Who helps lead the youth?

Pastors Cindy and Rob White have been the youth leaders since 2018.  Both of them have a ton of experience working with students and a love to see them grow.  In addition, there are usually a few other college-age and adult helpers who assist with games, studies, and activities. 

How many youth usually attend? What ages are they? 

The youth section is open to rising eighth graders through graduated seniors.  In recent years, between 20 and 30 youth have attended.

What exactly do you do all day?

The short answer is:  make beautiful music together!  But we do so much more - in a typical day’s schedule, you can expect to eat delicious food, play fun games, study the powerful Word of God, build lasting friendships, explore God’s beautiful creation, and develop leadership skills.  There’s some free time each day if students want to take walks, rest, or visit the Country Store or Worldwide Gifts.  We spend time each morning and afternoon in choir rehearsal, we participate in handbells, we do Bible study as a group, we play active games together, and we wind down in the evening by recapping the day and doing activities to tie up the day’s lessons.  The days are full but fun!

Where do the youth stay?

Youth are free to stay with their families if they choose, but most youth stay at Lone Tree Lodge, which is only a few minutes' walk up the hill from the main conference grounds.  

I’ve heard about “Secret Pals” – what is that?

Secret pals is a long-standing program that our students have enjoyed.  Each youth will have an opportunity to write their name down on a slip of paper while checking in at the conference, which we will then use to draw "secret pals" early in the week.  Youth are encouraged to give their secret pal a small gift each day during the week, or a few times throughout the week.  Gifts need not and should not be expensive (think: Dollar Store!). Examples of appropriate gifts are candy, small squirt guns (for outdoor use!), silly putty, or fun and goofy toys.  You'll have plenty of free time during the week to purchase more gifts on the grounds once you get to know your pal a bit better, but you’re welcome to bring them all with you when you come.  Secret pals are revealed Friday night as part of our closing activities.

Can my youth participate in some of the youth activities, but not all of them?

Sure.  Of course we hope to have them for everything, but if students want to opt out of certain activities, we absolutely respect their decisions.  However, if students choose to be away from the group, an adult must be accountable for and know what their youth are doing at all times.

What should I bring?

·         Clothes: generally speaking, dress for the week is casual, but we strongly encourage youth to pack dress clothes for their final concert on Friday, and the handbell concert on Thursday.  It will helpful to have comfortable shoes for walking and running, and a swimsuit is always a good idea for the lake. 

·         Instruments, if you need or want them.  FABM provides some large percussion instruments for orchestra.

·         Youth will need toiletries for the week, but the conference center provides towels and bedding. 

·         A little extra money is a good idea if the students want to go to the stores on the grounds to buy snacks or souvenirs.

·        Small gifts for Secret Pals.  Any students that want to will be matched up with a secret pal for the week.  Secret pals leave small gifts for one another at the end of each day, and then are revealed to each other on Friday during closing activities.