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Young Life General FAQs

Answers to questions about Young Life.

What is Young Life? Edit

Young Life is a Christian ministry that reaches out to middle school, high school and college-aged kids in all 50 of the United States as well as more than 70 countries around the world. For more information, please visit the What Is Young Life? page.
How do you reach out to kids? Edit

Our approach is relational. We go where kids are in order to build friendships with them and earn the right to make a positive impact on their lives. We want them to know that they are loved and valued.
What is the "ministry" aspect of Young Life? Edit

We believe that all kids have the right to know about God, to hear the truth about Jesus Christ and who He said He was. Young Life leaders communicate that truth in casual conversation, at weekly club meetings and through our camping program.
What does Young Life believe? Edit

We invite you to read our Statement of Faith.
How big is Young Life? Edit

Young Life is working with teens in more than 800 communities across the United States and in more than 70 countries. More than 3,200 staff members and more than 30,000 volunteers are working to reach kids for Christ worldwide! For more information, read Facts at Your Fingertips.
How is Young Life organized? Edit

Young Life has a Board of Trustees that is responsible for the mission's growth, health and direction, as well as supervising the Young Life president. Senior vice presidents, vice presidents and directors oversee public relations, human resources, camping, finances and specific ministry "divisions." Within each division, there are regional directors who oversee "regions" and then area directors who oversee smaller "areas."
How can I find Young Life in my community? Edit

Use our Locator to find the local Young Life office near you.
I am interested in starting Young Life in my area; what do I do? Edit

Use the Locator to help you find Young Life in your area. If the city or town you live in is not listed, please search for the nearest town and call that area office. They will be glad to help you learn more about Young Life in your community.
How do Young Life leaders meet kids? Edit

Our approach is relational. Leaders go wherever kids are to begin building significant relationships with them. Leaders go to school sporting events, concerts, plays, malls and fast-food restaurants. Leaders are genuinely interested in kids' lives, and they do what they can to show kids they care about them.
I am a member of the media and would like more information about Young Life. Who do I contact? Edit

Be sure to check out the Press Room if you haven't already and if you need more information or to speak with a Young Life representative, please contact our Communications department at (719) 381-1809.
Is Young Life affiliated with a particular denomination? Edit

Young Life is non-denominational and has been from the outset (1941). Therefore, we are not affiliated with any denomination, nor do we encourage one Christian denomination over another. Our staff and volunteers affiliate with a wide range of Christian denominations — both Protestant and Catholic.
How do Young Life staff and volunteers gain access to public school grounds during school hours? Edit

There are two ways that Young Life leaders gain access to school grounds. One way is that they are invited by the administration because principals and superintendents are aware of the positive impact Young Life can have on middle and high school kids. The other way is that leaders approach the administration and ask for permission to be on the campus.
Is a criminal background check part of the screening process for Young Life staff and volunteers? Edit

Keeping Kids Safe is a priority for Young Life. As such, all Young Life staff and volunteer leaders go through a careful screening process that consists of an application, interview(s), character references and criminal background checks. For more information on Young Life’s screening process, click here.
Isn't that a problem with separation of church and state? Edit

We only visit our school-age friends during school hours by invitation or permission from school administrators. Our policy is to respect the authority of the school and work within the guidelines set for campus access.
Bullying between students is a growing concern. What is Young Life doing to address this problem? Edit

Young Life seeks to have a positive impact in the communities of which we are a part. Young Life leaders strive to create an atmosphere of acceptance, modeling acceptance and love for all kids. We encourage students involved in our programs to do the same.
Does Young Life have a political agenda? Edit

Young Life has no political agenda whatsoever. We do not get involved with politics in any way. Our mission is to introduce adolescents to Jesus Christ and help them grow in their faith.
I would like some more information on Young Life camps, such as location, contact information, amenities and facilities. How can I find that? Edit

Use the Locator to access contact information and websites with additional information on each Young Life camp.
Are medical professionals available to my child while he/she is at camp? Edit

All camps are staffed with at least one licensed medical professional. All of Young Life's camps -- with the exceptioin of two -- are 30 minutes or less from a hospital. Therefore, these two camps are staffed by two physicians and one emergency medical technician. For more information, please see the "Keeping Kids Safe at Camp" section.
What is your policy if my camper needs to leave camp early? Edit

In keeping with our commitment to keeping kids safe, once at camp, no camper is allowed to leave the camp without written consent to leave from their parent or guardian. Additionally, no one under the age of 21 can pick up a camper from camp.
My child will be going to a Young Life camp this summer. What will he or she be doing there? Edit

Please read more about Young Life's camping program at Young Life Camping.
Is there a way adults can experience Young Life camps? Edit

Visiting one of our camps as part of our adult guest program is a great way to experience Young Life camps. You’ll stay in a beautiful adult guest lodge, eat delicious meals in the dining hall and get to take part in the camp’s activities as much as you’d like. Learn more about the adult guest program.
What online resources can tell me more about Young Life? Edit

Facts at Your Fingertips contains important ministry statistics, including budget, number of staff and volunteers and number of kids reached each year. The Financial Statement features the Young Life financial statement from the 2007 fiscal year.
I used to be involved in Young Life. Is there a way I can reconnect with my old Young Life friends? Edit

Visit our online Alumni Database and search for the folks you are looking for. Please register if you have not done so already and stay connected with your Young Life friends.
How is Young Life funded? Edit

Young Life is a non-profit organization, funded through the donations of individuals, foundations and businesses. The overwhelming majority of funding for Young Life ministry comes from individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of kids in their communities. Many of our supporters were involved in Young Life as kids, or know someone whose life has been significantly impacted by Young Life ministry. The most recent Annual Report and 990 give more detailed information about the mission’s fundraising and finances.
How can I get more information about YoungLives, Young Life's ministry to teenage mothers? Edit

You can refer to the YoungLives section or to the FAQs that are specific to YoungLives. You can also contact your local Young Life office or contact the YoungLives divisional coordinators.
How can I get information on Young Life's ministry to youth with disabilities? Edit

You can refer to the Capernaum section or to the FAQs that are specific to Capernaum. You can also contact your local Young Life office or contact the Capernaum divisional coordinators.
Why isn't my local area listed in the Find Young Life section? How can I get it listed? Edit

The Find Young Life section is updated daily from Young Life's central database. If your city is not listed, you will want to look for the location nearest you and call them. They can give you the most current information on what Young Life is doing in your area.
Is your website secure? What is your privacy policy? Edit

Yes, our website is secure. Please view our privacy policy.
How can I give monthly or one-time donations to Young Life in my area? Edit

There are several ways to financially support your local area. Please visit the Giving section for giving options, including online gifts, mail-in gifts and more.
I have not received a receipt for a gift I have given. How may I confirm that Young Life has received my gift and get a receipt? Edit

Please e-mail our Income Processing department.
How are my donations used by Young Life? Edit

Eighty-three percent of any gifts you make to Young Life stay right in your local area to support the ministry to kids there. The other 17 percent, known as the service charge, is sent to the Young Life Service Center and to the area’s corresponding regional office to fund technical and administrative services that serve local areas.
I’ve heard that Young Life is a 501 (c)(3) organization. What does that mean? Edit

The 501 (c)(3) designation is given to charitable organizations to grant them exemption from federal income tax.
How may I edit my mailing address or remove myself from Young Life's mailing list? Edit

To change your mailing information or remove yourself from Young Life's mailing list, please e-mail us. You will want to notify your local area as well, to make sure your information is correct or removed from all possible sources.
I am on Young Life staff. How do I add/remove/change an online job posting? Edit

To add a job posting, please go to the Young Life Staff Job Posting form and submit your posting. To edit or remove an existing posting, please send us an e-mail.
How can I find out about job openings at Young Life? Edit

To view available jobs at Young Life, please visit our Jobs and Volunteer Opportunities section.