Youth & Young Adults Had a Busy Summer

Every year, children get asked the same question on the first day of school: what did you do during summer vacation? This year, Florida teachers of young Quakers will receive an earful in response, because the SEYM youth stayed busy. Here are a few activities our young people enjoyed during the summer.

At the end of May, youth got involved in local politics by attending Mira Tanna’s campaign launch party. Mira, who serves as clerk of Orlando Monthly Meeting, is promoting Quaker values in her run for Orlando City Council. Young adults Priya and Asma gave speeches at this well-attended event and have been actively volunteering for Mira’s campaign.

In June, Orlando’s Esme served as camp counselor at the Dayton Internation Peace Museum’s Peace Camp. This museum, located in the sanctuary city of Dayton, Ohio, was founded in 2004 to commemorate the 1995 Dayton Peace Accords between Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its annual youth camp teaches alternatives to violence and other skills to local youth, including refugee children. While not affiliated with Quakers officially, the museum shares many Quaker values.

The big event of the summer was Friends General Conference’s gathering in Clarkston, Michigan. This 6-day event, enthusiastically referred to as the YAY! Gathering, was exclusively for Quakers aged 0-35 and their caregivers. Participants stayed on-site at the Colombiere Retreat Center, where they enjoyed community-building, daily workshops, and lots of fun. Eight representatives from SEYM attended, with most taking on leadership and volunteer roles to make the event a success.

A final bit of fun and relaxation before the start of school took place during the SEYM beach trip. Families enjoyed kayaking with manatees, soaking in the sun, and swimming in the unusually calm Atlantic waters of New Smyrna Beach. Lunch was provided by SEYM and a good time was had by all who attended.

As our class of 2025 high school graduates head off to college and our other youth return to classes, we wish them well and hope that their experiences with Friends will help guide them as they learn and grow.

What did your family do this summer? Drop us a line and let us know at yyacoordinator@seymquakers.org.

You can also follow us on Instagram at @seymyouthandyoungadults and join our Discord server here.