Zion Youth Camps
Building Zion Youth Camp (Combined Youth)
This fun-filled camp is designed for youth groups and their leaders. Youth groups spend three days and two nights gaining insight into the challenges early settlers faced as they accepted the call, not just to come to Zion, but to build it. Through Brigham Young’s own words they learn about his vision of coming West, settling Utah, and building Zion. They learn about the efforts and sacrifices he and the early saints made to build it.
Youth and leaders together race to saw logs and build log cabins, reminiscent of settlers racing to build shelters before winter. Learn about the importance of water in Utah with water activities that may end up in a water fight. Tour the museum and learn of early settlers. Make bread and cook in a wood-burning stove. Earn “tithing script” redeemable in the museum gift shop, by completing pioneer trades and tasks. Play Rounders and other pioneer games. Learn reels, marches, polkas, schottisches, and even the risqué waltz, at the highlight of the camp, an Old Time Dance complete with dance cards.
Youth gain insight into pioneer life while enjoying many comforts of today, including a swim in the pool every afternoon and their own cool, comfortable clothes. The park provides plenty of lawn for tents, picnic tables, water, and clean restrooms. Youth groups are responsible for tents and all meals.
The $40/youth fee includes a drawstring backpack, water bottle and all activities. Leaders are free and have the option to purchase the backpack and water bottle in the gift shop if they desire.
This camp helps youth envision Brigham Young’s view of the saint’s potential in their new home in the west. It is an excellent next year compliment to a “Handcart Trek” or as a stand-alone youth conference to learn about early Utah life.
Creating Zion Youth Camp (Female Youth)
This fun-filled camp is designed for young women (11-18) and their leaders. Groups spend three days and two nights gaining insight into the challenges early settlers faced as they beautified their desert home and creating Zion. Through Brigham Young’s own words they learn about his vision of coming West, settling Utah, and creating Zion. This camp makes an excellent Young Women’s Camp for Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint wards.
Youth & leaders learn that Brigham Young valued education, especially for young women as they meet in a one-room schoolhouse. Youth will learn to gather materials to start fires, bake ash bread, make a pioneer Dutch-oven meal, gather water to boil, and harness a horse. Just as the pioneers had to learn before they traveled west. They will also learn home beautification skills. They will make bread and bake it in a wood-burning stove, churn butter and learn the value of nineteenth-century women’s skills. They will learn about the role water played in the women’s lives as they carry and boil water for laundry. They will play games and learn why pioneers loved to dance. Along with these activities, there is unscheduled time for you to add your own programming.
Exploring Zion Youth Camp (Male Youth)
Designed for young men (11-18) and their leaders. Youth will gain knowledge of some of the challenges and successes of the early pioneers in exploring and settling the Utah Territory. It begins with a pioneer training camp to learn necessary survival skills. Youth will choose a few trainings from activities like flint/steel fire starting, Dutch-oven cooking, cooking on coals, and casting metal, among others. They will learn to build cabins and identify various museum artifacts that enabled the settlement of the Territory. One of the highlights of this camp is an exploratory hike. This hike will be the choice of the youth for various materials (in the very same places the pioneers explored to gather those same materials) or exploring surrounding landscapes.
Youth will also get to enjoy some of the recreational activities of the pioneers including various “night games,” water activities, or parlor games. Learn about the contributions explorers made to Utah in industry, trade, settlement, and economy. Participate in various activities for learning the history of the Territory of Utah, and hands on experience in pioneer skills.
Stakes and other large youth groups
Call or email the park to see what camp program is available for your group.
Youth gain insight into pioneer life while enjoying many comforts of today, including a swim in the pool and their own cool, comfortable clothes. The park provides plenty of lawn for tents, picnic tables, water, and restrooms. Youth groups are responsible for tents and all camping and meal needs.
These camps help youth envision Brigham Young’s view of the saint’s potential in their new home in the West making an excellent youth conference for Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints wards and stakes (email Carl (carlcamp@utah.gov) for capacity information).
Schedule your Zion Youth Camp
$40 per youth, adult leaders free. Fees are due when you arrive.
Two 12-person tents available for your camp to rent: $100 per tent
Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum
50 West Capitol Ave.
Fillmore, Utah 84631
(435) 743-5316
carlcamp@utah.gov
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Pioneer Dance & Etiquette Dinner
(Not available last week of May – first week of August)
Email Carl Camp for cost and scheduling details (carlcamp@utah.gov)
Ever wonder which fork to use? Or where to place your linen napkin when you have finished eating. Proper dining etiquette stretches back centuries. Formal table settings are considered an art form to many people, and table manners are not to be taken lightly. Today, many of the behaviors that take place at the dinner table are deeply rooted in history. Dining etiquette plays a role not only at a fine dining establishment but in everyday life.
Statehouse Provided Activities
Dining Experience— You will learn the how’s, what’s, and why’s of proper dining etiquette. You will enjoy a multicourse meal served in a formal yet relaxed setting.
Pioneer Dance—Dancing was very important in pioneer life. Let us teach you fun dances like schottisches, reels, waltzes, polkas, and more. More than anything, dances were a social time, where they enjoyed music, games, interaction and generally refreshed their spirits. Pioneers danced for entertainment and exercise, so wear sturdy shoes.
Schedule this as an evening activity or an overnight event.
Schedule your Pioneer Dance & Dinner
$20 per plate. Payment due with RSVP. Schedule your event soon.
Please RSVP no later than 2 weeks prior to your scheduled event.
Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum
50 West Capitol Ave.
Fillmore, Utah 84631
(435) 743-5316
carlcamp@utah.gov