Processing

Someone asked me a good question about processing so I thought it might be good to refresh your memory since our first training session was several months ago.
Processing is helping the youth discover life lessons in their experiences. You will ask them to respond to questions that make them think about what they've experienced such as "What did you learn from that?" "How can you use that at....school, home, quorum, etc?" "How was your testimony strengthened by that?" "What principle of the gospel does that remind you of?" "How do you think that will help you face other situations?" Your goal is to have them glean the truths and share them so try to avoid yes or no questions by starting with how, why and what. You know you're succeeding when THEY are talking more than you are.
Often, a testimony will be shared without the youth even knowing it. It's good to acknowledge that with, "Thank you for that testimony." or, "That is a great testimony to have." Or maybe even, "Did you realize you just bore your testimony?"
Some processing happens formally, in a circle where everyone is expected to share. Some happens more casually as you are talking to the youth, chopping the carrots, setting up camp or just relaxing together. Don't feel that you need to "Process" every thing that happens on the trek, some of it really is just for fun!
Remember: the best processing involves the kids doing the thinking and the talking.

On another note; if you have time, take another look at this video clip and remember to let the youth earn the confidence that comes from doing hard things this week.
"Death Crawl"