"Anchored to Christ"
Submitted by:  Cathy M. of Bakersfield, CA

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Ether 12:4

Wherefore, whoso believeth in God
might with surety hope for a better world,
yea, even a place at the right hand of God,
which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men,
which would make them sure and steadfast,
always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.

As the Second Coming approaches, we have been told that the storms will rage both in the hearts of men and literally upon the land. It's time to set the rudder, secure the values, and adjust our behavior in preparation to be "fit and pure vessels" - safe from the adversary - anchored to Christ.

Our goal this year is to strengthen individual testimonies, and help to prepare the YW and their families for the troubled days that lie ahead of us as we approach the winding up scenes of this dispensation. Strong and sure testimonies ensure that we will meet the future with FAITH instead of FEAR.

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Daily themes:

Day 1 - "Fear or Faith? - Surviving The Storms of The Last Days" Value - Faith

"No one has described these years as being easy. Indeed, they have become increasingly more difficult. The world seems to have slipped from the moorings of safety and drifted from the harbor of peace. Permissiveness, immorality, and the power of peer pressure cause many to be tossed about on a sea of sin and crushed on the jagged reeds of lost opportunities, forfeited blessings, and shattered dreams."

    • Thomas S. Monson - Nov. 1990 Ensign, pg. 96

Ward Devotional & Evening Scripture Study: Hebr. 12:11, James 1:2-6, Moroni 7:40-42, Helaman 5:12, & 3:29-30, John 14:27

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Day 2 - "Reading the Forecast - Understanding the Adversary"

Daily Values - Knowledge, Choice and Accountability

Safety, security, Strength - the closer and more secure our ties to Christ, the less we can drift toward the World and away from Him. Mormon 5:16-18   (Picture a balloon on a long string and a brisk wind)

Ward Devotional & Evening Scripture Study: Moroni 5:16-18 & 7:15-17, Alma 12:6,  D&C 10:21-27, 2 Ne. 28:20-22 & 2:27-28, James 4:7

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Day 3 - "Fit and Pure Vessels"

Daily Values - Individual Worth, Integrity, Good works

"We pray that you - the young and rising generation - will keep your bodies and minds free from the contamination of the world, that you will be fit and pure vessels to bear triumphantly the responsibilities of the kingdom of God in preparation for he second coming of our Savior. - (FTSOY pamphlet p. 1)

Ward Devotional & Evening Scripture Study: Hel. 14:30-31, 2 Ne. 4:18-20, 27-35, Ether 6:3-12

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Day 4 - "Peace Amid the Storm"

Daily Values - Faith, Divine Nature

"Sometimes He calms the Storm. Sometimes He lets the storms rage, and calms you." - Virginia Pearce - 2nd Counselor Gen. YW Presidency

Alma 26:6-7

Camp Song - "Anchored to Christ"
By Marci Carter and Kevin Holgate

Dark Clouds still gather, the winds fail to cease,
The world in confusion, seeks shallow relief,
setting their anchors in shifting sands, they are lost,
Tossed with each billowing wave,
Drifting deeper and further away.

Oh, Savior I know if Thou put forth Thy hand
the waves would retreat at Thy gentle command
Instead Thou hast stretched out Thy hand unto me
Off'ring refuge the world cannot see - cannot see (alto)

At the end of the storm
I'll be safe and warm,
No matter the dark of the night,
No matter how bitter the fight,
I know the dawn will be bright.
I'm safe in the harbor,
Anchored to Christ.

Hearts of the faithless may tremble and quake,
the forces of darkness have no pow'r to shake
a vessel that's fit and pure,
sealed and secure, never lost,
tossed to and fro with the storm,
but at peace and protected from harm.

Oh, Savior I know if Thou put forth Thy hand
the waves would retreat at Thy gentle command
Instead Thou hast stretched out Thy hand unto me
Off'ring refuge the world cannot see (cannot see - alto)

Chorus

(Copyright 1999,  Marci Carter and Kevin Holgate)
All Rights Reserved 
(Note from Alice Gifford - YW Connection.  Cathy M has informed that the CD is no longer being offered but the program is such a great one that I've left the information on the site. )

Activities:

Race for Life - (Our 1st Aid certification test) had mock boating and beach accidents. Victims were youth leaders. Other campers had to assess & give appropriate first aid.

Daily Crafts -

  • Candles in sand
  • Mosaic (shells, glass[smoothed by the surf] and rocks from beach) stepping stones
  • Service Project - making slates and school kits for Kosovo
  • Anchor Frames - framed boating rope

Evening Fireside Speakers were Stake Presidency & High Counselor Rep on the topics of the Day.

Night Faith Walk -

Objective - To help the YW become aware of the ways in which Satan tempts us to let go of the rod of iron and onto unseen paths.

Set up - We wound a rope through and around trees toward an empty open area where all the girls met and sat. Girls were blindfolded. Youth Leaders tempted the YW off the rope in LOUD voices or encouraged them to stay on the rope with soft voices. YL sang softly "Hold to the Rod" softly in the distance.

Stake Presidency Member started his talk on "Knowing the Adversary" - in the middle we did this walk and then he finished his talk after the walk. - AWESOME

Treasure Hunt - Just as the parables have two levels, so does this activity. Ten clues were given throughout the week that would send the YW to different locations at camp. At each location was a literal treasure and a symbolic treasure. EX - Here is one clue:

What would our life be like without them?
Empty, like an unwritten letter?
They're worthiness only depends on
Do they make me the worse or the better?
We gather here to send it or read it.
We talk and laugh, find a note so dear.
Doesn't matter if they're gold or silver.
What's the secret you can find here?

It sent them to the camp mailboxes where a basket of gold and silver candy kisses were sitting. The literal treasure was the candy, the symbolic treasure was "Friends" Each of the symbolic treasures was a principle in the FTSOY pamphlet. The last clue was a huge X in the meadow where they gathered and we reviewed what the treasures really were. Ultimately they realized that if they were living these principles then they would be preparing themselves for the temple - the ultimate treasure. Those who were correct got a temple recommend holder with the small FTSOY pamphlet inside.

Boat Ragatta with 1st and 2nd Year (while 3rd and 4th out on hikes)

Balloon Powered Boats (See Oriental Trading Company) - We started in Raingutters like the scouts do, then went to round basins because the boats don't go straight. Winner was the one who's went the longest around and around!

Daily Ward Rep time - led by youth leaders - stories that supported the theme of the day

Daily Solo times - Led by Hike leaders - stories and thoughts and scripture based on theme of day

Journal pages with appropriate messages in the corners.

Ex. 3rd Day "Christ and His angels and his prophets forever labor to buoy up our spirits, steady our nerves, calm our fears, send us forth with renewed strength and resolute hope. They wish all to know that 'if God be for us, who can be against us?' In the world we shall have tribulation, but we are to be of good cheer. Christ has overcome the world." (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland)

Morning Flag devotionals with appropriate poems.

Ex. 3rd Day -

All the water in the world, No matter how it tried
Could never sink the smallest ship, Unless it got inside.
All the evil of the world, And every kind of sin

Could never damn a human soul, Unless we let it in.
"We can live in the world, without letting the world into us."
(M. Russell Ballard May 1989 Ensign, p. 80)

Any questions, email Cathy rmusick@bak.rr.com

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