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Stepping Forward in Faith
Girl’s Camp provides a means for spiritual growth
One beautiful thing about girls camp is the physical representation of taking a step of faith–for leaders and girls–and putting yourself in a place to feel God’s presence.
Everyone that came to Young Womens’ Camp this year stepped away from their circles of comfort and let go of some element of “fear” and through experiences of discomfort, fun activities, bugs, singing, camping skills, tight sleeping quarters and Gospel discussions; were lifted, united and truly ministered to by each other.
When I accepted this calling in September of 2024, I was informed the previous camp director had been looking at other campsites. We looked at a few, but could not deny the feeling of “this is the place” when we drove the grounds of Morrell Ranch.
On January 31, 2025, 30 Youth Camp Leaders (YCLs) and stake committee adult leaders gathered to begin planning Liberty Missouri Stake’s Young Women’s Camp. These youth leaders counseled together and created goals as YCLs and how they wanted to implement the Church’s 2025 youth theme, “Look Unto Christ.” They decided to create a sub theme and focus, “I see the Light, I see His light,” adding influences from the Rapunzel movie “Tangled.”
The girls at camp were separated into eight units based on their age and grade and were led by about six YCLs. Each unit was assigned a “thug” and their dream, from the “Tangled” movie as their mini themes.
With this theme they created a fun flag, mascot, unit identifier like a hat, or glasses etc. The idea was that we all have moments when we act a bit ‘thug- like’ or make mistakes. Yet, we are all invited to look unto Christ and become like him. We are invited to work towards a potential that we might not recognize we have yet, but there is a loving Heavenly Father that does know that potential. He knows our potential and our dreams and has even given us special gifts and talents to help us.
The goal of camp this year was for us to recognize ways we can be more intentional in becoming less “thug-like” and more “Christlike.” We wanted to encourage all of us to be confident in inviting Christ into our lives daily, to act and be fearless.
The YCLs planned decor, crafts and activities that each had a spiritual message attached to supplement this theme. Crafts were paper lanterns, journals and a flower hair station. Activities were bows and arrows, jelly balls, kayaking/swimming and water safety, knot tying by building monkey bridges, capture the flag, obstacle courses and a trip to Adam-Ondi-Ahman.
I would encourage you all to talk to the young women about their experiences at camp. There were 163 young women and 62 leaders there. I bet each will have a different story to share; with different highlights and struggles.
Some units struggled with ACs that did not work and windows that would not open, so it was not comfortable in the beginning. Some experienced times they needed to aid other young women with various emotional needs that arose unexpectedly, or physical limitations due to heat or slip n’ slide accidents.
While we weren’t free of struggles, the highlights were amazing! The level of natural ministering to others was present everywhere. One particular highlight started in the beginning planning stages with the YCL meetings. We had a talk about doing things “because we always do them” and because “they are a tradition and fun,” and “doing things intentionally because that’s what we felt should be done at this camp this year.”
One of these areas was the Friday night testimony meeting where we usually invite the stake presidency, bishops or other ward leaders and their spouses. Traditionally, we have separated into ward units and shared testimonies in our ward units. This year the girls counseled about having a stake testimony portion of the night first before splitting into wards. Although I did not get to peek into many of the ward testimony meetings, and I am sure they were unifying and special, the stake testimony time was incredible!
The thoughts shared by first year attendees and YCLs alike were beautiful, strong and tender. I will not forget the spirit that was felt and shared. I know Heavenly Father was present in every aspect of camp.
There are many stories where I was reminded it is His camp and His plan, and He is a God of miracles. We have some incredible young women and women in our area. Camp was amazing because it was a place where everyone was in various spots on their covenant path; ready to serve, lift and support each other as we continue to grow as disciples of Christ.
Kylie Backenstoss (North Brook Park Ward)
“Camp is always such an incredible experience, it’s a place where girls get to not only be themselves and make new friends but also grow their relationships with the Lord. Girls camp can be crazy, loud, and full of dancing but the spiritual nights are one of the most powerful experience’s I’ve ever witnessed. You can see the light of Christ in every single girl you meet. I’m so grateful for having such an amazing group of girls for my last year, Girls camp has a very special place in my heart and I will forever cherish all the memories.”
Brooklyn Spataro (North Brook Park Ward)
“Girls camp is truly one of the most loving, kind, and amazing places that I could be. Even through the hardships and any trials I was able to feel the spirit and relish in the time spent with my amazing fellow young women.”
Michelle Walker (Rush Creek Ward)
“We did a faith walk one night where each of the stake leaders had a lantern, and we followed their lights from one to another and at each stop they shared experiences as if it was themselves portraying women in the Scriptures. It was a beautiful night and an amazing experience that ended with some of the young women singing a song with spotlights on them by the lake.
Camp is always a great experience. You take yourself out of the world with all the distractions and just spend time in nature finding new friendships and feeling the spirit, nightly devotionals, and testimony, meetings and song.”
Sheryl Gallagher (Rush Creek Ward)
“Spiritual night began with a gathering at the amphitheater, talks by Sister Kristine Jones and Sister Suzette Beach and units walking around the lake to listen to women of the scriptures talk about Christ with the last stop at a tree light up with several YCLs and a leader singing “Fear Not.” The tree reflected off the lake and the Angel voices filled the air inviting such a sweet spirit. The last night was Bishop’s night with testimonies for both stakes and then we broke out for ward testimonies. We gathered together at the end for a lantern festival and when we looked up, the sky was clear and the stars shone brightly as if Christ was talking to us.
