Dear Staff, 

We know that you're juggling all the details for Christmas parties, presents, and if you’re like us, you’re eagerly awaiting Christmas vacation. But before you dash off to the holidays, here are a few quick, easy updates to keep your camp preparation merry!

Here’s what you need to know about camp this month …  

'Tis the Season to Confirm Your R1 Spots — Contracts Due January 15

Before you head out on Christmas break (or at least by January 15), sign and send back your summer contract to confirm your R1 spots. In January, camps will charge your area’s campership a $50 per spot deposit ($150 for spots at Adventures Baja). Make sure students register for camp on your registration page so you have campership funds to cover this deposit! 

Looking for your contract? This came in an email from your camp to your Camping Responsible Party on December 15.  

As a reminder, YoungLives childcare contracts are getting simpler this summer! Childcare trips will now be coordinated at the divisional level which means your area will no longer have to manage a separate childcare contract. If your area has a YoungLives camper contract, there is still a requirement to meet the childcare quota. Additionally, if you have adults who want to serve as childcare workers, learn more here and reach out to your divisional YoungLives office.  

Questions about deposits and contracts? Visit the Camp Fees, Contracts and Accountability page on Staff Resources! 

Snow Much to Celebrate – Kids are Signing up For Summer Camp! 

Thank you for publishing your camp trip registration pages! We already have more than 18,000 kids and leaders registered for summer 2026, with more registering every day!  

Now that you have set up your page, make sure you know these important guidelines about adding payments and credits, sharing payment links, managing waitlists, and more.   

As students sign up, make sure you are assigning them the correct involvement role. For Capernaum students we have this helpful video from the Learning Guide. Correct involvement roles are important for summer and school-season camping and need to be set before you send the new health form link (once it’s available). 

If you need help understanding how to manage payments, registrations, or involvement roles, or if you still need to set up your registration page, see how in the Learning Guide. 

A Little Holiday Cheer: The New Health and Consent Form Is Almost Here 

You've told us the current Health and Consent form can be confusing and time consuming, so we're thrilled to bring you a new, streamlined form that truly supports how you do ministry. This update will remove common frustrations and introduce features that make every step, from registration to check-in, easier!  

All camp trips or high-risk events with a start date on or after May 20, 2026, will use the new Health and Consent form. We know that you are thinking about summer and school-season camp trips, so here’s what you need to know between now and May 2026:  

For Your Summer Young Life Camp Trips: 

For Locally-Managed Trips this Spring (with a start date before May 20):

For trips on or after May 20, 2026, you will use the new Health and Consent form for all trips — Young Life or non-Young Life camps. Please do not begin collecting health forms (online or paper) for these trips until the new Health and Consent form is released!  

Still have questions? Visit the Getting Ready for the New Health and Consent Form page for Frequently Asked Questions or to view the Transition Guide for more details and scenario-specific guidance.

Unwrap the Gift of Ready-Made Work Crew Resources  

Now’s a great time to reach out to high school students and invite them into the adventure of serving on work crew! We’ve pulled together some of our favorite Head-Heart-Hands resources to help you plan your area's Work Crew Training. 

Whether you're hosting a one-night retreat or a multi-week journey, these discipleship plans and videos are flexible and easy to use. Each one helps students grow deeper in their relationship with Christ (love God) and learn how to serve others with purpose and joy (love others). 

Check them out, and start making a plan to invite and train potential work crew!

The Adult Guest Program – Share the Joy 

The adult guest experience is designed to be a window into the mission for adults to discover and better understand the mission of Young Life, both locally and missionwide. Check out these tips for inviting adults and consider who you want to invite to see camp in action this summer. 

As a reminder, for summer 2026, the flat room rate for adult guests will be $135 per room per night. Learn more about the application process and guidelines for the program on Staff Resources. 

As we look back on 2025, we hope you find moments of rest and joy. The same Savior we point kids to is the One who draws near to us, too. 

As we reflect on this past year, grab a cup of cocoa, cozy up by the tree, and enjoy this little holiday highlight reel — it’s our way of saying Merry Christmas, and thank you for a phenomenal 2025! 

Merry Christmas from the Day Zero Team!

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 include them.