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Nearly two years ago we explained that the Utah National Parks Council offers its twelve camping properties for ward and stake uses in a side variety of settings. Since that time, more than 100 LDS wards and stakes have requested information on our programs, but you don’t have to wait for “our programs” to make a request of us.
In fact, I am surprised at how constraining the words “summer camp” are to some people. Our camps are not summer camps, they are there all year and whenever someone comes to ask if we can do “that” (whatever their that is) it is a real pleasure to explore possibilities with them—we love to say: “we can do that for you.”
For example, one couple wanted to get married in the fall foliage of Mt. Dell Scout Ranch’s maples. It was stunning to say the least, in fact, they honeymooned there as part of their rental agreement. But imagine that now with the Burch Lodge, seating for hundreds, a view porch with an unparalleled vista; indoor or outdoor reception possibilities are endless.
Since early every family and church group has a different idea of what they would like to do outdoors, we stand ready to make it happen. So far, we have had church groups come to camp for:
Aaronic Priesthood Encampments
Girls Camps
Father and Son campouts
High Adventure activities with both young men and young women
Leadership Training Academy, including priesthood-led Wood Badge and NYLT Timberline
Helaman Camps
Traditional merit badge-focused summer camps (bringing the entire LDS stake’s young men)
Activity Day events
Trek
Trek and other reinactments are great at camp
Let me also share a few personal examples:
my ward has used cabins and BSA’s Introduction to Leadership Skills Course to teach youth leaders their stewardship
our ward had a barbecue/splash at Maple Dell. After our weenie roast and s’mores, Captain Moroni appeared and spoke to the group
our stake’s fifth year girls took an Adventure Trek at Beaver High Adventure Base and used NYLT/Timberline to prep YCLs for camp.
Our stake did a priesthood retreat at camp with full youth program while all Scout leaders taught each other leader specific training
my family has had a reunion at Tifie Scout camp (outdoor movie night on the view porch is something rare) and a New Year’s family retreat in the winter wonderland of Maple Dell
I am working with a stake that is coordinating a leadership youth conference using NYLT/Timberline alongside a full Wood Badge course
Most church leaders think of camps a place to work on merit badges in the summer. Though that happens there is so much more possible. Here is a list of some nifty options we might consider together :
Week Nights
Family, den or pack nature hike
Games night after dark
Geocaching after dark
Articles of Faith trail
Campfire program
Ward FHE
Cook out
Smores night
Testimony meeting by firelight
RM fireside alongside a real fire
Haunted camp trail
Rifle shoot
High COPE cube ropes course
Low COPE course
Archery Shoot
Pack Meeting at JJ with Canal Regatta
Family or Pack picnic
Ward dinner party
Ward campout
Ward cookout
Ward Home Evening with Book of Mormon character visit
Weekends
Fall, winter and spring campouts (in some camps we are open all year)
Snow day at camp
Winter Getaway for families
Fall family fun day for the ward
Young Women camp certification workshop and campout
Stake Aaronic Priesthood retreat
Father and sons or Mother and daughter campouts
Stake merit badge pow wow once a month at camp
Leadership training weekend
Introduction to Leadership Skills course at camp
Relief Society workshop weekend and overniter
Ward Council leadership retreat
YCL workshop
Activity Days campout/hike
Daddy Daughter party or day camp
Party or Celebration
Elder’s or High Priest dinner party and shoot out
Primary Activity Day party
Family Sledding shindig
Relief Society Tea (with white linen outdoors in the fall colors; just beautiful)
Wedding party and reception with dance
Conference weekend at camp—you can view every session on one of our big screens
Ward movie night and slumber bash
Relief Society Birthday party
50th Wedding Anniversary party
Quincernera
Barmitsfa
Youth Dinner Dance
Banquets, dinners, and bizarres
Fundraising events: banquet, auction, shoot out
Long Weekends
Young single adult campout
Mini Treks,
Quilting bee/crafter getaway
Mini youth conference
High Adventure activities
Training Workshops
Ward and Family Activities
Holiday
Ward Christmas party
Cinco de Mayo celebratio
Ward Halloween party
4th or 24th of July Ward Breakfast and celebration day
Thanksgiving dinner party
New Year’s Eve Winterfest
Weeklong
Fall family reunion
Family Winter retreat
Aaronic Priesthood Encampment
Young Men camp,
Young Women camp
Youth Conference
With all those ideas what are you waiting for, four stakes have already reserved spots for 2018
Large Group Focus
In order to better support the demand from church groups, the Utah National Parks Council has implemented three key initiatives.
Providing early signup by large groups, allowing them to schedule a camp property far in advance and even allowing exclusive use of the property based on the size of the group! We already have multiple reservations for two years out.
Implementing a discount program that favors large groups coming to camp, even during the core summer months.
Implementing an Adventure Track system that is focused on youth ages 11-18, including young women. Stakes and wards can then choose between many offerings, or build their own.
Discounts Available to Large Church Groups
The council has customized its discount structure to entice large church groups to attend together. Such groups may take advantage of multiple discounts at council camps. This includes:
Groups over 20 receive a $5/person discount
Groups over 100 receive a $10/person discount
Groups that pay in full by April 1 receive an additional $10/person discount
Larger groups that can fill an entire camp may receive even higher discounts
I’m Interested, What Next?
If your church group is interested in taking advantage of the council properties and camps, simply fill out the survey at www.utahscouts.org/stakecamps and a member of the council camping team will contact you. They can provide assistance and background on the properties, programs, and past successes from other church groups that you can use to customize your outdoor experience.
Author: John Gailey | Director of Support Services, Utah National Parks Council, BSA.
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