Service and Activity Guidelines for Youth (Click here to download PDF file)

These principles and guidelines are intended to help youth and adult leaders as they counsel together in planning meaningful service opportunities and wholesome, fun activities. These principles and guidelines can also be used as a resource in stake, ward, and youth council meetings.

PRINCIPLES

Activities should be planned and carried out by quorum and class leaders, with support from adult advisers.

Activities should:

• Strengthen the rising generation’s faith in Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, and help youth and their families progress along the covenant path as they meet life’s challenges.

• Help youth accomplish the work of salvation and exaltation (see General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [2020], 1.2, ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

• Provide youth with support and belonging by strengthening quorum and class unity and by building their relationships with peers, leaders, and families.

• Provide balanced opportunities for youth to serve others and to develop spiritually, socially, physically, and intellectually (see Luke 2:52).

• Provide experiences that help young men and young women prepare to fulfill their divine roles.

• Follow all Church safety and other policies and guidelines (see safety.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

GUIDELINES

The following guidelines may be adapted to local circumstances, under the direction of local leaders:

• Hold service and activities weekly where possible. Service and activities can be held less frequently based on the needs and circumstances of quorum and class members but should be held at least monthly.

• Develop a calendar for at least three months in advance. This will ensure that a balanced variety of purposeful and challenging activities, based on the principles above, are planned to meet the needs of individual quorum and class members.

• Seek out opportunities for youth to provide meaningful service to individuals, families, and the community. Consider the needs and interests of each quorum and class member while encouraging them to reach out beyond themselves.

• Because combined activities with young men and young women are particularly beneficial, hold them monthly where possible. Combined activities for older youth could be held more frequently.

• Give youth opportunities to attend conferences and camps:

  • • Youth turning age 14 and older will attend one FSY conference every other year. Youth conferences and treks may take place in years when an FSY conference is not held.

    • Young Women camps and Aaronic Priesthood quorum camps may be held annually.

    • Additional overnight camps and activities may also be held. For young men, three to six additional overnight camps or activities each year are encouraged, where feasible.

• Find ideas for quorum and class activities at ChurchofJesusChrist.org/youth/childrenandyouth/discover. Use For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices (2022) as a resource in planning activities.

RESOURCES

General Handbook, chapters 10, 11, and 20

YoungWomen.ChurchofJesusChrist.org

AaronicPriesthoodQuorums.ChurchofJesusChrist.org

© 2020 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Version: 10/19.