Idaho Youth Summit June 14-17

by For the Herald
| June 9, 2016 1:00 AM

COEUR D’ALENE – Two-hundred millennial’s take a break from the internet for a week to sleep in bunk beds and figure out how to be themselves at the Idaho Youth Summit.

The Idaho Youth Summit is held at Camp Lutherhaven June 14-17.

Over that last 23 years, the Idaho Youth Summit has served more than 7,000 Idaho teens. 43% of participants who attend the Idaho Youth Summit return at least one more time. Students are in need of passionate and positive programs that are designed to get their attention, gain their respect, inspire and guide them to make healthy decisions. This four-day teen conference has been carefully crafted by Idaho Drug Free Youth (iDFY) to do exactly that.

Each day of Summit surrounds youth with powerful activities creating an environment primed for personal growth and leadership development. This year’s activities will include workshops on spoken word, philanthropy, positive body image and how to develop counter-advertising campaigns. Other activities include a three-hour ropes course, talent show, dance on a boat and a vendor fair.

Proof Eyewear, Project Filter, Pita Pit, the Idaho Central Credit Union and many more Idaho businesses and organizations will join participants at the camp for the Summit Block Party Thursday, June 16 from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. The Block Party will be a fun and meaningful opportunity for students to learn about options for their future and make connections with experienced professionals.

“Idaho Drug Free Youth has created active, capable, powerful, inspired, passionate people; people who can point to themselves and say proudly, ‘iDFY made me possible,’” said Karlynn Welch-King, an alumni of the organization, “That’s what we are doing. Making good people and good lives possible.”

At the Idaho Youth Summit participants, ages 13-18, develop confidence to stand up for what they believe in, emerge into leaders, and are inspired to lead a life without drugs or alcohol. The Idaho Youth Summit teaches teens that they can change lives, communities, and the world around them when they work together to overcome obstacles and rise up to their true potential. Participants leave feeling inspired and empowered to make a difference.

2016. The Block Party is open to the press on Thursday, June 16, 2016 from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. Contact iDFY Director of Community Engagement, Rio Harris at (208) 596-2045 or rio@idahodrugfreeyouth.org for more information.