Dear Erin, 

It's March. And you know what that means — NCAA March Madness is in full swing, and we're all keeping an eye on our picks. While you're waiting for the Sweet Sixteen tip-offs later this week, here are a few important camp details for March: 

Secure Your Spots Before the Buzzer

As the Elite Eight games wrap up, confirm your camp numbers by returning your R2 contract (due by April 1). On March 13, camps sent an email with this contract to your camping responsible party.

Within the contract, list your trip leader’s contact information and either confirm your spots, drop spots, or request more.  Remember, your area is financially responsible for filling 90% of your R2 spots (unless you give them away to another area). If you have questions, contact the camp office or read more about camp fees and accountability.  

Making a Gameplan to Raise Campership 

Inviting donors to partner with your camp trip is one of the most practical ways people can join the mission. Thoughtful communication and a clear invitation can help make sure every kid who wants to go to camp has the opportunity. 

Check out these Camp Marketing Resources for everything you need — smart fundraising strategies, pre-written donor emails, social media posts, Canva graphics, and thank-you postcards. These tools make it easy to share the story of camp so that donors can help your area get more kids to camp this summer. 

Elevating Your Game: Summer Camp Leader Orientation 

Summer Camp Leader Orientation gives us a common understanding of:  

Just as we have in the past, every leader coming to camp this summer (first-time and returning) is required to complete the Summer Camp Leader Orientation before arriving at camp.  

Beginning March 16, YL Connect now automatically assigns the Camp Leader Orientation module to staff and leaders on their YL Connect course dashboard. Course completion will be tracked on the camp trip’s Arrival Form tab and in the Mission Unit Compliance tab in YL Connect.  

Visit the Summer Camp Leader Orientation page for additional details and contact the Connections team if you need support.  

Camp Volunteers Making the Assist 

Camps have started to offer work crew spots to applicants placed by regions. Check the YL Connect “View Applications for Your Area” report listed on the Summer Work Crew page to see the status of work crew applicants and encourage your candidates to accept their spot.   

For candidates on the waitlist, talk to your region about where they are on the priority list; your region prioritizes waitlist candidates (not the camp).  

If you have candidates who are interested in applying, it’s not too late! Just complete a work crew recommendation on the YL Connect Camp home page and talk with your region, so they can help waitlist new candidates throughout the spring.     

Have a college-aged friend who is interested in summer staff? Check the Volunteer Availability Dashboard to see where there are still spots, and send them a link to the application. To view the status of summer staff applicants from your area, check out the “View Applications for Your Area” report listed on the Summer Staff page.  

A New Play: The 2026 Health and Consent Form  

Trip leaders have already sent 10,000 individualized links to parents and guardians, with more than 3,600 forms completed so far!  

Before inviting parents to complete the health form, be sure to review the Health and Consent Form page for training documentation. And new this year, we have a parent/participant guide on Young Life’s public website to help them fill out the form.  

Review the YL Connect Learning Guide to learn how to use the new Health Form tab on your campaign to manage forms and run reports on submitted information.  

Pre-game Prep: Work Week 

Help us prepare camps to welcome campers this summer! Work weeks are a great opportunity to bring friends like volunteer leaders, committee members, potential summer staff, or others you may know who have specific skills like woodworking, welding, sewing, etc. And did we mention the cost is FREE? 

Courtside Experience: Adult Guests

The adult guest experience gives adults a courtside view of the mission and a chance to see firsthand what Young Life camp is all about. A week at camp is designed to help adults grow in their understanding of the ministry as well as grow in their own relationships with God. Consider inviting adults in your community to join the team this summer and experience camp with you. 

The Adult Guest page has helpful program information, instructions on how to register, and an availability report so you can see opening spots at camp.  

As you cheer on your teams during March Madness, know that we’re cheering you on too as you spend time with kids and prepare for camp. 

View previous issues and all our camping resources on Staff Resources.      

FYI – This newsletter is sent to all current U.S. Field staff, camp managers, and camping admin managers. Do you know of a volunteer who would like to be added to this communication? Just have them sign up, and we’ll be sure to include them.