2026
Nauvoo Youth Conference
Know Before You Go
Come get ready for an unforgettable Youth Conference in Nauvoo!
Who: Youth turning 14 and up
When: Saturday, May 16 from 3:00 to 8:30pm
Where: Neenah Stake Center
Join us as we:
Learn the Youth Conference theme
Meet your Nauvoo “families”
Discuss everything you need to Know Before You Go
Enjoy dinner together
End the night with a dance
We can’t wait to see you there!
What to Expect for Youth and Parents
-
Check-in is at 7:00 am Wednesday morning in the parking lot at the Fond Du Lac church building.
Pick-up is approximately 6:00 pm Saturday night. Youth will contact parents to give them a better estimated time of pick up.
-
Youth will be assigned to a group (family) of 10-12 youth and an adult couple (Ma and Pa). Families will consist of both young men and young women of similar ages.
Families will travel to and around Nauvoo in coach buses. Some activities will be done with just your family, others will be with multiple families or the entire group.
-
We will explore Historic Nauvoo, visit Carthage Jail, perform Baptisms for the dead in the Nauvoo temple, tour Joseph and Emma Smith’s home, and other homes of the prophets in Historic Nauvoo.
We will learn about the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, develop our testimonies of the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith, and be inspired by the many early saints who sacrificed so much to build the Church in the latter days. We look forward to learning more about “Seeking to Know” for ourselves!
-
We are staying in cabins at Camp Nauvoo. The cabins have electricity, air conditioning, and cots. Nearby is a central bathroom/shower house. Youth will be assigned a cabin with other same-gendered youth with adults nearby in adult-only cabins.
The camp includes a dining hall where we will eat most of our meals, prepared by a food committee. The food committee is taking note of food allergies and restrictions and will be prepared to take good care of your dietary needs.
-
Youth should bring a small drawstring bag to take in the van including a lunch, water bottle, and small personal items for the drive.
Everything else (packing list provided below) should be packed in a small to medium bag. In addition, put your pillow and sleeping bag/bedding in a large kitchen bag. Label everything with your first and last name!
-
Pack items in a small-medium travel bag. These items will be transported in an enclosed trailer separate from youth.
Small sling bag or backpack can be brought on the bus with lunch, water bottle, and personal items for travel.
Bedding should fit in 1 garbage bag.
Clearly label everything with first and last name!
Packing List
PLEASE BRING a sack lunch with you on the first day.
For your info: Average Temp in Nauvoo, Illinois in June = High 86° / Low 63°
-
Pack items in a small-medium travel bag. These items will be transported in an enclosed trailer separate from youth.
Small sling bag or backpack can be brought on the bus with lunch, water bottle, and personal items for travel.
Bedding should fit in 1 garbage bag.
Clearly label everything with first and last name!
-
Casual clothes and underwear for 3 days
Church clothes to attend temple
Sweatshirt
Rain jacket or poncho
Pajamas
Comfortable shoes/sandals for walking
-
Personal medications- Turn prescriptions that are not self-administered in to the nurse upon arrival.
Notify nurse if you have inhalers, EpiPens, or if you have medications that they need to keep.
Sunscreen
-
Sleeping bag & pillow (or bedding)
Note: a cot or bed with pad is provided
-
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Deodorant
Brush/Comb, hair ties (yw)
Shower items- travel size
Shampoo/Conditioner
Body Soap/Washcloth
Towel
Contact solution/glasses case (if needed)
Lip balm
Lotion
-
Small backpack or sling bag to keep with you during the day
Reusable water bottle
Sack lunch for first day
Temple Recommend
Up to 4 Family names printed for the temple
Pen for journaling in provided notebook
Phone & charger
Portable power bank (opt)
Sunglasses (opt)
Earplugs (opt )
Bug spray
Flip-flops or shower shoes (for use in the central shower house)
A hat for sun protection
A small amount of spending money for souvenirs or allowed snacks
2026 Youth Conference Theme
Seek to Know
“Two hundred years ago, on a beautiful spring morning in 1820, young Joseph Smith, seeking to know which church to join, went into the woods to pray…He had questions regarding the salvation of his soul and trusted God would direct him.”
Joseph Smith was inspired to seek to know by the scripture James 1:5, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” Describing the feelings this scripture created, Joseph said, “I at length came to the determination to ‘ask of God',’ concluding that if he gave wisdom to them that lacked wisdom, and would give liberally, and not upbraid, I might venture.”
Youth conference 2026 will focus on this pattern of asking God for ourselves. “Those who prayerfully study the message of the Restoration and act in faith will be blessed to gain their own witness of its divinity and of its purpose to prepare the world for the promised Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” We should all know for ourselves the truthfulness of the following five core gospel principles as emphasized in the “Restoration Proclamation”:
God is our loving Heavenly Father
Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer
Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God, the prophet of the restoration of Christ’s gospel and church
The Book of Mormon is the word of God
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-0Day Saints is Christ’s New Testament Church restored
The divinity of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ
The truth of all things
