LDS Youth Activity Permission Slips: A Free Template and Guide for Leaders
An LDS permission slip is a parent's or guardian's written consent for a child or youth to join an activity of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Church requires written consent, using its Permission and Medical Release form, for activities with an overnight stay, lengthy travel, or higher than ordinary risks.
Short on time? The template is in the middle of this page, and the checklist and sample texts come right after it. Read the first section only if you are not sure whether your activity needs written consent at all.
When does the Church require a permission slip?
The rule comes from the General Handbook. "Children and youth may not participate in a Church activity without the permission of their parents or guardians. For Church activities that include an overnight stay, lengthy travel, or higher than ordinary risks, written consent is necessary" (General Handbook 20.7.4).
The handbook continues: "Parents and guardians give this consent by signing the Permission and Medical Release form. The person who leads the activity should have a signed form for each participant."
That gives leaders three simple tests. Written consent is required when an activity has:
- An overnight stay (camp, youth conference, trek, overnight temple trip).
- Lengthy travel (long drives, out-of-area trips).
- Higher than ordinary risks (water activities, climbing, shooting sports, rafting, and similar).
For everyday activities, parents still need to give permission, but it does not have to be written. The handbook also notes that "Permission from parents or guardians is required for all Church overnight activities involving youth" (20.5.5).
What is the official Church Permission and Medical Release form?
The Church publishes an official Permission and Medical Release form (PDF). It includes event details filled out by the planner, participant and parent information, medical information, and a permission and medical release statement that authorizes adult leaders to approve emergency treatment if needed. It also references the Church's "Conduct at Church Activities" expectations.
If your activity needs written consent, start with that official form and follow any direction from your bishop or stake president. The Church's Safety and Health site has more guidance.
What should every LDS permission slip include?
Whether you use the official form or need a simple local slip for an ordinary activity, these are the core pieces leaders rely on.
| Section | What to collect | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Event details | Name, dates, times, location, leader in charge, transportation | Parents know exactly what they are agreeing to |
| Participant info | Name, age, birth date, address | Identifies the youth |
| Parent/guardian contact | Two phone numbers, email | Reach someone fast in an emergency |
| Medical info | Allergies, medications, conditions, dietary needs | Leaders can respond appropriately |
| Activity limitations | Anything the youth should not do | Avoids surprises |
| Permission and medical release | Consent to participate and to emergency treatment | Required for overnight, travel, or higher-risk events |
| Conduct agreement | Acknowledgment of Church and event standards | Sets expectations |
| Risk acknowledgment | Inherent risks of the activity, if a vendor requires a waiver | Outside venues often need their own form |
| Signature and date | Parent or guardian signature | Makes it written consent |
Free LDS permission slip template (copy and adapt)
Use this template for local, ordinary-risk activities where your leaders want a written record. For overnight, lengthy travel, or higher-risk activities, use the Church's official Permission and Medical Release form as required by the General Handbook.
Youth Activity Permission Slip
Ward / Stake: ____________________ Activity name: ____________________ Date(s) and times: ____________________ to ____________________ Location: ____________________ Leader in charge and phone: ____________________ Transportation: ☐ Leaders will drive ☐ Parents drop off/pick up ☐ Other: __________ What to bring: ____________________
Participant name: ____________________ Age: ______ Parent/guardian name: ____________________ Primary phone: ____________________ Secondary phone: ____________________
Allergies: ____________________ Medications (and times): ____________________ Medical conditions or limitations leaders should know about: ____________________ Dietary needs: ____________________
I give permission for my child to participate in the activity described above. I understand that leaders will follow Church guidelines and that my child is expected to follow Church standards and activity rules.
Parent/guardian signature: ____________________ Date: __________
Tip: keep the slip short. The more questions you add, the slower parents return it.
How do you collect LDS permission slips step by step?
- Decide which form you need. If the activity involves an overnight stay, lengthy travel, or higher than ordinary risk, use the Church's Permission and Medical Release form. For ordinary activities, a simple slip or verbal permission may be enough under local direction.
- Fill in the event details first. Dates, times, location, leaders, and transportation should be complete before the form goes to parents.
- Send it early. Give parents at least one to two weeks for camps and trips.
- Make it easy to return. Paper forms get lost in backpacks. A single link in the parent group text is easier for most families.
- Track who has signed. Keep a simple roster and follow up personally with missing families.
- Bring forms to the activity. The person leading the activity should have a signed form for each participant.
- Protect the information. Medical details are private. Share only with leaders who need them, and dispose of or store forms according to local direction.
Paper, PDF, or digital: which works best?
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Paper handed out at church | Familiar | Lost forms, unreadable handwriting, last-minute signing in the parking lot |
| Emailed PDF | Matches official form | Parents need a printer or PDF app; low completion |
| Digital link by text | Parents sign from their phone in seconds; easy tracking | Confirm with leaders whether the official form is also required |
Paper has a hidden cost beyond lost forms: a binder of medical information riding in a car or sitting at a campsite is a privacy risk if it goes missing. Whatever method you use, keep medical details with the activity leader and share them only with the people who need them.
If a digital link fits your ward, 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.
For more on getting forms back quickly, read our tips on sending liability waivers to parents and the youth camp waiver checklist.
What other forms might a leader need?
- Event and Activity Plan. The General Handbook says leaders fill out an Event and Activity Plan form for all overnight activities and for activities that involve long-distance travel.
- Performance Contract. Used when hiring a band, orchestra, or disc jockey for a Church dance.
- Vendor waivers. Climbing gyms, zip lines, and rafting companies often require their own waivers in addition to Church forms.
- Certificates of insurance. In the United States and Canada, leaders can request evidence of insurance for rentals and permits through the Church's insurance certificate site (General Handbook 20.7.3.5).
How long should leaders keep permission slips?
The General Handbook does not give a single retention period for permission slips in the section on parental permission. Ask your bishop or stake president for local direction, and treat medical information as confidential. The official form itself notes that the information "will be kept confidential and shared only as needed."
What are common permission slip mistakes leaders make?
- Sending forms too late. For camps and trips, a week is rarely enough. Two to four weeks gives families time.
- Leaving event details blank. Parents should see exact dates, locations, and transportation before signing.
- Not reading medical sections before the activity. Review allergies and medications ahead of time, and share them with whoever is cooking or handling first aid.
- Assuming one form covers the whole year. The handbook ties permission to each activity, and the official form is completed per event.
- Carrying loose papers. Keep forms organized and private during the activity.
- Forgetting adult leaders. The current official form includes language for leaders attending the activity to consent for themselves; follow your local direction.
What message should you send parents with the link?
Keep it short and send it in three steps. Copy and edit these:
First message (when forms go out)
Hi parents! Young Women camp is June 10 to 13. Please review the details and sign the permission and medical form for your daughter by May 25. Questions? Text Sister Smith at 555-0102.
Reminder (one week before the deadline)
Quick reminder: camp forms are due Sunday. We still need yours. Thank you!
Last call (personal text to each missing family)
Hi Brother and Sister Garcia, we would love to have Ana at camp. We just need her form before Friday so the medical team can plan. Can I help with anything?
Include the deadline, the activity name, and who to contact with questions.
How far ahead should you send permission slips?
| Activity | Send forms | Follow-up reminder |
|---|---|---|
| Local higher-risk activity (climbing gym, kayaking) | 2 weeks before | 3 days before |
| Young Women camp or quorum camp | 4 to 6 weeks before | 2 weeks and 3 days before |
| Youth conference | 6 to 8 weeks before | 2 weeks before |
| Pioneer trek | 2 to 3 months before | Monthly, then weekly |
| Temple trip with lengthy travel | 3 to 4 weeks before | 1 week before |
Earlier is better when medical information affects planning, such as food allergies for a camp menu or medications for trek.
Does a permission slip replace good supervision?
No. A signed form gives consent and important information, but it does not make an unsafe activity safe. The General Handbook asks leaders to "carefully assess activities to ensure minimal risk of injury or illness," to make sure activities fit participants' "age, abilities, and maturity," and to be prepared for emergencies. Forms work alongside two-adult supervision, trained leaders, and careful planning.
Printable permission slip checklist for leaders
- ☐ Decide which form: the Church's Permission and Medical Release form for overnight, lengthy travel, or higher-risk activities; a simple slip or verbal permission for ordinary ones, under local direction
- ☐ Event details complete before forms go out
- ☐ Forms sent on the timeline above
- ☐ Roster of who has signed, updated weekly
- ☐ Personal follow-up with every missing family
- ☐ Medical sections read by the activity leader before the event
- ☐ Vendor waivers collected if a venue requires them
- ☐ Signed form for each participant with the activity leader on the day
- ☐ Forms stored privately afterward
How do permission slips differ by age group?
| Group | What changes |
|---|---|
| Primary children (Valiant, ages 8 to 11) | No overnights, so written consent usually means an off-site field trip or higher-risk activity; parents often drop off and pick up in person, so confirm the pickup plan on the slip |
| Youth 12 to 13 | First overnight camps; parents often have more questions, so send forms early and include a packing list |
| Youth 14 to 18 | Adds youth conference, dances, and FSY; FSY uses its own online registration and campus waivers |
| Adult leaders | The official form includes language for a leader attending the activity to consent on their own behalf |
Frequently asked questions
Do LDS youth activities require a permission slip?
Children and youth always need a parent's or guardian's permission to attend a Church activity. 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.
Where do I find the official LDS permission slip?
The Church publishes the Permission and Medical Release form as a PDF on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. The Church's Safety and Health pages also link to safety resources for activities.
Who keeps the signed permission forms?
The General Handbook says the person who leads the activity should have a signed form for each participant. Ask your bishop or stake leaders about storage and retention.
Do Primary children need permission slips?
Children need parental permission for any Church activity. Written consent is required for activities with lengthy travel or higher than ordinary risks. Valiant activities for children ages 8 to 11 do not include overnight stays.
Can parents sign an LDS permission slip digitally?
Many leaders collect signatures digitally for convenience. Confirm with your bishop or stake president whether the Church's official form must also be used for your activity.
Do adult leaders need to fill out the permission form?
The current official form includes language for a leader attending the activity to consent on their own behalf. Follow the instructions on the form and your local leaders' direction.
Is a permission slip the same as a liability waiver?
Not exactly. A permission slip gives consent to participate and to emergency treatment. A liability waiver, often required by outside vendors, deals with assumption of risk. Some activities need both.
What is an LDS medical release form?
It is the medical portion of the Church's Permission and Medical Release form, where parents list allergies, medications, and conditions and authorize leaders to approve emergency treatment if parents cannot be reached.
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.