Clearwater Cove Weekend Camp

Back From Weekend Camp

The Carpool

Video Blog - The Carpool 

The Real Mom

Video Blog- Real Mom

The Hangover

Video Blog - The Hangover

I Should of Stayed Home

Jess sharing truth to over 90 of our hs friends.

Club #2 happened last night.  I should of stayed home.  I wasn't feeling well.  I have bronchitis and ain't nobody have time for that.  I'm on meds and I'm not contagious, but I could not miss club.  My husband said, "Just stay home."  "Your team of leaders can run club."  But I couldn't.  I WANTED to be there.  I wanted to have our leader family dinner before club and laugh and get teary eyed.  I wanted to be there and pray over club with 20 high school seniors and our team.  I wanted to give those seniors a pep talk in our huddle and tell them to leave a legacy and that they matter.  I wanted to watch over 90 kids run thru the door screaming and dressed up in costumes of Disney characters or superheros.  I wanted to dance and sing with them and laugh at our crazy leaders during the game and rap battle.  I wanted to sit on the edge of my seat and hear Jess share truth about her life and who God is.  I told my team, "I'm gonna leave early right after the talk."  As soon as club was over I tried to make a bolt for the door and was stopped by a student she wanted to hand me something she had borrowed.  As soon as I said thanks, she burst into tears from a long hard day of trying to keep it all together.  I got to hug her and find a couple of chairs to sit and hear her.  To listen.  To love and encourage her and to pray for her.  I should of stayed home but I am so glad I didn't.  What a gift to be a YL leader to be able to show up.

Check out a short video on what our YL leaders do.

Come Home

Muckfest 2016

It's been a YL but we are back!  We had our annual Muckfest 2 weeks ago.  Where a kid can be a kid.  Where food flies, flour, oatmeal, whipped cream and slime are thrown.  Kids play games, and have FUN!!!  It was a mess and it was great!  I love watching our volunteer leaders get in the muck.  Go big, take whipped cream to the face and be in the mix with our students.  All to build memories and relationships with kids in hopes to earn the right to be heard.

We had our 1st club of the semester last night!  Around 90 students showed up and felt welcomed, had fun, and heard truth.  Truth about who God is.  I had the honor of speaking on the prodigal son.  I love that God knows us and loves us.  That he is a perfect father.  He wants us to come home to him to find real life with him in his love.  I shared this clip at club from the movie Blood Diamond.  The theme of the movie is a father's love.  Solomon in the film has been captured by the RUF and made a slave to find diamonds.  His son Dia has also been captured and had been brainwashed and trained to kill.  Watch what happens when the reunite.

You see the Father:  Knows us.  And loves us.  Knows who we are created to be.  He wants us to come home and be with him and find real life. Our hope is that our YL students feel at home at YL. That they feel the Father's love. That they feel accepted and welcomed and continue to take steps toward their perfect heavenly father.

Thank you for helping us with this ministry. Our goals of YL club are: 1. Students to feel welcomed. 2. Students to have fun. 3. Students to hear truth. Truth about our own lives and truth about who God is. We also have a small group program called campaigners and a week summer camp. We care about high school kids and continue to do life with them, meeting them where they are.

If you would like more info on how to help click here: Help LS YL info
Our LS YL calendar here:http://lsyl.weebly.com/
And stay tuned our middle school program WyldLife is coming this October. Sign up for our WL newsletter here: WL Newsletter

I heart YL.

One of our students thoughts on YL camp.  She received a scholarship from LS YL and local donors to help cover her cost for the trip.

"There's not enough words to type down that could express my gratitude for you and all you did for me. But to make it short and sweet, thank you. Thank you for allowing me to have the best week of my life. Thank you for donating money which made me able to attend the trip. That week made me open my heart and my eyes to Jesus along with many new friends some from within the Lee's Summit YL group, and some even from YL groups all over the United States. I overcame fears, accomplished goals, and most importantly I refreshed and renewed my relationship with Jesus, and there is no better feeling than that. I fully put my trust in God, and made a commitment to live my life through him. Young life is now like a family to me and i'm lucky to call it home. The friendships I made that week will last forever just like God's never ending love for us. I'm so excited to start my journey with Christ and it was all because of your donation that allowed me to go on the trip. This week truly made a difference in my life, for the better."  

Thanks for those that support this ministry.  God is using your funding and prayers to continue to make a difference in the lives of students.  If you would like to help behind the scenes check out this link below or feel free to contact me:  traceecobb@gmail.com. 

 Parents/ Adults get involved :)

I'm excited to have a guest blogger for us today- Jonathan Kindler.  YL knows that adolescent years are some of the hardest years a kid faces.  We believe the statistic that every adolescent needs 5 key adults in their life to make it through those tough times.  YL wants to be one of those.  Check out Jonathan's insight as a former YL kid and now therapist.


My name is Jonathan Kindler. I am a marriage, couples, a family therapist located in Lee’s Summit. I graduated from Lee’s Summit High School in 2003 and spent all four years involved in Young Life. Here I found unconditional friendship from leaders who became mentors guiding me to my greater purpose with Jesus Christ. Young Life is a great resource for teens to build a foundation of courage, to experience compassion, and to get connected.

Jonathan

"Adolescents are the most misunderstood people on earth."

 They are treated like children but expected to act like adults.  It is a chaotic barrage of influences, life firsts, and trials that are presented to our adolescents on a daily basis. This, coupled with rapidly developing bodies, pumped with newly introduced hormones and malleable underdeveloped brains, (not to be fully developed until the age of 25), lends us a recipe for a whirlwind of confusion. In this developmental stage, our teens are faced with life decisions that will shape their perspective of themselves and their relationships, and it will set them on a trajectory for years to come. Are you scared yet?

As a therapist, I sit with teens on a daily basis working alongside them in the uncharted valley between kid-dom and adulthood. I have found, that as much as I hope to, I cannot fully protect them from the influx of temptation they will be faced with. The objective, as parents and mentors, is to instill in our kids the resilience to withstand the craziness of adolescence. Here are five, often under-valued, essentials for helping high school kids survive.

1.  Support

Your teen needs you. They will say they don’t, but they do. They need to know that they are Worthy, even when they make mistakes. That their value is not based on their output. That they are loved and they belong. This will build resilience and courage.

2.  Boundaries

Adolescence is the stage of transition from kid to adulthood. Here they learn how to be independent. This needs to be a gradual process. Placing good boundaries, clearly stating expectations, parameters, and consequences, constructs a reasonable balance, giving parents the ability to control the rate
of autonomy. This will empower teens to make wise decisions.

3.  Purpose

Adolescence is the beginning of self-identity. Here they will explore what they will dedicate their time to, what their goals are, and they develop a vision bigger than themselves. To help cultivate this, your teen needs you to aid in creating healthy positive meaning from their life experiences. This
includes helping them process difficult circumstances, articulating and holding emotions, and challenging them to pursue achievements. This will help cultivate a strong identity and an integrated sense of self.

4.  Self Care

It is essential for teens to recharge their batteries. Eating healthy, staying active, and getting good sleep is critical. As well as having a healthy balance between academics, athletics, hobbies, and “screen time”. Spending time cultivating relationships with family, friends and God keeps them grounded.  Setting standards in these areas creates healthy resources and habits.

5.  A Model

Finally, (this is the hard one) we must be the adults we want our children to become. We cannot give them anything we don’t have. When we model for our kids how we want them to live, we build trust and confidence in them, and they experience the positive impact this has in our life.

If you would like resources for your teen or are interested in therapy for your family
please contact me. I would love to help.

www.serenitylifekc.org/jonathan-kindler
kindlercounseling@gmail.com
816-892- 0902

Day 7- Frontier Ranch

Our last day at YL CAMP!!!  It's an emotional and epic one.  I love how God meets us on the mountain and on the way down.  He is with us always.  I love that students had the best week of their life because they experience adventure, deeper relationships, freedom to be a kid, and heard truth about who God is and how huge He loves them.  Many of our students said, "yes" to following Jesus this week for the first time.  Real life and full life begins now.  Life that He promises us.  

10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."  John 10:10

Some of our girls repelling down the mountain

All these students said YES to following Jesus for the first time!  

Our charter bus leaves camp at 8:00pm and will return to LSN high school by the tennis courts Sunday mid-morning.   Our students are instructed when they get their phones back (around 11pm) to text their parent an ETA and to communicate with them.  You can follow me on instagram- @traceecobb or Facebook Tracee Mela Cobb or text me if you have any ?'s 816 728 2024.

YL doesn't end with camp it only is beginning.

Check out the link below with all of our YL events:

YL EVENTS

Day 6- Frontier Ranch

Tanner and his leader Landon

Sophmore girls hanging around 

Senior girls with their leaders- Olivia and Jess

One thing I love about YL camp is kids get to be kids.  It seems simple but it doesn't happen a lot.  Back home we expect a lot out of our students.  There are pressures all around them.  They struggle with comparing their life to others daily with social media and many have experienced more pain and struggle then some adults.  At YL camp we want them to be kids.  To feel freedom, to have fun, to seek adventure, to smile, be honest, be real, and find deeper relationships.  I love watching kids be kids and watching them experience life to the full.

Day 5 Frontier Ranch

Day 5 was hard and challenging all our our students and leaders took a 4 hour hike up to the top of a 13,000 ft. mountain and a 2 hr hike down!  What a view and what a challenge.  Thankful for mountain top experiences.  YL camp is full of them.

ALL of our students and leaders make it to the top! 13,000 feet 

Our incredible leader team at the summit.  

Day 4- Frontier Ranch

Western Night

Our leaders taking pies in the face!

Western Night

Night 4 is the epic night that "never ends."  Our students were met with crazy surprises, that I won't reveal to you.  :)  In our day and age it's hard to be surprised.  And often surprises aren't good ones. At YL camp the campers don't know the schedule each day, they don't know what fun activities lay ahead.  They can't plan out their every minute.  They live in the moment at camp and live it fully.  I love that.  So last night was an amazing night had by all and it was full or smiles and surprises.  

Today Day 5 they are hiking at MOUNTAIN!!!  Pics to come!

Day 3- Frontier Ranch

Day 3.  Our students have heard 3 talks of truth at club.  Had 3 cabin times, rode horses, repelled off a mountain, participated in a rodeo, bonded with their friends, laughed, cried, and ate amazingly good meals as a family.

Our guys cabin preparing to repel 

Rodeo Night

Rodeo Night

Horse rides 

To be sophomore girls cabin

Day 2- Frontier Ranch

One of our girls cabins before riding the Ridge Runners

90's Themed Cabin Volleyball

Junior Girls

2 of our amazing leaders- looking for Nemo

Day 2.  Kids have been going full speed for over 48 hours!  They have had family meals, an epic club, a camp wide volleyball tourney, cabin time, and so much more.  They are having a blast and our leaders are tired.  It makes me appreciate our leaders.  They are in it with kids now at camp and when we get home.  We believe in earning the right to be heard and earning the right to be let in.  Our students bond with their leader at camp in a way I can't even put into words.  Our first cabin times were incredible.  Students are letting their leaders in on their life and their heart and who they really are.  Our hope is that they will continue to grow in that relationship and ultimately begin to consider a relationship with God.  Join me in praying for our leaders to be filled and full of energy as they go big and meet kids where they are.

Day 1- Frontier Ranch

They made it!!!  Our students and leaders arrived at Frontier Ranch today at 2:30pm.  They were greeted by a screaming crowd of work crew, staff, and YL volunteers all celebrating their arrival and the adventure that awaits!  We are so excited for kids to unplug from phones and busyness and plug into adventure, the outdoors, relationships, and truth.  In students free time the explored camp, hiked, shopped the YL store, some went repelling, go-cart riding, and swam in the pool. Tonight they will have their first club of camp with over 500 other high school students.  

One our our girls cabins before repelling 

The adventure begins- the first 3 minutes of the bus ride :)

We Love You Seniors

We Love You Seniors!!!

Wow.  Another school year of YL Club came to an end last night.  It has been an honor to lead these students over the past 4 years.  It has been an honor to watch lives change, hearts heal, and students ultimately finding life in Christ.  Last night we had our annual Senior Night Club where Seniors from all 3 high schools take over Club.  They lead the games, raffle, announcements, choose the music, and so on.  But the highlight for our volunteer leader team and myself is always open mic.  Seniors share truth.  They share how they have found God over the course of their 4 years, how YL has impacted them, and any advice they have for underclassmen.  I cry every year.  I cry because it is such a gift to see inside the hearts of these students, to hear what has been happening on the inside and see how this ministry has somehow become their second family and pointed them to Jesus.

Brady sharing at open mic.

Brady shared,  "Just because this is the last Young Life, that doesn't mean it ends.  We've made these relationships with our leaders, other YL kids, and most importantly we've made a relationship with Jesus." 

I love that students get it.  That they have found relationships with their peers that is real, deep, and supportive.  That they have found their relationship with their YL leader as a friend and mentor.  And that many have found the ultimate relationship with our source of life, Jesus Christ.

We believe in the class of 2016.  We believe they will leave a legacy.  We believe that God has started a good work in them and will carry it out to completion.  We see who they have the potential of becoming.  We see their beautiful hearts.  We see they are not perfect but trying to chase a perfect God.  We love you Seniors!  Thanks for letting us YL leaders into your beautiful lives.  Once a YL kid you will always be a YL kid.  You are family and we love you!

YL Seniors

Announcements:
We believe that YL camp is a place where a kid can be a kid and experience the best week of their life.  Many LS kids need help paying for camp.  If you would like to donate and help a LS kid go to camp contact:  Kim Carslon @ kimbocarlson@comcast.net or give online here:

Camp Scholarship- LSYL

YL is a nonprofit ministry.  We have to raise around $45k a year to keep YL in LS.  Our biggest fundraiser is our LS YL Golf Tourney.  If you would like to join us, be a sponsor, or invite other to do so please do so and share with others!

http://lsylgolf.weebly.com/

Follow us on instagram @lsyounglife to stay connected this summer of any special events.

THANK YOU!!!!

Life Lyrics

We have kicked off our semester having had 3 YL clubs and 2 WL events already.  Our small group ministry, campaigners, is also up and running.  Our camp trip this summer to Frontier Ranch is already sold out with students on the wait list!  God is moving.

This semester I challenged my YL leaders who are slotted to speak this semester to title their talk the same as a current billboard hit.  It has been a challenge.  I believe God is in all things, even current pop songs scream out for more.  My hope is that students would hear that song throughout the week and connect it to truth about the life Jesus offers.  I spoke week 1 with my song and title being, "One Call Away" by Charlie Puth.  I shared the story of Peter walking on water from Matthew 14:22-32.  Focusing on a few main points:  Jesus wants us to get out of the boat and experience life with him.  Jesus is only one call away- He pulls us up when we sink.  He does not leave us.

Peter’s afraid.  He could sink and die.  But he goes.  Peter steps out of the boat and walks on water. 

Then what happens?  He messes up?  Maybe he’s thinks he’s doing it on his own, maybe he gets anxious and worry takes over and He turns away from Jesus.  He is scared and calls out… Jesus, save me!  Prob the quickest prayer of his life.  His one call away. 

Maybe Jesus is singing –

I'm only one call away
I'll be there to save the day
Superman got nothing on me

(Have a listen and see if you hear truth in this song).

And what does Jesus do when Peter messes up?  Does he let him sink?  Does he turn away?  Does he get disappointed, or yell, or leave?  No, He hears Peter’s honest cry of his heart. 

Jesus IMMEDIATELY reached out, grabbed Peter’s hand, pulled him up, and I think smiled and said- You lost your faith didn’t you?  Why did you doubt me?  He was saying- I will always be there- I will always keep coming to the middle- I’ll be there to save you.  No matter where you go know you’re not alone. 

We want our students to know that life with a relationship with Jesus is an adventure that life can happen and happen to the full there.  We are called to get out of the boat of our life and hear the call from Him to walk on water.  Of course we are like Peter and we sink, we screw up, we fall down.  But the great news is how Jesus responds to us in that time.  I think of my son Otto learning to walk.  He took his first steps and we were so pumped!  We instagrammed it, high-fived each other, celebrated our son's steps.  After only a few steps of pure delight he fell down.  Our response as parents was not to yell or punish him for falling down, we simply helped him back up.  We know he was designed to walk and later run and want to help him do so.  Just like our heavenly father his desire for us to walk and run.  He celebrates our steps.  He knows we will fall and He will be there to help us up.  As YL leaders we celebrate our students as they say YES to life with Christ and getting out of the boat.  We desire for them to keep getting up when they fall.  We want to offer them support and encouragement as they do.  What a great role and honor.  

lsyl.weebly.com
For our calendar of events.