Teens feel the Youth Quake

Youth Quake, known as a party with a purpose, was held this weekend at Briercrest College in Caronport. More than 2,500 youth from all over Canada and parts of the U.S. attended the outreach event.
The entire campus of Briercrest was transformed for the event that has been held for over 30 years. Intended for teenaged students, the weekend was full of activities for teenagers to meet other people, learn about God and have a good time.
The attendees checked in Friday afternoon. They stayed in the dorm rooms of Briercrest College as the conference was a whole campus event.
The weekend started with a series of events including the introduction of the weekend's theme - "Live out Loud."
A concert was held late Friday evening with two groups performing - Family Force 5 and Disiciple.
For Shauvon Friesen, 14, from Morden, Man., the appearance of Family Force 5 was one of the main reasons for her attending Youth Quake, as it is her favourite band. But she also said the event was a good experience in general.
Sessions began Saturday morning. All of the retreaters gathered in the chapel for a main session. They then had some time to go to whatever activities they wished to attend.
There was a huge variety of activities for the teens: plasma cars, art and music competitions, hockey, basketball, inflatable obstacle courses, performances, a talent show and prayer sessions.
There was a number of Moose Jaw teens who attended Youth Quake.
Jesse Workman, a Grade 9 student from Vanier, attended Youth Quake for the first time and said it was very exciting. The opportunity for him to attend came through Moose Jaw's youth centre, Joe's Place.
"I'm having a lot of fun," Caitlyn Kirchman, a Grade 10 student from Riverview Collegiate, said on Saturday afternoon.
Philip Moldon, a Grade 9 student from Foam Lake, was also a first time attendee.
He said Youth Quake was great. He enjoyed hanging out with friends, listening to the music and meeting new people.
Other performers included Amanda Falk, 321 Improv, Lost and Found and illusionist Jared Hall.
Jared Herd, from Atlanta was the keynote speaker at the event.
Several retreaters said they would be interested in returning to Youth Quake in 2009. Teens who have attended the conference previously said that it keeps getting better.

Spencer McEwan can be reached at 691-1255.