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Snakes and U.S. veterans will be making appearances at this year’s two OFBF fall youth conferences.

"Snakes at a dance" is the theme of the Great Getaway East conference to be held Oct. 1 in Canfield in Mahoning County. The guest speaker will be doing an interactive program about snakes for the conference’s participants, said Darrell Rubel, OFBF director of volunteer development. While admission is free, youths are asked to bring chips, cookies and soft drinks.

"Vet with a program" is the theme of Great Getaway West to be held Nov. 11 at the community building of the fairgrounds in Kenton. Rubel said youth organizers came up with the theme because the conference is being held on Veterans Day. Guest speakers include World War II and Iraqi war vets. Admission to the event is expected to be $2, with the proceeds going to the local VFW. Pizza and drinks will be provided.

Both conferences will run from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and feature food, games, dancing and OFBF’s Spotlight on Safety contest semi-finals. The safety finals will be held Dec. 1 during Ohio Farm Bureau’s annual meeting. This year one winner at each conference will receive a scholarship to attend a Farm Bureau Youth Summer Conference.

The Great Getaway conferences are open to youths ages 11 and up, and each event typically draws more than 120 youths, Rubel said. The events are open to non-Farm Bureau members, and youth council members are encouraged to bring their friends.

"The conference is a day to learn about Farm Bureau in a fun way and to make new friends across the state," he said. "It’s also a way to allow our councils and State Youth Committee to flex their leadership and creativity muscles by hosting a great event for youths."

To learn more about the conferences, contact your county Farm Bureau or county youth adviser.