Posts by Young Life Leader
WyldLife Camping: Did You Know?
It’s that time of year… you’re inviting kids, raising money, talking to parents and praying hard to get your WyldLife friends to camp this summer. As you make your plans, don’t forget these important policies and guidelines for WyldLife camp. DID YOU KNOW that campers must have completed a year of middle school before coming…
Read MoreThe Young Life Leader Packing List For Camp: 25 Items To Not Leave Home Without
Bible Psalm 119:105- “The Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Mini Notepad/Pen Take notes in the leader mtgs, write down the schedule, cabin time questions, etc… it’s nice to have a lil notepad that fits in your pocket. It’s also handy during club if you want to write…
Read MoreThe Collision of Silence and May
Written by John Holmes, Associate Regional Director, St. Louis, MO. May is a busy month; maybe one of the busiest months of the year. Everything seems to collide all at once; end of the year Clubs, golf tournaments, leader parties, donor meetings, camp sign-ups…….and the list goes on and on. In the midst of all…
Read MoreThe Complete Guide to a YL’d Bus Ride: 21 Ideas for a Road Trip to Remember
Many of us have LONG bus rides to camp this summer. Instead of just enduring the ride, let’s make it a highlight of the trip. Below are a ton of ideas stolen from many different YL leaders over the years. Start planning now! 1. Bus Program Have you ever done program…ON A BUS?! Here is…
Read MoreHow to Help Middle Schoolers Transition from WyldLife To Young Life
Written by, Randy Giusta, Area Director, San Diego North, CA There are a few constants in the ministries of Young Life and WyldLife. One is that it is relational, and another is that kids grow up and go through transitions. So how do we maximize the numbers of kids who make the transition from WyldLife…
Read MoreJust Plain Hilarious: Using Dental Surgery Mouthguards In Club
A friend recently shared with me this video of James Corden and Melissa McCarthyon The Late Late Show. It would make a hilarious skit at club. All you need to do is swing by your dentist office and pickup some mouth guards. I haven’t found where you can order these online, but if you know,…
Read MoreWyldLife Camp: 6 Tips for Leaders
Written by Bekah Siau, Area Director with YL Military at West Point, NY and Dylan Kelly, volunteer leader Wyldlife camping has some unique challenges, so here are a few tips to consider as you prepare. PrayAsk the Lord to break your heart for the students coming on the trip. Expect Him to work in their…
Read MoreShould Introverts Be Young Life Leaders?
My friend Tim Branch has just finished writing a short e-book for introverted Young Life leaders and I know it’s going to be a huge gift to many of you. You can download it here and read a teaser below. -Drew Hill Here’s the thing about introverts: We don’t always love the spotlight. We don’t…
Read MoreA Memorable Way to End the Year with Your Campaigners: The Campies
This hilarious & meaningful Campaigners tradition is shared by Tom O’Neill, a volunteer leader in Sammamish, WA. The Campies For any fan of the TV show “The Office” you’ll recognize this Campaigners tradition as inspired by Michael Scott’s shenanigans. I was recently watching an episode of “The Dundies,” an annual office award show. Michael Scott…
Read MoreMeet Next Year’s Freshmen: 5 Ways to get 8th Graders to Club
As you near the end of the school year, it’s super strategic to invite 8th graders to one of your last clubs! In just a few months they’ll be freshmen. Let’s give them a taste now so they know what they have to look forward to as high school begins. How To Get 8th Graders To…
Read MoreJoin a Work Week at a Young Life Camp Near You
If you’ve never been to a Young Life Work Week, this could be your year! They’re only a couple weeks away so look at the dates below and mark your calendars. It’s a great opportunity to add another YL shirt to your collection, to join old friends and make tons of new ones…and to help…
Read MoreWyldLife Wednesday: What are Middle Schoolers Thinking?
Written by Kevin Chao, Area Director, Greenwich, CT and WyldLife Coordinator, Metro North Region Take a moment and think back to your middle school days. What were you like back then? How would you describe who you were in middle school? What was your biggest fear? Biggest insecurity? In order to best reach our friends…
Read MoreSummer Movies 2016: Opening Dates & Trailers
The summer movie season begins in just 10 days. Our job as YL leaders is to lead our middle and high school friends into the adventure of following Christ. Part of that means helping them discover better ways to use their time than just settling for the big screen. But another part of our role…
Read MoreHow to End the Year with a Bang: Tips for Senior Club
If you’ve not yet had your final club for this school year, the end is in sight. It’s become a tradition in many YL areas to end each year with “Senior Club,” giving the graduating seniors a chance to lead club and share about their experiences. Below are a few tips to help make the…
Read MoreJesus Goes to The Movies
You may have noticed that in nearly every conversation, web article, or even Sunday sermon, people are talking about, referencing, or using as illustration a favorite or memorable scene from a movie. Movies are huge and going to the local cineplex is one of the most participated-in activities in America— especially by teenagers. In 2016 alone, the…
Read MoreScorekeeper XL App
Looking for an easy way to keep score for YL events and club games? Click here to download the Scorekeeper XL app. You can also mirror your device and put the scoreboard on the screen! Thanks to Eve Sarrett for passing along this idea after they used it for donut olympics.
Read MoreA New Fundraising Idea: miYLstore & How To Win A Free Shirt!
miYLstoreis a platform for Young Life Staff (Areas, Missions, Regions, etc) that makes it easy for Young Life staff to create and sell high-quality products with your custom Young Life logo that people will love, with no cost or risk! This is a platform that can help you raise money for your budget or campership…
Read MoreWyldLife Wednesday: Sample Script for Calling Parents
Getting kids to WyldLife camp means calling their parents. Not sure what to say? Try this sample script: May I speak to Mr./Mrs. Smith? Hello, my name is Sarah and I’m a WyldLife leader at East Middle School. I’ve enjoyed meeting your daughter, Ashley and getting to see her at WyldLife this year. I wanted…
Read MoreHow to Say Goodbye: Thoughts on Young Life Leaders Leaving Well
Some of your Young Life teammates might be entering a season of transition. Maybe they’re graduating, moving, burned out or called to another ministry. Their absence will be noticed. Not just by you or your team, but by the kids. Change is hard. Trust is expensive. Abandonment issues are real. Would you consider sharing this…
Read MoreThe Young Life Masters: A Frisbee Golf Fundraiser
Written by Austin Drake, Dave Mahon, and Derek Hay. Are you looking for a fun and unique fundraising event this spring? This past weekend we hosted the “5th annual Rome/Floyd County Young Life Frisbee Golf Masters.” The event is held on Berry College’s campus, our local leader-farm. The event is open to, not only our…
Read MoreFamily Camp Songs
Our area went to Family Camp at Windy Gap last weekend. My friend DL (David Lin) led music and sent me his set list to share. Hopefully it can be helpful to any of you planning music for Family Camp. Friday Night Chicken Fried Happy Look All Around You Home (Phillip Phillips) Let There Be…
Read More“Encouragement for a Weary Young Life Leader” by Pablo Otaola
We’re looking for helpful ideas and encouragement for folks doing Multi-Cultural & Urban ministry. If you’d like to contribute, email us here. This post below was written by Pablo Otaola, YL staff in Denver, CO. It’s the end of the school year and if you’re anything like me you’re tired. You’ve carried the burdens of your kids…
Read MoreWyldLife Wednesday: 7 Questions for Contact Work
Written by Kevin Chao: Area Director in Greenwich, CT and WyldLife Coordinator for the Metro North Region. During a recent WyldLife event at a sportsplex in town, I was walking between the trampoline dodgeball area and the gymnastics room. As I looked down into the gymnastics area my eyes met with one of the middle…
Read MoreAn Audience of One
Written by Jen Payne: Young Life Leader in Gig Harbor, WA. I’ve had the privilege of being involved in Young Life for the past 30 years and have spent many of those years as an adult leader walking alongside girls. As leaders, we often find ourselves concerned with the numbers. We count heads at club…
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