Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat is Young Life? Young Life is a not for profit Christian organization registered under the Societies Act of Canada. Young Life's mandate is to reach out to Junior and Senior High School aged children of all backgrounds, regardless of economics, religion or race, providing them with a safe and fun environment in which to grow physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually. Young Life is a member of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities (CCCC).
How do you reach out to kids?
Our approach is relational. Young Life staff mobilize, train, supervise and work along side volunteer adult leaders in communities across Canada. Together these leaders go where kids are in order to build friendships with them and earn the right to make a positive impact on their lives. We want kids to know they are loved and valued. Therefore, we offer them adult friendships as well as a creative fun filled program within the framework of a trusting relationship.
What is the Christian aspect of Young Life?
We believe all kids have the right to know about God, to become informed about the person of Jesus Christ and who he said he was. Young Life leaders communicate the basics of the Christian faith in one on one casual conversations, at weekly club meetings and through our camping program. Young Life is not run by a particular church or denomination; however, we do require all Staff and Volunteer Leaders to be connected to some local Christian church community regardless of denomination (Protestant, Orthodox or Roman Catholic). Young Life has a diverse volunteer Board of Directors from across Canada who scrutinize and stand behind the work of the Staff and Volunteer Leaders as well as volunteer on local Area Committees.
What if my child is not religious or comes from a different faith background?
Young Life welcomes all young people regardless of their faith experience or tradition. There is so much to do and enjoy in Young Life that most young people feel very welcome and included. Along with the Christian education component of Young Life we try to help kids grow socially and emotionally into contributing members of society. Young Life leaders want to make a positive contribution to the young people of Canada by providing leadership, role modeling, counseling and friendship. At a critical time of their lives all young people, regardless of their faith position, can benefit from the care and friendship of a Young Life leader.
How can my child become involved in Young Life?
Young Life does not advertise. Because we believe in earning the right to speak into the lives of young people by building bridges of friendships with them, contact is usually done through the local school community. However, you can contact the local Young Life Area office closest to you and see if there are activities or camps in which your child might participate.
How big is Young Life?
Internationally, there are Young Life groups in more than 60 countries. Over 40,000 kids per summer attend week-long Young Life camps around the world. Young Life came to Canada from Washington State to the Vancouver region in 1954 and has had considerable growth since that time. We now have about 80 full time staff and over 700 volunteers working in Ontario, Alberta and BC. We are not in every Province and Territory yet, but, we would like to be. Young Life of Canada has a "sister" relationship with Young Life of other countries but is in itself totally independant.
What is RockRidge Canyon?
RockRidge Canyon is our new camp. It is situated on 1500 acres of land located in a beautiful valley 15 minutes from Princeton, BC. Having completed Phase I and seen over 3500 kids enjoy the camp since our grand opening in July 2004, we are now raising money to begin Phase II of our construction. When this year round facility is completed it will be able to accomodate 550 people. If you would like to learn more about this exciting project and how you can be involved, explore this web site further or go to www.rockridgecanyon.ca. RockRidge Canyon is also available for rent during the school year by outside groups and we welcome inquiries and tours.
How can my child go to RockRidge Canyon next summer?
Registration for all Young Life camps happens through the local Young Life clubs and this includes signup for the RockRidge Canyon summer camping adventure. These summer camps are usually 6 days long for Junior high and 8 days long for Senior high. Contact your local Young Life office to find out when they are scheduled to go to camp next summer as kids go to camp as club groups during specific weeks.
Does Young Life offer camper scholarships for underpriviledged kids?
Yes, we in Young Life are committed to making the camping experiences (winter and summer) available to all kids regardless of their economic ability. If you would like to contribute to our Camper Scholarship Fund please send your donation to our National or local Young Life office indicating your "scholarship" designation. It has been our tradition to never provide full camp scholarship to any one individual. However, we will help a student find some work which will help them generate some of their own money for camp. We believe, for their self esteem and maximum benefit from the camping experience, it is important for all students to contribute something towards their own camp experience. Camper Scholarships are distributed on a case by case basis through the local Young Life clubs.
How is Young Life funded?
Young Life is almost totally privately funded (we occasionally receive summer worker grants from the Government). Each Young Life community relies on the generous support of people in their areas who value kids and want to help make a difference in their lives. Young Life is a not for profit organization recognized as a charity by the Government and able to issue tax receipts for donations. (This includes all gifts to the building of RockRidge Canyon.) If you would like to contribute on an automatic preauthorized monthly withdrawal basis (PAMD) we would be happy to arrange that for you. Please contact your local office or the National Service Centre for the required form. When making a donation please indicate your particular designation (city, staff person, RockRidge Canyon or Camper Scholarship) so we can be sure to direct your funds appropriately. Young Life of Canada is audited annually and these statements are available upon request from our National Service Centre in Langley, BC
Can Young Life issue US tax receipts?
Absolutely! Simply make the cheque out to Young Life of Canada and mail it to our National Service Centre: Suite 120, 9440 - 202 Street, Langley, BC, V1M 4A6. If a US receipt is required please indicate this. Unless notified differently, all US dollar cheques will be issued a US tax receipt. When making a donation please indicate your particular designation (city, staff person, RockRidge Canyon or Camper Scholarship) so we can be sure to direct your funds appropriately.
Does Young Life accept VISA, AMEX or MASTERCARD as a form of donation?
Yes. There is a cost to Young Life of 3% on all VISA, AMEX or MASTERCARD donations; however, we are certainly able to receive gifts of this kind. To donate online, go to the "Get Involved" page, and follow the "Online Giving" link on the Navigation bar on the left. Credit card donations can also be sent to our National Service Centre by email (accounting@younglife.ca), telephone (604.881.6023), fax (604.881.0204), or mail (see address above).
Can Young Life process gifts of shares or units of public companies & trusts?
Yes. All stock gifts are handled by Richardson Partners Financial Ltd. in Calgary. Simply contact jmortensen@younglife.ca or maryanne.mcintyre@rpfl.com for a "Stock Transfer Authorization" form or the National Young Life Service Centre in Langley, BC national@younglife.ca and your donation will be handled in an efficient and appropriate manner. You may designate to which internal Young Life account you would like to direct your gift.
|