Nelspruit and KaNyamazane First Ever Youth Camp and Conference

Soon after we arrived in country, Sister Moss and I talked about wanting to find a facility to do a Youth Camp and Conference.  The two Branches, Nelspruit and KaNyamazane have never had one before, and we thought it would be a  great way for our youth to meet new friends as well as build their spirituality.   We checked out some possibilities of available camps, but none of them panned out.  Our Youth Presidencies were wanting to do a similar activity, and were busy looking for something that would be suitable for what we needed.

Sister Diale, Y/W 1st Counselor, went on line and came up with a possibility.  She mentioned it to us. We called and set up an apppointment to go check it out.  We were in awe with what we saw! One nice thing was that it was only 25 K outside of Nelspruit on the way to Sabie.  It was the Ekukhanyeni Christain Retreat and Guest House.  We were amazed at the facility and the possibilities it would have for our camp.  As we toured the facility, we were sold immediately!  We were concerned about the cost, and if the two branches would be able to come up with the fees.  They offered to cater the meals or there was a separate kitchen for self catering.  Knowing that we probably wouldn't be able to afford to have it catered, and  because we wanted to give the youth the responsibility to help prepare and clean up the meals, we tended to lean toward the self catering, with the possibility of having one evening meal catered.

Because it was "love at first sight" we thought we should reserve a tentative date.  The weekend of February   22-24 was open, so we had them reserve that date with the intent of getting back with them with a deposit and finalizing the date.

We took some pictures and our notes to the next Branch Council Meeting.  They were very impressed, and everyone was in agreement that that would be a great location for our conference.  The traveling on Sunday, was a question that we knew we would have to check on.  In checking the Red Book (Handbook 2)  instructions, we verified that there could not be any driving on Sunday.  Elder Baxter checked the school calendar and found a weekend that was when the youth would be out of school on break.  We then made an appointment to bring our deposit and reschedule the date.  April 4th, 5th, and 6th would work perfectly.  We planned to leave Thursday afternoon, the 4th and return home on Saturday. the 6th about 2:00 pm.

We proceeded to begin the planning.  However, trying to jive working schedules, and distances between homes, wasn't an easy task.  We met with a few challenges along the way.  About 4 weeks from the date of camp, we received a new senior couple to serve the KaNyamazane Branch.  This was a blessing.  The two Branch Presidents unanimously appointed Elder Hunt to be the Camp Director.  He took off with the remainder of the planning as a neutral party.  It was a very busy 4 weeks on everyone's part to finish making sure everything was in order -  menus planned, speakers contacted, schedules planned and outlined, health and permissionn slips handed in, transportation arranged for, groceries purchased etc., etc.  Neither Branch had ever had an overnight Camp or Youth Conference before, so there was a lot of unknowns.  Fortunately, the two senior couples have had much experience with youth camps so we were able to move forward to finalize the plans.

It was decided that each branch would be responsible for the transportation for their own youth.  This entailed using the senior couples as shuttles, and in addition, the "KaNy" branch had to hire taxies to get all of their 20 plus youth there.

The following pictures will tell the rest of the story:

Ready to head up to the camp!

Jennifer, seeing her kids off, her son Melusi, Nowalzi, Lebo-a non member, her dad is a member and she is being taught by the missionaries, Sinethemba, Jennifer's daughter, Nokuthula - Y.W. 1st Counselor, her twin girls, Lebohang and Omphile.  Back row, Louise, coming to do first aid, Lily Hope, Branch President's wife  came to drive some kids, Tsepo, Elder Baxter.  Four other kids and Sister Baxter were already up there.

After the the youth had arrived at the camp, and found a place for their gear in the dorm, we met in the large conference room for a welcome, a short devotional and opening prayer,  go over camp rules, get in color coded groups to facilitate breaking for group acivities and kitchen duty.  Elder Baxter did a couple of ice breaker activities to help the kids get to know each other and give them a chance to intermingle with the kids in their group.  They had a fun time with the activities.

Elder Hunt giving the kids some instructions for an activity.

It was soon time to get the Braii -grill -  going to cook the evening meal.  Almost before we got going, Louise, one of our first aid people, got a call from a neighbor about an emergency with her dogs and the neighbors' dog.  She needed to leave immediately, so we volunteered to drive her back to Nelspruit, while the others cooked over the grill and set things out for dinner.  Dinner was grilled chicken and pork chops, pap, which is   cooked white corn meal (looks like mashed potatoes, but thicker and with no taste), and a variety of salads.  By the time we got back from Nelspruit, they were clearing up dinner.  We pulled things out of the fridge and ate it cold.

Nicholas Weitz, President Sibanyoni, and Ruben Weitz, Y. M. President

Friday night was our dance activity.  

Some of the kids had some pretty good moves!

We finished off the evening with brownies and ice cream before heading off to bed.

Each morning, we started our day with a devotional which consisted a song, a prayer and blessing on the food, and a spiritual thought.  Each Branch took a turn to be in charge of the devotional.

My group and I were in charge of breakfast which consisted of Breakfast casseroles, muffins, and juice.  The kitchen busies kept me from snapping any pics.  :(

After breakfast, the youth met in the conference room for their morning session with Brother & Sister Medela.  He is over all the Seminaries and Institutes in South Africa, is a Bishop and also teaches Seminary and Institute.  They are a young couple in their early 30's with one 5 year old daughter.  They were excellent speakers who related well to the youth.  Our theme was President Hinckley's   Six B's -

Be Grateful, Be Smart, Be Clean, Be True, Be Humble, Be Prayerful,

 and we added an additional one - Be Virtuous! 

Brother Medela did a great job of involving the youth in discussions

 as well as giving them much food for thought.

After each classroom session, there was a refreshment break of cookies, or muffins, and fruit and juice.

Afterward, we broke into groups, (the color of name tags denoted which group you were in.) Each group had two adult leaders.  For activities, we would rotate between activities so there was not a lot of waiting and lag time at the various events.

The Obstacle Course was one of the activities.  It was a challenge for the most fit and adept! 

One skill led to another.  There were several items to try to conquer!

Things that looked very easy, were challenging at best! 

Sand Volleyball was a big hit with the kids.

Soccer was always enjoyed by the youth.  

This was a good way to get rid of all the sitting wiggles!

The Zip Line was probably the most popular activity at the camp!

It took teamwork to get each one belted into the harness.

 Then off you went across the mountainous valley.  This pic is deceiving.  

The line was much higher than it shows.  

At times, you felt as though you couldn't hold on any longer, 

but there was a cable that was securing you.

He was really brave--"Look Mom, no hands!

As you arrived at the landing, there was a helping hand to bring you in, 

unless you came too fast and landed leg and feet first into the dirt ledge!

I was lucky I didn't break my ankle after my ungraceful landing!

Where was Lynn with the camera after my brave fete!!! ???

Can you see "Stitch" in the picture. He is the camp owners' dog.  At the zip line he would bark at each one getting ready to go.
When they took off, he would run as fast as he could go down the hill, and then after they landed,
he would make his way back up the hill to start all over again with the next one.  It was as though
he thought he was the protector and had to see about everyone so that they were safe.
He was all tuckered out after a day at the zip line!

Sister Medela did a great job as well!

As a token of our appreciation for the Medelas coming at their own expense and spending three very inspirational days with us, we presented them with a token of remembrance.

Stirring that huge pot of pap is harder than it looks!

Sister Sibanyoni and Sister Diale laughed at my wimpey arms!

Rule number 1:
Don't misplace your comb unless you want to look like this when you go to breakfast!

Spare time between meals or activities was enjoyed at the pool table, table tennis or basketball.

Inside soccer was a great past time as well!

Meal time or break time was always welcomed by food of some sort.

There was always plenty of everything for everyone.
It was a nice time to munch and visit

One of the highlights of the Conference was the panel discussion that  the missionaries did talking about various phases of Missionary Preparation.  They then opened it up for questions and answers.
The youth really enjoyed this.
They enjoyed being able to rub shoulders with the missionaries while they were at the conference.

The group was taking in every word the missionaries were saying.  Many left with a greater commitment to prepare to serve missions!

It was a beautiful sunny afternoon to take a break with water balloons!

They did well to continue to catch them without breaking them.

Then there became fewer and fewer in the final throwing.

As long as they were already partially wet,  this was a good time to test out the pool.

 Even for those who hadn't planned on getting wet, well, you guessed it -
They ended up in the pool and were wet whether they wanted to or not!

Even the innocent bystanders got a little damp!

One of the best things about Friday afternoon, was that no one had to leave an activity early to go begin dinner preparations.  We spoiled ourselves by having the camp cater the evening meal, which consisted of chicken and vors, (large seasoned sausages), potatoes and pap, veggies, cole slaw salad and warm pudding with custard sauce for dessert.

After dinner, everyone gathered around the campfire for camp songs followed by a message from our Branch President who made the 2 hour drive to be with us,
 and another inspirational talk by Brother Medela
The remainder of the time was spent in testimony sharing.  Since this was the first time these youth had experienced something like this, they were a little hesitant to share their testimonies, but were inspired by many of the leaders who bore testimony of the strength the Gospel had played in their lives.

We were very appreciative of President Sigauke and his family
taking time to drive 2 hours to be with us.  Both he and President Musanza loved the youth enough
to use the sacred funds to help make this camp/conference possible.

Sister Hunt and Sister Diale had a little spar to see who was the toughest kitchen helper!
I think it was a tie!  Each leader gave more than their share to make the camp a success.

After breakfast, the girls and guys separated for one last opportunity to be taught by the Medelas.  

They each spoke on the importance of chastity and virtue in our lives.  

Sister Medela and the girls went 45 minutes longer than the hour allotted because the girls

were feeling comfortable enough to ask questions and share feelings.  Sister Medela did a beautiful job of assuring each girl that they were a beautiful daughter of God and 

could achieve anything they put their hearts to.

Plates were heaped with a final meal before clean-up and packing for departure.

Great food and reminiscing helped to finish up a great 3 day experience.

  

We all donned our "Six B's' camp shirts for a group picture before departing for home.

We were thankful to all the extra branch members who took time to shuttle youth back and forth and for those who took time to come to share their knowledge of first aid and be there in case of an emergency,  haul food and bags, help with the music and sound system for our dancing, donate in any way to help make this conference possible, and for the Spirit of our Heavenly Father that we felt as we were taught and reminded of what is really important in life. 

After interviewing many of the youth as to what they would take away from here, several said they learned how important it is to have a good education. We were thankful that many of the youth felt that they were able to come away with a greater commitment to live our lives in such a way that we could be worthy servants of our Heavenly Father, to share the gospel with others, and be worthy to enter the temple to receive the blessings of exaltation.

Besides having had a lot of fun, we felt that our spiritual goals had been met as well!

Final note:  THE CAMP / CONFERENCE WAS A SUCCESS!!