I survived youth conference

The last few months have found me to be very busy! Team mom, science docent, volunteering in Dallin's class, weekly youth activities, and YOUTH CONFERENCE! Well this past Friday (where the youth came for a bonfire and speakers) and Saturday, we gathered about 100 youth together to have fun, be spiritually feed, and to watch the creative roadshows they put together in 4 hours!


I had the privilege of being part of the planning of this event. So for the past 3 months we, the Stake YW and YM's presidencies, have been planning a bonfire, a plane crash, a scavenger hunt, roadshows, and food for 100+ youth ages 12-18! I was put in charge of the Saturday morning portion of our youth conference, which consisted of a plane crash, a scavenger hunt, 3 workshops, a closing address from our Stake President and a testimony meeting!



Check In Desk for Sac East Airlines. That's me behind the podium with Stake YM's President, Lance, checking in! I just wish we had gotten a picture of the security check point! It was so good! Ryan, Stake YM's 2nd Counselor, made this 9ft. walk through metal detector, like you see at the airports. Some of the YM leaders had stud finders that they were using as detector wands! I love how the leaders got into the "act!"



A wacky passenger. Guy, one of our High Counselors, really had fun with our theme! He played the obnoxious traveler so very well! He argued with the check in desk about up grading to first class, called security to check an unattended item, and just had fun!

Here is the inside of our plane. "Now boarding, at gate E12, Sac East Airlines flight 227 with non stop service to Sacramento East Stake Youth Conference."

A close up of the chair covers and windows!

Our pilot, Greg (who is a pilot in real life), and our Stake YW President, Laurel (a very lovely flight attendant).

The flight attendants for the flight: Me (Secretary), Lisa (2nd counselor in Stake YW's), Laurel (Stake YW's president), and Lucy (1st counselor in Stake YW's).

The plane during the boarding process! Note the security/emergency pamphlets in their seat back pockets. There were also barf bags, just in case! (Credit for the seat back covers, pamphlets, and windows goes to those who planned the youth conference back in 2001 where they had a plane crash that ended with the youth dying and then visiting the 3 degrees of glory. Our conference was based on Scripture Power and Spiritual Survival).

Lance made some phenomenal sound effects! He makes a good jet engine sound! I was waiting for him to start beat boxing (he never would do that in front of the youth, but it would have been funny).

So, the plane had to make an emergency landing in the mountains. We landed safely, but we did have to get off the plane. Once the doors were opened, the youth saw this inflatable slide waiting for them. So we all had to exit the plane, including the flight attendants and pilot!

Here's one of the youth making his exit from the plane with me pointing to his survival team.

Yes we like to have fun! Lisa and Lucy enjoyed their turn down the slide!

Following the emergency exit the youth were divided into 3 groups (based upon the color of their lei). They then had to work together to find survival items that were hidden throughout the church building. So they were given their first clue and the search began. After they found 4 items they went to a workshop where one of our fabulous speakers (my girl Erica, remarkable Agnes, and super cool Richard) talked about those survival items and how they relate to the scriptures and their spiritual survival. After their first workshop they searched for 4 more items, went to a workshop (where those 4 new things were discussed), they looked for their last 4 survival items and then went to their final workshop (again they discussed the last 4 items). After the final workshop, the youth went to the chapel where our Stake President gave a fabulous talk about the standards we bear. A lovely musical number was performed by some talented youth, and then to close the morning out - a testimony meeting. It was just great and just what I had hoped for!

The rest of the day consisted of lunch, games, planning roadshows by wards, dinner, and then the roadshow performances by the youth in front of our stake! What a great youth conference! Thank you to all the leaders and youth who helped make this such a fun and successful conference!