Strippling Warrior Training Camp

Last week we learned about Helaman's Stripling Warriors and held our own Stripling Warrior Training Camp.

I told the story of the people of Ammon, or the Anti-Nephi-Lehis, who buried their weapons and covenanted never to kill again. They were protetced by the Nephite people, but later when battles with the Lamanites became fierce they almost broke their covenant so they could help. Helaman convinced them not to break the covenant and instead, 2000 of their young sons came forward and offered to fight - as they had not made the same covenant. These "Sons of Helaman" were courageous, strong, and true. I asked who wanted to join the Stripling Warriors and fight for the right. Everyone cheered and the training began.

We divided into four groups - blue, purple, black, and green.

We started with a lesson about having strength in the Lord. Kate and Adam each held a stick and I tried to pull them together.

I couldn't bring the sticks together so I showed them how with the Lord, we can have strength to do anything.  I crisscrossed a rope between the sticks. It represented faith, keeping the commandments, and trusting in the Lord. They when I pulled on the string, as hard as Kate and Adam tried to pull, they couldn't stop the sticks from coming together. (idea from Experiments Upon the Word by Susan Luke)

In order to be a Stripling Warrior you must be obedient in all things so we talked about following directions and safety during our training. Then I introduced the weapons we would be using.

We had shepherd slings, spears, swords (or cimeters), and bows and arrow. Each of the mom's agreed to be Helaman's Helpers and man a weapon station.

I taught the warriors how to sword fight. We talked about offense (slice and jab) and defense (block and swipe) then the kids practiced on rings hanging from trees. After they got the hang of it they got to fight each other.

Christina taught the warriors how to use a bow and arrow.  They shot their dollar store arrows and at an overturned table.

Laura taught them how to use the sling. They practiced slinging balls at a bench (or just throwing them after they got sick of the sling).

Darlene taught them how to throw spears, both through the saw horses and into a bucket.

After their training we had a battle between the Stripling Warriors and Helaman's Helpers. We threw plastic balls at each other until the Helaman's Helpers were thoroughly defeated.

And just like in the scriptures, all of the Stripling Warriors were miraculously protected.