Help for Young Life Leaders NOW

Assignment teams were just updated for the summer. There have been several changes, especially due to financial challenges. Staff who previously were slated  for summer assignments have requested to stay in their communities over the summer to work on fundraising. One of the surprises is that the second assistant program director slot for second session at Lost Canyon, located in Williams, Arizona, will be filled by Young Life president Denny Rydberg. Denny received a lot of insider support for the second assistant program role after his skit at the All Staff Conference went better then expected. The bit with Jack Hannah likely locked it up. 

An upcoming edition of the monthly YL Insider newsletter will feature coverage of this move and why Rydberg was willing to fill the spot. What I heard was that he really wanted to reconnect with the world of kids that come to our camps. The housing situation will be tricky since Denny will be there with his wife, but Josh Smiley from Lost Canyon told me they will be happy to host him in Cliff’s Gulley or Mastodon Lodge. I say hats-off to Denny for this move. You can read more about it here.

Here is an idea I got from my friend Tanita and Keith. You buy some plastic pink flamingos, then you go put them a friend’s yard (preferably someone with a sense of humor and a connection to YL). Then you leave a sign on one of them that says, “You’ve been flocked by XYZ YL!”. Then the letter explains that it is a fundraiser for camp and that for $25 (or whatever you choose), they can have them removed. For $10 more they can “flock” whoever they choose. And for $10 more they can purchase “Flocking Insurance” so they will not be flocked again. Of course the letter also says that you will gladly remove them for free as well.

My friends who have done this say almost everyone makes a contribution and thinks it is great. It is great contact work with kids and allows them to be a part of the fundraising. You will also get a chance to introduce new people to YL.

Here is a letter you can use…

In celebration of St. Patrick’s day, here is our plan for next week’s Irish Club!

I’m always surprised at how few parents actually ask me for details about camp. On the other hand, there are parents who need every detail, and that makes sense to me.

Here is out parent scoop sheet for our trip this summer. Feel free to edit or use as you wish! (We still might make edits)

Yeehaaa! Here is Hillbilly Club!

I’ve also had the privilege of leading square dancing at camp a lot. Here are the ones I’ve done with the chords.

My mom is still trying to figure out how and why I know how to call a square dance for hundreds of people.