A Place Set Just for Kids
At Young Life camp, the invitation of the gospel becomes tangible and real. It’s a place where young people from all walks of life — many carrying heavy burdens, loneliness, or isolation — are invited to pull up a chair, take a seat at God’s table, and experience the fullness of life as members of his family. Across U.S. camps this summer, kids discovered God sees them, values them, and offers a place where they truly belong.
In fact, during the summer of 2026:
- More than 62,500 campers and leaders attended a week of outreach or discipleship camp at one of our camps or a non-Young Life-owned location.
- Of these campers,12,418 new believers stood up at “Say-So” and 13,265 Bibles were distributed.
- Additionally, nearly 3,800 folks served on work crew or summer staff, helping to plant the good news in the hearts of kids!
We’re celebrating the many lives that were impacted at a Young Life camp this summer. As the following stories demonstrate, the ripple effects of this experience are life-changing and eternal.
Known, Loved, and Celebrated
For many campers, the simple act of being welcomed and cared for reshapes their understanding of God’s Kingdom. At Carolina Point, a camper arrived facing homelessness upon his return. Having a table set for him, a bed made, and leaders who remembered his name and knew his story, provided a vivid preview of heavenly hospitality and God’s deep love for him. Similarly, at Saranac, a camper shared that his favorite part of the entire week was sitting around a table eating family-style meals — an experience he rarely had at home. Another camper described their week simply as “heaven on earth.” Through shared meals and unconditional care, these moments allowed campers to taste and see the goodness of the Lord in a community that feels like family.
A Family That Shares and Restores
Taking a seat at God’s table means moving from feeling invisible to being celebrated as a cherished child of God. A camper with Cerebral Palsy at Crooked Creek Ranch arrived feeling nervous about fitting in and being ridiculed. By day four, the entire dining hall was chanting his name as he walked on stage, giving him what he joyfully called his “Michael Jackson moment.” Later, during quiet reflection, he connected deeply with the message of God’s love and began a relationship with Jesus.
At Woodleaf, the family of a camper expressed deep gratitude for a community where individuals of all abilities are valued and celebrated, noting that camp gave their son a profound sense of belonging where he could simply thrive as himself.
Invited to Full Life
God’s family is marked by radical generosity and a hope that changes cycles of hardship. At Carolina Point, a teenager who had previously been incarcerated and lives with his paralyzed grandmother found a supportive brotherhood among fellow campers. When he stood up to share, he declared, “… this week, I got a new story.” Meanwhile, at Windy Gap, Rashod asked God to show that he saw him; moments later, another camper walked up and said, out of the blue, “God sees you, Rashod,” affirming and leading him to begin his own journey with Jesus.
This summer thousands of campers took their seat at the table. They tasted the goodness of God, stepped into the warmth of his family, and returned home with their leaders — transformed with new stories, renewed by hope, and assured that they’re eternally loved. This is what Young Life is all about!
If you’d like to learn more about Young Life Camping, please click here.
There are many ways that you can help more kids experience a terrific week at Young Life camp!
From being an adult guest to enjoying Family Camp at Trail West Lodge, to attending a Men’s or Women’s weekend camp, there are ways for you to experience our amazing properties.
