Early formal programs for Lutheran youth in the Northwest District of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod were provided by the International Walther League, which was a youth-led organization. On the District administrative level, the School Board (Board of Education) was responsible for young people's work. Even though some in the District were concerned about duplication of effort, the Board of Education "kept in touch with the Walther League" and served as a link between the Walther League and the District. While the Walther League was in existence, the District depended on it to do most of the religious training of youth of high school age and upward.

In 1942 the District introduced a Board of Directors to administer the programs of the District in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. One of the new standing committees was a Committee on Student Support and Young People's Work (sometimes called the District Youth Committee). In 1956 the District raised the profile of young people's work when it called a staff person to coordinate a number of programs, including youth. Carl F. Nitz, together with the District Youth Committee, now provided a staff level link between the 3 Walther League Districts, with their zones, and the District office. He served until 1972.

The 1965 Synodical Convention directed each district to establish a separate youth board or committee. The Synodical Board for Young People's Work was to supply these district boards with resources and training. The District Youth Committee reported to the 1968 District Convention that some structural changes had indeed occurred. The Walther League Districts had been eliminated. Youth programs were being financed from the District budget. A new structure had been introduced:

a) Each state (Idaho, Washington, and Oregon) had a Youth Commission made up of youth of high school age, with an adult advisor, responsible to the State Youth Board.

b) Each state had its own State Youth Board, made up of adults, and responsible to the District Youth Board for youth work in the state.

c) A District Youth Board (with 2 members from the Board of Directors and 2 members from each State Youth Board) administered the youth programs as determined by the Board of Directors. (The 1969 Synodical Convention Workbook has an organizational chart on page 371.)