Young Men Can Do Hard Things | A How I Lead Interview with Skylar Haws

Aug 13, 2025

Skylar Haws, an experienced youth leader and passionate advocate for young men's spiritual growth, shares his insights on effective youth leadership. He underscores the importance of meeting young men where they are and fostering relationships through adventure activities. Skylar discusses how challenges can strengthen faith and emphasizes the role of parents in supporting youth initiatives. He also reflects on his personal experiences of sacrifice in service, illustrating how these moments can lead to profound personal development for both leaders and youth.

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ADVICE

Serve First, Trust The Outcome

Sacrifice time to serve even amid personal uncertainty and trust the Lord will provide.
Prioritize wholehearted service and expect blessings to follow when you give your best.

INSIGHT

Anchor Adventures To Christ

Connect every high-adventure experience back to Christ to create spiritual meaning.
Youth will naturally draw gospel parallels when prompted to reflect on their experiences.

ADVICE

Plan Together, Then Secure Approval

Involve teens early: throw big ideas out, recruit influential youth, then hold collaborative planning sessions.
Bring presidencies and parents in to finalize logistics and safety before committing dates.

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Skylar Haws has dedicated over a decade to serving youth in various church callings, including Young Men’s President and Priest Quorum Advisor. He has also taught early morning seminary and worked as a youth Sunday School teacher. Skylar’s passion for youth leadership stems from his own experiences and a desire to help young men grow spiritually and personally. He resides in Saratoga Springs with his family, where he balances his church responsibilities with work and family life.

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Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community

Highlights

Skylar emphasizes the importance of meeting young men where they are. He discusses the value of building relationships and creating meaningful experiences through high adventure activities. Skylar highlights the significance of pushing youth to embrace challenges while connecting their experiences back to Christ. He also addresses the dynamics of planning activities, engaging parents, and fostering a supportive environment for all young men, regardless of their individual circumstances.

04:00 – Skylar’s Background in Youth Leadership
05:00 – Advice for New Young Men’s Leaders
06:00 – Meeting Youth Where They Are
08:00 – The Power of Sacrifice in Youth Leadership
11:00 – Creating Spiritual Impact in High Adventure Activities
13:00 – Planning High Adventure Activities
18:00 – Engaging Boys in Planning and Preparation
22:00 – Handling Low Attendance at Activities
25:00 – The Importance of Relationships in Leadership
30:00 – Balancing Leadership with Family and Work
32:00 – Thematic and Dramatic Elements in Activities
35:00 – Service Opportunities and Miracles
40:00 – Managing Challenges During Activities

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