One of my best memories was back when we used to have them at County Stadium in Milwaukee. The field itself had no seating, just the platform, so the public wasn't allowed down there. But, my dad was on the construction team for the platform. That allowed my brother and I to tag along and get out onto the field. Got to run the bases where greats like Hank Aaron used to play.
In my later teens, crusing the hallways looking for girls was fun. Cause if I was going to marry a JW, I didn't especially like the slim pickings at my hall. This was the only place to find a little more variety.
After 18 and having our own transportation, skipping out altogether was even better. I remember my brother and I having a great afternoon chilling-out at one of the lakes in Madison (Mendota or Mendosa?), splitting a 6-pack. Had to be careful though. Sometimes you'd meet some "spiritual" cutie who would ask you about things in the program so you had to be quick on your feet.
I think we always enjoyed the whole trip. Our family didn't travel much and when we did, we didn't stay in hotels, we camped. Staying in a hotel in a different city was fun. We also looked forward to the night. Going to hang out or do things with our friends or swim at the hotel, or in later years, go visit the girls we had met that day.
As for the sessions? Boring. The whole religion was boring. Same stuff, over and over. I liked the costumed dramas though - at least it was a break from a boring speaker. When I was a kid, I tried to draw to pass the time, but my parents wouldn't let me. Tried to sleep, but they'd wake me. I became a first-class daydreamer - even my grade-school report cards commented on it - being JW was where I think it all started. When I was older, we'd sit on our own and get away with diversions like drawing and napping. Or bring binoculars to "see the speaker/drama", but really we'd people-watch.
Overall, I didn't really mind conventions and probably even looked forward to them. But those feelilngs had nothing to do with the sessions - only with the rest of the trip.