Youth Conference this year was both a fun and spiritually enriching experience. We were given lessons on missionary work and acknowledging the Lord. There were many fun activities, including a day at Mohican Adventure, hanging out in the rec center, and a dance. We also had tons of time to socialize with friends who we don’t get to see as often. I was personally able to get to know my friends better and make many new friends. One way that I made new friends was through the “Speed Friending” game. At first, I was a little disappointed because I got put at a different table than the rest of my friends, but in the end, I was able to make many new friends, and I still managed to have an amazing time.
Despite all of the fun from the first two days, the last day was even better. In the morning, we had the opportunity to help clean up a local park for the Ashland community. My friends and I were able to get a lot of work done in the two hours we were there. My group, and others, pulled weeds while others painted things. After we had left, I felt accomplished with the work that we did. It felt good to have served the community in a simple way. The last thing we did was the testimony meeting, which was a very spiritual experience and an amazing way to end youth conference. Youth Conference was super fun, and I’m super glad I got to go.
— Ava Cartwright, Wadsworth Ward
This 2022 summer youth conference was a great time. All the youth arrived at Ashland University on Friday afternoon, where we got organized into our rooms. From there, we went to a building next door, where we were split into groups to talk about missionary work, faith, and speed “friendshipping.” Speed friendshipping is a new name for speed dating to include the younger ones not old enough to date. That night, we headed to the Ashland rec center, where we played basketball, soccer, and billiards and swam in the pool. We left the rec center to socialize in the lobby of our apartment building. By 11, everyone was in their dorms or waiting for an employee to unlock their room for them.
The next morning we headed to Mohican Adventures. We had a fun time kayaking and canoeing down the long river. It was a beautiful connection to nature we all experienced. Mohican Adventures also included a super fun aerial course. It was a series of obstacles you had to pass, elevated from the ground, safely connected to a cord with a vest. The afternoon also included mini-golf and go-karts. By the end, everyone was tired, wet, and hungry.
— Cannon Foutz, Wadsworth Ward
Akron Ohio Stake News 