Bad Habit Bonfire

This activity was developed because a group of youth wanted to have a bonfire as their combined activity.  They made it clear they just wanted time to "kick back" and "chill".  What I heard was, "I challenge you to find a lesson in that!"  I love the challenge of finding a way to teach and inspire in everything we do.
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This is what I like to call "Bad Habit Bonfire" or "Bad Habits No S'more".  :)
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PURPOSE   To challenge those involved to get rid of the bad habits they may have.  Helping them understand that as they do this it will "ignite the light" they have inside of them.  Encourage them to let their light (personal testimonies) shine by developing good habits, making wise choices, and being a good example to others.
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ACTIVITY
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BONFIRE
As leaders, we left it up to the youth to build the fire.  We were hoping that the skills they have learned through the girl's camp and scouting programs would shine.  :)  And they did!
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DEVOTIONAL
Brie, prepared and shared the following devotional.  It was perfect.

"Many years ago, large packs of wolves roamed the countryside in Ukraine, making travel in that part of the world very dangerous. These wolf packs were fearless. They were not intimidated by people nor by any of the weapons available at that time. The only thing that seemed to frighten them was fire. Consequently, travelers who found themselves away from cities developed the common practice of building a large bonfire and keeping it burning through the night. As long as the fire burned brightly, the wolves stayed away. But if it were allowed to burn out and die, the wolves would move in for an attack. Travelers understood that building and maintaining a roaring bonfire was not just a matter of convenience or comfort; it was a matter of survival."
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We do not have to protect ourselves from wolf pack as we travel the road of life today, but, in a spiritual sense, we do face the devious wolves of Satan in the forms of temptation, evil, and sin.  We live in dangerous times when these wolves roam the spiritual countryside in search of those who may be weak in faith or feeble in their conviction.  Peter described our "adversary the devil, as a roaring lion that walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8).  The Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith that "enemies prowl around thee like wolves for the blood of the lamb" (Doctrine and Covenants 12:6).  We are all vulnerable to attack.  However, we can fortify ourselves with the protection provided by a burning testimony that, like a bonfire, has been built adequately and maintained carefully.
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Because none of us are perfect, we all make mistakes and create bad habits.  These bad habits and sins can be like a bucket of water on our burning testimonies if we don't repent.  By taking the time to cleanse ourselves spiritually, we can grow and become stronger.
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Joseph B. Wirthlin has three suggestions for building your personal bonfire (testimony):
  • First - FAITH in Jesus Christ
  • Second - humble, sincere REPENTANCE (sin is like a bucket of water)
  • Third - follow the example of the SAVIOR
Remember the promise that God has given to those who build and maintain brightly burning bonfires of testimony to counter wolves that threaten us.  This is His promise:  "Fear thou not;  for I am with thee:  be not dismayed;  for I am thy God:  I will strengthen thee;  yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."  (Isaiah 41:10)
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(Brie shared personal testimony)  I know that through faith, our testimonies can grow and not only help us spiritually, but could also help those around us.  I know that we all need the strength to keep ourselves safe, but through Heavenly Father and His promises, I know everything will work out.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

The devotional ended with everyone picking up a leaf, a piece of paper, or a twig.  These items represented a bad habit(s) they wanted to rid themselves of.  They threw them into the fire.
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Then everyone created their own "Bad Habits No S'more".  We also made dough boys Delish!
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RESOURCES for the DEVOTIONAL
Spiritual Bonfires of Testimony, Joseph B Wirthlin, New Era, June 2002
Breaking Bad Habits, Idea List, New Era, September 2002
Feed the Flame, New Era, July 1997
Cast Your Burden Upon the Lord, Elder Robert L Simpson, New Era, January 1977
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THE REST OF THE NIGHT
The remainder of the the evening was devoted to "kickin' back" and enjoying good company.  The pool was available, but they were too busy shooting baskets on the court, playing a little ultimate volleyball, and passing the football, rugby style.  Good times!
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REFRESHMENTS
As I mentioned, we made good ol' fashioned s'mores and dough boys.  But just in case (for whatever reason) you need a recipe or two for your bonfire, I've found a few variations of the wonderful s'more.  :)
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Golden Grahams S'more Bars
recipe here
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Oooey, Gooey S'more Bars
recipe found here
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S'mores Bars
recipe found here
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Campfire Cookies
recipe found here
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Picture of S'more Brownies Recipe
S'more Brownies
recipe found here
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S'mores Cupcakes
recipe found here
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S'more Ice Cream Sandwich
recipe found here
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Frozen S'more Pops
recipe found here
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S'more Whoopie Pies
recipe found here
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TAKE-A-WAY
Every one was given a roasting stick at the end of the night.  The tag has the "Ignite the Light" logo along with this scripture Ether 12:27:  “If men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; … for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."
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You can purchase both Handout (x4/page) and Logo (x6/page) here $2.00 for both. Instant Digital Download. Make as many copies as you would like. Would make for a great YW Camp activity!
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THANK YOU GIFT
We had a family in the ward, who was good enough to let us use their backyard (more like a park) for our activity.  To thank them, I picked up an outdoor candle, tied it up with ribbon, and added the "Ignite the Light" onto the lid.  Simple.
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DIY S'more Kits
idea found here

26 comments:

  1. I love the Firework Value Poster.. do you have that in a PDF version? If you can my email is Sue.wilbur@gmail.com

    Thanks Sue Wilbur

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  2. Sue, I just sent a PDF version to your inbox. Please let me know if it works for you. :)

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  3. Super cute idea! Love it! Thanks for posting!!!

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  4. SUPER CUTE IDEA! I would love to do this for our combined activity. Do you have a file you could email me with the handout? Thank you for sharing your creativity!

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  5. Silly me! Just found the link at the top of the page! Thanks oodles!!!!

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  6. Terri, I would LOVE to use this at our girls camp this summer on our day themed "Stand in His Light." Do you mind sending me the pdf of the "Ignite the Light" so I could change that wording? If so, thank you in advance!

    scrapmom3@gmail.com

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  7. Scrapmom3, check your inbox. :)

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  8. Thank you for sharing your creativity with all of us!

    Is there anyway you would be willing to share this in an email so I could edit it. We are using "ignite the light" for our girls camp theme and I could think of oodles of ways to use this?

    dwalker{AT}pga{DOT}com

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  9. hey, i'm teaching YW manual ! Lesson #34 this week. my counselor moved and we haven't had a replacement called yet. JUST (moment ago) realized that means i'm in charge of our all-girls activity this next week... so i'm borrowing this idea since it fits so perfectly with the lesson. thank you for sharing!

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  10. What a great idea! I was wondering if you could send me a copy of your handout! Thanks so much!!!
    anjsolt@cut.net

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  11. LKP - You're welcome. Roast a marshmallow for me! :)

    Jodi - Sent!

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  12. Sent. :)

    I like the fireplace idea... I'll be the one wrapped up in a nice warm blanket, slippers on, and a mug of whipped creme topped hot cocoa. Hope you don't mind. ;)

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  13. We are doing this for YW camp this year, instead of throwing a twig or a piece of paper I made slips of paper for the girls to write out 5 habits they want to get rid of then talk about them a bit then at the end throw all their bad habits away into the bon fire. Then make smores!! Great idea! Thanks for sharing.

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  14. please send me the pdf i would like to tweak this for our fall court of honor for ym scouts gmiller2@kc.rr.com

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  15. Angela - I love the idea of having them write down 5 habit they want to get rid of.

    Shan - Sent. :)

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  16. Super Cute!! Could you please send me the information as well? Thanks you!

    thelindafrankling@hotmail.com

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  17. Would love to do this w our youth ministry, will u please email a PDF version to karajacksonstevens@gmail.com

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  18. Would love to use this for our youth conference theme. Would you be able to change the wording from Bad Habit Bonfire to Youth Conference 2014 and send the PDF to kimhoopes@gmail.com? Thanks so much for your help!

    Kim

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  19. I am planning a combined activity for our youth. Can you send me a PDF with the invite and handout? cindy.flowers@sgcity.org

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  20. I tried to buy the handout from the etsy shop but it says sold out. I would love to use this for our activity this week. Is there another way to get it. Thank you!
    larsen33181@hotmail.com

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  21. I would love to use this for our youth and make it an indoor campout!!! Could you please email me the pdf? Thanks so much! It is great to see so many people working for Him! rudy2704@yahoo.com

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  22. Hi! Wanting to do a joint YM/YW with this idea! It's so cute! Could you send me the pdf's?

    courtney444@gmail.com

    Thanks!

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  23. Wanting this idea to go with girls camp, could you send me the pdf's? Thanks so much! doug.talbot8@gmail.com

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  24. Hi there! I'd love to use this logo for an activity we are having for our YW on unity. Tried to buy it on Etsy but couldn't. Could you send me the logo so I can edit it for our purposes? trisha_manwaring@yahoo.com Thanks so much!

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  25. Hi, I would also love to use this. I am happy to buy it if you send me a link to where that could happen. LOVE your creative genius....and that story was perfect!

    Thanks,

    Kim

    kimberlyn74@gmail.com

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  26. Can you please email the handout to me?
    Thanks from Georgia!
    kim.eventuality@gmail.com

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