Young Life is both the name of our organization and the way we refer to our work with high school students. Young Life, as an organization, began with a desire to reach the local high schoolers in a small Texas town. Today the heart of the mission still beats strongly for high school students. It is estimated the presence of Young Life leaders in communities around the world has an impact on more than 660,000 high school kids annually.

Hanging Out with the High School Crowd

Today’s high school culture offers kids a gamut of choices that range from healthy to destructive. Young Life leaders seek out high schoolers in the midst of this culture, get to know them and are there for them throughout the high school experience. In a small town in Kansas, a Young Life leader may help coach the football team, a leader in a Ohio suburb may go with a group of high school girls to the movies and a leader in New York City may meet up with kids at a neighborhood coffee shop.

Young Life Club – Safe and Sound

Each week more than 75,000 kids take part in Young Life club in their community. Club is a place were they can relax, feel safe, be themselves and have a blast with their friends. Depending on where you live, club is a unique mixture of games, music and humor. It’s also always topped off with a brief message about Jesus Christ presented by a Young Life leader in a way kids can relate to.

Going Deeper

Each week more than 31,000 kids get together with their high school friends for Young Life Campaigners, which is a time for them and their leaders to explore the Bible and talk about how it applies to their lives. At Campaigners, teenagers talk about the things that really matter to them and learn how to see things from God’s perspective.

Young Life Camp – the Best Week

Each summer more than 32,000 kids spend a week (many will say it’s the “best week ever”) at one of Young Life’s 21 top-notch camps, which are tucked away in pristine settings. At camp they join other high school students and Young Life leaders in high-adventure activities, relax with their friends and hear about God and His love for them.

Our Commitment to High School Kids

No matter where high school kids live — in small towns, suburbs, big cities or overseas — Young Life’s committment to them is the same. We take them as they are, place no expectations on them and seek to understand their worlds. We also offer them fun, adventure, direction for the future and hope, not to mention lasting friendships that could change their lives forever.