Founded in 1941 by a young pastor with a passion for the students in his community who had no interest in going to church, Young Life brings the most basic message of Christianity into the lives of adolescents with an approach that is respectful of who kids are and hopeful about who they can be. Young Life seeks to give high school and middle school students an opportunity to hear about the life of Jesus in terms they can understand from adults they know and trust.

Young Life is organized around school communities, although the organization has no affiliation with either public or private schools. During the school year, adult leaders (both staff and volunteers) build relationships with students attending the school to which they have been assigned. They may meet students on campus during open access periods (with permission of school administrators), attend school activities open to the public or organize activities open to all students. The central Young Life activity during the school year is a weekly gathering, called “club,” which usually meets in private homes. Club involves music, games and a brief talk by one of the leaders. Attending a weekend camp once or twice each school year is also a regular Young Life activity. Throughout the summer, Young Life operates weeklong camps at 21 premier camps in the United States and Canada.

Young Life is active in all 50 states and more than 50 countries, with more than 3,000 full- and part-time staff and 27,000 volunteer leaders or local committee members (the community-based adult support team). More than 300,000 kids attend weekly club meetings during the school year and more than 75,000 will attend a Young Life camp either during the school year or during the summer. More quick facts on Young Life are available at Facts at Your Fingertips.