The white lighthouse at Cape Henlopen State Park is called the Harbor of Refuge Light. It was constructed to create a safe and secure haven for ships, where the vessels were sheltered from storms. It was also entry point for ships bringing immigrants from Europe.

If you don’t know this about me, I grew up in Hawaii. In ancient Hawaii, when people were ruled by the chiefs, there were places of refuge on the different islands. This was usually a village that the priests looked over. If someone broke a law or rule, they could run to the place of refuge to escape punishment and be forgiven. It was also a place where the lonely, elderly, or orphans could go to be cared for or ministered to and where people could repent and change. It was a sanctuary where people could once again find peace.

In the Book of Mormon, Mosiah Chapter 18, talks about a group who gathered together in a thicket of small trees near a fountain of pure waters, it was the place where Alma hid after escaping from King Noah and the wicked priests. It was their place of refuge and it was a holy place, because it is where they came to the knowledge of their Redeemer. It was a place where they were inspired by the Spirit, where they felt a strong desire to change, where they pledged to stand as a witness of Him, where they promised to minister and care for each other. It was a holy place where they entered into a covenant relationship with the Savior.

From July 1 to July 4, Cape Henlopen State Park will become a holy and sacred place, a place of refuge for the Dover Delaware Stake Young Women. It will be our gathering place, separate from worldly influences, where young women can feel the Spirit of the Lord, grow in unity and love, and strengthen faith and testimonies of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We cannot wait to welcome you to Stake Young Women Camp!

Enjoy 3.3 miles of paved riding with views of maritime forest, sand dunes, and reminders of military history. Stop to climb Observation Tower 7 and take pictures at the scenic lookout behind the Fort Miles Museum. Apply sunscreen and hydrate often. And don't let go of those handlebars!

With 7 days until camp, we challenge all young women to memorize our camp scripture: Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (3 Nephi 12:16).

One suggestion for memorizing a sentence is to learn it backwards. Instead of starting from the beginning of the sentence, start by repeating a piece at the end:

who is in heaven

Then add to it:

glorify your Father who is in heaven

see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven

It might help to practice different parts of the sentence separately:

shine before this people

let your light so shine before this people

And then put the pieces together:

let your light so shine before this people

see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

And finally, the whole verse:

Therefore let your light so shine before this people that they may

see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Hopefully this method will help you memorize the scripture so that when someone asks, you can recite it out loud. You can do it!

We have amazing workshops and presenters lined up for camp. It will be a fun and informative afternoon learning something new.

• Temple-Bound~ Listen really close to these insider tips for making your temple baptism trips smoother and more uplifting.

• Ministering to the Body and Soul~ The best ministering messages come with a delicious treat that you'll learn to make.

• You’ve Been Framed!~ Learn basic principles to frame and capture God’s beauty in photographs.

• You’ll Get the Swing of It~ Move those feet and add a bounce to your step as you learn to swing dance.

• Just Add Water~ Create your own watercolor painting of a lighthouse.

• Mental Health Madness!!!~ Mental health is normal health, and we can talk about it. Join the convo! 

• Write on!~ Unleash the creativity and power that comes from journaling the highs, the lows and everything in between.

• It’s My Turn to Teach. Now What?~ You won’t dread teaching your Young Women class with these tips to help you prepare a lesson.

• Scene Craft Improv~ A performing arts workshop with delightfully fun improv games.

This Observation Tower is one of several fire control towers constructed during World War II to locate enemy ships approaching the Delaware Coast. You can climb to the top to get a spectacular 360-degree view of the entire Cape Henlopen State Park, the Atlantic Ocean, Fort Miles, and nearby woodlands. 

Challenge: How many steps do you have to climb to the top of the tower? Find the answer in the videos!

Remember to LOOK UP when you hike the Pinelands Trail, a beautiful 2 mile loop through a sandy pine forest within Cape Henlopen State Park. The trail features both packed and loose sand surfaces covered with pine needles. Hikers can observe four varieties of pine trees—loblolly, Virginia, pitch, and black—alongside cranberry bogs. With its gentle grade, the trail is an easy walk so you can appreciate the natural surroundings. The Pinelands Trail has the distinction of being Delaware's first National Recreation Trail in 1981.

The idea of waiting for something makes it more exciting. ~Andy Warhol 

Waiting can sometimes feel exhausting because you are so excited and anxious for the good thing to happen. The trick during a period of anticipation is to find a productive way to channel your energy. We've got a great idea to turn the waiting place into a growing place.

President Russell M. Nelson encouraged the youth: “Reach out to that person by phone, video chat, or send a text or a note. Perform a quiet act of service to help someone nearby. Bring a new friend into your circle. Help someone turn to the Savior and find enduring peace and divine rest... The world needs the light of Jesus Christ. And the world needs your light." Start now to Light the Way and the days until July 1st will quickly pass!

Created with the lyrics of the hymn “Let the Lower Lights Be Burning” by Philip Paul Bliss in mind, the woman in this artwork represents the faith, inner strength, and determination of a disciple of Jesus Christ in these dark and difficult times. Surrounded by the wind and waves of doubt and contention, she chooses to stay firmly planted on the rock of her Redeemer, valiantly holding up the light of Christ to shine truth and hope for everyone in her sphere of influence to see — helping others navigate safely toward the lighthouse and the safe harbor. Wrapped in a red shawl, representing the atoning blood of Jesus, holding on to what her heart believes to be true, and gazing resolutely toward Heaven, she stands stable and sure.

You have many people who watch you and look to you for guidance and support. Your choices matter and your light matters more than you realize. Hold your lamp high and don’t let your flame go out!

The young women had fun creating "dirty sodas" at the Stake YW Camp Kickoff. You might wonder, "What in the world is a dirty soda?" It's a soda drink that has been enhanced with flavored syrups, fruit juices and creams. Here are a few of the flavor combinations the young women followed. But many of them just experimented with 'one pump of this' and 'two pumps of that' to make delicious, refreshing drinks. This could become your family's guilty pleasure this summer!

Dorm reveals. Camp info. Workshop signups. Service project preview. Camp songs. Dirty sodas. Cookies. 

Also, new friends. Amazing YCLs. Kind dorm leaders. Lip sync plans. Testimonies. Laughter. Excitement. And lots and lots of frosted cookies. 

What time is it? It's Kickoff time!

Camp is right around the corner and you will finally get to meet your camp dorm friends, youth camp leaders and dorm leaders. Come and see how much fun is in store for you at Stake Young Women Camp!

With all your light, you’ll chase away the shadows. 

With all your light, you’ll pierce the deepest night. 

With all your light, believe in who you are.

In the April 2024 General Conference, Elder Ulisses Soares spoke about 'covenant confidence through Jesus Christ'. He said, 

“As we make covenants in holiness before God and commit to follow the Savior, we receive the power to change our hearts, renew our spirits, and deepen our relationship with Him...Such confidence...fortifies our ability to love and serve others, and it strengthens our souls to live in an unholy world that is increasingly dark and discouraging. It empowers us to overcome the seeds of doubt and despair, fear and frustration, heartache and hopelessness that the enemy tries to drive deep into our hearts, especially when life is hard, trials are long, or circumstances are difficult.”

You are strong. A noble one.

Filled with light, the light of Christ.

You are strong, a daughter of God.

We hope that as you learn the camp song, With All Your Light, the lyrics will strengthen, encourage and empower you to Light the Way with covenant confidence through Jesus Christ.

Drum roll please, as we introduce our 2024 camp song...With All Your Light by Blake Gillette and Brittney Bennett. 

Brooklynn C., a Youth Camp Leader in Camden Ward says, "I like the lyrics 'even a single star can shine in the darkness' because it reminds me that my actions can have an impact on others. My light can shine for those around me who are struggling and going through difficult times. I really like this song because our camp scripture, 'let your light so shine', holds a special place in my heart, as I try and show kindness and care to everyone.”

The message of the song is so simple yet powerful, we hope you love it!

Raise your hand if you are as excited for camp as Lilly D., Youth Camp Leader from Seaford Ward.  Are you counting the days?

Thomas S. Monson, the 16th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints counseled the young women of the church: 

"Look to the lighthouse of the Lord... there is no fog so dense, no night so dark, no gale so strong, no mariner so lost but what the lighthouse of the Lord can rescue. It beckons through the storms of life. It calls, “This way to safety. This way to home.” It sends forth signals of light easily seen and never failing. If followed, those signals will guide you back to your heavenly home."

Which signals of light help you stay on the covenant path? What can you change that will help you follow the Lord's light? 

Look at that water with the lighthouse in the distance. Doesn't it look inviting? We can't wait until July 1st!

On Sunday, May 19th, there will be an Orientation training for all Youth Camp Leaders attending Stake YW Camp this year. Orientation will begin at 4:00 pm at the Harrington Building. 

YCLs are the heart of young women camp. They make it fun; they make it spiritual; they make it happen! Please make every effort to attend. Ward Camp Directors are also invited.

Did you know that there are two lighthouses at Cape Henlopen State Park? There is the red Breakwater Lighthouse and the white Harbor of Refuge Light. Making a connection to our camp theme, LIGHT THE WAY, we may see the first lighthouse as a symbol for the light of Jesus Christ. But what about the second lighthouse, what could it represent? Your light, of course! 

In his 2022 Christmas message President Russell M. Nelson said: 

"Today, we need His light — the light of Jesus Christ — more than ever... I rejoice when I see young men and women willing to befriend those who feel excluded. Friends reflect His light when they mourn with those who mourn, and bring relief to those who are suffering. We need more wise men and women who seek the Lord, who serve the Lord, who reflect His light. As we follow Jesus Christ, we can make this a better world..."

"With the dawning of each day, could you identify someone who needs your light? Reach out to that person by phone, video chat, or send a text or a note. Perform a quiet act of service to help someone nearby. Bring a new friend into your circle. Help someone turn to the Savior and find enduring peace and divine rest... The world needs the light of Jesus Christ. And the world needs your light."

Who needs your light today? What will you do to help them feel peace in Christ?

Sis. Doran, Stake Young Women President, has a message for all young women in the Dover Delaware Stake. ❤️❤️

*correct website address is: doverstake.info

There is still time to register for Stake YW Camp! It's so easy:

• Complete online Registration form 

• Complete Permission and Medical Release form and email to ywcamp@doverstake.info or give to your Ward Camp Leader 

We are so excited to announce the Stake YW Camp theme is, LIGHT THE WAY, based on the scripture, “Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (3 Nephi 12:16) 

Whitney O., Youth Camp Leader from Camden Ward says, "To me this means being honest, upright, having integrity and faith in our Savior Jesus Christ. When we do these things, others will see this and we will be able to share the love of God with them and draw them closer to Him. This theme also ties into the youth theme of being a disciple of Christ. By serving others and showing them the light of Christ, we can be disciples. Camp is a great way to connect with other young women and grow your testimony. A few ways you will be able to do this is by participating in hiking, biking, water activities and more! It'll be a fun yet spiritual experience, so make sure to register!"

The logo was designed by Sophia B., Youth Camp Leader from Salisbury Ward.

If you are a young woman turning 16 years and older during 2024, you can serve as a youth camp leader (YCL) and help plan camp. This is a great opportunity to practice leadership skills as you conduct specific activities and minister to others. 

Please complete the survey below to help us get to know your interests and strengths.

Come feel the sun on your face and the sand in your toes as we strive to be more like the Savior! Plan now to attend Stake YW Camp, July 1-4, 2024 at Cape Henlopen State Park. It will be spectacular!