missionaries

Southern Virginia University announced the creation of two new mission preparation summer camps for youth and young adults.

These new programs will provide opportunities for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to prepare to serve full-time missions. Both programs will include participation in spiritually uplifting activities, missionary work and team-building exercises.

 

 Zion’s Camp is a one week program for Latter-day Saint youth age 16 to 18. The Zion’s Camp experience will be held June 20-25 & August 1-6.

 

Prepare to Serve: a Pre-mission Adventure  is a two-week program for young adults who have received mission calls, and will take place July 8-20, August 12-24. During Prepare to Serve: a Pre-mission Adventure, participants also will travel to two different temples and participate in temple ordinances.

“We are thrilled to announce new ways to help youth and young adults prepare for full-time missionary service,” said Southern Virginia President Paul K. Sybrowsky. “Service, and missionary service in particular, is an indispensable part of the Southern Virginia experience and we are pleased to provide new opportunities to serve, learn and prepare for missions this summer.

During both programs, participants will get a feel for the daily flow of missionary life. They will work with assigned companions, live mission rules, participate in personal and companion scripture study and develop teaching skills. During this process, they will learn from full-time missionaries, Returned Missionary Counselors and university leaders. Other activities will include team-building exercises, a mountain hike, a challenging ropes course, value games and discussions, and visits to historical sites. During both of these programs, prospective missionaries will be taught practical skills including budgeting, living a healthy lifestyle and conducting hymns.

“I feel that these programs have a great deal to offer those who are thinking about missions, seriously preparing for missions and even those who have mission calls that are waiting for their MTC dates,” said Bruce Olsen, the program’s director and former managing director of public affairs for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “One of the main features of the program is that prospective missionaries will be working with and learning from returned missionaries. Built into the experience are some high adventure activities and many opportunities for them to grow to understand one of the primary mottos of the camps, I can do hard things.'”

To learn more about the university’s programs for prospective and returned missionaries, visit svu.edu/missionary.

Founded in 1867, Southern Virginia University is the only liberal arts college that serves Latter-day Saints and those with similar values. The university has a Code of Honor patterned after the teachings and standards of the Church.