The theme for the 2nd day at camp was Get Set – Preparing for the Hurdles of Life.

For the handout I sprayed wooden tags {about2.5 x 3.5 inches} with chalkboard spray paint. Each girls gets a tag, chalk, and a piece of felt cloth for an eraser. Each one initially has a “bad” label written on them as part of the lesson. I know it is a shocker to see words like that so please read the lesson to understand why and what they are used for. They do get erased!

These lessons are only supposed to be 10-15 minutes long. There was so much more I could have done, questions that could have been asked to really develop a good discussion amongst the girls. Time is my enemy with this lesson so these are the bare bones but, hopefully, still get the message across.

A runner prepares for a race by training hard, eating the right food to fuel her body, stretching, and giving herself a good mental pep talk, “I can do this!”


Show picture of two girls hurdling.{This is included with the download}

Hurdling is difficult. Not only do you have to run fast, you have to time your jumps exactly right, not too soon or too late. You have to jump high enough so you clear the hurdle without knocking them over. Your form must be perfect. If your toe or foot dips just a little you end up knocking the hurdle over and potentially injuring yourself.

Hurdling is a good analogy for life. What are some hurdles, or difficulties, or trials young women face in their lives? {let girls answer}

How can you prepare for these hurdles? {Let the girls discuss.}

Today we are going to talk about a specific hurdle: NEGATIVE LABELS

Pass out mini chalkboards. Have each girl read the word on their chalkboard out loud.

How do these labels make you feel?

Are these feelings what Heavenly Father wants you to feel about yourself? NO!!

Why not? {let the girls discuss}

The Family: A Proclamation to the World states: “All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny.” You are daughters of Heavenly Parents, who care about you and love you! Pres. Kimball, addressing the children of the church, said, “To your earthly mother and father and to your Heavenly Parents, you are their most valuable treasure. Their love and concern for you never ends.” (Pres. Spencer W. Kimball, The Friend, Dec 1974)

“The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “If men do not comprehend the character of God, they do not comprehend themselves.” Knowing who you are—who you really are—is closely tied to knowing God, for you are His children.” (Pres. James E. Faust, Who Do You Think You Are?) Just as we inherited certain traits from our earthly parents we inherited divine traits from our Heavenly Parents – goodness, mercy, kindness, compassion, love, virtue, charity, and more.

Have everyone erase their chalkboards. Now write a positive label about yourself, something that describes your divine nature.

Choose a few girls to share what they wrote and why.

Knowing you are a Daughter of God will help you face the hurdles in your life. Your sense of self-worth can be strengthened as you rely on the Lord because “God knows you and what you can become because He has known you from the beginning when you were His spirit . . .daughters.” (Pres. James E. Faust, Who Do You Think You Are?)

Don’t worry about the labels others put on you. Worry only about what God thinks of you, His daughter.

Download the lesson here: Preparing for the Hurdles of Life {Self Worth}