Latter-day Saint youth from across South Korea gather for joint summer camp

Youth from the Seoul South, Daejeon and Cheongju stakes and the Gangneung District of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered for a joint summer youth camp from August 3 to 5 at the Jincheon Youth Training Center.

The three-day camp brought together young people from sixth grade through their final year of high school under the 2026 youth theme, “Walk with Me,” from Moses 6:34.

Organizers designed the camp to give youth from different parts of the country opportunities to build friendships, develop confidence through new experiences and challenges, and reflect on what it means to walk through life with Jesus Christ.

Following check-in and an opening meeting on the first day, participants took part in icebreakers and group activities designed to help them get to know one another. Each group also set goals for what its members hoped to accomplish during the camp.

That evening, youth participated in an “Olympics” program featuring activities including beanbag tossing and group jump-rope competitions, encouraging participants to support one another and work together.

Throughout the camp, youth who actively participated in activities received tokens called “talents.” They could use the talents during free time or after evening roll call at a “Talent Café,” where they could sing karaoke or purchase snacks, drinks, instant noodles and smoothies.

With few convenience facilities near the training center, the café provided a gathering place for participants during the hot summer weather and also helped youth who initially felt uncomfortable in an unfamiliar setting become more involved in camp activities.

Career exploration, water activities and fellowship

The second day began with group morning walks and water activities. Despite an ongoing heat-wave warning, youth cooled off with water games on the training center grounds.

In the afternoon, a career fair featured Latter-day Saint professionals working in fields including webtoon illustration, law, medicine and photography.

Youth selected lectures and hands-on activities according to their interests. Through the speakers’ professional experiences and testimonies, participants were encouraged to consider not only future careers but also how they could live independently in the world while remaining grounded in their faith.

A dance and campfire followed that evening, while the Talent Café remained open later into the night.

Sister Kim Ji-won of the Sejong Ward in the Daejeon Stake, who served as a group counselor, said she was happy to accept the assignment because she enjoys spending time with youth and feels she grows through serving with them.

Although she had worried about whether she could remain fully attentive to the youth while dealing with exhaustion from the hot weather, she said participating in the activities gave her renewed energy.

“The youth looked so lovable as we participated in the activities,” she said, adding that their bright and sincere personalities helped strengthen her.

Sister Kim said that while preparing for the camp, she prayed for the other counselors and youth in her group with a desire to bring her thoughts and actions into greater harmony with the Lord.

She said the experience helped her better understand “how deeply Heavenly Father loves each young person.”

She also reflected on two nonmember youth in her group who participated enthusiastically in the activities, saying their example reminded her that “we are all beloved children of Heavenly Father.”

Youth share testimonies of faith

On the third and final day, participants packed their belongings and gathered in the main auditorium for a testimony meeting.

Many shared what they had felt and learned during the previous two nights and three days and reflected on how they could apply the camp’s “Walk with Me” theme in their own lives.

Brother Kang Min-gi, a youth from the Gangneung District, said the camp gave him an opportunity to think more deeply about his faith.

“By participating in the Church camp, I learned that God is always with me,” he said.

He explained that he sometimes forgets to express gratitude to God in everyday life, but the camp helped him recognize the importance of being thankful even for small things.

“I want to continue believing in God and become someone who faithfully follows His word,” he said.

Friendships continue after camp

The connections formed during the camp continued after participants returned home.

On August 22, youth gathered again at the Anyang Ward for a follow-up activity that included Kahoot, a game called “Mechcha Chameleon,” and a dance.

After the gathering, many of the youth and young single adults also attended a meeting with Elder David A. Bednar and his wife at the Gangnam Ward later that afternoon.

The joint camp gave youth from several areas of South Korea an opportunity to strengthen friendships, try new experiences and grow together in faith.

Although the three-day gathering came to an end, organizers expressed hope that the youth would carry the message “Walk with Me” into their daily lives as they continue striving to walk with Jesus Christ.