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ALL THINGS SUMMER CAMP

It is time to request spots for your 2027 summer camp trips and summer 2027 work crew! The Camp Requests system is live! Read below for more information on camp trip and work crew requests, Summer Staff/Camp Interns, Adult Guests and Weekend Camping.

Submitting Camp Trip Requests
We have instructions specific to our division regarding camp trip requests. FIRST, BEFORE SUBMITTING REQUESTS to view these guidelines and instructions. You MUST follow these guidelines as you make your requests, and use the comments section as needed to help the region and division in the allocation process. This is a live document with the potential for updates/changes. You can see the last date the document was updated at the bottom page. Camp trip requests are due Friday, September 4. 

READ THIS FIRST: 2027 South Central Division Camp Request Instructions

Other Resources/Help:
This August Day Zero camping email, including the camp calendar, Summer 2027 Camping Processes Timeline, and camp fees was sent to all field staff. 
Go to the campRequests website to submit your 2027 area camp trip requests. Staff Resources has a step-by-step guide on logging in and making requests. If this is your first time using the campRequests system, you will need to create an account first.

ONLY submit requests that are REALISTIC AND VIABLE options. The system uses an algorithm to allocate spots and assumes that any choice will work.

A note on transportation:
Areas in need of charter buses please make a plan early and secure your transportation.  Now is a good time to talk to other areas if you plan on sharing a bus. If you are taking vans or other transportation, be sure to review the guidelines on Staff Resources. 

Summer 2027 Work Crew Requests

Work Crew are month-long volunteers at a Young Life camp.  Serving on work crew is a great experience involving hard work and a chance to grow in one’s faith. The work crew serves in a variety of ways like dining hall servers, grounds crew and housekeepers.

Requesting work crew spots helps Camping know how many work crew will potentially be available for different sessions and helps us distribute work crew spots across regions.  At the same time you request camp spots, you’ll also request work crew spots through the Camp Requests application. These are also due by September 4. Here are step-by step instructions, an overview of the timeline and other helpful resources. 

Please keep in mind the following:

Understand expectations and qualifications for who should apply.
Have a plan to train work crew candidates in your area.
Familiarize yourself with the recommendation/application process. Make sure kids have same availability dates on both their recommendation and application.
Do not promise a work crew spot/specific camp to any applicant and ensure work crew kids make their travel arrangements after they receive email confirmation from camp.

Online Work Crew Application Process

The online work crew application process starts with the recommendation. High school students must be invited to apply by their Young Life leader/staff. The region will start placing Work Crew applicants after Assigned Teams have been finalized (January 2027), so if you want the best chance for your candidates to serve where they want, have their recommendations and applications completed by December 2026. 

To recommend a candidate:

Gather the student’s email address, your mission unit number, and the student’s camp preferences. On or after October 1 (when the rec becomes available) click “Start Work Crew Recommendation” in YL Connect Camp, (or YL Connect Mobile).
Follow the prompts to complete the recommendation. If you need additional assistance, refer to this user guide.
Once you submit the recommendation, a unique online application link will be sent to the student’s email address. Encourage the student to complete their online application.
View the status of Work Crew applicants in your area on the 
Work Crew application report in YL Connect.


Summer Staff and Interns
There are amazing opportunities for your college-aged friends to be involved in Young Life camping this summer!  Summer staff is the month-long volunteer experience at a Young Life camp for those who have completed at least one year of college (or are of college or post-college age). Summer interns play a critical role in the Young Life summer camping ministry by providing valuable leadership and offering support in many departments including the kitchen, office, retail, guest services, maintenance and landscape. 
Information on the application process for summer staff and camping summer interns can be found on Young Life’s website.

Adult Guests and Hosts
Being an adult guest at a Young Life camp is always a tremendous experience for friends of Young Life; people love it! It often changes people from just having an interest in Young Life to a real commitment to our mission. Treat it as a significant opportunity for your area to get adults to be guests at a Young Life camp. More information on the Adult Guest Program can be found on Staff Resources.
Staff Contact Information

The staff directory IS BEING UPDATED and the Entry Form HERE!