Thoughts From Camp:
From Sister Verlie Grotenhuis – Exeter Stake Young Women Camp Director
As I packed up to leave girls camp at the end of another terrific week I thought about the things I was bringing home. I put my pink "Happily Ever After" T-shirt in my suitcase, I slipped my "diamond" pink pinky ring on my finger and added even more seemingly random paraphernalia to my bucket full of skit props. Every spring we send out a list of STUFF we are told to bring to camp. The girls have their list and the leaders have an even longer one. I have a section in my attic for camping. Every June I pack it up, haul it to Zion's camp, set it up, take it down, pack it up again, bring it home and leave it for another year. That is what STUFF is for - to use as needed.
From Sister Jennifer Alves – Exeter Stake Young Women Secretary
Girls camp was a ton of fun!
I love seeing my friends and all the fabulous girls from other wards. Working seriously hard for a few days really makes one appreciate home when you get back...but I already miss my camp friends and all the chocolate cake.
I mostly love the Spirit at Girls camp. The Holy Spirit. (And the edible gold dust. That was really cool!)
From Sister Sandra Reyes – Exeter Stake Young Women Presidency 2nd Counselor
I like to see the adult leaders on the first day of camp. I noticed from a great big tower, to a beautiful canvas drawing, to candy decorations, and all of this in preparation for their young women’s arrival. On Tuesday, all younger young women are welcomed at the gate with a feeling of excitement and love.
During the rest of the week, if we paid close attention, we can experience great examples of love and service within the girls. I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to witness many acts of service. There was one young women that took her job as a youth leader very seriously and she went the extra mile to be there for the young women she was assigned to. She is one that if anyone in her group needed anything, she will run to get it. This is the pure love of Christ, charity.
When we put others before ourselves and this is what takes place at Camp Zion. Camp Zion was compared to being in the temple during our testimony meeting, and to many of our young women, it was. I love feeling the spirit that each young women brings to this beautiful place. I know that this is where our Heavenly Father wants our young women to be during this week. I am grateful for all the blessings that we received as we served at Camp Zion. This is another testimony that our Heavenly Father loves this generation and wants the best for all. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
From Sister Renee Kelly – Exeter Stake Young Women Presidency, 1st Counselor
Bringing it Home
The most important thing I need to bring home from camp each year is that feeling of love created at Zion. For those few short days all is right with the world and all things seem possible as we commune more closely with our Heavenly Father, our Savior and each other. Every where we turn there is the potential for joy; there is nature and there are people serving each other with wonderful smiles.
My T-shirt will remind me that I am a "D" Daughter of God. My pinky ring will help me to remember that beautiful, sparkling diamonds are created under pressure. My collection of skit props will make me smile at how silly we can be when we are together.
The true "stuff" of Zion's Camp has no place in a bin or in an attic hidden away for a year. More than any thing I could possess I hope to keep those feelings of charity and sisterhood with me every day.
A deep and heart felt thank you to all who served at camp this year. May your memories be sweet and you testimony of our Savior's love be even richer.
From Sister Shannon Gish – Exeter Stake Young Women President
At the end of camp, a few of our lovely first year girls came up to me and said, "Sister Gish - even though we’re happy to be going home, we’re already feeling 'camp-sick' (as in home sick).
Don't you love that?
And why are they "camp-sick?" I believe it's because they truly experienced a Zion’s Camp, not just an Exeter Stake Young Women Camp. (Though I really like the idea that they are one and the same.) "And the Lord called his people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them." Moses 7:18.
As I walked the trails and sat at campfires and spent time with the young women, ironically, I had an overwhelming feeling of love and gratitude for the power and influence of the Relief Society.
Think about it.
Who makes camp happen? Women of the Relief Society who are devoted to and covenanted with Jesus Christ; who have burning testimonies of His divinity; who have witnesses of the restoration of His gospel through Joseph Smith; who understand the transformative promises of the Book of Mormon; who minister under the proper keys of the priesthood – turned for us from a prophet of God and held today by President Monson; who have experienced the redeeming and sanctifying power of our Savior’s infinite Atonement. And most especially we - united Sisters of the Relief Society - make camp happen because we are women who love the Lord and our Father in Heaven. I believe strongly that during that June week, we fulfilled the purpose of camp which is '”helping young women come unto Christ by:
- Confirming their identity as Daughters of God. [with a capital D]
- Recognizing and cultivating the Spirit
- Keeping baptismal covenants
- Preparing for their future roles.
(see Young Women Camp Leader Guide, pg 5)
And the economics of heaven being what they are, we also accomplished the purpose of Relief Society at the same time by increasing in faith and personal righteousness, strengthening families and homes and helping those in need. (see Handbook 2, 9.1.1.) I hope these truths distill upon your souls as it has mine.
Thank you for the spiritual preparation you put into your lives each day. Thank you for living as exemplary women of covenant, virtue and charity. Thank you for seeking and following revelation and being sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Our united faith in Christ makes all things possible - even a week at camp.
May the Lord continue to pour out blessings on each of us and our families. May we be one – united and strengthened - in our righteous endeavors. And may we keep the spirit of Zion's Camp resonating in our hearts and in the hearts of our young women throughout the year.
A Zion Camp-sickness is a good thing.
With deepest love and gratitude…always.
