In recent weeks, some 17,000 Central American youth have participated in nationwide camps organized by their respective local leaders in Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

Photo courtesy of Central America Area

Nicaraguan boys hold up copies of the Book of Mormon. Scripture study was a staple of the camps.

Similar nationwide youth camps are planned in the coming months in Honduras and Panama. Once completed, it's expected that 25,000 young people here will have participated in an LDS youth camp designed to better prepare young men and young women for missionary service and the blessings of the temple.

The young men and young women from each of the nations participated in separate camps, allowing the boys to concentrate on missionary preparation and the girls to focus on the goals and requirements found in the Young Women Personal Progress program.

"The national young men's and young women's camps provide the youth of Central America the opportunity to understand and feel the greatness of this work," said Central America Area President Don R. Clarke, a member of the Seventy. "The youth have spiritual experiences, form friendships, make commitments to go on missions, prepare to make temple covenants and have temple marriages."

Photo courtesy of Central America Area

LDS girls from Nicaragua wear colored scarves representing Young Women value colors.

Photo courtesy of Central America Area

In swapping everyday greetings, Costa Ricans like to use the national slogan "Pura Vida" (Pure Life) to express their joy in living. The spirit of "Pura Vida" could be found in the Costa Rican national LDS encampments for both young women and young men. The Costa Rican camps focused on goal-setting and preparing for lives of missionary service and temple worship.

Participants in each of the young men and young women camps in Central America listened to pre-recorded messages of direction and encouragement from Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve and Young Women General President Elaine S. Dalton.

A member of the Central America Area Presidency attended camps and presided over a special fireside. Many of the youth had never participated in an encampment of such size and magnitude.

Photo courtesy of Central America Area

Releasing helium-filled, violet-colored "testimony balloons" was a camp highlight for young women in Guatemala. Testimonies were strengthened during the camp through prayer and study.

Photo courtesy of Central America Area

Young men from Guatemala watch as their "testimony balloons" ascend to the skies. Campers attached their written testimonies to the balloons in a creative effort to share their faith.

"To be with these other young men has been very special because I have only been able to fellowship with youth from my ward and stake," said Luis Diaz Ciraiz, a 17-year-old priest from Guatemala who was baptized last March. "I could not have imagined gathering together with 5,000 fellow Guatemalan young men who shared my same beliefs. It's been very exciting."

Photo courtesy of Central America Area

Young women from El Salvador gather for a camp activity under sunny skies. The encampments provided the girls an opportunity to share their musical and artistic talents with fellow members.

Photo courtesy of Central America Area

Salvadoran young men clasp arms in a fun, physical activity during recent national encampment. The youth from the El Salvador camp commented on the many new friends the activity created.

Activities in the young men encampments included hiking and other physical activities. Each day included goal-setting periods for the Duty to God Award. In the evenings, the young men would meet with their respective wards and branches and receive a message from their local priesthood leaders. Each day closed with personal scripture study.

The young women national camps were divided into smaller encampments representing the seven individual value colors of the Young Women program. The activities varied, but all included physical and cultural elements. Many featured the artistic and musical talents of the campers.

Photo courtesy of Central America Area

The Costa Rican camps focused on goal-setting and preparing for lives of missionary service and temple worship.

The girls enjoyed quiet time each day dedicated to prayer and scripture study. Each camper recorded her testimony on parchment that included her name and the name of the Church. The testimonies were then attached to helium-filled, value-colored balloons. The thousands of balloons were then released at the same time, carrying the testimonies to all who might find them.

Included in each of the encampments were boys and girls who were not members or may not be fully participating in Church activity. The camps provided such youth with new friends and a spirit of faith.