Father and Sons Campout 2026

RAYTOWN, MO — Tents were pitched and campfires were lit this weekend as the Raytown Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered for its annual fathers and sons campout. The overnight event brought together boys, young men, and their fathers—or priesthood mentors—for a weekend focused on outdoor recreation, fellowship, and spiritual bonding.

Local participants spent their time setting up camp, cooking meals over open flames, and participating in team sports, all culminating in a traditional evening testimony meeting around the campfire.

A Century-Old Tradition

While the weekend offered plenty of lighthearted fun, the event carries deep historical and cultural roots within the Church. Across many congregations (known as wards), the "Fathers and Sons Outing" has been a foundational milestone for generations.

• Commemorating the Priesthood: Historically, these campouts are deeply tied to the anniversary of the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood, which Latter-day Saints celebrate as having occurred on May 15, 1829. Wards frequently host these events in late spring or early summer to honor that milestone.
• A Century of Heritage: The tradition became formalized under Church programs nearly a century ago, in the 1920s. It was designed to pull young men out of their everyday routines and place them in nature, which early organizers viewed as the ultimate environment for building character.
• Fostering Mentorship: A core tenet of the tradition is inclusivity. In cases where a young man does not have a father present, or a man does not have sons, the ward coordinates so every young man is paired with a mentor, ensuring no youth is left out of the brotherhood and bonding.

The Modern Evolution: While the Church moved away from its formal partnership with the Boy Scouts of America in recent years, local congregations have deliberately kept the campout tradition alive under their own youth programs. Today, it remains an essential tool for helping fathers and sons disconnect from screens and build lasting memories.

For the families of the Raytown Ward, this weekend was a continuation of that legacy—strengthening family ties and community connections one campfire story at a time.