20.

Activities

20.1

Purposes

Church activities bring Church members and others together as “fellowcitizens with the saints” (Ephesians 2:19). Purposes for activities may include the following:

• Build faith in Jesus Christ.

• Provide fun and foster unity.

• Provide opportunities for personal growth.

• Strengthen individuals and families.

• Help members participate in the work of salvation and exaltation (see 1.2).

20.2

Planning Activities

Before planning an activity, leaders consider the spiritual and temporal needs of members. Leaders seek the guidance of the Spirit when deciding what kind of activity would help meet those needs.

20.2.1

Responsibility for Planning Activities

Ward activities can be planned in any of the following ways, based on local needs:

• The ward council could oversee the planning.

• The ward council could assign specific organizations to help plan one or more activities.

• When needed and where there are enough members, the bishopric may organize a ward activities committee.

For information about planning ward youth activities, see 10.2.1.3 and 11.2.1.3.

20.2.2

Inviting All to Participate

Those who plan activities should reach out to all, especially new members, less-active members, youth, single adults, those with disabilities, and people of other faiths.

Activities should not put undue burdens on leaders and members.

20.2.3

Standards

Church activities should be uplifting and emphasize what is “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy” (Articles of Faith 1:13). Activities may not include anything that is contrary to Church teachings.

20.2.6

Funding for Activities

Most activities should be simple and have little or no cost. Any expenses must be approved in advance by the bishopric or stake presidency.

Members should not usually pay to participate in activities. For policies and guidelines on funding activities, see 20.6.

20.4

Youth Conference

Beginning in January of the year they turn 14, young men and young women are invited to participate together in a youth conference. Youth conferences are usually held once each year on a ward or stake level. They may also be held on a multistake or area level. In a year that youth are assigned to attend an FSY conference, stakes and wards should not hold youth conferences.

Ward youth conferences are planned and carried out by the ward youth council, under the direction of the bishopric (see 29.2.6). The bishopric obtains the stake presidency’s approval of plans for a ward youth conference.

As leaders and youth plan a youth conference, they should observe the policies in this chapter and the following guidelines:

• The Church’s annual youth theme could be used as the conference theme.

• Plan activities that are consistent with the theme.

• Obtain the approval of the bishopric or stake presidency for all speakers and activities.

• Ensure adequate adult supervision at all times (see 20.7.1).

20.5

Policies and Guidelines for Selecting and Planning Activities

20.5.1

Commercial or Political Activities

Activities held for any commercial or political purpose are not permitted (see 35.5.2).

20.5.2

Dances and Music

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.

20.5.3

Monday Nights

Members are encouraged to hold family activities on Monday or at other times. No Church activities, meetings, or baptismal services should be held after 6:00 p.m. on Mondays.

20.5.5

Overnight Activities

Church overnight activities for combined groups of young men and young women must be approved by the bishop and stake president. The same is true for activities for male and female single members.

Overnight activities at Church meetinghouses or meetinghouse grounds are not approved.

20.5.8

Sabbath-Day Observance

No Church camps, sports events, or recreational events are to be scheduled on Sunday. Nor should youth groups and others travel to or from camps or youth conferences on Sunday.

20.5.10

Temple Visits

Temple visits are organized on the ward or stake level within the assigned temple district.

20.6

Policies and Guidelines for Funding Activities

20.6.1

Activities Paid for with Ward or Stake Budget Funds

Ward or stake budget funds should be used to pay for all activities—with the possible exceptions listed in 20.6.2.

20.6.2

Funding for Youth Camps

If the ward or stake budget does not have enough funds for the activities listed below, leaders may ask participants to pay for part or all of them:

• One annual extended Aaronic Priesthood camp or similar activity.

• One annual extended Young Women camp or similar activity.

The expenses or travel for an annual camp should not be excessive. Lack of personal funds should not keep a member from participating.

20.6.3

Funding for FSY Conferences

Youth may be asked to contribute a fee to attend For the Strength of Youth (FSY) conferences. If the cost would keep a youth from participating, the bishop may use ward budget funds to pay all or part of this fee. See FSY.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

20.6.5

Fundraising Events

Expenses for stake and ward activities are usually paid with budget funds. However, a stake president or bishop may authorize one fundraising event each year for the following purposes only:

• To help pay for the activities listed in 20.6.2 and 20.6.3.

• To help buy equipment that the unit needs for annual camps.

20.7

Safety Policies and Guidelines for Activities

20.7.1

Adult Supervision

At least two adults must be present at all Church activities attended by children and youth. Additional adults may be needed depending on the size of the group, the skills required for the activity, or other factors. Parents are encouraged to help.

All who work with children and youth must complete the children and youth protection training. See ProtectingChildren.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

20.7.2

Age Requirements for Participation in Youth Activities

With their parents’ approval, youth may attend overnight camps beginning in January of the year they turn 12. They may attend dances, youth conferences, and FSY conferences beginning in January of the year they turn 14.

20.7.4

Parental Permission

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.

Parents and guardians give this consent by signing the Permission and Medical Release form.

20.7.5

Reports of Abuse

Any abuse that occurs during a Church activity should be reported to civil authorities. The bishop should be contacted immediately. Instructions for members are in 38.6.2.7. Instructions for bishops are in 38.6.2.1.

20.7.6

Safety Precautions, Accident Response, and Accident Reporting

20.7.6.1

Safety Precautions

Leaders and participants carefully assess activities to ensure minimal risk of injury or illness. Activities should also involve minimal risk of damage to property. During activities, leaders make every effort to ensure safety.

20.7.6.2

Accident Response

If an accident or injury occurs on Church property or during a Church activity, leaders observe the following guidelines, as applicable:

• Render first aid. If a person needs additional medical care, contact emergency medical services. Also contact the parent, guardian, or other next of kin and the bishop or stake president.

• If someone goes missing or dies, immediately notify local law enforcement.

• Provide emotional support.

• Do not encourage or discourage legal action. Do not make commitments on behalf of the Church.

• Gather and keep names of witnesses, their contact information, accounts of what happened, and photographs.

• Report the accident (see 20.7.6.3).

20.7.6.3

Accident Reporting

The following situations should be reported online at incidents.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

• An accident or injury occurs on Church property or during a Church activity.

• A person who was participating in a Church activity is missing.

• Private, public, or Church property is damaged during a Church activity.

• Legal action is threatened or anticipated.

If an event results in a serious injury, fatality, or missing person, the stake president, bishop, or member he designates immediately notifies the area office.

20.7.6.4

Insurance and Questions

If an injury occurs during a Church event, leaders determine if the Church Activity Medical Assistance program applies.

In some cases, the stake president or bishop may have questions about safety issues or claims against the Church. The stake president (or a bishop under his direction) refers such questions to the Risk Management Division or to the area office.

20.7.7

Travel

Travel for Church activities should be approved by the bishop or stake president. This travel should not place undue burdens on members.

Participants should not travel long distances (more than a few hours) for activities. The Area Presidency must approve any exceptions.

When feasible, Church groups should use commercial transportation for long-distance travel. It should be licensed and protected by liability insurance.

When Church groups travel in private passenger vehicles, each vehicle must be in safe operating condition. Each person should use a seat belt. Each driver should be a licensed, responsible adult.