Key Concepts Taught at Team LIFE Camp
(Topics selected vary at each camp.)

Pro-Life 101

-Pro-Lifers are called to protect innocent human life from the moment of fertilization until natural death. 
-Life begins at the moment of fertilization, which occurs prior to implantation.  Many abortion advocates now say that "conception" occurs after implantation, and thus, they justify abortions prior to the moment of implantation. 
-Abortion was legalized through the Supreme Court case Roe vs. Wade, on January 22, 1973.  This case argued on the premise of "privacy."
-Doe vs. Bolton is the companion case to Roe vs. Wade which defined when abortions could be committed. 
-The legalization of abortion has led to other assaults on innocent human life:  stem cell research, euthanasia, human cloning, etc.
-As Pro-Lifers, we need to recognize the beauty of every innocent human life, including those who have a disability.

Beginning of Life Science & Fetal Development

-Science supports the fact that a new life with it's own set of DNA, completely unique from the mother, is formed at the moment of fertilization. 
-Living organisms are defined by the ability to maintain homeostasis, are composed of cells, undergo metabolism, can grow, adapt to their environment, respond to stimuli, and reproduce.
-Pregnancy results in immediate changes in the mother's body to support the new life, and therefore a pregnancy cannot be compared to a parasite.
-The term fetus is Latin for "young one." 
-The human heart starts beating by 21 days after conception.
-Brain waves begin at 6 weeks.
-Preborn children can feel pain by 20 weeks.

Margaret Sanger & Planned Parenthood

-Margaret Sanger founded Planned Parenthood. 
-She resented the fact that her mother had so many children.
-She was a proponent of eugenics, believing that only the "fit" should be allowed to procreate and that measures should be taken to ensure that there were no "unfit" people. 
-Planned Parenthood continues to give the "Margaret Sanger" award to individuals who support abortion. 
-Planned Parenthood is the largest provider of abortion in the USA.
-Planned Parenthood provides minimal services aside from abortion, and the services they do provide can be obtained easily for free elsewhere at Federally Qualified Health Care Centers, which by far outnumber Planned Parenthood locations. 

Abortifacient Birth Control & Natural Pro-Life Alternatives 

-Hormonal contraception is primarily designed to prevent fertilization; however, this does not always happen.  Hormonal contraception is also designed to thin the lining of a woman's uterus; thus, in cases when fertilization occurs, implantation is often not possible.  The newly formed life does not have a hospitable environment to continue developing, and is aborted. 
-Creighton Model FertilityCare System is a Pro-Life alternative that can be used to achieve, avoid, or space pregnancy. The system respects the sacredness of marriage, protects the dignity of both the husband and the wife, and involves understanding the science of fertility. Married couples can choose when to either try to achieve or avoid pregnancy based on their knowledge of the woman's cycle.

The Loving Option of Adoption

-Expectant moms who are considering abortion need to better understand the rights they have, should they wish to find a loving adoptive family for their child. 
-It is vital that we present the option of adoption right alongside the option to parent when discussing alternatives to abortion.
-Birth parents not only get to choose the adoptive parents, but they get to choose whether or not to have an open, closed, or partially-open adoption.
-Birth parents may change their mind and decide to parent at any point, even shortly after their child is born.

Pregnancy Centers: How you can help the abortion minded-woman:

-Pregnancy Centers offer many resources for moms, babies, and families. 
-Pregnancy Center resources include, but are not limited to: pregnancy consultations, adoption education, maternity
home information and referrals, childbirth and parenting classes, peer-counseling, and post-abortion recovery.
-Through compassion, confidentiality, and hope, women and families can become well informed about their choices with the most accurate and up-to-date education resources. 

Euthanasia

-There are different types of euthanasia.  A person may willingly choose to have his life ended, or a doctor can choose to end the life of a person without his knowledge.
-A form of euthanasia has already been legalized in OR, VT, WA, and MO.  Other states in the US are trying to legalize euthanasia.
-Life must be valued through the end of life, and allowed to end naturally.    

Communication Skills - Helping your pregnant friend & talking with a pro-choice friend

-The way in which we communicate our message is extremely important if we wish to change hearts.
-We must always be compassionate in sharing the truth and remember that many who are for abortion have been hurt either directly or indirectly by abortion.
-Our nonverbal communication, i.e., body language, is as equally important as the words we speak.
-Through practice, we can better communicate with others who believe that abortion and other assaults on innocent human life are acceptable.
-We will practice several exercises and role play helping a young pregnant woman, and talking to a person who disagrees with your Pro-Life views.

How You Can Get Involved; Starting a Pro-Life Group

-There are numerous Pro-Life events that take place annually across the nation in which you can be involved:  40 Days for Life, Life Chain, Pro-Life T-Shirt Day, Silent Day of Solidarity, March for Life, Pro-Life Cupcake Day, National Community Baby Shower, etc.
-Volunteering at your local pregnancy center is a great way to be involved in protecting innocent human life.
-It may be intimidating to start a Pro-Life group at your high school, but we are here to help you each step of the way!