Welcome to Camp!

For the primary activity, we put together a Camp Out themed activity (found over on MormonShare.com)...I threw around several ideas in the planning stage, but this one just fit...esp with Cub day camp and siblings going to Girls Camp or High Adventure, etc.

We set it up in 4 stations. When we were waiting for everyone to arrive, I had them color their "backpack" (a picture of a backpack on a paper sack). I think this picture is funny, since the girls are coloring and the boys are refusing to color, or course...such is life.
Sis Ram...explaining the goings-on. I love to plan and help put everything together, but she is MUCH better and getting those kids to listen ;). hehe.

Station #1: Nature Preserve
I got a pack of pass-a-long cards, which the kids glued to a piece of cardboard and then decorated with leaves, sticks, rocks, feathers and glitter.

Station #2: First Aid Hut

Brother Hill (Chief of Police for our city...complete in his cop uniform) spoke about basic first aid. He did a great job...I wanted the kids to gain some basic knowledge to help them this summer, whether it was how to judge the severity of a cut, a rash, etc or even basic CPR.

(In this fussy pic - sorry- you can see Bella covering her ears...shortly after this, she came out of the room crying, she wouldn't say why. Bro Hill apologized since he thought his story was a bit too scary, lol)

Station #3: The Cave of Wonder

This is an idea we enhanced from the original idea...creating a "cave" on the stage out of a ginormous tent and twinkle lights hanging from the ceiling. The sister I put in charge of this did a FANTASTIC job explaining to the kids that they needed to be quiet as to not to disturb the bats.

Once they got in there, the room was pitch black and she told the kids that the bats had woken up. The only way out is through a small opening at the top of the cave. One person will have to boost the others up and out, but he or she will have to remain behind and perish. She then asked the children if any of them would be willing to die for the rest of the group and reminded them that our Savior, Jesus Christ, made a very similar choice when he came to this Earth. (then the twinkle lights turned on and you could see the picture of Christ hanging in the tent) Then she spoke more about Christ, focusing on the scripture John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

As we follow the example of Jesus and do what He has taught us to do, we are blessed with the influence of the Holy Spirit. During times of trouble or when we feel afraid, the Holy Ghost will be with us, and we can feel this peace in our hearts. The Holy Ghost helps us remember Jesus and obey His teachings.

We have been learning all year about having faith in Jesus Christ. We must learn who our Savior is, that he died for us and was resurrected. We need to understand that he loves each one of us. He knows our hearts and has experienced all that we experience. Jesus Christ wants us all to return to live with our Heavenly Father. If we follow his example, having faith in Him, we will live with our Savior and Heavenly Father again.

As they left the tent/cave, the kids were given glow sticks :).

Station #4: Camp Sing-a-long

The kids were taught different songs around this cool campfire the Cub Scouts let us borrow. Then they performed afterwards, all together in a round. It was a lot of fun! And of course, every one is a winner and were rewarded with SMORES! :) What's a campout without smores?
This is our group. We may be small in numbers, but large in Spirit and heart. Such a great group of kids!