McCarthy Hill Youth Camp

Our work is in an office. The opportunity for Elder Shipley and I to be involved in the events or experiences of the members of the church is slim. However, we do know what is going on...we hear about experiences everyday. The McCarthy Hill Youth Camp is one of those experiences that I thought might be interesting for our readers.

Accra Ghana McCarthy Hill Stake held their 2nd annual youth camp August 19-23, 2008. Youth 14 and older were invited to attend. The camp was held in Nswaum at the Boy Scout Training Camp. Last year the youth slept out under the stars so it was a real treat to discover they had tents this time. The tents were donated by the Salt Lake Stake
For many it was there first trip out of their villages and the drive itself was an adventure. “So many villages” was the comment of one of the youth. The campers arrived between noon and 2 o’clock. After registering, finding their tents and relaxing, dinner was served followed by the movie Esther.

Each morning at 4:30am they were awakened by the ring of the bell to attend seminary at 4:45am and then exercise group at 5:15am. With an hour to get cleaned up and dressed for the day, breakfast was served each day at 7am.

Everyone enjoyed weaving baskets and stringing beads as well as an introduction to the art of photography. Workshops were held on dating, public speaking, HIV and aids, first aid, salsa dancing, career development, and scriptures fun. Each evening after dinner were special activities: a movie, a debate on chastity, a play. The final night was a dinner dance where each boy was required to ask one of the girls to accompany him. At the dinner they came in their Sunday best and practiced the manners they had learned, conversation and eating with utensils. In Africa it is custom to eat with your hands, so this was a challenge. The dance gave them an opportunity to practice the salsa they had learned during the week.


Young men and women in Africa work hard everyday. For many their daily life consists of carrying water in buckets on their heads to their homes several times a day, walking great distances to school, selling goods on the street to help their families provide food and schooling, and carrying for the young ones in their family. Vacations are being home with your family. They are a happy and grateful people for the blessings God gives to them. They delight in being able to come to the temple to do baptisms. They never would dream of a camping trip.

The Sunday after Youth Camp, my husband and I sat behind a young man in Budaburam Branch. During the sacrament he pulled out his itinerary from camp. He had written so many notes on the back. He ran his fingers over the words he had written with a feeling of gratefulness. He read his notes over and over. For him, a refugee from Liberia, youth camp was a dream he never even considered. It was a dream that was a reality that he will never forget.