FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Summer signals the beginning of LDS Church summer camps and the first LDS camp, Brighton LDS Girls Camp, celebrates 90years.
March 30, 2011 - Salt Lake City As thousands of Latter-Day Saint teenagers start thinking about summer camps, the first girls camp of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints celebrates its 90th birthday. Brighton LDS Girls camp will celebrate its 90th anniversary and invite people to attend an open house at Brighton LDS Girls Camp at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon on Saturday July 30 from 11 am to 8 pm and on Sunday July 31th from 1 pm to 5 pm.
In the mid 1800s, the early Mormon pioneers spent time in Big Cottonwood Canyon (now Brighton) to escape the scorching desert heat. President J. M. Grant dedicated the area and said, “…we consecrate and dedicate [the Brighton valley] for the benefit of Thy people…for their happiness that they may rest here and be safe.”
Brighton plays a unique part of LDS Church history as the first camp created specifically for Young Women. Construction of the Girls Camp lodge began in 1920. The first campers arrived at the Girls Camp in 1921. The grand opening celebration, however, was not held until 1922. During the dedication ceremony of the camp, President Heber J. Grant led the group in singing “Come, Come Ye Saints” in honor of the early pioneers. President Grant expressed his satisfaction with the work in “erecting a home for the girls in the tops of the mountains for their entertainment and pleasure."
Since its establishment, Brighton LDS Girls Camp has served as a summer home for approximately 76,000 campers and 2,000 staff members. “Brighton LDS Girls Camp develops self esteem, team work, and spirituality,” said Floss Waltman, the current Executive Committee President of Brighton LDS Girls Camp. “Counselors teach their campers to learn how to be kind to one another, build fires, cook in Dutch ovens, participate in team activities, hike, administer first aid, and so forth, but the most important thing they teach is that each camper is valued and is worthy of her Heavenly Father’s love.”
Visitors attending the open house will be able to walk through the Camp, listen to past and present counselors sing familiar camp songs, wander through Brownie Land with an experienced guide, or hike to one of Brighton’s many lakes. Near the end of the day at 6 pm visitors are welcome to gather for a historic program and to enjoy cake and ice cream. Everyone is encouraged to bring family and friends.
For further information about the Brighton LDS Girls Camp 90th Anniversary Celebration, visit ourmountainhomesodear.blogspot.com
Summer signals the beginning of LDS Church summer camps and the first LDS camp, Brighton LDS Girls Camp, celebrates 90years.
March 30, 2011 - Salt Lake City As thousands of Latter-Day Saint teenagers start thinking about summer camps, the first girls camp of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints celebrates its 90th birthday. Brighton LDS Girls camp will celebrate its 90th anniversary and invite people to attend an open house at Brighton LDS Girls Camp at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon on Saturday July 30 from 11 am to 8 pm and on Sunday July 31th from 1 pm to 5 pm.
In the mid 1800s, the early Mormon pioneers spent time in Big Cottonwood Canyon (now Brighton) to escape the scorching desert heat. President J. M. Grant dedicated the area and said, “…we consecrate and dedicate [the Brighton valley] for the benefit of Thy people…for their happiness that they may rest here and be safe.”
Brighton plays a unique part of LDS Church history as the first camp created specifically for Young Women. Construction of the Girls Camp lodge began in 1920. The first campers arrived at the Girls Camp in 1921. The grand opening celebration, however, was not held until 1922. During the dedication ceremony of the camp, President Heber J. Grant led the group in singing “Come, Come Ye Saints” in honor of the early pioneers. President Grant expressed his satisfaction with the work in “erecting a home for the girls in the tops of the mountains for their entertainment and pleasure."
Since its establishment, Brighton LDS Girls Camp has served as a summer home for approximately 76,000 campers and 2,000 staff members. “Brighton LDS Girls Camp develops self esteem, team work, and spirituality,” said Floss Waltman, the current Executive Committee President of Brighton LDS Girls Camp. “Counselors teach their campers to learn how to be kind to one another, build fires, cook in Dutch ovens, participate in team activities, hike, administer first aid, and so forth, but the most important thing they teach is that each camper is valued and is worthy of her Heavenly Father’s love.”
Visitors attending the open house will be able to walk through the Camp, listen to past and present counselors sing familiar camp songs, wander through Brownie Land with an experienced guide, or hike to one of Brighton’s many lakes. Near the end of the day at 6 pm visitors are welcome to gather for a historic program and to enjoy cake and ice cream. Everyone is encouraged to bring family and friends.
For further information about the Brighton LDS Girls Camp 90th Anniversary Celebration, visit ourmountainhomesodear.blogspot.com
