Have you ever scrolled through Instagram and seen a picture of someone from your school getting pied in the face, playing in a huge volleyball game, or even zip-lining into a lake? Chances are you’ve stumbled across the Urbana Young Life account!

Young Life is a youth group for high schoolers that helps kids get to know Jesus, grow in their faith, and serve Him. Their mission at Young Life focuses on three key areas: building relationships with the kids who attend, providing life-changing experiences, and learning how to serve the community.

The most important thing about Young Life is that it is for anyone, from people who don’t know anything about God or Christianity to those who have grown up going to church every Sunday.

The Urbana Young Life group meets weekly at a student’s house, takes a fall retreat every November, and attends a week-long summer camp each year. They also host multiple events and fundraisers throughout the year!

This year is the first time Young Life club is taking place in school. You can sign up for it during club sign ups and attend during 4th block on club day. Isaac Happe (Class of 2025) and Kaylee Buist (Class of 2027) started the club this year.

This year marks the first time Young Life club is taking place in school. You can sign up for it during club sign-ups and attend during 4th block on club day. Isaac Happe (Class of 2025) and Kaylee Buist (Class of 2027) started the club this year.

Talking about the founding of the club, Isaac said, “I know how much the students who attend Young Life love it, and I wanted to give more of an opportunity for that.”

Each club day, there will be an Urbana leader in attendance as a guest speaker. There are four Urbana leaders: Max Trumper, Emily Webb, Emily Byrnes, and Alyssa Arney.

The leaders play a crucial role in Young Life because they help run every meeting, attend Fall Weekends and camps, and plan various fundraisers and activities.

When Emily Webb was speaking about her time as a leader, she said, “I decided to start leading in college because I wanted to be someone that I needed in high school.”

Young Life creates a community of high school students led by leaders who share the same values and want to inspire others.

Reminiscing on his most significant moment during his time in Young Life, Trumper stated, “It was definitely the first time I ever attended the Young Life summer camp. It was the first time I saw what it meant to be a Christian, and it made life make sense for the first time.”

Camp can feel nerve-wracking if you have never experienced something like it, but it’s six days of non-stop games, fun competitions, and surprises. Everything at camp is unknown to the campers until right before to keep the excitement and energy high.

Fall Weekend is an awesome preview of camp if you’re new to Young Life and can really help you see what it’s all about.

The weekly meetings and special events are just as fun! They have a club or campaigner meeting every week. Club is a larger gathering where participants sing old 2000’s songs, play games, and have short lessons. Campaigners are a smaller group that feels more like a Bible study.

Fall Weekend is an awesome preview of camp if you’re new to Young Life and can really help you see what it’s all about.

The weekly meetings and special events are just as fun! They have a club or campaigner meeting every week. Club is a larger gathering where participants sing old 2000s songs, play games, and have short lessons. Campaigners are a smaller group that feels more like a Bible study.

Talking about which she prefers Cassie Suskey (Class of 2027) said, “I prefer club because of all the fun games we play and how much energy there is!”

Young Life has also hosted many fundraisers, such as a nug-a-thon (where you earn a dollar for every chicken nugget you eat) and a splatter run! If money is an issue standing between you and Fall Weekend or camp, don’t worry because they want you there!

It’s an amazing community of people who are accepting, kind, and fun! Even during the holidays, they organize events such as ‘Friendsgiving,’ where they had a gathering with ice skating in winter!

Young Life has also hosted many fundraisers, such as a nug-a-thon (where you earn a dollar for every chicken nugget you eat) and a splatter run! If money is an issue standing between you and Fall Weekend or camp, don’t worry because they want you there!

It’s an amazing community of people who are accepting, kind, and fun! Even during the holidays, they organize events such as ‘Friendsgiving,’ where they had a gathering with ice skating in winter!

Young Life is a fantastic community for high schoolers. Over the past couple of years, it has become more like a family!

Getting invited or just showing up can make all the difference in your life or the life of someone you care about. The leaders and students help make Urbana Young Life a fun and welcoming place for everyone!