Youth Conference

This year I had the amazing opportunity to go to Youth Conference with our YM/YW group. It was really awesome to be on the leader side, making everything special for the youth so they had an uplifting, fun, and spiritual experience.

Youth Conference was at Reed Ranch this year which is a camp near Strawberry Reservoir. The camp we stayed at had fun activities that we could do any time we wanted. They had archery, swimming pool, lake with canoes and paddle boats, horseback riding, volleyball, basketball, soccer fields, frisby golf, etc. There was not a lack of things to do and if anyone was ever bored, it was their own fault.

The first day was pretty relaxed. We mostly just hung out and played a lot at camp. That night we had a fun skit-in-a-bag night where we made up ridiculous skits to perform in front of each other. It was a blast, really! Those kids are so funny! We had a small devotional within our small groups that night and then sat around the campfire playing games that night. It was a blast.

The girl leaders, Nicki, Chantal, and I, got to stay in Chantal's camper which was amazing. I never knew that camping could be so luxurious. We all slept on a king sized matress and stayed up till who knows how late talking like girls do. I swear we get less sleep than the youth at things like this! Haha!

The next morning we had breakfast, some free time, and then we played the funnest game of "Minute to Win It" that I've ever played. We split up into our groups and each group had to have one person accomplish each task. It was so funny watching the adults do such silly things in the attempt to win!! Our group didn't win, unfortunately, but it was pretty fun anyway!!
That afternoon was probably my favorite part of Youth Conference. We had the funnest game of "Arizona Snowball Fight" ever!! For those of you who don't know what that is, let me explain.... Basically, you take women's pantyhose and cut them into 3 inch pieces. You tie one end and then fill it up with flour. Tie the other end so it is basically a ball of flour. Then you just throw them at each other like you would a snowball. When they hit you they just poof flour all over you! There was flour all over the place and we were a total mess but man, it was so much fun!!

Friday night was the spiritual night where we had our Iron Rod activity. For anyone who has ever been a youth in the church you know exactly what this is. There is a rope that is snaked through the forest and the only advice the youth get is to never let go no matter what! I thought for sure no one would let go but man, I think there were only a handfull of youth that didn't let go of the rope at some point. After the youth finished the journey, they were led to a quiet place in the woods where spiritual music was playing and they were given a letter from their parents about how proud they were of them for making it through the journey. Obviously, this represents the iron rod in the Book of Mormon and our journey through life. I think the youth had a great experience and it helped build their testimony of the gospel. A short devotional and testimony meeting followed and the spirit was very strong. I'm so grateful to be able to serve with such amazing youth and to be able to share these special experiences with them! It is the best calling I could ask for and I love those girls so much! They impress me all the time with their testimony of the gospel and their courage to do what is right.

In the morning we basically packed up and headed home. We stopped at Dairy Keen on the way home, a favorite milkshake spot. Then headed home for a much needed shower.

We had so much fun at Youth Conference and it was a great experience for everyone that went!