2014 Youth Conference

Youth Conference is fast approaching! This year we will have the Hattiesburg, Jackson, and Monroe Stakes together for Youth Conference.

Our theme for this year is "Moroni's Quest." Along with the usual cool speakers and fun service project we'll practice archery and do some epic Nephite battle re-enactments!

Key Info:

Date: June 26-28, 2014
Location: Pearl River Community College
Youth ages: 14-18
Registration Deadline: May 1st.
Facebook Page
Registration Website

Check back on the 2014 Youth Conference blog page for more info as it becomes available as well as info on the T-shirt design contest.

Dennis Pitta, Eagle Scout and Baltimore tight end, gets 5-year deal

Not sure what scouting can do for your youth? Check out this article about Dennis Pitta!

Flag Football Rules

We will have three fields we can use and will divide the fields in half at the 50 yard line with two games being played on each field at a time. The back of the actual end zone to the 40 yard lines will be the field of play with the 40 yd-50yd being one end zone and outside the back of the actual end zone being the other. 

We will play 7 offense and 7 defense at a time, 5 boys and 2 girls. Boys will guard boys and girls will guard girls however after the pass is made or the quarterback rushes anyone can grab the flag for the down.  1^st down will be 25 yds from the line of scrimmage. Offense can punt on 4^th down or go for it. A punt will result in the other team starting from their 10 yd line. 

A kickoff will also be the other team starting from the 10 yd line. There will be no run plays. Only the quarterback can run once rushed. Pass rushers will have to count an audible 5 seconds (to 5 Mississippi) before rushing. Pass blockers cannot use their hands to block, their hands will have to be behind their back. Pass rushers cannot use their hands to get past blockers. There will be no flag guarding. This includes stiff arms and swatting defender’s hands when they try to pull a flag. 

Touchdowns are 7 points. Interceptions are returnable. Fumbles are dead balls once recovered. No jamming receivers. Receivers must have possession of the ball and both feet in bounds to complete a pass.

Penalties:

Holding – 10 yds

Tackling – 15 yds

Improper block – 5 yds                          

Unsportsmanlike conduct – 15 yds with possible ejection

QB running unrushed – 5 yds

Run plays – 5 yds

Ineligible man on field – 5 yds

Pass interference – 15 yds Auto 1^st down

Block in back – 10 yds

     This is just a basic list. There will probably be more that I haven’t thought of. The important thing is for everyone to enjoy playing without letting our competitiveness get out of hand.

**All teams must bring someone who can referee.

New blog pages on camping

I have started a couple of blog pages that will hopefully be helpful. One is on where to go camping, hiking, backpacking, and canoeing in and around Mississippi. The other is has some links to basic camping gear for parents and leaders just getting started with camping.

If you have been camping, hiking, backpacking, or canoeing at other sites in and around Mississippi please let me know and I'll add it to the list. 

Upcoming Activities

I wanted to get the word out about some upcoming activities.

Feb 8: Tri-stake Basketball Tournament,
@ Hattiesburg

Mar 1: University of Scouting
Mar 1: Missionary Olympics
Mar 22: Bi-stake Flag Football Tournament
@Hazlehurst

April 26: Merit Badge Midway

May 2-3: Father and Sons Campout
May 10: Soccer (?) @ Hattiesburg
May 31-June 1: Stake Conference

June 8-13/: Bi-stake Summer Camp, @ Camp Hood

Florida Panhandle Scout Activities

One of the leaders of an LDS unit in the Pensacola area has put together a great website that describes a lot of hiking, backpack, and camping areas in and around Pensacola. This is a great resource for high adventure activities that are not too far away.

http://www.troop36pensacola.com/

Multi-stake Youth Fireside

There will be a multi-stake youth fireside on the 5th of January at 5 pm. It will be at the Stake Center in Clinton, MS. It will last one hour and there will be refreshments.

The speaker is Erlend Peterson, Vice President of International Affairs at BYU. He has given several BYU Devotionals and has had some pretty amazing experiences. He brings in Ambassadors to Utah and BYU. He works very closely with the First Presidency and Apostles to help LDS relations throughout the world. He is also working with countries in the Middle East to recognize the church and open up for missionary work. He has served two missions and been a mission president in Norway.

He spent 20 years as Dean of Admissions and Records and the last 20 as a Vice President at BYU. He is willing to answer any questions from potential students for BYU during our refreshments. He and his wife are in town visiting family and attending a granddaughters baptism. We want to take this opportunity why he is here to meet the youth. He has weekly contact with the general authorities and apostles. We are thrilled that he is willing to take time away from his family vacation to give to the youth. Please talk it up and try to get them there.