A return to family values and a strong church will help steer the Island's youth down the right path.

This was the consensus from the first day of the Unity in the Spirit Conference taking place this weekend at the Southampton Princess.

The workshop entitled "Mentoring our Youth'', led by PLP MP Nelson Bascome, was staged in a bid to equip Christians with the tools to go out into the community and help young people.

Mr. Bascome pointed out that the current problems facing teens, like drugs and peer pressure, were basically the same ones their parents faced when they were young.

But today's youth face those age-old problems to a greater degree and frequency than their parents experienced.

Mr. Bascome said other factors also contributed to lost youth, like an inadequate knowledge of Bermudian history, scant spiritual guidance and a lack of attention from adults.

"Silence is a crime,'' he said. "The church used to be the keepers of society. We seem to be letting young people walk all over us.

"If children see us confronting injustices, they will follow our example.'' Mr. Bascome said re-establishing family values would go a long way in the struggle to get Bermuda's youth "back on track''.

And he said that the church had a role to play in steering the young along the right path.

Noting that Sunday School attendance at most churches was low, Mr. Bascome said churches needed to find exciting ways to get youngsters through their front doors if they were going to reach and save them.

And he suggested that every church adopt a school in a bid to provide spiritual guidance to the youth.

Spectators recommended that churches create youth out-reach programmes so they could minister in the streets and lead the young to Christ.

Car pooling was heralded as a way to increase access to church programmes, social and sporting events for children.

The audience also felt that churches could provide alternative entertainment options to reggae sessions for teens -- complete with music but no alcohol or drugs.

Organised family nights was championed as a way to increase the quality time parents spent with their children while Spiritual Block Parties would foster community togetherness in neighbourhoods.

Mr. Bascome urged the participants to take one of the ideas raised in the workshop and personally put them into action.

"Mentoring a child is simple,'' he said. "You just have to put your time in -- that's all it takes.'' And he reminded Christians that the front line in the battle for Bermuda's youths begins at home.

"Have breakfast and dinner with your families, make it a time for the family,'' Mr. Bascome said. "Talk about any problems while you are around that table.'' He added: "Help your children with their homework. You have to get involved.'' CHURCH CHU