By Samantha Bolden | The Selma Times-Journal

The eighth annual city of Selma Youth Conference will begin Wednesday and conclude Saturday.

The conference will focus on growing childhood obesity rate and First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign.

The four day conference is filled with workshops dedicated to youth between the ages of 12-18 and ends with a community Fun Day.

The conference began in 2009 under the leadership of Councilwoman Angela Benjamin.

Benjamin said the conference’s main goal is to educate the youth and develop individual leadership and teamwork.

Games will be set up throughout the conference to be played in-between breaks.

The conference will end with a community fun day from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Phoenix Park in downtown Selma.

The day will be filled with games, a cookout, volleyball tournaments, Bible Bowl, train ride, giant waterslide, climb and bounce, kickball and more.

“I’m looking most forward to seeing these kids grow,” Benjamin said.

“I’m excited to meet and learn about them because they are important toward making Selma better.”

For more information on the fun day or the conference, contact Benjamin at (334)349-5389.