Mountain Top Experience
Making On Target an unforgettable experience!
Mountain Top Experience
Hopefully, the “Mountain Top Experience” or “Mountain Top Ceremony” (MTC) will be one of the highlights of your excursion into the mountains. The MTC can be held on the Friday evening at your campsite or after the signaling on Saturday morning. A discussion of the symbolism of reflecting sunlight seems to be more poignant if it is discussed right after the boys have participated in that activity.
As you begin the MTC, your unit should be gathered together in a quiet and secluded spot. The program should be brief and meaningful, and could include any or all of the following items:
- An opening prayer and song
- A presentation on the history of the peak you have climbed
- Scouts and leaders sharing feelings about their On Target experience
- Presentation of rank advancements or merit badges
- Presentation of religious awards
- The use of a “time capsule” (see separate “Time Capsule” section on previous menu)
- A discussion about the symbolism of On Target (see “Symbolism” section on previous menu)
- A Coach’s Corner or Scoutmaster’s Minute (see corresponding section on previous menu)
- The opening of surprise letters from parents, religious leaders, or celebrities (see “Letters” section on previous menu)
- Presentation of an On Target pin for each scout and leader
Although it is a challenge to get the young men to settle down for a few minutes to participate in this portion of On Target, the rewards can and will be great. Being on the summit of a mountain, breathing clean air, and enjoying the wonders of this beautiful earth all lend themselves to a memorable interchange of feelings and thoughts. Take advantage of the setting!
Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made this remarkable statement in his LDS General Conference address on April 4, 2010: “…Church leaders regularly plan priesthood activities and Scouting powwows and encampments – but do those activities always accomplish their most important purpose? I have learned that what makes a priesthood or Scout activity most meaningful to a boy is not just getting a merit badge but having the opportunity to sit and talk with a leader who is interested in him and his life.”
Time Capsules
The “Time Capsule” is a container or cylinder in which special items are stored by participants in On Target. Typically, each participant is asked to bring a token or memento with him on On Target that he can place in the Time Capsule. This item can be any small item that is representative of the individual. The item could be a photograph, a special letter, a roster of the participants for that year, an On Target pin, a personal totem, a unit history, a summary of the On Target day, or any other meaningful item. One convenient and inexpensive way to construct a capsule is to use a short length of 3″ PVC pipe, covering the ends with appropriately-sized PVC caps or threaded coupling and caps. Most hardware stores carry this size PVC in either black or white. I have enjoyed listing the names of the On Target participants on the outside of the capsule each year. I use a fine-tipped Sharpie permanent marker. It is important to note that the Time Capsule should not be buried on the mountain or left on the mountain. All mirrors and time capsules should return home with the participants. Each year, we carry the capsule with us to the mountain, and as part of the ceremony, we open the capsule and look at the various mementos therein. As a leader, it has been enjoyable to share fun remembrances of other participants with the present group. Then, each scout is asked to place a memento in the capsule, sharing his reasons for selecting that particular item.
The Use of Special Letters
The use of “special” surprise letters can be a meaningful portion of a Mountain Top Experience. Obtaining the letters and carrying them to the mountain summit requires planning and work, but the reward is well worth the effort. Traditionally, an adult leader distributes the letters to the scouts as the Mountain Top Ceremony (MTC) draws to a close. The scouts are encouraged to open the letters and read them in silence. After a sufficient length of time, the scouts can be invited to share thoughts or feeling concerning the letters. Letters can be obtained from any or all of the following:
- Parents — Both the young man and his parents enjoy this unique interchange. The letters from parents become especially meaningful if the parents and son have recently signaled each other with mirrors, mountain top to valley floor.
- Religious leaders — A supportive and encouraging note from a bishop, stake president, pastor, or rabbi can enhance the closeness to God one feels on a mountain peak.
- Scouting executives — A letter from a district or council executive helps cement a young scout’s commitment to the ideals of the scouting programs.
- Celebrities or dignitaries — Letters from sports figures, entertainers, or motivational speakers have been successfully used in past On Target experiences.
This year’s (2011) dignitary letters were written by Bronco Mendenhall, head football coach for the BYU Cougars, and by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 2nd Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Go to www.ontargetunpc.com/ot0704.htm to obtain the text of these letters.
Symbolism
On Target provides several “symbols” or “types” which can be used to present important lessons about life. This discussion can and should be the culminating experience of a wonderful On Target day. Hopefully, as this part of the Mountain Top Experience commences, the boys will be in a thoughtful and calm frame of mind (no small task to achieve!). Some of the symbols which have been successfully used in past On Target experiences are:
- The climbing of a mountain: I love the statement, “If you see a man on the top of a mountain, you can be assured that he didn’t fall there!” Those boys who have hiked to their peaks will have toiled to accomplish a great feat. This can be compared to the challenging “mountains” we all need to climb during our lives, such as schooling and education, the attainment of the Eagle rank, serving a mission, having a close relationship with our Father in Heaven and the Savior, etc.
- Communing with God on mountain-tops: The scriptures are replete with examples of prophets and faithful souls who sought the peace and solitude of mountains to commune with their God. Examples that can be pointed out are the Savior himself (Matthew 14:23), Nephi (1 Nephi 11:1, 1 Nephi 18:3), Moses (Exodus 3:1, Exodus 31:18), the brother of Jared (Ether 3:1), and Abraham (Genesis 22:2). The verse found in Isaiah 52:7 states, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings…”. This verse also has special meaning when sitting atop a magnificent peak. Psalms 24:3-4 can also be referenced, “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands and a pure heart…” Mountain tops seem to represent cleanliness (clean air), solitude, and peace. Brother Joseph Fielding McConkie has stated, “Mountains are frequently the meeting places between God and man. They are nature’s temple, the point of intersection between the finite and the infinite.” (Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, volume 1, page 75.)
- Working hard to achieve success: The mountain could represent a specific goal a person might have. In order to attain the goal, persistence and work are required. At any given point in time, a person is either toiling upward toward the goal, remaining stationary, or coasting downhill away from the goal. The direction a person is moving relative to his goal is more important than the speed at which he is moving. Keeping one’s mind and heart on the goal is imperative for success.
- Setting and attaining goals: On Target requires the proper alignment of sunlight, the mirror, and the target in order to make contact with others. In life, the proper alignment of knowledge, skills, and attitudes allows one to make an impact in the lives of others.
- Reflecting the light of Christ to others: The sunlight could represent God or the Spirit, the mirror could represent service to others or setting a good example, and the contact could represent bettering others by our service and diligence.
- The importance of a well-focused life: It would be well to point out the difference between being “well-focused” and being “narrow-minded”. The scriptural admonition to have “…an eye single to the glory of God…” (D&C 4:5) can be likened to the proper aiming of the mirrors.
- Christ as The Light: The Savior referred to himself as “…the Light of the World…” (John 8:12)
- Other scriptures: Other references that can be used are “Let your light so shine before men…” (Matthew 5:16), “Hold up your light that it may shine…” (3 Nephi 18:24), and “…the light of Jesus’ countenance did shine upon them…” (3 Nephi 19:25). D&C 88:45-48 refers to the magnificence of God’s creations, including our world.
Involving Parents
The involvement of parents in On Target enhances and invigorates the experience for all. There is nothing greater than hearing the exclamations of joy and wonderment as parents signal their sons and vice-versa. As part of your On Target preparations, invite parents to participate in this great activity. Teach a few of the parents of the scouts how to use a signaling mirror, and arrange for the parents of your scouts to come to your chapel or another convenient location on On Target day at a designated time. Have the parents call your peak on a cell phone and talk to you and their sons while you are signaling. Additionally, we have mentioned the value of having parents send a “secret” letter to their sons via the scout leaders. See the “Letters” section of this part of the website for more details.
Scoutmaster Minute
Towards the end of your “Mountain Top Ceremony”, it is appropriate, desirable, and timely for the unit’s adult leader to take a moment and share a few thoughts about the experience of On Target. Following are some thoughts that have been used by previous leaders for this purpose. Click on any of the items that look interesting. Some great resources for your scoutmaster minute can be found at www.ontargetunpc.com/ot0707.htm and at www.ontargetunpc.com/ot0779.com
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