Ready for the Time of Your Life? Join Us at the LifeSkills Conference!
Dates: July 12-17, 2026
Registration Deadline: July 1, 2026
Registration Fee: $400
For more than 25 years, the Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation’s LifeSkills Conference has been inspiring students to discover their strengths, step into leadership and create lifelong friendships. This unique, week-long experience helps young people grow as leaders while building confidence, respect, responsibility and strong relationships. Past conference themes have centered on kindness, courage and belonging — qualities that shine through in everything we do.
LifeSkills isn’t just another summer program — it’s a community. With only 100 participants each year, every participant is seen, supported and given space to thrive. Friendships formed here often last a lifetime.
Through a mix of hands-on adventures, like the ropes course, and creative activities in music, movement and the arts, students learn conflict resolution and self-management. By the end of the week, with our support, each participant creates an action plan to put their new skills into practice and make a lasting difference.
The conference welcomes youth ages 12-17 who are sponsored by a Masonic Youth Group, Lodge, relative or School District affiliate. Spots fill quickly – secure yours today and be part of something unforgettable!
General Information
So, what’s it all about?
LifeSkills is an active, creative and experiential week of learning, growth and relationship building with other young people and a talented team of professionals and volunteers. Through a variety of hands-on sessions, challenges and creative activities, participants explore and reinforce the foundational principles of LifeSkills:
- RESPECT for yourself and others
- RESPONSIBILITY for your thoughts, words, feelings and actions
- HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS with yourself, peers and others
- VALUING others and operating by shared expectations and agreements
- CHOOSING your personal level of challenge
From the ropes course and team challenges to music, movement and arts activities, every experience is designed to engage, inspire and empower. At LifeSkills friendships form, confidence grows and the skills learned extend far beyond the conference.
Participants leave prepared to take their new skills and experiences back to their schools and communities, turning what they’ve learned into meaningful action.
Who May Attend?
Maybe You!
The Conference is open to Pennsylvania youth who are:
And any one of the following:
How do I qualify for the Conference?
All applicants must indicate one of the following:
- Masonic Youth Group Membership – If you are a member of a Masonic-sponsored youth group (DeMolay, Job’s Daughters, Rainbow, Knights of Pythagoras, or Ruth Mitchell Tucker Girls), you may list that membership to qualify.
- Masonic Relative – If you have a close relative (such as a father, grandfather, uncle or brother) who is a member of a Masonic lodge, they may act as your sponsoring organization on your application. Be sure to provide full contact information for your Masonic relative.
- Local Masonic Lodge or Organization – Contact a local lodge or other Masonic organization to ask them to sponsor you for the conference. Be prepared to share why you wish to attend the conference. Sponsorship may include partial or full registration support, but their recommendation alone is sufficient. If you don’t know how to contact a lodge, use the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania’s Lodge Locator.
- School District Affiliate – Students may be invited by Thom Stecher & Associates, or by their teachers, administrators or other school staff.
- Living Outside Pennsylvania – If you live outside PA, you may still be eligible to attend. Contact us to find out more.
LifeSkills is for …
First-timers – This first-time LifeSkills experience is designed to give all participants the best possible learning and growth week. You’ll never forget this adventure! First-time attendees receive registration priority up until the registration deadline.
Returnees – A limited number of returning participants may have the opportunity to re-experience parts of their previous LifeSkills week, while building their knowledge and confidence. Availability to repeat the conference depends on demand each year.
LifeChangers – Returning participants who want to deepen their experience and have a passion for serving others can apply to become a LifeChanger. LifeChangers take on additional responsibilities during the week, helping to support activities and mentor other students, while continuing to grow as leaders themselves.
Adult Staff – Our adult staff often tell us they get more out of the conference than the youth do! If you’re an educator interested in working with youth or serving others, contact us to learn about becoming a LifeSkills staff member.
Activities
Challenge Yourself, Grow Together
Beginning with small challenges and working your way up, you’ll have the chance to develop trust, teamwork and leadership skills — all culminating in conquering the high ropes course with your team.
LifeSkills is so much more than just another summer conference. There’s something here for everyone:
- You’ll have fun in a creative and active learning environment.
- You’ll love the beautiful, top-of-the-line facilities like the gymnasium, pool area and more.
- You’ll be supported by a caring and talented staff who are with you every step of the way.
- You’ll develop an action plan to take your skills home to your school and community.
- You’ll come away with new friends, new skills and new confidence in yourself.
- What are you waiting for? Click here for registration information!
Shared Expectations & Agreements
Building Trust, Respect and Responsibility Together
To attend the LifeSkills Conference, you must agree to follow these rules:
At the LifeSkills Conference, we promise you a week that’s fun, meaningful and life-changing. To make that possible, we also need to agree to common expectations about how we treat each other and our space. Think of these not as “rules,” but as agreements — a way to make sure every participant feels safe, respected and supported.
Here’s what guides us:
From time to time, other guidelines may be added for the protection of people and property, but these agreements are the foundation of our community.
In fact, this is your first essential LifeSkill: choosing to step into a space where you are trusted by your staff, by your caregivers and by each other to be respectful, responsible and ready to grow in all your relationships at the conference and back home.
Cost
An Investment in Growth — and the Best Value Is What You Bring Home
Pennsylvania Masons are committed to Pennsylvania Youth
The Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation subsidizes a large part of the cost of this conference. The per-attendee cost for the full-week conference, including food, housing and conference materials, is estimated at $600.
But you won’t pay that much. If you are attending the conference for the first time, we will subsidize $200 of your cost. If you are attending for a second time, we will subsidize $50 of your cost. After those subsidies, your registration fee will be:
You’ll be hard pressed to find a comparable program at twice the price!
First-Time Attendee
Second-Time Attendee
A typical day’s schedule at LifeSkills
| TIME | ACTIVITY |
|---|---|
| 7 A.M. | Wake up, optional morning activities |
| 8 A.M. | Breakfast |
| 9 A.M. | Community meeting and large group teambuilding activities |
| 10 A.M. | Initiatives: Hands-on group challenges that combine movement and problem-solving |
| Noon | Lunch |
| 1 P.M. | Action Planning: Develop a plan for bringing your new skills and experiences back to your school and community, with guidance from our staff and support from your team |
| 4 P.M. | Conference Break: Free time for swimming, gym activities or relaxing downtime |
| 6 P.M. | Dinner |
| 7 P.M. | Juggling your way to self-esteem / Leading with success for success |
| 8 P.M. | Group activities led by your counselor/ Interview and writing skills |
| 9 P.M. | Snack |
| 10 P.M. | Lights Out |
Registration
Here’s what you need to do:
- Review the Shared Agreements – Read and share them with your caregivers. By submitting your registration, you are agreeing to follow these agreements throughout the week.
- Complete the Digital Registration Form – Fill out the form completely, including how you qualify for the conference (see eligibility). Make sure your caregiver digitally signs the form to indicate consent. This includes completing and submitting the Photo Release Form and the Ropes Course Liability Form. Then, click Submit.
- Send Your Registration Fee – Mail your payment to:
Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation
c/o LifeSkills Conference
1244 Bainbridge Road
Elizabethtown, PA 17022Your space cannot be reserved without payment. We’ll notify you within 3 weeks of receiving your application whether you have been accepted.
If your registration fee is being paid by scholarship or by your school district, please note this on your Digital Registration Form and confirm payment was made.
- Check out What to Bring to LifeSkills FAQ and get ready! – Prepare for a week of growth, adventure and lifelong connections.
Director
Thom Stecher
Thom Stecher is known for his gentle, encouraging spirit, inspiring students and adults to grow, lead and connect. He is the originator of the LifeSkills program, created in partnership with the Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation. Through LifeSkills, Thom builds lasting partnerships with schools and students, helping them bring their skills and experiences back to their schools and communities. Through Thom Stecher & Associates, he works with schools and districts to support social-emotional learning and its many essential components, including wellness, resiliency, student support, diversity, equity, inclusion, access and trauma informed practices — all critical to human-centered teaching and learning.
A nationally recognized motivational speaker and educational consultant, Thom is one of the original developers of the Pennsylvania Student Assistance Program, a nationally acclaimed model recognized by both the National Governors Association and the American Medical Association. He has expanded this model to programs at the elementary, middle and high school levels, and he continues to train and support schools in over 20 states, as well as Canada, Germany and Great Britain.
Over his 50 years in education, Thom’s work has been defined not just by his expertise, but by the personal connections he builds with students, educators and communities, ensuring the impact of LifeSkills and his consulting extends long after the conference ends.
Abby Morgan is a dedicated educational leader and advocate for student and staff well-being. She currently serves as Chief of Operations and Strategy at Thom Stecher & Associates, Program Director for Neumann University’s Master’s in Social Emotional Learning and Program Manager for LifeSkills. Abby is also an Awareness-to-Action Enneagram Professional, bringing a unique lens to personal and professional growth.With over a decade of experience as an educational consultant, Abby specializes in trauma-informed practices, mental health and well-being and supporting the systemic growth of administrative teams. Her approach is grounded in connection, empathy and creating meaningful change in school communities.
Abby earned her degree in Human Development and Family Relations from the University of Connecticut. Before joining Thom Stecher & Associates in 2012, she spent nine years coaching collegiate lacrosse, cultivating teamwork, resilience and leadership along the way.
