LDS Youth Activities: The Complete Guide for Ward and Stake Leaders
LDS youth activities are the regular weekday activities, camps, conferences, and dances for young men and young women ages 12 to 18 in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are planned by youth leaders with adult support, balanced across spiritual, social, physical, and intellectual growth, and follow the safety policies in chapter 20 of the General Handbook.
Think of this page as the map. It covers how the youth program is organized, the age and safety rules that apply to every activity, and a planning calendar for the year. When you need a list of things to actually do on a Wednesday night, jump to our LDS youth activity ideas list of 100 ideas sorted by area of growth.
How are youth activities organized in the Church today?
Youth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are organized into two groups, both of which begin in January of the year a youth turns 12:
- Young Women classes. Young women join a Young Women class beginning in January of the year they turn 12. Classes are organized by age-groups and each has a class presidency (General Handbook 11.1.3).
- Aaronic Priesthood quorums. Young men join the deacons quorum in January of the year they turn 12, the teachers quorum in January of the year they turn 14, and the priests quorum in January of the year they turn 16. The bishop is the president of the priests quorum (General Handbook 10.1.3).
Youth leaders plan activities with adult support. In Young Women, "class presidencies, supported by adult leaders, plan service and activities." In the Aaronic Priesthood, "the bishopric and youth quorum leaders, supported by advisers, plan service and activities." The ward youth council, over which the bishop presides, helps coordinate.
Since January 1, 2020, these activities have been part of the Church's Children and Youth program, which also includes personal development goals in four areas of growth.
What are the four areas of growth?
Youth activities "should be balanced among four areas of personal growth: spiritual, social, physical, and intellectual." These come from Luke 2:52, which says Jesus "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man."
| Area | What it looks like in activities | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Spiritual | Faith in Jesus Christ, scriptures, temple, testimony | Temple trip, scripture escape room |
| Social | Friendship, kindness, leadership | Progressive dinner, game tournament |
| Physical | Health, fitness, outdoor skills | Hike, volleyball, camp skills |
| Intellectual | Learning, life skills, careers | Car care, budgeting, cooking |
Service fits across all four. See our LDS youth service project ideas.
How often are youth activities held?
The General Handbook says: "Most youth activities are held at times other than on Sundays or Monday evenings. They are usually held weekly. In some areas, distance, safety, or other factors make weekly activities impractical. In these areas, activities may be held less often, but they should generally be held at least monthly."
Many members still call weekly youth night "Mutual," a long-time nickname. The handbook calls them youth activities.
What annual youth activities does the handbook describe?
In addition to regular activities, youth participate in several annual events (General Handbook 11.2.1.3 and 10.2.1.3):
- A youth and parents meeting near the beginning of the year, planned and led by the bishop's assistants in the priests quorum and the presidency of the oldest Young Women class.
- Young Women camp (see the Young Women Camp Guide) and an Aaronic Priesthood quorum camp (see the Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Camp Guide).
- A ward or stake youth conference or an FSY conference. See LDS youth conference ideas and what is FSY?.
- At least one activity emphasizing For the Strength of Youth, which could include both young men and young women and parents.
What are the age rules for youth activities?
| Activity | When youth may begin (with parents' approval) |
|---|---|
| Weekly youth activities | January of the year they turn 12 |
| Overnight camps | January of the year they turn 12 |
| Dances | January of the year they turn 14 |
| Youth conferences | January of the year they turn 14 |
| FSY conferences | January of the year they turn 14 |
Eighteen-year-olds may also attend, including those who have been ordained elders and those who have been endowed (General Handbook 20.7.2).
What safety policies matter most?
These are the policies leaders most often ask about. All come from General Handbook chapter 20.
- Two adults. "At least two adults must be present at all Church activities attended by children and youth." All who work with children and youth must complete the children and youth protection training (20.7.1).
- Parental permission. Children and youth may not participate in a Church activity without the permission of their parents or guardians. Written consent, using the Permission and Medical Release form, is necessary for activities that include an overnight stay, lengthy travel, or higher than ordinary risks (20.7.4).
- Overnight activities. Require at least two adult leaders, separate sleeping accommodations for male and female participants, and an Event and Activity Plan. Combined young men and young women overnight activities must be approved by the bishop and stake president and should be rare. Overnight activities at meetinghouses are not approved.
- Travel. Approved by the bishop or stake president; avoid long distances (more than a few hours) without Area Presidency approval; drivers must be licensed, responsible adults with insurance; whenever possible, an adult should not be alone with a youth in a vehicle unless the youth is his or her child (20.7.7).
- Sabbath and Monday. No camps, sports, or recreational events on Sunday, and no Church activities after 6:00 p.m. on Mondays.
- Unapproved activities. Activities with "a high risk of injury or illness" or "unusual expense or travel" may not be sponsored.
For a full breakdown of forms, see our Forms & Safety hub and LDS youth activity permission slips guide.
Camps, trek, youth conference, and higher-risk outings are where written permission comes in. You can text parents one Ward Waivers link. They read the details and sign on their phone, and you see who still needs to sign. It does not replace any official form your bishop or stake president asks you to use. Set up your activity.
How are youth activities funded?
"Activities, including supplies, are paid for by the ward budget. Travel and expenses should not be excessive." For multiday activities such as camps, if the budget is not enough, "leaders may ask participants to help pay for them," but no youth should be kept from participating because they cannot pay. If more money is needed, the bishop may authorize one fundraising activity each year. Youth conferences are funded by the ward or stake budget, and youth may be asked to contribute a fee for FSY.
Ward vs. stake youth activities
| Ward activities | Stake and multistake activities | |
|---|---|---|
| Planned by | Class and quorum presidencies, ward youth council | Stake Young Men and Young Women presidencies, stake youth leadership committee |
| Approval | Bishopric | Stake presidency; multistake requires Area Presidency permission |
| Frequency | Usually weekly | Occasional |
| Examples | Game nights, service, temple trips | Stake dances, youth conference, trek |
| Purpose | Close friendships, leadership | "A wider circle of friendships" |
The handbook notes that stake activities should "supplement ward activities rather than compete with them."
Youth activity guides and idea lists
Weekly activity ideas
- LDS youth activity ideas: 100 ideas by area of growth. The master idea list, with costs and rainy-day swaps.
- Young Women activity ideas. Ideas for class presidencies, including activities for older young women.
- LDS Young Men activity ideas. Ideas for deacons, teachers, and priests quorums, plus quorum camp tips.
- YM/YW combined activity ideas. Joint activities and the rules for combined groups.
- LDS youth service project ideas. Service projects for wards and stakes, with a sign-up sheet.
Stake and annual events
- Stake dance guide. Standards, the Performance Contract, chaperones, and a timeline.
- LDS youth conference ideas. Themes, activities, rules, and a planning timeline.
- What is FSY? A parent's guide to For the Strength of Youth conferences, including 2027 registration dates.
- LDS trek planning guide. Timeline, packing list, budget, and medical planning.
How can leaders help youth lead?
The Church's youth program puts youth in charge of planning, with adults as mentors. A few habits help:
- Train presidencies. Use the Church's class and quorum presidency orientation resources.
- Hold regular presidency meetings where youth counsel about individuals, not just events.
- Let youth own outcomes. Adults handle what youth cannot (budgets, contracts, building reservations, driving), but youth choose and lead.
- Use a planner. The Church's Sample Service and Activity Planner helps youth plan a balanced calendar.
- Debrief. Two minutes after each activity: what helped youth feel closer to Jesus Christ and to each other?
What resources can help youth leaders plan?
- Youth Activities on ChurchofJesusChrist.org, with official idea pages such as service.
- For the Strength of Youth, the guide youth activities should reflect.
- The camp guides for Young Women and Aaronic Priesthood quorums.
- JustServe for community service opportunities where available.
- The ward youth council, where youth leaders counsel together about individuals and plans.
How do youth activities connect with home?
The Church's youth program is designed to support families, not replace them. Leaders "keep parents informed of activities for children and youth," and the handbook encourages parents to help at activities. Share the calendar with parents, invite them to the annual youth and parents meeting, and look for activities, like a For the Strength of Youth night, where parents and youth learn together.
What does a youth activity planning timeline look like for the year?
Big events need long lead times, and weekly activities need a short, steady rhythm. This is a planning calendar, not a rule. Adjust it to your stake's dates.
| When | What to plan | Who usually leads |
|---|---|---|
| 12 or more months out | Trek, if your stake is holding one (Church trek resources say planning usually begins at least a year in advance) | Stake presidency and committee |
| September to October | Check whether your stake is on-cycle for FSY next summer. In an FSY year, wards and stakes do not hold youth conference | Bishopric and stake Young Women president |
| November to December | Draft next year's calendar in the bishopric youth committee: camps, youth conference, temple trips, dances | Youth presidencies with advisers |
| 4 to 6 months out | Reserve camp and youth conference sites, request budget | Advisers and bishopric |
| 6 to 8 weeks out | Send parent permission forms for overnight events | Activity leader |
| 2 weeks out | Follow up on missing forms, confirm drivers and adult leaders | Activity leader |
| Every week | Presidency meeting: who needs an invitation, who is leading this week's activity | Youth presidencies |
How do youth activities change by age group?
The General Handbook sets the age lines. Everything else here is practical advice.
| Age group | What the handbook allows | Planning tips |
|---|---|---|
| Year turning 12 to 13 | Weekly activities; overnight camps with parents' approval beginning in January of the year they turn 12 (20.7.2) | Short segments, lots of movement, pair new youth with a friend |
| Year turning 14 to 15 | Adds dances, youth conference, and FSY conferences, beginning in January of the year they turn 14 | Give them a planning role; first dance or youth conference is a big step |
| 16 to 18 | Same activities; 18-year-olds may also attend, including those who have been ordained elders and those who have been endowed | Leadership roles, mission prep, service that uses real skills |
When ages are mixed, let older youth run a station or teach a skill rather than sitting through activities built for 12-year-olds.
Frequently asked questions
What age do LDS youth activities start?
Youth begin attending Young Women and Aaronic Priesthood quorum activities in January of the year they turn 12. Dances, youth conferences, and FSY conferences begin in January of the year they turn 14.
How often are LDS youth activities held?
Usually weekly, on a day other than Sunday or Monday evening. Where weekly activities are impractical, they should generally be held at least monthly.
Who plans LDS youth activities?
Young Women class presidencies and Aaronic Priesthood quorum presidencies, supported by adult leaders and the bishopric. The ward youth council helps coordinate.
What is the two-adult rule in the Church?
At least two adults must be present at all Church activities attended by children and youth. All adults who work with children and youth must complete the Church's children and youth protection training.
When is a permission slip required for youth activities?
Written consent using the Church's Permission and Medical Release form is required for activities with an overnight stay, lengthy travel, or higher than ordinary risks. Parents must give permission for all activities.
Are youth activities still called Mutual?
Many members still say "Mutual," but the General Handbook calls them youth activities.
What is the difference between a ward and stake youth activity?
Ward activities are planned by class and quorum presidencies and held weekly. Stake activities, like dances, youth conferences, and trek, are occasional, planned by stake leaders, and require stake presidency approval.
What replaced Scouting for young men in the Church?
The Church concluded its relationship with Scouting effective December 31, 2019, and the Children and Youth program began January 1, 2020 for all children and youth.
Ward Waivers is an independent service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These resources provide general organizational information, not legal advice. Follow current Church guidance, local leader direction, and any required official forms.