10 Things to Pack for Your Christian Youth Conference

Getting ready for a Christian youth leadership conference is an exciting time, and you’ll want to make sure you have all the essentials on hand so that you’re ready to have loads of fun and soak up the teaching.

Here are 10 important items you won’t want to forget to pack for your Christian youth conference:

• A Bible
• A notebook and pen
• Comfortable clothing
• Sunday clothing
• Swimsuit and towel
• Spare money
• Watch
• Extra pillows and blankets
• Sunscreen and bug repellant
• Empty plastic bags

With these items, you’re sure to have a blast with your downtime and open your heart and mind to receive messages on God’s word.

A Bible

The first item you’re going to want at the youth conference is your Bible, and having a physical one is key.

Not only does it allow you to take notes more effectively right in the margins, but it also shows respect to the speaker. A lot of conferences won’t allow you to use your phone during the sermon, even if it’s for a Bible app.

Even if the sermon does allow you to use your phone, it’s still wise to bring a physical Bible to avoid being distracted on the phone or appearing as though you’re being disrespectful towards the speaker.

A Notebook and Pen

Another essential pair of items you’ll want to bring to a conference, camp, or retreat is a good notebook and a pen. Gel pens are often the best so that the ink doesn’t clog and enable you to write quickly so that you don’t miss anything the speaker says.

With a Bible and notebook in hand, you’re all set to hear and receive the Word of God, and you can use your notebook to reflect on what you’ve learned in your breakout sessions.

Comfortable Clothing 

There’s a lot of physical activity at a youth conference, so it’s a good idea to bring along several sets of comfortable clothing. Choose clothes in which you can run around and get sweaty without worrying about staining your Sunday best.

Make sure you also bring along clothes and shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty, because youth conferences might have wacky events where you’re going to get soaked with water or covered with shaving cream.

As such, it’s prudent to bring plenty of spare clothes so that you have plenty to last you for the duration of the conference. In addition, have extra pairs of socks and underwear, as well as bedtime jammies.

Sunday Clothing 

Many youth conferences involve a sleepover blending into the Sunday morning service. 

As you don’t want to be romping around the church lobby looking like you just stumbled out of the woods, make sure you pack a nice pair of clothes (folded neatly so it doesn’t crease) for Sunday. 

To stay sharp that morning, make sure to have your belt. And if necessary, a hair comb to tidy up, and some deodorant.

Swimsuit and Towel 

Water sports are a common activity in youth conferences, retreats, and church events, so you’ll want to make sure you bring along a swimsuit and towel so that you can join in on the fun.

Whether it’s swimming, rowing, canoeing, or just a good old-fashioned water balloon fight, you definitely want to have your swimsuit on hand.

Call ahead and check with your conference leaders to see whether you need swimwear and what, if any, guidelines they have for modesty.

Spare Money 

You may have the opportunity to venture to different places during the youth conference, and if so, then you’ll want to have spending money available for the trip.

Even bringing along just a few $20 bills can be helpful for souvenirs or snacks. Plus, having money on hand is also a wise idea in case of an emergency, such as if you get lost or separated from the group. 

A Watch

Youth events generally run on a tight schedule, so make sure you’re on time for everything so that you don’t miss out on a fun event or riveting lesson.

Bringing a watch lets you view the time at a glance, since you may not be allowed to use your phone in certain areas at the youth conference or at all, depending on the conference guidelines.

Extra Pillows and Blankets 

If you’re staying over for a night or two at the conference or worship leader camp, then some extra pillows and blankets can help you if the weather turns cold.

Most people underestimate just how frigid churches and retreats keep their atriums and gymnasiums, largely because of the number of bodies generating heat.

If you tend to run cold, then it’s worth bringing along something to keep you warm and cozy.

Sunscreen and Bug Repellant

When you’re outside in the sun, you’ll want some sunscreen to stop your skin from burning, especially if you’re out on the field. The last thing you want is to spend half of the conference in misery because you forgot to bring sunscreen and got sunburned.

Similarly, bug repellent is useful for outdoor activities where you’re mostly stationary, like kayaking.

Rest assured — bugs love to ruin your good time by leaving you with itchy bites, so always come prepared to deal with these inconvenient pests.

Empty Plastic Bags

You might be wondering the reasoning behind empty plastic bags, but this is an old traveling trick for storing dirty laundry. 

These not only allow you to keep soiled or wet clothes separate from your clean clothes, but they can also allow you to separate your belongings more effectively.

The Bottom Line

Bringing all of these items to your youth conference is a great way to ensure you get the most out of the experience and get to participate in every event.

Being unprepared can result in stress, as you may feel out of place without the proper gear or equipment. It may also mean missing out on fun activities or suffering discomfort if you do not have the proper accessories for sleep or extreme weather and temperatures.

Always double-check to make sure you have everything before you leave to ensure that you can enjoy the Christian youth conference to the maximum.