Deacons Camp

The Boy Scouts program is not really seen here in the Dominican Republic, and not in the Church at all.  But the Area President really wanted the young men ages 12 and 13 (called deacons in our Church) to have an opportunity to receive leadership training, cooperation, and problem solving.  Our director, Rafael, has been very involved in this first-ever camp, working with several other men many long hours to make this all come off.  Last week, we were asked to come to the camp from Thursday afternoon until Saturday afternoon to film it.  It was a wonderful experience for us.

The Church's camp is just outside the town of Bonao near the mountains - it was a beautiful day when we arrived as you can see below - such fluffy clouds.

Here are the huts where the boys stayed.  

We had a little place attached to the main building with air conditioning and our own bathroom (although no hot water). We were glad to not have to share the bunkbeds with anyone...







Picture over 600 deacons with this leaders organized by their local church units.  Add to this flags that they made depicting a favorite scripture, games and lessons based on values in the Book of Mormon, good food, great music, and a balloon event, and you have some idea of our time there.





These young boys are incredible! Their testimonies of Jesus Christ and the maturity of the majority of them was amazing.  They loved having their pictures taken and whenever they saw us with cameras, they always stopped and smiled, waiting for the click of the camera.

Some of the activities included a piggy-back relay (bearing one another's burdens), a battle between Shiz and Coriantumr where, tug of war, 

For the first night meeting, the boys all changed into white shirts and ties - they looked so cute.  There was a musical number of the Armies of Helaman and then a video on the power of the priesthood.  

Wearing their camp bandanas that were all handsewn by a couple of women, and in their white shirts, the boys are ready to leave for home right after the balloon lift off.  

Our director Rafael with a group holding the flag for the camp.  

 For the final activity, over 600 helium balloons were given out.  The boys were each supposed to write on them with a marker something that they were going to do better when they returned home.  In the nearby field at the appointed time, they all lifted off.  They were beautiful going up into the air.

We just had to add these final lovely shots of the mountains - so peaceful.