Above April 18–19, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio, at the Near East Side Institute facility
Left March 27–April 1, 2026 at Louhelen, near Davison, Michigan
Right April 2–4, 2026 at the Indianapolis Bahá’í Center
At the Midwest Region Spring Camps, the youth themselves arose to plan and facilitate the programs, engaging deeply with the concept of being protagonists in the life of their communities. They explored what it means to act with intention, to persevere through challenges, and to learn continuously through experience and reflection. A protagonist, they learned, is not a passive recipient of opportunities, but a conscious contributor to the betterment of society and the well‑being of others. Through cultivating creative initiative grounded in discipline and purpose, the youth are learning to take responsibility for their own spiritual and intellectual growth and to recognize their capacity to shape the world around them. The Institute courses serve as a vital source of guidance and empowerment along this path, strengthening their ability to walk together as protagonists in the long‑term process of building vibrant, unified communities. Encouragingly, many youth are already translating this learning into action by initiating community‑building activities and opening new neighborhoods in their home communities.