Dear Staff, 

We’re loving the 2016 throwback trend, and it’s got us reminiscing. Where were you in 2016? Who were you hanging out with? What was God doing in your life back then, and how have you seen it grow and bloom since? 

A lot has changed at camp over the last 10 years. We’ve planted new flowers, built new buildings, hired new staff, and grown in our own walks with the Lord in more ways than we can count. 

As we get ready for summer, what seeds are you planting now and trusting God to grow? What do you hope future-you will be looking back on 10 years from now? One thing we’re confident of: our faithful God keeps showing up, trend after trend, decade after decade. 

Here's what you need to know about camp this month:

P.S. Enjoy these pics from 2016!

The New Health Form is Live! 

It’s not 2016 anymore, and it’s time for an easier health form! The new U.S. Health and Consent Form is now live and ready for summer 2026 (and beyond)! This new process replaces the need for areas to manage different health and consent forms for trips and events. There is now one streamlined form, managed in YL Connect, that guides participants through all required fields. This form will be required for summer 2026 and is available now for any trip over 72 hours. 

Fun fact! Trip leaders have already sent 4,383 individualized links to parents and guardians, with 875 forms completed so far! It’s exciting to see this strong start and to watch all the hard work come together in a system that’s already working well.  

Adding Additional Activities to Your Camp Trip 

Planning to explore the Grand Canyon on your way to Lost Canyon this summer? Or visiting the Mall of America on the way to Castaway? If your trip includes any activity on the way to or from camp, be sure to add an "additional activity" to your Health and Consent Form before sending health form links.  

An additional activity is a planned activity during travel to or from a nationally-managed summer camp trip that goes beyond typical transportation to camp. This could include sporting events, museums, sightseeing stops, or high-risk activities (like whitewater rafting).  

By adding additional activities to the camp trip campaign, parents/guardians can provide consent for both the camp trip and the additional activity. Yay for one less form! 

To see how to add an additional activity to your camp trip campaign, check out the updated YL Connect Camp User Guide. Questions about what constitutes an additional activity? Reach out to Risk Management! 

Selecting the Correct Involvement Roles 

A YL Connect involvement role defines how someone is participating at camp, whether they are a camper, a leader, YoungLives childcare, or in a specialized support role such as a Capernaum buddy. Selecting the correct involvement role ensures the new Health and Consent Form presents the right questions for the participant and provides camp with the information they need to care well for all guests. 

This is especially important for Capernaum campers: 

This year, areas will no longer be required to distinguish between a “Student Leader” and a “Leader” on the arrival form. Anyone serving as a leader, regardless of age, should have the involvement role of “Leader.” For detailed instructions, refer to the Arrival Form section in the YL Connect Camp User Guide.   

Opening the Door for Every Kid 

The reasons kids don’t go to camp have always been around, but you can help them say "yes" by removing the barriers that stand in their way. From “My friends aren’t going,” and “I don’t have the money,” to “I’m scared of the unknown,” here are five top reasons why kids don’t go to camp and strategies for how to respond.  

Camp Leader Orientation 

As in years past, both first-time and returning leaders are required to complete a Summer Camp Leader Orientation before attending a summer camp trip. 

We are currently reviewing and updating the course to create a more streamlined experience. Beginning in spring 2026, the orientation will be assigned and managed through the YL Connect Screening and Training platform, and once completed, the area’s arrival form will automatically update. 

Want to get a head start on preparing for this update? Have your leaders register for camp and verify that they have the correct involvement role of “Leader” on the arrival form.   

Stay tuned to next month's Day Zero and follow the Summer Camp Leader Orientation page for updates! 

We are the Work Crew, We Serve the Lord and You

Were you on work crew in 2016? Can you still hear the chant, "pits, pits, pits?" Work crew volunteers are still that secret sauce that make camp an incredible experience for campers.

To send students on work crew, first complete a work crew recommendation on the YL Connect Camp home page. Then, the student receives an email with their personalized work crew application link. Check with your regional office for when applications are due for initial placement.  

You can easily view your area's work crew applicants or resend application links from the Work Crew Applications report in YL Connect. 

By March 15, your region will place candidates and prioritize the waitlist. After March 15, camps will begin communicating with placed work crew candidates. If candidates apply after March 15, continue to work with your regional office regarding placement. Review the following information about submitting and reviewing work crew recommendations and applications.  

Opportunities for Everyone to Serve  

Work crew and summer staff are open to volunteers of all abilities — let’s make sure everyone has a place.   

The Capernaum office has put together a handy resource for candidates with disabilities. Inside, you'll find a timeline, process flowchart, coach info, and candidate details. And don’t worry if some deadlines have passed — you can still have candidates apply! Check it out and let your Capernaum divisional coordinator know if you have any questions. 

Adults Can Serve at Camp too! 

If you have friends who had the best week of their life in 2016 (or maybe before that!) and now they want to serve at camp, here are two easy ways:  

Young Life’s camp medical program welcomes medical practitioners (and their families) to experience camp and get a closer look at the ministry of Young Life and enjoy camp as special guests. Medical professionals are covered under Young Life’s General Liability Insurance and support our all-summer interns who are typically EMTs or nurses. Interested folks can contact the camp for availability and complete the application.   

Camp is also looking for childcare providers for young moms and their babies. Maybe a group from your local church would like to serve! Not only does this provide a life-changing experience for the moms and their little ones, but it also connects adults within the church to the mission of Young Life and can help build relationships that can lead to lasting ministry opportunities in your area. Learn more about how churches in your area can get involved! 

As we get ready for another summer, we’re grateful for the ways God has been faithful over the years and excited for all he will do in the months ahead. Thank you for walking alongside the kids, for planting seeds of faith, and for trusting him to grow them. Here’s to a summer of seeing lives transformed for decades to come! 

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.