So there’s been some confusion in past years about camp money! We’re here to set the record straight and hopefully provide clearer understanding for you and your student.

Myth: “So… We’ve heard there is a scholarship fund for campers that need money”
Fact: There are no “scholarships” (free money) available for campers. You mean work is involved? YES, but don’t worry! It is really fun and it is with your Young Life friends, leaders and staff. So a fun time is guaranteed!

Myth: “So if my child has to work, can he/she just work off the entire camp cost?”
Fact: There are a lot of students that need help getting to camp this summer. We ask that you pay all that you can (without sacrificing on your bills, food, and other necessities) and we are committed to helping find work for your kid to earn the rest of their way there.

Yep. You heard right. We are COMMITTED to helping your kid get to camp!
You do you part, we will do ours and your kid is certain to have the best week of their lives.

For more information view our Campership Protocol

Still have questions? Email Todd Pinkston

This was the scene outside of Pearce club on Monday night as kids waited in line to sign up for a week of backpacking at Wilderness Ranch. The line formed as soon as kids got out of school, and they waited until 6:30, when they could turn their forms in and get their spot. 15 guys signed up and 9 girls.

After an awesome all area club last week, Club and Grub returned to La
Mirada for the first ever Oreo Club! “Captain O” made a guest
appearance, as Oreos were flung across the room into eager hands. Each
student was given one minute to try to wiggle the Oreo from their
forehead to their mouth using only their face. Few prevailed, but it
was quite a funny site.
One of the volunteer leaders, Casey, shared about the rich young
ruler.  The man came to Jesus and asked, “What is it that I need to do
to inherit eternal life?”
Each of us also asks this same question. God, what do I need to do?
What will make me good enough?
The ruler says he has kept all of the commandments. He has followed
all of the rules. But Jesus says he is still missing something. “Go
and sell your possessions, give to the poor, and come follow me.”
The man walks away sad, tightly clinging to his possessions. His
hands filled, but his heart empty.
Like the ruler, each of us hold tight to something that will leave us
searching. Casey challenged us to stare down at our hands. What do we
hold? What is it that we cling to, hoping it will give us life?
Jesus waits. He waits for us to pry open our fingers, let go, and
cling to the True Life Giver.

Next week we will celebrate Valentines Day in style with Club of Love
at La Mirada and Frontier Ranch sign ups! Please pray for camp sign
ups and that God would move in big big ways in the lives of students.
I pray a work so great be done, it could only be the mighty hand of
the Lord. Amen.

- Allison

Can you believe it? It is already time for Young Life’s Annual Garage Sale.

And what better news to start off with than… WE HAVE A BIGGER AND BETTER SPACE FOR THE SALE!!! 

You heard right! Bigger and Better! We are still in the same parking lot as normal, but we’ve moved just a few buildings over to the old Boarders store! It’s sooo big!

Collections have started. So help us spread the word. (We take just about anything that is in good condition!)

. . . . . .

If you are new to the YL Garage Sale, here is scoop.

1. Spread the word!  Tell your friends, your family, your bunko group, your neighbors, or even complete strangers. Collections have started! We take just about anything.

And remember… ALL proceeds earned from the garage sale help send kids to camp this summer! If you don’t believe us when we say camp is the best week of a kid’s summer, you don’t have to take our word for it. Watch this video as Richardson Area students tell you all about it!

On Monday night, Pearce student came to club in their favorite pajamas and were surprised with pancakes being thrown into the crowd randomly by the Pancake Papas. It was a great night with lots of laughs, setting the stage for one of the presidents to share with his friends how Christ has changed his life.

Last night RAYL had a sweet time of fellowship, enjoying dinner, great conversations and much laughter. Shortly after dinner we transitioned into a time of prayer for our area, our committee, leaders, staff and ultimately for kids to know Christ.

We begged for God’s wisdom, guidance and direction as we dive into the new year. Laying our own agendas at His feet, we asked for Him to make His presence known in each of our conversation, campaigners, club and meeting. We asked for health, for safety and protection for all involved. We prayed for courage in stepping out of our comfort zones and willingness to do whatever it takes to make Christ known.

We are confident God has great things in store for RAYL this year. It is our heart’s desire that we would faithfully proclaim His good news!

Will you join us in praying for these things and more?

Click here for the prayer sheet from the night.

Once every four years Young Life has an All Staff Conference in Orlando. This past week, over 4,000 staff gathered from around the world to celebrate what God is doing through Young Life and to look forward to all the He has in store. For the staff in Richardson, it was an incredible week of fun. We were able to eat dinner in downtown Disney, YL rented our SeaWorld for the night, Jeff Foxworthy came to entertain, and we were encouraging by Tim Keller and Francis Chan. It was a great week and we are back, rejuvenated and ready for another semester.

Are you ready to kick things off this Spring? We are… check out the schedule below and make sure your kid joins us!

WyldLife Spring Schedule 2012

After music and games, Todd begin the night with a story about his first surfing lesson. He had always wanted to learn how to surf so when in San Diego last year, he hired and instructor and hit the beach. His instructor gave him two instructions: Get up quick and Stay down low. After practicing a few times on the beach, Todd’s instructor told him to hit the water. While paddling out to catch the first wave, he was feeling very ill-prepared. Questions continued to race through his mind. How do I keep the salt water from crashing in my face? How do I paddle most efficiently? How do I get up? Once I’m up, how do I turn?

After attempting his first wave, he came back to meet the instructor on the beach. Waiting for enlightening instructions, the instructor repeated his instructions from before. Get up quick and stay down low. Todd thought to himself, “Really? That’s all I get? Maybe I have a bad instructor?” Nevertheless, he hit the ocean again ready to catch the waves. After this scenario repeated a couple of times and the instructor continued with the same simple answer, the instructor finally said, don’t worry about the rest, you’ll figure it out, just get up quick and stay down low.

The Christian life is a lot like surfing. But instead of two simple instructions, Christ left us with two clear purposes: To know Him and to make Him known. We often come up with a trillion questions, “But, what about…this or that?” Surely it has to be more complicated. Todd challenged the kids instead of worrying about DOING this or that, to focus their attention on Knowing Him and making Him known.

While each of the 4 talks were geared to high school kids, I’m pretty sure everyone in the room, regardless of their age, walked away challenged and encouraged each night. Whether we were pondering which old wells we have gone back to in search of life or being refocused on our purpose, the messages applicipable for all ages.

-Erin