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 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
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. 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.
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.
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 :)
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:
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!
