Youth conference

This year our stake held its biannual youth conference June 24-27. Miriam is in Young Women and over 14 years old. Seth is the second counselor in the stake Young Men presidency. Grandma Susan is the second counselor in the stake Young Women presidency. Seth and I were asked to fulfill a special assignment by producing a recap video of the conference. So all of us got to go to Darby for a few days. I had to run back a couple of times to coach softball games, but otherwise I stayed with Seth in our tent and Miriam stayed in the cabin with girls from the St. Leon and Parri Wards.

Four kids in our stake were in charge of planning the entire thing. Under the direction of the stake presidency, they asked adults in the stake to fulfill special assignments such as group leaders and meal preppers. Darby is an incredible place anyway, and all the time and preparation that went into the camp turned out (in my opinion), to be worth it. There were devotionals; an activity night with cornhole, rock climbing, volleyball and more; rotations that included gospel discussions, scripture reading, fire building and knife throwing; firesides and more.

Seth rock climbing during the evening 

Grandma Susan on the rock wall.

Miriam leading a hymn in the lodge.

Sister Bird and Miriam going on the sunrise hike. Those who wanted to participate met in the parking lot and hiked less of a mile on a game trail to a cute little saddle. There the camp missionaries shared the story of the lightning strike at Darby in 1951 and some of the spiritual experiences the participants had despite the tragedy. That was one of my favorite parts of camp.

Miriam participating in a group discussion in the lodge during a devotional.

Miriam in her cool shades hiking up to the lodge.

Seth getting footage of the descent on the slide.

Andrea with her camera in the meadow.