Young Women Camp Focuses on “Looking Unto Christ”

(This Content Is for Non-Muslim Use only)

DOWNLOAD

Multiple vehicles, including two large passenger vans, transported 31 enthusiastic young women and Church leaders, with their supplies to the 2K Hotspring Campsite on September 15, 2025. They came prepared to spend a three-day adventure in nature with the camp theme taken from a scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants 6:36, which reads, “Look unto [Christ] in every thought; doubt not, fear not.”

KL District Young Women (YW) President Lee Poh Peng, supported by the branch YW presidencies in Penang, Puchong, KL and Petaling Jaya (PJ), helped guide their young women to plan and execute this eventful camp. The young women were divided into teams with a tent leader assigned to each group. These small teams worked together to set up their own tents, prepare and cook their own meals, and to support each other in the many activities.

The first day included a visit from President Joseph Skipps of the KL District Presidency and his wife Anita. The young women gathered as President Skipps shared thoughts on the camp theme and reminded them of their divine destiny and individual worth. He asked each young woman to share with the group something that they are good at. Elder Dan Haltinner, one of the priesthood representatives for the camp, noted, “It was with shy reluctance that each one revealed their talents and abilities. It was very evident that this was indeed an amazing collection of young women.”

The young women began camp activities by designing their own camp T-shirts, which were then passed around for everyone to sign. Sister Julie Haltinner, a senior Church volunteer, taught the young women how to braid a pretty bracelet which included a sun medallion to represent and remember the Savior. Puchong YW President Benjarin Kaivalvatana taught the young women the value of service to others as they painted colorful camp signs that were then given as a gift to the camp operator.

On Monday night, camp chaperones Brian and Sukanya Chan, along with their children Anika and Isaiah, shared a Family Home Evening lesson on the “light of Christ”. Each young woman was given several glow sticks, which they collectively intertwined into creative designs and patterns. This provided a pleasant soft-lit atmosphere as the young women ended the spiritual evening by singing “Fear not”, “Daughter of Light” and “Look Unto Christ”.

Other teaching moments included Elder Haltinner’s discussion on overcoming trials through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. PJ YW President Cristina Espiritu reflected on aspects of the YW Theme and bore testimony of their influence in her own life. She also taught the young women how to sign the chorus lyrics to the song “Daughter of Light”, which Sister Haltinner described as “one of the most tender and sacred moments during the camp.”

Teamwork and sisterhood abounded as the young women participated in the activities of this camp. From setting up their own tents, learning to cook using mess tins on camp stoves and grills, performing morning exercises and competing in a team scavenger hunt, the young women engaged in diverse bonding activities. Adult leader Anita Augustine expressed that she loved watching the young women working together as a team, helping each other and building love. She likened them to the tall trees that surrounded them. She noted, “They [the trees] are all pointing high into the sky, as if looking unto Christ”.

On the last day, the young women had the opportunity to express their feelings about the  camp in a special testimony meeting. Youth leader Yzmer shared, “I really saw a lot of teamwork when doing the activities.” She then encouraged the young women to “stay friends, try to see each other again, and stay close to God.”

Camp participant Vera admitted that as a city girl she really did not like nature, especially the bugs, but she said, “This [camp] did make me more grateful for my home, my nice bed and safety. Camp taught me a lot, and I did feel closer to God.” Fellow participant Evangelina shared, “I grow closer to God in nature, and I am grateful for the new friends that I have made.”  She added, “I feel peace when I pray. I know God hears our prayers and cares about each of us. He will give us strength.”

Elder Michael Ang, a counselor in the KL District Presidency, also serves with his wife Kogen as senior volunteers for the Church. They both offered to be chaperones for this event and it was their first ever camping trip together. Sister Ang expressed how amazed she was with the talents of all the young women. Elder Ang talked about his conversion to the Church at age 15 and bore his testimony of the gospel.

District YW President Lee invited the young women to reflect on their camp experiences and to write them in their journals. She said, “Write what you have done, who you met, the fun things you enjoyed, the things you don’t like and how you overcame your dislike or your fear.” She urged them to record those things now because they will become a treasure each time they read them again. She added, “You have overcome some hard things, and you came out stronger. You are stronger than you think.”

“I also encourage all of you to share what you have learned at camp with your family and friends…to bear your testimony to your branch members,” continued President Lee, reminding them, “You are a beloved daughter of heavenly parents with a divine nature and eternal destiny.”