Here is the friendship booklet we did for the girls a few years ago. They did this on their solo time.   Before I show you the booklet, I should explain that the entire day we did this, was devoted to friendship. We did activities and games to develop friendships, and had speakers who helped us recognize the qualities of a good friend. The booklet was an attempt to help the girls privately realize what kind of a friend they are, and make goals to improve where needed.

For those who may not know, a solo is where the girls go out in nature all by themselves, and pray etc. Our booklet was 5 x 7, and each section was sealed shut with a sticker so that the girls had to complete it in order, and not skip ahead. I have indicated in parenthesis the page number, and anything you as leaders need to know about the information on the page. In other words, remove the info in ( ), and copy each section as its own page, and you'll have a pretty good idea what our booklet was like.

We use handmade paper or something of that nature for the cover to really make them special. I hope this makes sense, and will give some of you an idea or two. Feel free to edit, change etc. as none of this  information is copywritted.

(page 1, printed on inside cover)

 SOLO INSTRUCTIONS

This booklet is divided into five sections. Please complete the sections in order. To begin, break the seal on the first section. After completing it, move on to the second and so on.

 (page 2, section 1)

 Solo Situational Questions

Please answer these question honestly. No one will see your answers but you, and there are no correct answers.

*You attend an activity where all your friends and peers are in attendance. During the course of the evening, the friends you are with begin talking with a group of people you do not know very well. What are you most likely to do?

a. Stay with your friends, but feel uncomfortable.

b. Leave your friends and sit by yourself.

c. Find someone else to hang out with.

d. Stay with your friends and join in the fun the two groups are having.

(page 3)

*You and some of your friends go shopping. Your having a fun time until your friend makes a comment your not sure how to take. A few minutes later the same friend whispers to one of the other girls and gives you a funny look. What are you most likely to do?

a. Assume she was whispering about you.

b. Give her a dirty look back.

c. Ignore the look and continue having fun.

d. Ask your friend if you did something wrong and apologize.

*There is a dance this weekend that you really want to go to. As of Saturday afternoon, none of your friends have invited you to go with them.  What are you most likely to do?

a. Stay home

b. Go by yourself but feel uncomfortable joining your friends.

c. Call your friends to arrange going together.

d. Meet your friends there and have a fun time together.

(page 4)

*Your having a great time with your friends at lunch when you notice a new girl who just moved into your ward. She is eating by herself. What are you most likely to do?

a. Invite her to join you.

b. Hope someone else will notice her too.

c. Turn away and pretend you don't see her.

d. Leave your group and go over to talk to her.

*Your walking down the hall at school and see your friend. You thought she saw you too, but she doesn't say hi. VVhat are you most likely to do?

a. Think she's mad at you.

b. Assume she didn't see you.

c. Ignore her the next time you see her.

d. Call her when you get home to say hi.

(page 5)

As you asked yourself these questions did you see a pattern developing? Are you an outgoing person who feels comfortable in various situations? Do you try to include yourself even though it might be uncomfortable? Do you feel you are too judgmental of your friends? Are you sometimes shy and insecure?

'You are the only one who knows the answers to these questions, and who can make changes in who you are. Ask yourself, "What kind of friend am I now"? 'What kind of friend do I want to be"? What are two things I can do for the next two weeks to help me work towards becoming the kind of friend I want to be? Remember you can be whatever you want to be when you set goals and ask for Heavenly Fathers help.

1.

2.

(page 6, section2. We included this section, because we wanted to collect the data and visually show the girls that there are many others who feel the same way they do. I know my daughters often feel their friends are so "together", and don't realize that they have the same insecure feelings as they do.  Did that make sense? Anyway, we collected the surveys, evaluated them, and placed a rock in see through containers, one for each question. The girls where surprised to see how rocks had accumulated in each container ).

CONFIDENTIAL SURVEY

Please check all questions that you feel applies to you. Please answer honestly. After you are finished, fold this paper in half, and in half again so that no one can see your answers. Do not put your name on it.

When you go back to your group, put this survey in the "confidential survey envelope".

I sometimes feel uncertain or shy in my relationships with my friends.

I usually feel confident and comfortable in my relationships with my friends.

I sometimes do not feel accepted by others.

I usually feel accepted by others.

(page 7, section 3. Before camp, we asked the parents to think about an element of nature that they felt best represented their daughter. We asked them to write telling what and why, and to wrap the item or a representation of it as a gift. This was so successful. It meant so much to the girls, however the collecting part was a bit difficult.   Worthwhile things usually are).

Now open your gift

(page 8, section 4)

Pray out loud to Heavenly Father about whatever your concerns are and for strength to be a better friend. Remember he will help you reach your goals if you just ask.

When you are done, if the time is not gone, break the seal on the last section. You will find a piece of paper on which you can write a thank you note to a parent or a special note to a friend. If the time is gone, you can do this later.

(section 5 contained a blank paper so they could write a thank you to their parents).

(This last letter was open after the booklet was finished, and the group had gathered back together. This is the group they spent the day with playing games and friendship activities. It was accompanied by a "best friend" necklace for each of the girls).

Dear Young Women,

We are grateful to have the opportunity to tell all of you how much we love you. Each of you have something unique and individual to offer those around you. Our own lives are so blessed by being able to associate with you. We hope that each one of you have had a special experience today. We hope you have made new friends, and gained insight into being a better friend. By participating in all the various events and activities today, we hope you have learned how to love, support and encourage each other. These are the characteristics that make a 'best friend". Sometimes we think that a 'best friend' is someone that is our friend exclusively. We would like you to realize that a "best friend" is so much more than this. A 'best friend' is one who reaches out to others, is non-judgmental and who puts effort into being a good friend.

In the box, you will find a memento to remind you of this special time you have just spent together. We hope you will wear it throughout camp and put it someplace special afterward to remind you to always be a 'best friend' to those you meet. Again we love each of you.

Love,

All your Stake Leaders

Camp

Personal Progress

Activities