The 2025 Midwest Regional Bahá’í Summer school brought together about 180 participants, including around 40 children, 15 junior youth, and 10 youth for four days of learning, inspiration and fellowship. This year’s theme, “The Destiny of America,” offered a unifying vision that guided the content and spirit of the entire event, fully integrated with the goals of the Nine Year Plan.
Several attendees started each day with Dawn Prayers in the Refuge, a traditional Louhelen experience many guests enjoy each time they visit the school.
The program included morning and evening plenary sessions, where attendees benefited from the wisdom and insight of five keynote speakers from multiple institutions, whose thoughtful talks were spread across the three days. Each keynote served as a building block toward constructing a shared vision of America’s spiritual destiny. These plenaries were followed by small-group breakout sessions, each guided by two facilitators to allow for more personal exploration of the themes.
Youth participants enjoyed time together in the gym, engaging in vigorous play to burn off energy and build friendships. Children and junior youth also participated in specially designed activities throughout the program.
After lunch, participants had time to relax, go for walks, enjoy outdoor activities, or simply socialize, reconnecting with old friends and forming new bonds. During these hours, optional enrichment opportunities were offered, such as “Memorizing the Word of God”, choir practice in preparation for the Saturday evening community presentations, an Indigenous Peoples devotion and a guided meditation session in the Refuge
On Friday evening, participants enjoyed a warm and festive “Sweet Treats” Ice Cream Social and Fundraiser, which offered a sweet ending to the day and an opportunity to support future programming.
Individual expression was encouraged through various artistic activities, with some creative works later offered as thank-you gifts to teachers. Throughout the gathering, two resident musicians added a unique dimension to the program. They visited each class, contributed to devotional spaces, and played a central role in the Saturday evening presentations, where their musical gifts enriched the atmosphere and deepened the impact of the gathering. Stories, sing-alongs, an impromptu musical band accompanied performers
The gathering concluded on Sunday, leaving attendees spiritually uplifted and inspired, having shared a few days of connection, learning, reflection, and joy.