From the Church

Questions about FSY conferences? Here’s everything you need to know

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Intellectual Reserve, Inc.

After the Church postponed For the Strength of Youth (FSY) conferences in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the exciting Church-hosted youth conferences are back in full-swing this summer! Recently, the Young Women general presidency and advisory council shared, “FSY conferences are an important part of preparing our youth to be the players they need to be in these last days. We can hardly wait to see the miracles that will surely happen!”

For many families, teenagers, and Church leaders, these conferences are still very new and the registration process is unfamiliar (even those who attended previously have had at least a two-year break), so here’s our list of some of the most frequently asked questions and answers about FSY conferences.

What is FSY?
FSY conferences are five-day events that include activities, devotionals, and classes designed to help strengthen faith in Jesus Christ and provide opportunities for youth to grow spiritually, socially, physically, and intellectually. FSY conferences have been held extensively outside the United States and Canada for several years and have been modeled after Brigham Young University’s Especially for Youth (EFY) conferences.

Who can attend FSY?
Youth may attend FSY sessions scheduled for their stake beginning in the year they turn 14 and may be no older than 18 by December 31 of the year they plan to attend.

Exception for 2022: Youth in the US and Canada who meet one of the following qualifications can also attend, even if their stake isn’t assigned to attend in 2022.

  • Graduate from high school in 2022
  • Turn 18 years old at any point during 2022
  • Turn 19 years old between May 16 and Dec. 31, 2022 (cannot have graduated in 2021 or earlier)

Learn more here.

How much does FSY cost?
Each youth will be asked to pay $75 USD ($100 CAD). Stakes or wards will also pay $75 USD ($100 CAD) from the local unit budget allowance for each individual. The local leaders may also use funds from the unit budget allowance to help individuals when necessary or use their annual fundraising efforts to help offset the cost.

The conference cost covers:

  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, from dinner on Monday to dinner on Friday
  • Lodging, Monday night through Friday night
  • Trained YSA leaders
  • Travel to and from the conference, if provided by FSY

Where is FSY held?
FSY conferences are typically held at college or university campuses. Youth stay overnight in the campus dorms.

What will my teenager do at FSY?
A week at FSY involves making new friends, gospel learning, spiritual growth, and friendly competitions. Over the course of five days, youth will have a chance to participate in outdoor games, dances, devotionals, a variety show, service projects, goal setting activities, personal study, gospel classes, and spiritual discussions.

For a more detailed outline of what a week of FSY will contain, the Church has also provided a week at a glance summary with more details of each activity and sample FSY agenda as well.

Is FSY put on or hosted by my stake or ward leaders?
No. Ward and stake leaders are not responsible for planning the conference, securing FSY locations, or providing speakers.

Do ward and stake leaders attend FSY?
No. Young single adults will fill logistical and leadership roles at FSY conferences. A limited number of invited adults will attend FSY as session directors and teachers. The majority of the adults serving in these positions will be full-time seminary and institute employees. Area leaders will reach out to local leaders if their assistance becomes necessary.

Does FSY happen every year?
Each stake will be invited every other year.
Exception for 2022: All graduating seniors in stakes in the US and Canada are invited to attend as of April 26. This includes seniors in stakes who are not officially scheduled for FSY until next year. Learn more here.

How do I know when my stake is invited to attend FSY?
See the Church’s Stake Assignments page to see what year your stake is assigned to attend.

How do I register my teenager for FSY?
Youth in stakes scheduled for an FSY conference will be invited to begin registering online within the first few months of the year of the conference. Registration information will be sent to the youth and their parents via email after a member of the bishopric has approved them to attend. Once registration is open for the invited stake and a member of the bishopric has digitally approved the youth, they can register online for any session available to their stake on the FSY youth page.

Do all youth from a ward or stake attend the same FSY session?
No, youth do not need to attend the same FSY session as the other members of their stake or ward—most stakes will have several sessions youth can choose from. Youth can register for any session shown on their Stake Assignments page.

Can my teenager request a roommate?
Participants may request one roommate by entering their desired roommate’s registration confirmation number during the conference registration process. Two youth of the same sex and same age-group (14-15 or 16-18) and who are registered in the same session may request to be linked as roommates. The first youth will register without requesting a roommate and provide his or her registration confirmation to the second youth, who will enter that into the roommate request field when they register. Every effort is made in honoring roommate requests; however, they are not guaranteed. Participants who do not select a roommate will generally be assigned one.

Is FSY replacing youth conference, Young Women camp, or Aaronic Priesthood quorum camp?
In the year that their youth attend FSY, stakes should not hold large events like youth conference or trek. Stake or ward Aaronic Priesthood quorum and Young Women camps and other regular youth summer activities should continue as normal. These camps should be scheduled at times that do not conflict with your stake’s assigned FSY sessions.

Who are the FSY leaders and counselors?
Young single adults from the local and surrounding areas will fill logistical, leadership, and counselor roles at FSY conferences. 

How do I apply to be an FSY counselor?
Young single adults can apply to be a counselor and learn more about the opportunity at FSYEmployment.byu.edu. When they have completed the digital application process and FSY is ready to accept the applicant, FSY management will reach out to bishops for ecclesiastic clearance. Counselors are expected to serve a minimum of four weeks and will be given a weekly allowance, food, and housing.

Is FSY replacing EFY?
For the most part, yes. A few nontraditional EFY opportunities will still be offered through BYU.

You can find more answers to frequently asked questions about FSY conferences on the Church’s website here.

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