with other fun activities mixed in). While the girls were stuck in perpetual 'scout camp' mode for 6 years. There had been some talk in the past about having the girls do high adventure type stuff on top of having girls camp but having the women leaders (and a few priesthood leaders as well) take off more time during the summer just isn't feasible for most people. I already have to be gone (overnight) 11 out of 30 days in June and July just with the typical scheduled activities. Giving the girls the opportunity to personalize their camp experience is a wonderful gift. Oooo..the girls could love such an opportunity..baking brownies and making smores gets a little old. It is a girl that is adventurous that learns her physical attributes are to be strong..healthy and enjoyed. Edited to add:...if the cerifications were to just mimic the guys..why? There were no badges..no honor ...and sometimes just not fun. Edited March 15, 2018 by Jeanne 1
bluebell Posted March 15, 2018 Posted March 15, 2018 7 minutes ago, Jeanne said: Oooo..the girls could love such an opportunity..baking brownies and making smores gets a little old. It is a girl that is adventurous that learns her physical attributes are to be strong..healthy and enjoyed. Edited to add:...if the cerifications were to just mimic the guys..why? There were no badges..no honor ...and sometimes just not fun. Technically, there is a wooden box that girls can get after they complete all years of camp. It's a pretty box (like jewelry box kind of thing with the YW motto carved in the top) but not that exciting. Funnily enough, it's kept in the restricted section at distribution, back with the garments behind the counter, and only YW presidents or presidency members can buy them. 4
Jeanne Posted March 15, 2018 Posted March 15, 2018 3 minutes ago, bluebell said: Technically, there is a wooden box that girls can get after they complete all years of camp. It's a pretty box (like jewelry box kind of thing with the YW motto carved in the top) but not that exciting. Funnily enough, it's kept in the restricted section at distribution, back with the garments behind the counter, and only YW presidents or presidency members can buy them. Do you know why they are in the restricted section? Ugh...anybody going to bat for the girls here???
bsjkki Posted March 15, 2018 Author Posted March 15, 2018 (edited) 6 minutes ago, bluebell said: Technically, there is a wooden box that girls can get after they complete all years of camp. It's a pretty box (like jewelry box kind of thing with the YW motto carved in the top) but not that exciting. Funnily enough, it's kept in the restricted section at distribution, back with the garments behind the counter, and only YW presidents or presidency members can buy them. I have never heard of this. I’ve had girls in YW in multiple stakes and wards and never seen this awarded. i was also a camp leader for 4 years. Edited March 15, 2018 by bsjkki
bluebell Posted March 15, 2018 Posted March 15, 2018 1 minute ago, bsjkki said: I have never heard of this. I’ve had girls in YW in multiple stakes and wards and never seen this awarded. i was also a camp leader for 4 years. From my experience, hardly anyone knows about it (and i don't know how long it's been around. It didn't exist when i was in girls camp). They are phasing them out with the change so they probably won't exist much longer. I didn't know about them either until a mother of one of the YW girls asked if she could get one for her daughter. I had to go to the garment desk in our local deseret book store and ask for it and then she got it from a locked drawer. 1
theplains Posted March 15, 2018 Posted March 15, 2018 10 hours ago, bsjkki said: The presidency encouraged leaders to shy away from experiences that rely on emotion or that try to force a spiritual experience through drama. What danger is there in having experiences which rely on emotion? Jim
cinepro Posted March 15, 2018 Posted March 15, 2018 10 hours ago, bsjkki said: The presidency encouraged leaders to shy away from experiences that rely on emotion or that try to force a spiritual experience through drama. Well, there goes EFY... 3
juliann Posted March 16, 2018 Posted March 16, 2018 It's been a long time since I did camp. I don't remember any pranks...what was happening? I do remember showers and toilets that were clogged. It seemed fun for the girls, but I was very surprised to see that leaders scheduled in every minute. The girls were allotted 45 minutes to go meditate on their own. That was it. The thing that soured me, besides getting altitude sickness (weird since I grew up in SLC) was the special digs the leaders kept to themselves. When the showers shut down, I was kind of a spare part so I was told I could use theirs and ended up in what was essentially a little house. I had no idea. The other women were with the girls in cabin bunk beds and went without. I was never big on camp after that. 2
bluebell Posted March 16, 2018 Posted March 16, 2018 36 minutes ago, theplains said: What danger is there in having experiences which rely on emotion? Jim The problem is when leaders rely on emotion to convince the girls something is true, rather than relying on the Spirit to testify that something is true. 4
Calm Posted March 16, 2018 Posted March 16, 2018 8 hours ago, bluebell said: From my experience, hardly anyone knows about it (and i don't know how long it's been around. It didn't exist when i was in girls camp). They are phasing them out with the change so they probably won't exist much longer. I didn't know about them either until a mother of one of the YW girls asked if she could get one for her daughter. I had to go to the garment desk in our local deseret book store and ask for it and then she got it from a locked drawer. The things you learn on this board...:)
theplains Posted March 17, 2018 Posted March 17, 2018 On 15/03/2018 at 8:08 PM, bluebell said: The problem is when leaders rely on emotion to convince the girls something is true, rather than relying on the Spirit to testify that something is true. Is a leader, who relies on emotion instead of the Spirit to convince the girls something is true, qualified to remain a leader? Jim
Calm Posted March 17, 2018 Posted March 17, 2018 10 minutes ago, theplains said: Is a leader, who relies on emotion instead of the Spirit to convince the girls something is true, qualified to remain a leader? Jim They can be taught to rely on the Spirit just as everyone else needs to be taught.
bluebell Posted March 17, 2018 Posted March 17, 2018 13 minutes ago, theplains said: Is a leader, who relies on emotion instead of the Spirit to convince the girls something is true, qualified to remain a leader? Jim Sure. None of us rely on the spirit perfectly and in many ways, these callings help the leaders just as much as they help the girls. 1
theplains Posted March 17, 2018 Posted March 17, 2018 9 minutes ago, bluebell said: Sure. None of us rely on the spirit perfectly and in many ways, these callings help the leaders just as much as they help the girls. Are the girls able to rebuke/correct their leaders who teach them from their reliance on emotion instead of the Spirit? Jim
Calm Posted March 17, 2018 Posted March 17, 2018 10 minutes ago, theplains said: Are the girls able to rebuke/correct their leaders who teach them from their reliance on emotion instead of the Spirit? Jim Sure, if they do it with respect and love just as the vast majority of correction/teaching should be done. 2
bluebell Posted March 17, 2018 Posted March 17, 2018 (edited) 46 minutes ago, theplains said: Are the girls able to rebuke/correct their leaders who teach them from their reliance on emotion instead of the Spirit? Jim They can lovingly correct them but I wouldn’t say that girls should be rebuking any leaders who are sincerely trying to fulfill their callings, even if they get something wrong sometimes. I would never put up with a leader who rebuked the girls for anything other than a very serious offense. Edited March 17, 2018 by bluebell 3
SteveO Posted March 17, 2018 Posted March 17, 2018 I never did EFY or scouts. How are emotions being manipulated? Telling emotionally charged stories? Or is it kind of like that documentary “Jesus Camp” where the kids are made to feel so horrible for watching Harry Potter and are in dire need of repentance?
Jeanne Posted March 17, 2018 Posted March 17, 2018 (edited) On 3/15/2018 at 6:04 PM, juliann said: It's been a long time since I did camp. I don't remember any pranks...what was happening? I do remember showers and toilets that were clogged. It seemed fun for the girls, but I was very surprised to see that leaders scheduled in every minute. The girls were allotted 45 minutes to go meditate on their own. That was it. The thing that soured me, besides getting altitude sickness (weird since I grew up in SLC) was the special digs the leaders kept to themselves. When the showers shut down, I was kind of a spare part so I was told I could use theirs and ended up in what was essentially a little house. I had no idea. The other women were with the girls in cabin bunk beds and went without. I was never big on camp after that. Pranks on certain tents in other wards...that was the fun part..every year...the same two tents..one from Rush Valley and one from Grantsville..yo..we were the only two tents having any fun. If you can bring enough toilet paper..life is a roll..teachers got in on it too..the others just couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next...I could no more tie a know the next day than carter's got pills. Edited March 17, 2018 by Jeanne
Yirgacheffe Posted March 18, 2018 Posted March 18, 2018 On 3/15/2018 at 11:19 AM, bluebell said: As for manipulating emotion to get kids to feel the spirit, that is very much needed. This strikes me as truly repugnant.
rchorse Posted March 18, 2018 Posted March 18, 2018 Quote As for manipulating emotion to get kids to feel the spirit, that is very much needed. 52 minutes ago, Yirgacheffe said: This strikes me as truly repugnant. The way I read her post, she was saying that the counsel to STOP manipulating emotion was very much needed. 3
Recommended Posts