Standards Tree
by Cherie Echols / ga10122007
 

We did this lesson awhile back.  The advisor had cut out green trees (all shapes) out of cardstock and gave each girl a tree that had tools listed on them--ex: Prayer, Scriptures, Church, Parents, Leaders, Holy Ghost, etc.
 

Then the Advisor gave them the situations from the book and the girls held up the tree or trees that they needed to "hold on to" for that situation---they had a blast saying hold on to your Honesty Tree, Standards Tree, Prayer Tree, Scripture Tree, Church Tree, Family Tree, etc. etc. and they got so into it, they were telling situations that they face at school, and which tree or trees they need to hold on to for that situation.
 

One of my Laurels that had graduated last year was home visiting from college and she had come to Young Women's that day and shared how hard it was being off at college with no church friends or family there and she told the girls how she has to hold tight to her standards every day, that it's so different without parents telling you to go to church, and supporting her in making good choices, that it's all up to her to hold tight to her Standards Tree.

We had the Miamaids and Laurels combined that day for the lesson and now if something comes up, they say hold on to your.....tree. I think this was the first lesson I really saw them so excited and get involved in---all because of these little green cardstock trees. The advisor was shocked how they were such a hit with the girls.