As a high schooler, I was homeschooled so I didn’t really feel like I could go to a public school district Young Life. I was scared because nobody would know me and I would be rejected due to my background. After I graduated and went to college, my best friend told me that there was a new organization on campus called College Life, and I was pumped. Why? Because I finally got to go to Young Life without feeling awkward! A few weeks after I started attending, the area director for Dawson County told us that the applications would be on the table and we could fill them out as we left.

Applications? For what? Camp? I jumped up because I had always wanted to go to a Young Life camp, but was surprised when I saw the title. “Young Life Leader.” Curious to see where this took me, I took the application and prayed about it for the next week and wound up bringing back a scribbled-on sheet of paper in hopes that I would blow my interview out of the water. Days and a nerve-wrecking interview later, I got the position as a Dawson County Young Life Leader.

The past year has changed my life, and I think it has been 100 percent for the better. Let me tell you how it changed my life.

Young Life’s philosophy has 5 C’s: Club, Campaigners, Camp, Contact Work and Committee. Each one of those C’s created a foundation for Young Life leaders to stand on, allowing us to share Jesus with our amazing high school students.

Club: a party with a purpose.

If you have ever been to a Young Life club, you know that it’s more of a party than a youth group. It was created in a way so that every student feels welcome and not left out. God loves every person on this earth, and we want to be able to show every person, no matter their walk of life, that they are loved and welcome. We sing, dance, play crazy games, watch skits and then close with a short yet sweet message about our amazing Lord. Club has a place for everyone, and that is one of the amazing parts of Young Life.

Campaigners: a time to learn and grow.

We like to describe campaigners as an addition to Club. We take what we talk about at club and go deeper. This part of Young Life is more like a Bible study. Young Life leaders are able to grow closer to each kid and create a bond that every guy and girl needs with an older kid. I love my campaigner girls, and they hold such a special place in my heart.

Camp: the best week of their lives.

Now, I can’t say much about camp because, as you know, I wasn't a part of Young Life as a student and haven't gone to camp yet. Next month, I get to go for my first time EVER and I am beyond excited. I’ve had students describe camp as the best week of their summer more than once, and that even weekend camp is moving. You have the best food ever, friends and a fun-filled weekend that can only mean one thing: life-changing experiences.

Contact Work: caring for students.

Some people think of contact work as meeting people and going to see them, but we see it as growing with our students. From going to their school lunches when we have a break in our classes to driving with them to softball or football games, contact work is the biggest part of Young Life. This is how we are able to love on the kids more personally and show them how much we actually care. Nothing is more fun for a previous homeschooler than going to her first public school football game and standing in the student section with her favorite people. Not only is it for the kids, but it’s for us, the leaders.

Committee: adults who care

Just like any company or business, Young Life areas have different committees, and I like to think that our committee is the best. Why? Because they treat us like their kids/grandkids and love on us so much while we are at school. They feed us, give us snacks and always open their homes to us crazy college kids. The committee keeps us leaders grounded and helps keep us in a straight line.

Even though some people think Young Life might not be for them, I urge people to try it out at least once, because we want everyone to feel at home with us like Jesus does. Young Life holds such a big place in my heart, and I am beyond grateful for my Young Life family. Thank you for changing my life for the better.