Today’s thought was inspired by some talks at church. I hope today’s message can be of use to youth ministries, family counselors, parents and grandparents.
In the LDS culture, there are many stories of the pioneers crossing the plains to reach Utah. One of the most well-known points of history is where some Saints were crossing the plains with their families and some US military personnel came to wagon trains, asking for the men to volunteer to fight in the American/Mexican war in the 1800s. Even though the Mormon families were fleeing the United States because of persecution they still agreed to offer their services in the United States Army.
As a result, those who remained to drive the wagons the rest the way to Utah and take care of the kids, wagons and livestock where the women. This point of history is a wonderful example of the perseverance of Mormon women who had to rely upon their own strengths to reach Utah. Leaders of the Pioneer track and sometimes youth camps will use significant events in history to help teach the youth important spiritual lessons.
I participated in the imitation track crossing the plains as a young adult. I was pretty quick on wimping out. I never realized how hard it is to walk in sand and to try to push a wagon in deep sand. Because of my limited personal experience, my appreciation of what the Mormon Saints went through to reach Utah has much more significance. This same lesson is being taught to youth groups by giving them a similar experience.
In this year’s example of the wards youth track, they reenacted the experience of the men leaving for the Army and the girls being left to travel alone and to manage the wagons by themselves. To imitate the experience, the boys took a different trail from the girls on their individual Pioneer treks. After the group of boys and girls were reunited from their separate trails, the boys were not permitted to help the girls in the struggles. The boys were instructed to stand on both sides of the road and sang to the girls as they passed them. The boys desired to help the girls in their struggle, but are not permitted to do so. The girls had the experience of learning self-reliance. And the boys were able to observe the strength of the girls. Many youth talked about the spiritual impact that this experience gave them.
I use this example as an encouragement for various youth camps to create an event that will leave an impression on their students.
On girl’s camp, there’s a certain area in the mountains, they always go to. During the week of girl’s camp, the girls will often have burning bonfire in the middle of the lake. The leaders of the youth groups will make a comparison of the bonfire to Christ, his life and his teachings.
These are both good examples that leave a very poignant experience for those attend these youth camps. I wager other Christian churches probably also have their examples of very strong emotional moments of teaching the youth. The encouragement is for teachers of youth camps or of non-religious camps to teach principles through the activities of the camp. A popular example, I think, is the rope maze. People will climb on ropes strung across the branches of trees to teach about trust and teamwork.
With all the wonderful imaginations of youth ministers, youth leaders and parents, there’s a whole repertoire of opportunity to create significant events to teach a principal. In the next youth event, I invite the leadership to brainstorm on ideas that might create a moment of contemplation for their students. You might even have several throughout the week. I find I can get some pretty good ideas from brainstorming with fellow leaders and praying to God for inspiration.
I wish success to all future camps and treks.
If you have an example of an emotional moment that either you helped create, or you received during one of these tracks or youth camps that has not been mentioned, please feel free to share it in the comment section of this blog. Thanks.
