YW Camp Certification
Handouts and Links

1st Year
2nd Year
3rd Year
4th Year

Guess whose ward was in charge of Stake Certification? :) There are a lot of items I haven't placed on this list.  You can find quite a few PDF files from military websites for first aid and using cravaet bandages (the best one is from the Navy), as well as first aid and fire information.  I wish I had saved the links to these places for you, but was too busy saving and printing them! :)



Camping Basics - Lessons in The Art of Overnighting Outdoors
Mini First Aid Kit

First Year Certification

Complete each of the following:

Each day while in camp, find a quiet spot and read from the scriptures for at least fifteen minutes. Include in your reading the account of the Creation found in Moses 2;1 – 31 or Genesis 1:1 – 31. After the Lord created the earth, he surveyed his work and saw that it was very good. Share your thoughts about God's creations with a leader or friend.

Learn the basic principles of sanitation for your camp setting. Learn how to correctly dispose of refuse while hiking. Learn how to dispose of garbage at camp and leave the campsite cleaner than you found it. Follow these principles during your stay at camp.

Learn the fire regulations for your camping area. Learn the procedures for properly extinguishing a fire. Help to plan and participate in a three-mile hike. Learn what to do if you become lost. Cook at least two items using a fire or a camp stove. Explain the purpose of first aid, and learn the first four steps to take when treating accident victims. Demonstrate how to perform the Heimlich maneuver to help a person who is choking. Demonstrate how to give first aid for excessive bleeding and poisoning. Learn how to fold a cravat bandage. Demonstrate the uses of the bandage.
  • Navy
  • Learn what should go into a basic first-aid kit and the use of each item. Learn the basic principles for storing and preparing food in the outdoors. Find an opportunity to serve another camper or leader. Help with something you are not assigned to do. This could include helping with camp chores such as cleaning the camp area or preparing a meal and cleaning up afterward.

    Help to plan and present a song or skit on a topic such as the camp theme; the Young Women Values, Motto, or Logo; or stories from the scriptures.

    Complete two or more of the following:

    Spend at least thirty minutes in nature observing Heavenly Father's creations that you can see, hear, smell, or touch. Thank Heavenly Father for the beauty around you. Share your thoughts about nature with a leader or friend.

    Sort used glass, plastic, arid aluminum containers, and see that they are turned in for recycling after camp.

    Learn to identify six kinds of plants and three kinds of animals, birds, or fish that are found in your area. Observe interesting details about each one.

    Learn how to tie a square knot, two half hitches, and a bowline knot. Know when to use these knots.

    Second Year Certification

    Complete each of the following:

    Each day while in camp, find a quiet spot and read from the scriptures for at least fifteen minutes. Include in your reading Joseph Smith – History 1:1 – 20, the account of Joseph Smith's prayer in the Sacred Grove. Record or share your thoughts about Joseph Smith and his vision.

    Learn about the various kinds of cloud formations. If possible, identify three different formations during your stay at camp.

    Demonstrate two methods for purifying drinking water. Learn how to signal for help in the outdoors. Identify local authorities who could provide help, such as park rangers, local emergency personnel, ski patrols, and search and rescue teams. Learn how to contact these authorities. Help to plan and participate in a five-mile hike. Plan and carry a nutritious meal for the hike.

    Demonstrate how to find directions by observing the sun and stars.

    Demonstrate how to treat someone who has fainted or is in shock. Demonstrate how to give first aid for heat exhaustion and heat stroke or for hypothermia and frostbite, depending on local circumstances. Demonstrate how to give rescue breathing. Learn the basic principles of good nutrition. Plan and prepare one meal at camp. Help to plan and participate in a flag-raising ceremony or devotional. Find an opportunity to serve another camper or leader. Help with something you are not assigned to do. This could include helping with camp chores such as cleaning the camp area or preparing a meal and clearing up afterward.

    Help to plan and present a song or skit on a topic such as the camp theme; the Young Women Values, Motto, or Logo; or stories from the scriptures.

    Complete two or more of the following:

    Spend at least thirty minutes in nature observing Heavenly Father's creations that you can see, hear, smell, or touch. Thank Heavenly Father for the beauty around you. Record what you have seen and your feelings about it. Share your thoughts with others.

    Learn how to build two kinds of fires. If fire regulations permit, light them and extinguish them properly.


    Identify three to five poisonous plants and three to five edible plants in your area.

    Demonstrate how to properly sharpen, use, and care for a knife.

    Third Year Certification

    Complete each of the following:

    Each day while in camp, find a quiet spot and read from the scriptures for at least fifteen minutes. Include Mosiah 18: 1 – l 7 in your reading. Review the covenants the people in the Book of Mormon made at the time of their baptism and the feelings they had. Record your feelings about-your baptism.

    Spend time observing an event in nature. It could be a sunrise or a-sunset, the movement of clouds, or a rainbow. With artwork, poetry, song, dance, or the written word, express your thoughts. You may want to share your thoughts with others.

    Learn one way to help preserve and protect the environment in your area. Use what you learn to make an improvement in your area.

    Demonstrate the procedures for extinguishing accidental fires, such as those caused by grease igniting while cooking, clothing catching on fire, or wind blowing sparks  into dry vegetation.

    Learn two ways to start a fire without using matches. Learn how to waterproof  matches, Learn how to use a compass to find directions. Participate in an orienteering activity.


    Show how to give emergency first aid for insect bites or stings, burns, blisters, and snakebites if snakes are common in your area.

    Demonstrate how to give cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Learn what you would do if the water in your camp were unsafe to drink. Describe how you would make it safe. If there is a stream, lake, or ocean near your campsite, survey the area and report any sources of pollution. Where possible, correct these problems. Participate in an organized hike.

    Complete an assignment made by your stake or ward camp director.

    Find out who in the camp has a need; then help to fill that need.

    Teach a song or a game to a group.


    Complete two or more of the following:

    Learn the guidelines for safety during hiking or water sports. Teach these guidelines to a group.

    Learn how to construct three types of emergency shelters, including those made with a tarp or other waterproof material.

    Try two types of outdoor cooking that you have not tried before, such as pit cooking, cooking without utensils, or cooking with a Dutch oven or reflector oven.

    Volunteer to help a younger camper or one with disabilities complete a requirement for certification.


    Fourth Year Certification

    Complete each of the following:

    Each day while in camp, find a quiet spot and read from the scriptures for at least fifteen minutes. Include in your reading Matthew 26:36 – 46, an account of the events in the Garden of Gethsemane. Record your feelings about what Christ did for you.

    Spend some time observing the night sky. Identify two or more constellations. Then read Doctrine and Covenants 88:42 – 44; Moses 1:37 – 39; and Doctrine and Covenants 67:2. Share with a leader or a group your thoughts about what you observed and what you read in these scriptures.

    Demonstrate or teach ways to protect the environment in your area. Carry out a project that helps to preserve or restore the area.

    Learn what to do for your safety during severe weather conditions in your area such as lightning, tornadoes, typhoons, avalanches, or floods.

    Prepare a meal using two different methods of cooking. Help to plan an activity for the whole camp or your own group that will help the campers get to know each other. Involve everyone. Discuss a need in the camp with the camp director and, with the help of the Youth Camp Leaders, develop a plan to fill that need.

    Help to organize and participate in a nature walk or hike for younger campers.

    Describe the signs of a broken bone. Demonstrate first-aid procedures for handling broken bones. Learn and demonstrate four methods for transporting someone who is injured. Review the first-aid skills for the first three certification levels. Demonstrate the Heimlich maneuver, rescue breathing, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Help to plan and present a song or skit on a topic such as the camp theme; the Young Women Values, Motto, or Logo; or stories from the scriptures. Complete two or more of the following:

    With another camper or by yourself, learn something new about nature and teach it to your group.

    Develop a project to help campers with disabilities. For example, develop a nature trail or an experience with nature for someone who is blind or in a wheelchair or who has other special needs.

    Demonstrate how to make a bedroll or an emergency ground bed from materials that are not living.

    Plan and participate in an overnight backpacking trip or other adventuring activity.