I’m a religious person. But I’m not going to shove my religion down your throat or tell you your grandma has cancer as a punishment for something she did in the past. Religion shouldn’t be like that, people should believe what they want to believe, and not feel pressured to conform or be uncomfortable when someone asks to pray for their broken foot. That’s why I loved Young Life.

Young Life for me was my safe haven. In the most basic sense, Young Life is an organization for middle school and high school students run by people who are interested in kids’ ideas, influences, stories, and futures. They want to be there for kids’ as they grow and come to make the hard decisions that can shape their lives. The thing I loved about Young Life, was that the religious aspect could not be introduced until a kid had stated he/she was interested in it, then, the leader for that kid’s age group gives them the opportunity to meet and follow God.

I liked this because it seemed more genuine and caring than church and partisanship. I honestly didn’t even know Young Life was religious the first time I went. I just loved all the things we were doing and all the people I was spending time with.

Once a week Young Life holds “Club”, which is when the leaders in the area conduct controlled chaos of games, activities, game shows, skits, and singing a few upbeat songs. At the end, a simple message from the Bible is read, but this doesn’t last more than five minutes. Young Life also holds “Campaigners” once a week with your designated age and gender group (to make people the most comfortable). Our campaigners were held Friday mornings at 6:30, and there was always bagels, yogurt and hot chocolate provided. We would start off by talking about our highs and lows for the week (what made you most happy and what was most difficult), and then we would get into the Bible stuff. Cayla was my leader, and she was probably the most laid back, understanding college student I’ve ever met. She would read a verse from the Bible, and we would say what it means to us or what we could relate it to. I’m sure other groups did and could do it differently, but this is what worked for us.

Then once a year there is Young Life camp. There are camps all over the U.S., but your area usually doesn’t travel to Colorado if you’re from Washington because they want everyone to be able to experience camp, and not everyone can afford to go that far. My area went to the Oregon camps and the Canada camp. And if you have ever participated in Young Life, you’ll understand that camp is the best week of your life. When I went to camp, there was climbing, hiking, an obstacle course, zip lines, Intertubes, amazing food, swimming, volleyball, and club every single night. Being in an environment away from home, without your cell phone, computer, and social media, was very rewarding. At camp we were “forced” to spend time together and learn about who each of us were and our stories and baggage that came along with us. We also got a one on one to talk to our leader about how we were feeling and where we were emotionally (for me, camp was the farthest and longest I’ve ever been away from home). I remember sitting on this giant rock with Cayla, and she let me steer the conversation where I wanted it to go, which I think it is a really amazing strategy to get kids talking.

Also going into my senior year of high school, I served at the Washington Family Ranch in Oregon for a month. This is the part of Young Life that lets us students give back. I worked in the dinning hall, and we started every morning by eight, and were working sometimes until 10 at night. I remember I was so thankful I brought comfy running shoes because Converse were not made for that kind of work. But after working for the camp, you realize that you are making a difference for these kids just as much as the leaders. The camp is running with our help. We were the first faces they see when they come off the bus, we line up to form a tunnel and give them high fives and cheer until the last kid passes through the tunnel. We also do cardboard presentations. Each member of Work Crew is on the stage and we introduced ourselves, said where we are from and what high school we go to. Two people (a boy and a girl selected) give their testimony, and then we each present our cardboard testimony, and give the campers a chance to come talk to us about it after. Having campers share their story, and relate to us, lets us know that we made a difference in someone’s life.

Young Life is different to every kid. I saw it as the best study break ever, but some kids don’t and that’s their choice and I respect it. It’s not for everyone. But for me, I could really open up, and that’s where I made my most strongest friendships and connections and what really helped me get through high school. I would encourage everyone to go at least once, because it will be like nothing you ever experienced before.