Summer Camp

I spent the last three days as a leader at our church’s summer camp for young women ages 12-18. It was actually the 100th anniversary of the first summer camp for young women that the church sponsored.

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There was a scheduling issue with the Boy Scout camp that we go to and so what is usually a five day camp was only able to be three days this year.   But it was still a great experience.

More and more the children and youth around us are becoming completely detached from the natural world around them.  It was interesting for me to listen to a history of Young Women Camp and hear that back in 1912 that concern existed as well and was one of the purposes for starting that first summer camp 100 years ago.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency of our church once said, “May I suggest that you reduce the rush and take a little extra time to get to know yourself better. Walk in nature, watch a sunrise, enjoy God’s creations, ponder the truths of the restored gospel, and find out what they mean for you personally. Learn to see yourself as Heavenly Father sees you—as His precious daughter or son with divine potential.”

I love the link that he identifies between spending time “unpulugged” and out in the beauties of nature with coming to know ourselves better.  It is particularly important for the youth of these days who have so many voices around telling them who to be or how to act.  But time alone and out in nature can combat those forces.

I’m grateful for the chance I had this week to help some young women find that opportunity.