As summer comes to an end and the new school year begins, our hearts are filled with joy!
Our hearts are filled with JOY because 636 students and leaders from the region were able to experience Young Life, WyldLife, YoungLives, or Adventure camp this summer, albeit with modifications and safety protocols to keep campers healthy as we continue to navigate Covid.
Our hearts are filled with JOY because we could say “YES” to being outdoors, to shared meals around tables, intentional conversations, team-building activities, and the counter-cultural community that’s built during cabin time.
Our hearts are filled with JOY, because we could say “YES” to laughter, singing together, and sharing the gospel with kids face-to-face in the club room instead of over TV screens.
Scroll through this slide deck to see just a few highlights…
Students from Northwest Grand Rapids (Kenowa Hills, Comstock Park and Sparta high schools) had an amazing week at Castaway! 
These guys from the Central Grand Rapids area spent a week backpacking in Northern Michigan. This discipleship trip was the perfect send-off for a group of guys who have been involved with Young Life for 4+ years. Despite a missed boat, changed plans, and difficulties in trying to backpack, it was one of the most memorable and transformational YL experiences. 
These high school girls from the Little Traverse Bay area held Campaigners every Wednesday night on Walloon Lake! They dug into God’s Word while in their kayaks and paddleboards, often visiting Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.” 
“In a very loud world, ‘being still’ enough to enter into God’s presence and hear His voice is difficult! By meeting on the serene lake, many of the girls shared how that peaceful environment allowed them to encounter God in this way.” 
Northeast Grand Rapids Capernaum Discipleship Camp was an opportunity for our friends to learn about spiritual habits. They had the chance to not only practice them with the group, but also to bring home resources so they can practice at home with their families and on their own. 
These YoungLives moms, babies, and mentors from Grand Rapids SouthWest went to Eagle Village Camp in Hersey, MI for a weekend camp trip in June. God moved in many ways making it possible for the girls to go and it was a beautiful respite for the moms after a crazy year. 
The middle school boys from Manistee County Young Life (the region’s newest ministry!) went to WyldLife camp for the first time with their leader Luke Trombley.
Life in this world is unpredictable and ever-changing. In Young Life, we have the JOY of introducing students and young adults to Jesus Christ, who never changes. He is the same—yesterday, today, and forever!
