Christmas Combined Activity

Tell the youth ahead of time that you are going to put together treat plates to take to some members of the ward while Christmas caroling. However, you will arrange with the “treat recipients” to give some excuse why they don't want the youth there. Try to find people who can do this believably. They could say things like, "Sorry, not now… I'm really busy!" or “My kids are trying to sleep!” or “I really don’t have time for this” and then shut the door before the youth have a chance to respond.

Then go to another house where the youth will be expecting to have hot chocolate but when you get there you’ve arranged that they aren't home. The youth may be feeling very discouraged at this point, but before they have a chance to actually walk away you will open the garage (maybe arrange to get their garage door opener) and it is set up like a stable with a manger filled with hay.

Talk with the youth about how this is similar to where Mary and Joseph had to go when they were turned away everywhere else, and they were in much more dire circumstances. Teach whatever lesson you would like to about the first Christmas. Have hot chocolate and eat the treats you were supposed to pass out.

submitted by Gerberta Black

Have a great day!

Personal Progress Activities-Integrity

INTEGRITY

1. Have each YW interview someone they feel is a good example of integrity. Have an ‘integrity night’ and invite/tell about the person they interviewed and why they have integrity. Serve refreshments.
2. Have each YW study For the Strength of Youth booklet and have a game night with questions on what they learned.
3. Make candles and talk about the importance of being a light to those around us.
4. Talk about how what you say can reveal a lot about you. Learn to make lipgloss.
5. Talk about the characteristics in others that show integrity. Do something for others (care pkgs. for soldiers?) that show integrity and honor.

submitted by Gerberta Black

Have a great day!

Personal Progress Activities-Good Works

GOOD WORKS

1. Make Valentine Treats for your family for the week before Valentines Day. (or any holiday will work) Heart Attack people in the ward that you appreciate.
2. Plan and have a birthday party for a child in the ward or a YW who may feel left out.
3. Hold a babysitting night for young families that want to attend the temple.
4. Serve the Church by cleaning up the building grounds.
5. Have a ‘service’ car wash for the bishopric.
6. Collect magazines for the hospital.
7. Make thank you cards and give them to family or ward members.
8. Make birthday cards for the prophet or apostles.
9. Visit the Care Center and get to know some of the people there.
10. Have a ‘random acts of kindness’ contest and see which group can accomplish the most in an hour.

submitted by Gerberta Black

Have a great day!

Personal Progress Activities-Choice and Accountability

CHOICE and ACCOUNTABILITY

1. Learn how to be smart with your money and how to budget. Go to D.I. or a grocery store and have a scavenger hunt with a certain amount of money ($1 each?) and a list. The team with the most money left after purchasing all items wins.
2. Have a modest fashion show for the Faith in God girls and talk about the importance of being modest. (all outfits would have to be approved ahead of time)
3. Have sister missionaries come and talk about serving missions and make care packages for the missionaries in the ward.
4. Learn to make popcorn (air popped, pan popped, caramel corn?) and learn the Parable of the Popcorn.
5. Make charts to keep track of your personal prayers & scripture study.

submitted by Gerberta Black

Have a great day!

PERSONAL PROGRESS ACTIVITIES-KNOWLEDGE

KNOWLEDGE PERSONAL PROGRESS ACTIVITIES

1. Learn a new talent such as how to lead music. Memorize a few hymns in the hymnbook.
2. Learn the skill of storytelling. Plan a future activity where each YW can invite a small child to come and listen to their stories.
3. Take a tour of a store or other place of employment that interests the girls. (Flower shop? Clothing store? Donut store?)
4. Learn to make different types of pizza: fruit, pepperoni, chicken, etc. Have a competition with the YM to see whose is best. Let the bishopric judge.
5. Learn how to make jewelry.
6. Learn the basics of cooking. Everyone bring a recipe and create a recipe book.
7. Learn how to sew. Make pajama pants, scripture bags or pocket purses.

submitted by Gerberta Black

Have a great day!

Personal Progress Activities-Individual Worth

INDIVIDUAL WORTH PERSONAL PROGRESS ACTIVITIES

1. Have a special ice cream social. Learn unique things about each YW from her parents & share them with the other YW. Ask questions based on what you told them. If they know the answers they earn extra toppings.
2. Have each YW bring as many squares of fabric as there are YW- trade with each other and make friendship quilts.
3. Make stationary or cards to use to write letters to missionaries or family members or residents at the Care Center.
4. Learn how to do genealogy. Have the YW learn interesting facts about their ancestors and share them with everyone.
5. Go to a fire station and learn what firemen do to save lives. (must call to RSVP a date/time at least 2 weeks in advance)

submitted by Gerberta Black

Have a great day!

Personal Progress Activities--Divine Nature

DIVINE NATURE PERSONAL PROGRESS ACTIVITES

1. Have someone come teach the YW a new skill like sewing or cooking and encourage them to share it with someone else (maybe a younger sibling?).
2. Invite mothers from the ward to take part in a panel and ask them questions about their divine roles as mothers. Set some goals on becoming a good mother.
3. Have the stake patriarch come and speak to the YW about Patriarchal Blessings.
4. Make journals from notebooks and scrapbook paper. Talk about the importance of keeping a journal.
5. Talk about the importance of mothers and make a Mother’s Day gift

submitted by Gerberta Black

Have a great day!

Personal Progress Activities-FAITH

FAITH Personal Progress Activities

1. Have each YW read the New Era before the activity and have a trivia game night.
2. Prepare a Family Home Evening lesson on Joseph Smith’s first vision for each YW’s family.
3. Have the missionaries talk to the YW about how to be better missionaries.
4. Plan an activity with the Faith in God for Girls group and help them to pass off their Faith in God goals.
5. Talk about the importance of prayer and decorate pillowcases with reminders to say prayers

submitted by Gerberta Black

Have a great day!

Please share ideas...

If you have any ideas that you would love to share--everyone that checks this blog, would love to have them too. Please email me or add your comments to this post with your ideas or thoughts!! We all can benefit from sharing. If you have any fun, spiritual or any type of activity--please share that too!!! Hope to hear from everyone that reads this blog.

Have a great day!
Michelle

Be Steadfast & Immoveable Tiles

We created these beautiful vinyl lettering tiles in our Stake Camp.

We purchased the tiles from Lowes, but I can not remember the sweet sister who created this design for us.

Have a great day!

Clip Boards

For our Stake YCL's (Youth Camp Leaders), we made them covered clip boards. We purchased our clip boards from Sam's Club and then, we covered them with paper, tied ribbons to cover the clip and then, mod podged them.

We presented the clipboards to them shortly after the buses dropped them off. We encouraged them to place all their schedules and important papers on this clip board.

Have a great day!!!

Journals

Our Stake's theme for Young Women's Camp was "Stand Steadfast and Immoveable".

We made each young women and young women leader in our Stake a journal. We covered the outside of the young women journals from the distribution center which help cut down the cost of the journals.

Have a great day!

Scripture Reminder Jars

Scripture reminder jars. Use baby food jars or any type of jars that you can

find. Fill the jars with gum balls. Then, attach a a card that says,

"Scripture reading is lots of fun,

especially while chewing bubble gum!!

Read the Scriptures while you chew and

when the flavor's gone,

you're through!"

Bandanas

These are a lot of fun at camp. If you plan on decorating them, purchase plain light colors of material. Decorate with sharpies, tole paint, stamps or tie-dye them.

Spirituality Jar

Create a jar filled with papers with quotes and scriptures about being obedient to our Heavenly Father. Have the girls pick a piece of paper every day and write about it in their journals.

This is perfect if your ward has "Solo" time.

Camp Pillow Cases

Decorate plain white pillow cases. Use markers, stencils and tole paint. Let the young women create their own camp pillow cases. I did one pillow case that a young women created--she had all the young women in her cabin sign her pillow. This is fun and is a great keepsake.

Just a reminder-bring pieces of cardboard to put in between the pillow cases so the ink won't bleed through.

submitted by Melissa

Fleece Blankets

Directions:

Purchase 1 1/2 yards of fleece for each girl.

Cut the raw edges- (that's two sides-the other two are finished--I like to do all 4 sides) at approximately 1" intervals. ). I did not measure it--just cut.

Cut about 4" up into the fabric then just knot each 1" strip.

It looks like knotted fringe.

This is also great to teach "knot certification".

Treasure boxes

These little treasure boxes were purchased at Roberts. The young decorated the outside (and inside) of these boxes with sticker and scrapbook paper. Then, they mod podged them to seal.

shared by Valerie

Fleece scarves

Purchase fleece. Snip the ends and it's done.

I do not have a picture of the scarf. If you have one that you

would like to submit, please email me.

Prayer Rugs

Creating prayer rugs and then, talk to the girls about your thoughts on the importance of kneeling when praying.

Purchase mat-size carpet from any local carpet store. (Sometimes, carpet stores will donate their mat-size carpet samples to you--just ask.) Use tole paints and stencils to decorate.

Sorry, I do not have a picture of a prayer rug. If you have one and would like to share, please email me.

Value Crystals

These are fun to create. The beads and the crystals were purchased from Walmart. All you need to do is thread the wire through the top of the crystal. Crimp the wire with a crimping bead. Thread value color beads on the wire and add a crimping bead at the top.

Homemade Lip Gloss

This is a lot of fun. You will probably need to make them before camp. This is a perfect handout when you are talking to the young women about the importance of lifting other up with the kind words that come out of their mouths.

Lip Gloss
Materials Needed:
Paraffin wax
Coconut oil
Petroleum jelly
Candy melts (to color the gloss and make it taste sweet)
Oil-based candy flavoring (if you want a special flavor)
Grater
Wax paper
Ziploc bag
Small container (recycle old makeup containers or 35mm film containers, or look in stores that carry beads, crafts, or fishing tackle)

Instructions:Grate some paraffin wax onto wax paper. Measure 1/4 teaspoon grated wax into the plastic bag. Add 1 teaspoon coconut oil, 1 teaspoon petroleum jelly, and 1 candy melt. Add 1/8 teaspoon oil-based candy flavoring if you like.
Seal the bag and carefully put it in a bowl of hot tap water to melt ingredients, about 3-5 minutes.

Sunny Pencils & Pen toppers

make pen and pencil toppers out of foam--each young women can create their own

this helps with them NOT losing their pen/pencil

submitted by Valerie

Foam Visors

decorate foam visors with foam, beads, charms

submitted by Michelle

lanterns

Create a lantern by using a #10 can from the cannery. Using a large franing nail & hammer, pound a design into the can. Punch a two holes (one across from the other) into the can. String wire from one hole to the other. Add a battery operated tea light inside the can.

submitted by Michelle

Sorry, I do not have a picture of this. If you would like to submit one, please email me.

"5 gallon" seat

Decorate a 5 gallon bucket (you can find orange ones at Home Depot). Put padding on one side of the lid. Cover with material. You can use the inside of it for storage such as camp books, song books, crafts, and/or snacks. Also, use it as a chair. This is perfect for inside of the cabins.

I do not have a picture of one. If anyone would like to submit one, please email me.


submitted by Michelle

Beaded Safety Pin

Friendship Fudge

On Sunday, we (our Stake Young Women Presidency) had the privilege of teaching one of the wards in our stake. It was great!! We were visiting them for Ward Conference and I thought it was great to be asked to teach. In fact, I love to teach. It is one of those things that I really love to do. I know, call me crazy--I will admit, I am crazy! Anyway, our topic was Friendship & Unity. I was asked to teach the first part--basically, I introduced the topic. I handed out bags of ingredients. Each bag was labeled with the words: Friendship, Teamwork, Prayer, Unity, Commitment, and Service.

We started out with the bag Friendship--it had powdered sugar in it. We talked about the importance of Friendship, having friends and being a friend. Then, we added prayer (cocoa) and as we went down the list of ingredients, we talked about the importance of each word--adding the ingredients to the bag. When we arrived at the last ingredient, we talked about Teamwork--how we all work as a team. Then, we took turns squeezing the bag. As each girl squeezed the bag, the ingredients mixed together. At the end, we had Friendship Fudge.

Here is the recipe if you would like to try it on your own:


Friendship Fudge
Mix in a gallon ziplock bag:
4 cups powdered sugar
3 ounces of softened cream cheese
1/2 cup softened margarine
1/2 cup cocoa
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 chopped nuts

Mix ingredients together by squeezing the bag and passing it around the group. When it is mixed together, roll into a log and slice and serve. (You may need extra powdered sugar or eat with spoons).

Lion & Lamb Noteholders

Lion & Lamb Noteholders

CRAFT MATERIALS:
Colored paper
Toothpick
Card stock
Glue
Googly eyes
Clothes pins (2 per note holder)
Magnetic strip (optional)

Time needed: About 2 to 3 Hours

1. For each, start by cutting a few dozen 1/8-inch-wide strips of colored paper, each at least 4 inches long. Curl each strip tightly around a toothpick.

2. Next, cover a rounded, 3-inch card stock body with glue and attach the curls. Cut out a card stock face and ears, adding googly eyes and other facial features, and glue them all in place. Allow the glue to dry.

3. For the legs, which also serve as note holders, glue 2 clothespins to the back of the body. Stand the critter on a table or attach magnetic strips to the back and stick it to your fridge, then post your message in the clips.

Levi Elmo Bag

Levi Elmo Bag

submitted by Claudia

This particular bag is created with 6 x 6 fabric squares.

They are sewed together and the seams are snipped.

Swivel Bracelet

Swivel Bracelet

submitted by Claudia

CRAFT MATERIALS:
# 10 brass fishing swivels
Seed beads
Small (6 mm) jingle bells
Time needed: Under 1 Hour

1. Unclasp a swivel and bend the prong to straighten it. Slide on a few seed beads, then slip the circular end of a second swivel over the end of the straightened prong.

2. Now bend the prong back to its curved shape, slide on a bell and close the clasp.

3. Unclasp the second swivel and repeat the previous steps until the bracelet is the desired length.

4. Leave the last swivel clasp free of beads and bells, and use this link to put on and take off the bracelet.

Chunks of Wood

Chunks of Wood

submitted by Claudia

Gather chunks of wood. Let the young women carve them. This keeps them busy for quite sometime and it is amazing to see what they create.

Necessity holder

Necessity holder

submitted by Claudia

This is great. The holder that is pictures is using a piece of material doubled. Place baggies on the material and sew down the center. You can use a hot pad--which turns absolutely darling.

Beaded jewelry

Beaded jewelry

submitted by Claudia

Bring lots of beads and let the young women use their imagination to create bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and rings. This will keep their minds and hands busy for quite a long time.

Pinwheel-handout

Pinwheel-handout

submitted by Claudia

Cute handout...."Don't let the winds of temptation blow you around

Stand firm and look to Christ."

Waterproof Matches

Waterproof Matches

submitted by Claudia

Teach the young women the importance of waterproofing matches. Drop food coloring (the colors of the young women values) into wax. Then, dunk matches into colored wax.

Another idea is to waterproof the matches with colored fingernail polish.

Cute handout:

"In my hand I hold a match

whose flame is hard to see.

And I give but one light to you

my life is filled for me.

But...in your hand you hold a torch

for many eyes to see

So hold it high that they may light

their candlewicks from thee."

Feather Pen

Feather Pen

submitted by Claudia

Wooden Boxes

Wooden Boxes

submitted by Claudia

These boxes were purchased at Roberts Craft.

The girls can paint and decorate them as they please.

Wooden journals

Wooden Journals

submitted by Claudia

Stitched Wall Hanging

Stitched Wall Hanging

Submitted by Claudia

Stitch the young women's theme, mutual theme, camp theme, a quote on fabric.

An idea is to stitch them at camp and then after camp,

finish making the wall hangings during mutual night.

Crayon--handout

Crayon-handout

submitted by Claudia

The Crayon Box That Talked

While walking in a toy store, the day before today
I overheard a crayon box with many things to say.

"I don’t like Red!" said Yellow, and Green said, "Nor do I!
And no one here like Orange, but no one knows just why."

Well, I bought that box of crayons and took it home with me,
And laid out all the colors so the crayons could all see.

They watched me as I colored with Red and Blue and Green,
And Black and White and Orange and every color in between.

They watched as Green became the grass and Blue became the sky.
The Yellow sun was shining bright on White clouds drifting by.

Colors were changing as they touched, becoming something new.

They watched me as I colored; they watched ‘til I was through.

And when I’d finally finished I began to walk away.
And as I did, the crayon box had something more to say.

"I do like Red!" said Yellow, and Green said, "So do I!
And, Blue, you are terrific so high up in the sky!"

"We are a box of crayons: each one of us unique.
But when we get together the picture is complete."

By Shane DeRolf

Mini Scrapbook

Mini Scrapbook

Submitted by Michelle

This is made out of 12 x12 file folder by Close to my Heart.

Instructions upon request.

Princess Mirror

Princess Mirrors

submitted by Valerie

Items needed: 2 same size mirrors, glue dots, ribbon, vinyl

Place the first vinyl picture or word on one of the mirrors. On the other mirror, place the second image or word. On the back of one mirror place glue dots and attach a piece of ribbon, then attach it to the back of the other mirror.

oil jars

Oil Jars

Submitted by Michelle

This is a fun project. Gather items found around the campground. Place items inside random size jars. Fill jars with olive oil. Tighten the lid. Tie some ribbon or raffia around the jar.

Homemade Stamped Cards

Homemade Stamped Cards

submitted by Michelle

These are a lot of fun to make at camp. Bring plenty of scrapbook paper, stamps, ink pads, adhesive, and random accessories. The girls have a blast creating happy birthday cards, get well cards, friendship cards and the list goes on and on.

Jean Bag

Jean Bag

submitted by Taralyn

This fun jean bag was made from the leg of a pair of jeans. A seam was sewed at the bottom of the jeans. Then, attach one torn strip of jeans by sewing each end to the front and back of the jeans. This should be made ahead of time. Then, at Mia Shalom, they can stitch on the outside of the bag.

Perpetual Calendar

Perpetual Calendar

submitted by Michelle

This is a fun project. The perpetual calendar was purchased from Close To My Heart. Each 3 x 3 square is stamped to coordinate with each season pertaining to each month.

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December