Back to School Kickoff - choose activities from the list that you think your young women could benefit from.  

Back to School Poem by Peggy Adams

Back to School Survival Kit - Marker, Smarties, Gum, Lifesavers, Glue Stick, Toothpick, Paperclip, Band-Aid, Sticky Notes (you know Post It's- I think they even made two or three out of one...), Rubber band, Eraser, Pencil.  Here is what it said on a note taped to the inside of the lid:

BACK TO SCHOOL SURVIVAL KIT

Marker-To remind you to "mark" the right path.
Smarties-To remind you how "smart" you can be if you apply yourself.
Gum-To remind you to "chews" good friends.
Lifesavers- To remind you to pray. Prayer can be a real "life saver".
Glue Stick-To remind you your testimony is the "glue" that will hold you together.
Toothpick-To remind you to "pick" the good qualities in everyone, including yourself.
Paper Clip- To remind you to hold onto your standards so you won't get lost.
Band-Aid- To remind you to heal hurt feelings, either yours or someone else's.
Sticky Notes- To remind you if you "stick" with it you can accomplish anything.
Rubber band-To remind you to be flexible. Things might not always go the way you want, but they will work out.
Eraser-To remind you we all make mistakes, but can erase them through repentance.
Pencil- To remind you to be "lead" by the Spirit.

School started today for our girls and on a whim I made a cute tag that said "Hope your first day at school was "GRAND" and that you have a "BEARY" great year. Lots of love and "SQUEEZES", signed by my advisor and me. I put a small 100 Grand chocolate bar, a snack bag of Teddy Grahams, and a Kool-Aid squeeze bottle in a lunch sack and stapled the tag on the outside of the bag. I delivered them to the homes of all the girls in my class so it was waiting for them when they got home.  I haven't heard from any of them yet but hopefully they'll like it. (Idea by by Debi Call / ga08302006)

Back to School Mutual - Mini class ideas for a Back to School night. Includes Good Study Habits and Standing as a Witness.

Young Women Back to School Activity - I welcomed the girls to P.E. (Pray with Enthusiasm) and introduced them to their new "coach" ( our guest speaker) who spoke about P.E. (pray with enthusiasm).  We then sang--Did You Think to Pray- and then I spoke to them about the back to school kit and went into a little more detail on some of the items in the kit.  I read the quote from Pres. Hinckley and then explained the P.E. game we would be playing.  They divided into pairs and we tied their legs together and went into the cultural hall for kick ball.  When the Young Women left they were given a "sack lunch" with a Capri Sun and a bag of chips and a first aid kit.  The first aid kit was in a Ziploc baggie with the first aid kit list facing out and the quote and all of the objects behind that.  The girls seemed to enjoy!  (Click here for handout | Click here for Back to School First Aid Kit ) This idea taken and adapted from Young Women Connection.  Idea compiled by Jill Memmot.