Outwardly, Inwardly, and Communally
One of the hallmarks of Young Life, along with humor, incarnational witness, intentionality and others, is adventure. In fact, if you look back almost nine decades and reflect on the stories of Jim Rayburn and the early pioneers of the mission, you’ll find adventure woven into our very fabric. From the beginning, Jim Rayburn loved to get kids out of their comfort zone and into God’s creation. Many are the stories of him and others, like Bob Mitchell, taking kids camping in Texas, and profound was Jim’s love of the Colorado Rocky Mountains.
The Advent of Adventure Camping
Adventure camping in Young Life found its footing in 1970, with the start of “La Vida” outside Saranac Village, and Beyond Malibu in the coastal mountains of British Columbia. Soon to follow would be Wilderness Ranch, in Creede, Colorado, and Pioneer Plunge in the Great Smoky Mountains near Windy Gap. For these unique experiences we can thank the efforts of pioneers like George Sheffer III, Barney Dobson, Will and Betty Wyatt, and Jim and Sarah Hornsby.
Though uniquely different in location, these Young Life adventure camps shared at least three traits:
- Experiencing God in and through creation
- Personal growth through physical stress
- Learning to live life in community
In Made For This: The Young Life Story, Jeff Chesemore sums these up beautifully:
“Pushing themselves outside their physical zones paved the way for kids to open themselves up spiritually. Like the 20 minutes of silence in a traditional camp, the peacefulness found atop a mountain or under a sky of infinite stars provided space for receptivity to the Spirit’s dealing in their lives. Having this play out alongside a small band of like-minded explorers also helped instill in kids their need for Christian community.”
Words and experiences like this immediately remind us of Romans 1:20, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse” (NIV). To stand atop a mountain, hike along a river, and sleep beneath the stars is to step into a profound apologetic of the existence, creativity, and awesome power of God. Furthermore, to share one’s self openly, without any of our normal facades and filters, while encouraging each other through long days, stretching experiences, and great accomplishments is to experience yet another aspect of God.
In the words of one Atlanta teenager who spent time at Pioneer Plunge, “My time was the greatest, most painful, joy-filled, cryingest, laughingest, into-it, out-of-it, concerned, indifferent, lovingest, hatingest time I ever personally spent! In other words, I’d do it again!” (MFT, pp. 75-78).
A Biblical View
“Adventure,” according to the online Webster’s Dictionary, is defined, in part, as “an exciting or remarkable experience.” In John 10:10, Jesus speaks of the “remarkable experience” he came to make available. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (NIV). Similarly, Young Life’s founder, Jim Rayburn, is said to have had 1 John 5:12 printed on his letterhead in the early years of the mission. This verse reads, “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (NIV).
As we consider these words, we can expand the idea of adventure and the “exciting or remarkable experiences” we offer kids to not only be found in a wilderness, or camp setting. Rather, this idea of “adventure” and “life to the full” can be experienced in the seemingly quiet and docile, as well as the loud and risky. It can be found in the wilderness, at a Young Life property, or in the local area; whether rural, suburban, or urban. Experiencing God, growing personally, and developing community can all flourish in an adventure camp setting; but they can also happen as people do life together in their local area. And, to be sure, adventure has been a hallmark of Young Life camps, clubs, Campaigners meetings, etc.
Coping Through Resilience
According to Young Life’s recent “RELATE” study,
“Today’s Adolescents Are Stressed. Stress is a normal and inevitable part of adolescence. About a third of teens and young adults experience high levels of stress – especially in the U.S. and U.K.
This is unsurprising; today’s teens struggle to balance full schedules, societal expectations, personal goals, and lots of relationships. But without coping skills and a variety of protective factors, Gen Zers struggle under the weight of stress.
As adolescents mature, stress begins to increase — especially ages 16 through 18 — as independence and responsibilities grow.” (Page 27)
Interestingly, here’s how RELATE study participants responded when asked, “What sorts of things do you do to cope with stress”:
- 37% connect with friends
- 31% engage in physical activity
- 29% go outside or spend time in nature
Every one of these things can be found in most adventure experiences!
The RELATE study went on to comment on resilience in Gen Z.
“Teens and young adults say that adversity has had more of a positive impact on them than a negative one. In fact, about half say adversity makes them stronger or motivates them to change something in their lives.
This is promising! And it points to an opportunity to help struggling teens by reframing their challenges as opportunities.”
The studies’ authors go on to suggest that it is helpful to “Talk about resilience as a skill rather than a characteristic.
This communicates that young people have opportunities to build resilience, not that they are deficient. Create opportunities to build this skill. This could be going somewhere new, trying something new, or practicing failure and how to navigate these challenges together.” (Page 37)
Again, adventure experiences within Young Life align well with this idea of developing resilience!
Adventure and You
Finally, this hallmark of Young Life can be part of your life. Let me ask you a few questions …
- When was the last time you experienced God in and through his creation? If it’s been a while, may I encourage you to get outside if you’re able.
As John Muir once said, “In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” - Are you experiencing personal growth; physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually? Doing hard things, like hiking a mountain, paddling a kayak, having a hard conversation, or being quiet for a few minutes can be very beneficial.
In the words of Calvin Coolidge, “All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort means work.” - Are you intentionally learning to live life in community? Of all the things mentioned above and experienced at a Young Life adventure camp, this one might seem like the scariest and most risky. However, it just might be the most surprising, fulfilling and rewarding.
In the words of Helen Keller, “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.”
