Pearce club was neon and black lights on Monday night. The crowd went crazy as Raising Project led music and the Panama City boys brought in some laughs. The mixer involved covering up the entire side of the room in paper, then having an upperclassmen vs underclassmen paper war. It was a blast. Kids also competed to see which grade could shoot more glow in the dark q tips through a straw into bucket.

The night ended with Austin, senior president, sharing with his friends how we sometimes go through the motions of what the bible says without understanding the meaning, just like we often do when reciting the pledge. Then he shared how his life has changed dramatically when he began to understand the Bible through his campaigners group. You could hear a pin drop as the group listened. God was definitely at work!

Thanks for all your prayers and support.

Monday night brought out an energetic crowd to YL for the guys to compete in the dunk contest and girls in a knockout competition. It was a great night with lots of laughs. One of our leaders, Omar, shared with the group at the end about how God wants to use them for great things and about how his life took on purpose when he realizes that fact.

All Metro Young Life

Pancake Breakfast for Crooked Creek On Monday morning, Pearce YL had a pancake breakfast for kids that are not signed up for Crooked Creek. The purpose was to stir interest for these freshmen and sophomores and to help them win money off camp. The night before, a dozen seniors got together at the Pinkstons to call, text, and facebook their underclassmen friends and invite them to the breakfast. Then, on Monday these seniors drove around town picking them up. They gathered 31 kids who were not signed up, plus a handful of them that are already going. In total, there were nearly 65 people at the breakfast. We ate pancakes, watched a Crooked Creek video, played a game for them to win money, and the seniors shared how Crooked Creek was the best week of their life. It was a great morning.

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.

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.

After a hard day of skiing and a great dinner, club kicked off with loud music and lots of energy. Kids rushed through the doors, eager to get the best seat in the place. After a few songs, the Panama City Boys came out to lead the minute-to-win it game, Gingerbread Man. The goal of the game is to eat as many gingerbread men as possible, but the participants can’t use their hands. They must place the gingerbread man on their forehead and work the cookie down to their mouth. It is rather funny to watch the expression of kids as they compete at the game. After lots of laughter the winner was declared!

A couple slow songs set the stage for Todd’s talk. He shared a classic story from his teenage years of him and his friend Matt’s Perfect Water Ballooning Plan. The plan was flawless; they would drive down the three-lane road, pulling up beside their target. On the count of three, Matt, the driver would send a fireball out his window and Todd would lob one over the car. Perfection… at least they thought. It went as planned until the water balloons left their hands. It was as if time stood still as they watched Matt’s balloon fly through where the target’s window was supposed to be, smashing him in his face. Yikes! Time to execute the getaway plan. Unfortunately, Matt panicked and braked too soon before the exit, allowing the target enough time follow.  After it was apparent the target was not going to catch the guys, he eventually gave up. What Todd and Matt thought was the perfect plan was actually far from it.

Todd drew the connection to how we have we think we have the perfect plan for life. Much like the woman that Jesus met at the well who continued to search for life in men, we continue to go back to the same place looking for life. And it continues to leave us empty and desiring more.

If you haven’t said YES to Christ’s gift, where do you look for life?

If you are looking for life anywhere outside of Christ, you are settling for a cheap imitation.

If you have said YES to Christ’s gift, do you find yourself going back to the old places, searching, hoping to find life?

Life is found in Christ alone.  That’s the perfect plan!