Stake Dance Guide: How to Plan an LDS Youth Dance
A stake dance is a youth dance hosted by a stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, usually in a stake center cultural hall, for youth ages 14 to 18. Stake dances follow Church standards for music, dress, and conduct, and require stake presidency approval. This guide covers the rules, roles, and a planning timeline.
If you just got handed the stake dance, read this in order: standards first, then the Performance Contract for the DJ, then the timeline. The supply list and parent text near the end are ready to copy.
What is a stake dance?
A stake is a group of wards, and a stake dance brings youth from all of those wards together for an evening of music and dancing. A multi-stake dance includes youth from two or more stakes. These dances are a long-standing tradition in many areas because, as the General Handbook notes, "youth can benefit from socializing in larger groups."
Who can attend? Youth "may attend dances, youth conferences, and FSY conferences beginning in January of the year they turn 14." Eighteen-year-olds may also attend (General Handbook 20.7.2). Many stakes welcome youth of other faiths who agree to follow the dance standards.
What are the Church's standards for youth dances?
The General Handbook gives clear guidance: "In all dances, the dress, grooming, lighting, dancing styles, lyrics, and music should contribute to an atmosphere where the Spirit of the Lord can be present" (General Handbook chapter 20). It points to For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices as the standard.
Does the DJ need a contract?
Yes. "Leaders use the Performance Contract form when hiring a band, orchestra, or disc jockey." The contract "helps ensure that conduct and music are appropriate for Church dances," and leaders "make clear agreements in writing that commit those who provide music to follow Church standards". Even if a ward member DJs for free, put your expectations in writing and review the playlist ahead of time.
Who approves a stake dance?
"All stake activities require the approval of the stake presidency. They are coordinated in stake council meetings." For multi-stake activities, stake presidents "may request permission from the Area Presidency" (General Handbook 20.3).
How do you plan a stake dance?
- Get approval and set a date. Work through the stake Young Men and Young Women presidencies and stake council. Avoid Sunday and Monday nights, and choose an end time that lets youth travel home safely.
- Form a youth committee. Invite youth from each ward to help plan the theme, decorations, and music requests. The stake youth leadership committee is a natural fit.
- Book the DJ and sign the Performance Contract. Review music expectations and a do-not-play list.
- Plan chaperones. Ask each ward to send adult leaders. Assign posts at the doors, dance floor, hallways, and parking lot.
- Set the dress standard and communicate it. Share the expectation with parents and youth before the dance, not at the door.
- Decide on check-in. Many stakes use a simple sign-in table and ask youth not from the stake to bring a dance card or have a leader vouch for them. Follow your stake's local practice.
- Plan refreshments. Water, a simple snack, and a cleanup crew.
- Open with prayer. Activities should be opened with prayer; a quick prayer before the music starts works.
- Close and clear the building. Leaders stay until every youth has a ride.
What does a typical stake dance timeline look like?
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 6:30 p.m. | Setup crew and DJ arrive |
| 7:15 p.m. | Chaperones briefed on posts |
| 7:30 p.m. | Doors open, check-in, opening prayer |
| 7:45 p.m. | Mixer or line dance to get everyone moving |
| 8:30 p.m. | Themed dance or spotlight dance |
| 9:30 p.m. | Last song |
| 9:45 p.m. | Cleanup; leaders wait for every ride |
Adjust times to your area. The handbook only says activities should be held at a reasonable hour and end early enough that participants can travel home safely.
How can you make a dance feel welcoming for every youth?
Not every 14-year-old walks into a cultural hall ready to dance. A few ideas that help:
- Teach a line dance or swing move at the start so everyone has something to do.
- Ask for "dance with someone new" songs to mix wards.
- Set up a game corner with cornhole or giant Jenga for youth who need a break.
- Have youth greeters from each ward at the door.
- Invite friends. Dances are an easy invitation for youth of other faiths.
What are fun stake dance themes?
- Neon glow night with glow sticks.
- Decades dance (50s, 80s, 90s).
- Masquerade with simple paper masks.
- Western night with a line-dance lesson.
- Winter formal with paper snowflakes.
- Luau with paper leis.
- Sports jersey night.
- Hollywood red carpet entrance.
- Back-to-school bash.
- Valentine's "friendship" dance.
Do you need permission slips for a stake dance?
A dance at the stake center is usually not an overnight activity, so written consent is not automatically required. Follow your stake's direction. Some stakes ask for permission when youth ride a bus to a multi-stake dance far away, because lengthy travel is one of the handbook's triggers for written consent (General Handbook 20.7.4).
If your stake does want forms for a bus trip to a regional dance, 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.
What should chaperones know before the dance?
Brief adult chaperones 15 minutes before doors open. Cover their assigned posts, the dress and music expectations, how to kindly handle a youth who is not following standards, where the first-aid kit is, and who has the final say on any issue. Ask chaperones to stay at their posts, keep exterior doors monitored so youth do not wander outside, and help ensure every youth has a safe ride home at the end. Remind adults that at least two adults should be present with youth at all times, and that friendly, visible adults set the tone for the whole evening.
What supplies does a stake dance need?
- ☐ Signed Performance Contract with the DJ or band
- ☐ Sign-in table, pens, and a printed list of chaperones
- ☐ Name tags for chaperones
- ☐ Water station and cups
- ☐ Simple refreshments (cookies, fruit)
- ☐ Lighting: enough to see the whole floor
- ☐ Decorations that fit the theme and come down in 15 minutes
- ☐ First-aid kit and the address of the nearest urgent care
- ☐ Trash bags and a cleanup crew list
- ☐ Lost-and-found box
Budget estimate: many stakes spend most of the budget on the DJ and refreshments. A rough estimate is $150 to $500 for a single-stake dance in the United States, depending on the DJ.
Sample text to parents before a stake dance
Hi parents! The stake youth dance is Friday from 7:30 to 10:00 p.m. at the stake center. It is for youth ages 14 and up (beginning in January of the year they turn 14). Please pick up on time at 10:00. Dress follows For the Strength of Youth. Questions? Text Sister Jones at 555-0100.
Send it to ward youth group chats about a week ahead, and again the day before.
Frequently asked questions
What is a stake dance in the LDS Church?
A stake dance is a youth dance organized by a stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for youth ages 14 to 18 from its wards. It follows Church standards for music, dress, and conduct and requires stake presidency approval.
How old do you have to be to go to a stake dance?
Youth may attend dances beginning in January of the year they turn 14. Eighteen-year-olds may also attend, including those who have been ordained elders or endowed.
Can non-members go to LDS stake dances?
Many stakes welcome youth of other faiths who follow the dance standards. Practices vary, so check with the stake hosting the dance.
What is the dress code for a stake dance?
Dress should contribute to an atmosphere where the Spirit can be present, following For the Strength of Youth. Stakes usually communicate specific expectations before the dance.
Does a stake dance DJ need to sign anything?
Yes. Leaders use the Church's Performance Contract form when hiring a band, orchestra, or disc jockey so music and conduct follow Church standards.
What is a multi-stake dance?
A dance for youth from two or more stakes. Multi-stake activities should be simple, and stake presidents may request permission from the Area Presidency to hold them.
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.