Young Adult Counsellors Help Youth Find Faith, Friendship and Belonging at FSY

Before 200 youth arrived in Kamloops, British Columbia, for five days of activities, friendship and spiritual learning, young adult counsellors were already preparing for an opportunity to serve. Throughout the week, these counsellors became mentors, friends and examples of discipleship as they helped youth strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ.

Youth from communities across British Columbia gathered from August 3 to 8 for one of seven For the Strength of Youth (FSY) conferences, organized by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across Canada. Other FSY events took place in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.

The People Behind the Experience

For many counsellors, serving at FSY is an opportunity to devote time and energy to helping others grow spiritually, while strengthening their own faith.

“I chose to serve because I wanted to devote my summer to something that would give me the spiritual motivation to get through the rest of the year,” said Carmen Clarke of Edmonton. “I was hoping to help youth leave FSY understanding that God loves them and that they can receive personal revelation for their lives.”

Throughout the week, counsellors spent time with their groups, taking part in classes, scripture study, meals, games, dances and evening activities. Along the way, they listened, answered questions >and encouraged youth as they navigated new experiences and developed friendships.

Counsellor Lucas Siakaluk noticed the spiritual benefit of this interaction: “Serving at FSY has reminded me of the importance of how small spiritual actions throughout the day can fill you with the Spirit and the love of God.”

For participant Jacob Clasicas, the counsellors’ influence reinforced both his faith and his confidence to live what he believes. “[The counsellors] reminded me that I am never alone and that Heavenly Father loves me,” he said. “They encouraged me to live my beliefs every day, even when it isn’t easy.”

Meaningful moments for the youth happened not only during classes and devotionals but also through laughter, games and shared experiences.

Participant MadiLynn Layton of Salmon Arm, British Columbia, remembered how creating a group cheer helped her group connect. “A moment where we grew closer was making our cheer. We kept losing it as one of the boys kept laughing,” she said. “It broke the ice, and hearing his ridiculous laugh helped us realize we could be ridiculous too.”

Walking Together

The 2026 youth theme for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is “Walk With Me,” an invitation to follow Jesus Christ more closely. At FSY, that theme had a practical meaning for counsellors. They walked from one activity to the next with their groups, sharing conversations and time together.

Those everyday moments gave counsellors opportunities to demonstrate kindness, patience, service and faith. They also helped youth see that following Jesus Christ is not something they have to do alone.

Elder M. Shayne Olsen, Area Seventy serving in British Columbia, lives in Kamloops and visited the conference. He shared a message about the importance of supporting one another in discipleship. “One of the most beautiful things, and one of the necessary things, about walking with Jesus Christ is that it’s so much easier to do with someone else walking there with you as well,” he said.

The Impact Goes Both Ways

While FSY is intended to strengthen youth, the experience can also have a lasting influence on the young adults who serve them.

Over the course of the week, counsellors watch groups of strangers become friends. They see youth who may have been hesitant at the beginning become more comfortable participating, sharing what they believe and encouraging others.

“I went to FSY expecting to make friends, but I ended up with a family,” said participant Mackie Daughton. For her, the relationships that developed became more meaningful than she anticipated.

That sense of connection is what counsellors spend the week trying to create. It is an environment where youth can learn together, laugh together, talk openly about their beliefs and know they are not alone.

By the end of the conference, both youth and counsellors returned home with new friendships, stronger faith and shared experiences that will continue long after the week has ended. For many, Elder Olsen’s reminder captured one of the lasting lessons of FSY: walking with Jesus Christ becomes easier when others are willing to walk alongside us.