DIY Book Centerpieces for YW Camp

 Check out this idea for a DIY Book Centerpiece that we used at YW Camp.

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At this year’s Young Women camp, the last day of camp was themed "Author of Your Story."  This was the perfect theme to remind the YW of who the author of their story is - Our Heavenly Father.  It also was fun because we were able to use a One Direction Song since our overall camp theme was Look unto Christ in One Direction.  

Anyway, we wanted every little detail to reflect that beautiful message—including the table centerpieces. So we rolled up our sleeves, gathered some old books, and got creative! These DIY book-themed centerpieces were simple to make, budget-friendly, and added a meaningful touch to our mealtime moments together.

How to Make DIY Book Centerpieces

Since Heavenly Father is the ultimate author of their lives, each girl has the agency to write a beautiful story with Him. What better way to symbolize that than using real books—pages full of potential and purpose—right in the center of each table?

Supplies We Used to make Book Centerpieces

• Old or thrifted hardcover books

• White paint

• Hobby knives or utility knives

• Faux Flowers

Instructions for Making Book Centerpieces

I thrifted a bunch of hard cover religious books.  Here in the south, there are always a ton of religious books.  It took several trips but finally I was able to get them all at the Goodwill Bins, where you can buy books for $0.59 a pound.  I ended up with about 40 books.  

I painted the covers of each of the books with white latex paint.  I knew we couldn't pre-make the centerpieces due to space of transporting them to camp.  So after the paint dried, I packaged all of the painted books into several totes.  I put a piece of wax paper in between the books to keep the books from sticking to each other.

Once we go to camp, we worked on the books together.  The YCL's were amazing help and could wield a hobby knife just like the best of them!  

Open the book to the center, then cut about 10-20 pages at a time from spine out with the knife.  

Tear the top of the pages out of the book.  Discard them or use the pages for another project.

Once the pages are torn out of the book, the book is ready to be made into a vase.

Gently fold the pages to make a little pocket.  Place the edge of the book page into the spine.  Use a touch of glue to hold the pages into the spine if necessary.

Keep folding until all of the cut book pages are folded into the spine.  The book can either stand or lay on it's back.  Then place faux flowers into the pockets.

These centerpieces weren’t just decorations—they were conversation starters. Girls began sharing what they wanted in their stories: courage, kindness, forgiveness, and faith. It helped turn mealtime into ministry, and simple books into symbols of personal purpose.

With a few simple supplies and some inspired creativity, we created something beautiful that tied directly into our theme. If you’re planning a similar camp or event, Book Centerpieces are a meaningful (and easy!) way to reinforce the message that each of us is a beloved daughter of God with a story worth telling.