Camp Award Ideas

Here is a list of some ideas that could be used for camp awards while at camp. There are several different things you could do with them but I just shared a few ideas with you. I know that it can be some what daunting trying to come up with these kind of things while at camp. Hopefully this might help you out.

Click HERE for the list

YW Camp Song book

clip art from Melonheadz

So here it is...one of my biggest projects. I am happy to finally get this uploaded for all of you. I am hoping that maybe it might just come in handy for some one. This book contains 37 songs including fun and silly songs, patriotic songs as well as songs to help invite the Spirit into your camp. I hope you enjoy it!

Click here for PDF

Card Games...Part 2

As promised here is the other came that I was telling you about. Please see previous post or part 1 to read a quick little note and to learn about SPAZ Uno.

So as mentioned before, some people have a problem with standard playing cards or poker cards as they are known as. If this describes you, you might want to stop reading now. 

Also, some might find the name of this game offensive, it was what I have known it as but it also has different names. I learned it as being called Egyptian Ratscrew but I have heard it called Egyptian War or ERS. Call it what you will... I won't judge ya.

However, because this game can be a bit confusing to some, I am going to send you to a link that explains this game perfectly. Please note, to make it simpler I have only played it with the Double Slap rule enforced. The website will give you other options you can add in as well but that is up to you. I like this game because its fun and no one is ever truly "out" because you can always slap in but again, its a player with all the cards wins. Enjoy!

Click HERE to be redirected to the rules of play.

Taken from Pinterest. Link followed to Wikihow.

Card Games Part 1

Man, I feel like I am on a roll today. I had a lot of inspiration while I was at work today and you guys are getting to reap the benefits of it. 

So these are a couple of games that I use to play in groups and the first game is one that I taught my girls up at girls camp when I was a fellow camper and then again a few years later when I was a leader. 

All you need for these games are a couple of decks of Uno cards and regular playing cards (one deck will do if you have a smaller group but you'll needs more than one if its a larger group. Also, with Uno cards unless they are different versions (like years that they were produced) they might look the same so you will want to mark one set a bit differently so that when you are cleaning up, you can get the right cards with the right deck.  Also, some leaders or camps might frown on having playing cards (you know poker style cards with face cards), we had a camp director one year that was staunchly against having those kind of cards around even though we played fun games with them. So please, no judgmental comments here-follow your camps rules, this is only a suggestion on some fun.

So the first game that is fun for all ages and requires the Uno cards is a game called SPAZ Uno. Player beware this game can get intense and painful because it is all about speed.

So the premise is to get all the cards BUT first things first. I gotta tell you what the cards mean. In a typical Uno deck you have your basic number cards with instructional cards. We are going to ignore the numbers and words and just focus on the colors:

Green=place your hand on the surface (being a table if you are playing at a table or the ground if you are sitting on the floor). To remember this think of GREEN being GRASS. 

Red=hand across your heart. This should be pretty explainable. Red for heart.

Yellow=Hand at forehead. Now this has a couple of references, YELLOW fever or if you have a bright idea.

Blue=sky. Again, pretty easy. Blue as in the blue, blue sky.

Now come the tricky part. The Wilds. These cards you have to keep an eye out for the two different wild cards:

the standard Wild card you do all four actions in order. Green, Red, Yellow, Blue. 

the DRAW 4 WILD card you have to do all four actions and back down again. So Green, Red, Yellow, Blue, Yellow, Red then Green. 

Now, remember I said the premise of the game is to get ALL of the cards. How do you do this? The person who does the action the fastest wins the cards that have been played. 

Here is how you play:

You deal all the cards out. The cards are to remain face down. First place goes to the person on the right of the dealer. They take the top card of their pile and place it face up in front of them. Then the next person goes. What you are looking for is doubles (for example two reds in a row or two blues in a row, etc.). When a double comes up, EVERYONE needs to perform what ever action correlates to that color (two reds mean you need to race to be the fastest to put your hand on you heart).  Fastest wins all the cards that has been played so far and collects them and places them face down under their stack of cards. The winner of that round begins next play. If at any time a WILD is played EVERYONE does the actions that correlates to the type of wild card that was played. Winner takes all the cards and they start the next round. Doubles are counted as the card you play and previous card that was played.  When you run out of cards you are out of the game. Last person standing wins. 

Photo from Vanilla Sky

Part 2 to learn about the other game go HERE

A Game of Chance...

Hello! I promised that I would post a fun activity tonight that would work for any group! This activity would be perfect for Activity Days, Mutual (especially a YM/YW combined activity) and even a daddy/daughter or mother/daughter activity night. 

I was at work when the idea hit me but I had come across some Youtube videos of it (google it and you will find some funny videos) and then I remembered the time that this happened to me. I was at my now ex sister laws house and this was just when Harry Potter was coming out and getting big and they came out with the Bertie Bott jelly beans. UGH! She had taken a bag of those and mixed them in with two bags of regular Jelly Bellys. Talk about mean! 

Anyway, if you haven't guess by now, I am talking about the Bean Boozled game/challenge (seriously, if you don't know what I am talking about google it). Now, I have found some stores in my area carry this game but I have also seen online where you can just buy the bags or boxes of beans for relatively cheap (again, another quick search on google will give you several options). 

Grab two beans of the same color (example: sour milk and coconut, vomit and peach, etc.) and put them in a container. Condiment cups are perfect for this and number them. You'll want to keep track of what flavors are in which cup. Then have some willing victims participants and have one of them pick a number. Then they each grab one bean. Who ever gets the normal or good flavor gets a point. Now if they both get the good flavor they both get a point if its the bad flavor-no points. You will probably want to have a garbage can readily available and some bottles of water to help those who loose their round. 

This makes for a fun night of laughter and entertainment so make sure you get videos or pictures!

In Case You Missed The Update

Like the heading says, in case you missed it, I had updated the link to the SNIPE bingo game that I had created for my girls to play at girls camp a few years ago. I have had several emails (many of which I did not see until recently and for that I apologize) that there were some issues with the link to download and then because the file that contained the boards was created in Publisher, not too many of you ladies had access to that program. 

So, to help remedy that, I have updated the link and the file should be in PDF form and all that is needed is a program that will read PDFs like Adobe which you can download for free at their website. 

So click HERE to be taken to the post and scroll down to the bottom and  you will see where I updated it. 

Enjoy! 

Camp Crafts....Part 2

OK...so I am back with a part two of our camp crafting adventures. Our stake had several crafts to do while we were up at camp. Besides rolled fabric rosettes and fabric die-cut flower clips we made button bracelets.

I know bad lighting and I am so not a jewelry model

Here is what you need:

Assorted buttons (any where from 20-30 give or take)

Clear beading/jewelry cord that stretches

Scissors

First you will take the cording and wrap it twice around your wrist. This way you will get a bracelet that is big enough to slip on but not overly big while at the same time providing enough extra cording to "sew" or string your buttons on.

Once you have your cord measured, cut it. Then you will string your first button on MAKING SURE YOU LEAVE ENOUGH ROOM AT THE END TO TIE IT OFF!!! 

Depending on how you string your buttons and the size you use, your bracelet might turn out chunky or flat...this simply comes from trial and error and undoing and redoing the stringing. 

Once you have your bracelet the way you like it, make sure you securely tie it off (we tied ours about four times) and then gently stretch it to make sure it wont come undone...once you are satisfied...cut off the extra lengths. Viola! You have a new accessory.

These are pictures of my bracelet...I used all pink and grey buttons to make mine.  

Box of Crayons...

Each night up at camp, before the girls and leaders all go to bed, we have a little night devotional that we like to call a Night Light. The nightlights are usually centered on the day's theme (which is usually a sub theme for the whole camp theme). This year our camp theme was on unity and I was assigned the first night, which was Unity in our Ward. For my night light I used the talk that Sister Mary Cook gave in this years General YW Broadcast (found HERE) and used the part where she talks about the counselor and a box of crayons he saw while sitting on the stand. 

I wont go into the whole story, I just wanted to let you in on where I got the idea from...anyway moving on. I started by saying this:

 If we build up those around us instead of demeaning them and ourselves, we will be much happier in this life.

Ardeth Kapp told of a time she went to Washington, D.C. to participate in a national leadership task force. There was a great diversity in the women in attendance (age, culture, faith, language) yet they were all united in a cause to help protect the family and society. One of the women made an observation and said "One woman is helpful; ten women are influential; one hundred are powerful; one thousand are invincible." Unity brings strength. That is why it is so important that we build others up instead of tearing them down. A good woman can feed those - including themselves - who hunger at times for a feeling of acceptance.

We are not good judges of ourselves as we reach for goals that may belong to another season of our lives.

A word of sincere commendation is like a ray of sunshine that brings a smile to the face and a warm feeling to the heart.

Ardeth Kapp mentioned that when she was the General President of the LDS Young Women's Organization, she felt that she was not adequate for her position until a dear friend said to her "You Are Better than you think you are."

Sometimes we set unrealistic goals for ourselves and become discouraged when we cannot reach them. We do not have to be so hard on ourselves. Just keep going.

Writing notes of appreciation for small acts of kindness, a great presentation, or to someone who followed through on something they promised, can be all they need to make their day. Our husbands, children, family members, friends all need a little encouragement from time to time. The effort it takes to write a little note or whisper a kind word can go a long way in cheering someone up. (found HERE)

I then had the girls go around the circle and tell each girl some of the positive things they liked about her (This was neat...I was only requiring 2-3 simple words or phrases and the girls just went on and on...night lights take usually about 15 mins...this took at least an hour and a half).

Everyone was in tears by then. So then I mentioned the story about the box of crayons and handed out my hand out.

Click HERE for Download PDF set of 8

Camp Crafts....Part 1

So as you have probably read from my previous posts (you can tell when I blog from my phone...it looks different) that I am back from girls camp!!! LOL. So I know last night that I promised you I would post some things but the lack of sleep had caught up with me and I crashed...

So I thought I would post some of the craft ideas that we had at camp both at a ward and stake level. The first one I am going to show you we had one of our 4th year girls teach the younger campers and no...I didn't get any pictures taken of them making it so I have searched the wonderful world wide web to borrowed someone's pictures and tutorial (shame on me I know). I am hoping that as soon as I collect enough pop can tabs I will be able to replace these pictures and tutorial with my own...(but I don't drink a lot from pop cans so it could be a while).

Pop/Soda Can Tab Bracelets!
You can find cute pictures and an easy to follow tutorial at Lolly Jane Boutique found HERE (also check out some of their other cute ideas!!!)

Camp is Just Around the Corner....!!!!!

As this post title states...camp is just around the corner. In fact it comes this Tuesday!!!! Eek!!! There is so much to do (little things) to get together and look where I am...I'm blogging!!!!! Shame shame I know my name....LOL.  Anyway, I just wanted to take some time and show you what I have been working on...

Will be posting a tutorial on this as soon as I get back from camp!

A girls camp keep sake....

Hello everyone! Sorry of the last few posts have looked different. I have been blogging from my phone. Anyway, as I was going through my check list of stuff i gotta get ready for camp I remembered these little gems....now I am not sure what to call them, I am currently taking suggestions via email or comment.
What these are are little books, i took plain 8.5 x 11 paper and quartered them, making 4 lil pages. I kept doing this until I have the correct amount of pages for each book. We have 9 girls and 5 leaders so I would make 14 books that have 8 pages (8 instead of 9 because they don't write a note to them selves).
So you give each girl and leader (leader books would have only the same number of pages as their are girls) a lil booklet of these cut pages. The object is for each of the girls to write an encouraging or positive note to each of the other girls. Leaders write a note to each girl. Then who ever is doing this lil project, gather up everyone little papers and then separate them out.
Next you take your covers (these are usually cardstock that have also been quartered) and put each girls papers insode.covers and punch a little hole to put a brad so that they are fasined together. When your done you should have a completed book for each girl with all of the notes written to her inside. These are great and be girls loved hearing the god and positive things their friends had to say about them.
Hopefully will be posting puctures up and when I get them ready to put together! Email or comment if you have questions!

Camp jingles....

So I thought I needed to post something here to make you think I am still alive....yeah life in July has continued to grow even more hectic. But the last few weeknight activities we have had have been centered around camp, last night we worked on jingles. Here are a few of the ones that we came up with....

"Girls just wanna...."

GIRLS: we're woke up at half past 6
By leaders who say we need to awake and arise.
Oh leader dear- you know we still have some time
'cause we just want to sleep in
Yes, we just want to sleep in.

LEADERS: the girls cry at mornings first light.
We tell them they need to get ready for hikes.
Then our ears hear that same yearly cry
The girls don't want to go hiking
No, they don't wanna go

ALL:We don't wanna goooooo,
Go hiiiiiiiiiking.
When the morning light shines in
oh girls just wanna sleep in.
Oh girls just want to sleep in!

The tune of the chorus from "its raining men"

We're here @ camp! Hallelujah!
We're here @ camp! Amen!
We're gonna camp out, we're gonna sing and shout.
And cannot wait to jump in the lake!

We're here @ camp! Hallelujah!
We're here @ camp! And we're so excited!
Pranks, games, late night chats
Makin' memories we hope will last!

We are here at camp...yeah.

I am asking that if you are from the alameda stake that you do not use these as these have been the labor of some very hard working talented girls. Thanks for your understanding!

A Sneak Peek...

...into my almost top secret project that I am working on for girls camp. Lets just say that this is the start to what will be a very challenging but fun project to work on...will post pictures once completed and we have left for girls camp (because I want the other leaders who are going to camp to be surprised as well).

Whose ready to play.....?

OK so I have seen a few sites that have had this little holiday jewel on their sites/blogs and I was like....HEY, I CAN MAKE THAT!!!

Well I did and here is what it looks like...

Here is what I used and what you would need to make one of these cute lil flags.

21 Jenga blocks

white spray paint (ONLY if you have the Jenga game version I had, Truth or Dare....I had to cover the black blocks up some how)

Acrylic Paint in RED, WHITE, and BLUE

Paint brush

Glue Gun and glue sticks

Star (I used vinyl and my cricut to cut the star but you could always stencil it on)

Felt (to cover the back after you attach your sting)

Twine/Jute/Ribbon/Wire (which ever you want)

Staple Gun and staples

Scissors

Acrylic Sealer

Sand Paper (if you choose to distress it. I didn't cause like I said I had some black blocks to cover and I didn't want to take the chance of the black to come through)

Paint each of your blocks to the corresponding color (3 blue, 8 white, and 10 red)

Once dry start to build your flag by gluing them together (refer to picture for pattern...you should be gluing them in rows of three across side by side)

Then attach/paint your star on the blue blocks

Cut your twine or what ever you are using to hang it up with to the desired length. Tie a knot at each end and attach it to the back of the flag  towards the top with the staple gun.

Once attached measure and cut your felt to fit the back and glue.

Then, if desired, if it is going to be hanging out side....apply your sealer.

There you have it....cheap, easy and cute. Perfect for a mutual for girls camp idea or if you are bored.

Eek!!! I think I am on cloud 9!!!

So I don't normally like to use my blog to share useless bits of my life and bore everyone....BUT since this kinda has to do with girls camp I just have to share my excitement. Ready???

OK so here it is...I was at our local DI the other day in search of a used Jenga game (will be posting about that next) and instead of finding a Jenga game I stumbled upon a steal of a deal...I found three boxes of a 100 count clear Christmas lights for only a $1.50 each.

Each box was tightly secured with packaging tape so I couldn't look in to see what the condition was so I was debating. I don't like to buy things that might not work and at the DI you can never be to careful, but they were only a buck fifty each so I said why not. I got home and opened them up...they looked brand new... BUT looks can be deceiving so I decided to plug them in....EVERY SINGLE LIGHT WORKED...ALL 300 of them. I was shocked. So you can only imagine my joy when I experienced this fine moment.

Now I did say that this would tie into girls camp...here it is. At camp we have a nice little patio/eating area with metal picnic tables. Well metal heats up in the sun...(I try not to use first aid when ever i can help it) so we bring a couple EZ Ups to provide us with some shade. You see we don't get cabins...we sleep in tents. LOL.  So at night it gets really really dark and is hard to see...and I haven't quite figured out why we don't use propane lamps (probably because we are all down by the fire instead of by the tables). Anyway...it gets dark so to lighten things up a bit, a few years ago we saw another ward in our stake use Christmas lights to give light since we get electricity up there. So last year we decided to copy them and use lights too. However we had lights that were on loan from the bishops wife (who also is our YW pres) and I thought...if something happens to them I would feel bad. So now the girls have their own set of lights to keep each year to use.  Can you see my excitement now??

The blue, white and red....

So after going through some of my camp stuff and evaluating what I had from last year to what I needed for this year and I realized I need lanyards. You see last year I typed up the days schedule and gave copy of it to each girl and leader so they knew what was happening through out the day. The schedules fit inside the badge holders and were hung from a lanyard. This year I wanted to do the same thing but incorporate our wards theme, France, so I chained (crochet) blue, white and red lanyards for every one and if I don't say my self, they turned out pretty cute! Check them out below!!

The chain was about 50" give or take a couple and were made out of three separate strands of yarn with all three being crochet together to form one united chain. I loved this yarn...it was Red Heart brand in the colors of red, royal and snow...the best part of it was that each skein of yarn sparkled!!!

SNIPE!! Bingo Cards for Girls Camp

Hello again, I thought I would share this neat variation of the classic bingo....GIRLS CAMP STYLE!!! Yes, that is right I said girls camp style. It has words that have to deal with certification, the YW values, girls and of course BIG BOOTY! (if you don't know what that is....your missing out. But if you really want to know comment me or email me - email addy in side bar- and I will try to describe this fun and at times annoying to leaders who want to sleep game!).

UPDATED!!!!! 
Due to some issues that some of you were having with the downloading of these files... here is a link to my google drive where i have made it available to download. It is one file but has both the call out cards and 24 game boards (which are all different) Click HERE for link.

Scripture Power!

I have some great news...the other counselor in our YW presidency has graciously shared with me her handout that she created for a nightlight up at girls camp last year. The theme was centered around the scriptures (hence the scripture power song =] ). Moving on to the good stuff...here is the handout. Its a jpg file with a single 4x6 picture (this way you can save it and take it to your favorite photo place and have it printed off...it looks much better that way...trust me!)

Click HERE to down load 4x6 image (jpg.)

Thanks Priscilla for sharing your creative idea!