ABOUT

Who Can Serve?

Each summer GOYoungLives​ needs hundreds of volunteers — it takes all types!

Men:​ Yes, men! Male childcare volunteers can be great role models for young women and children, allowing them to benefit from positive male influences.

Women:​ If you love to snuggle babies or chase toddlers, then this is the place for you!

Family groups:GOYoungLives​ is perfect for husbands and wives, moms with daughters/sons, or a whole family teams–any combination you can think of works as you serve and grow together.

Campaigners groups: Serving for a week together is a great way to live out Christ's call to service.

Committee or friends of Young Life:GOYoungLives​ offers the opportunity to see the ministry of Young Life first-hand.

Church missions teams:​ This is a great stateside mission trip opportunity which makes it possible for hundreds of teen moms and their children to hear the gospel.

High school or college-aged students:​ For those who are interested in work crew or summer staff but cannot commit to a whole session, GOYoungLives​ is an amazing chance to give back to Young Life. We require teenage volunteers to have previous childcare experience.

Those starting a YoungLives​ group:GOYoungLives​ is a fantastic way to get a picture of the ministry up close.

Age Requirements

Teenaged volunteers ages 13-15​ must come with a parent/legal guardian.

Teenaged volunteers ages 16-17​ may come alone if they have an excellent recommendation and have experience with children. However, it is recommended then they serve alongside a trusted adult (parent/ guardian, Young Life leader, parent of a friend, etc.). Each adult leader should be accompanied by a maximum of three teens.

We are unable to accommodate volunteers under the age of 13.

We are unable to accommodate childcare workers wanting to bring infants (nursing/not nursing) or children under 13.

What will we do?

Duties & Responsibilities​

We anticipate caring for 45-100 or more children each week. Children range from infants through 4-years-old.

You will be assigned to a nursery with a particular age group or cohort for the week. There will be about 6-12 children and about 6-10 childcare volunteers per nursery.

You will be responsible for the general care, feeding and diapering of the children during planned camp activities for campers. You will not be responsible for bathing children or putting them to bed at night.

We ask you to participate spiritually in caring for the children. The role you have in caring and praying for these dear friends is vitally important, and we rely heavily on your prayers, especially before camp.

You will also be asked to participate in nursery group meetings and devotions and large group childcare meetings.

For more specific details, please see the GOYoungLives Childcare Guidebook.

Housing Arrangements

Childcare volunteers stay in dorm-style cabins with bunks and shared bathrooms. We are unable to accommodate housing married couples together. Some locations may have married housing options off of the camp property or there may be RV/camper hookups available. Please contact your camp's childcare administrator​ for more details about these options.

Childcare volunteers sleep separately from the campers and children. We want to make sure that all our childcare volunteers are well-rested and ready to care for children each day!

GOYoungLives​ Childcare Guidebook

The GOYoungLives​ Childcare Guidebook has everything you need to know about GOYoungLives​ in one place.

Cost

The 2025 camp fee* for all camps except for Rockbridge is $716, which is based on childcare being at camp for 6 days. Rockbridge's Childcare Camp Fee is $592​ because childcare are there for 5 days.

Attendees are responsible for their own travel expenses. Arrival times are TBD so do NOT make travel plans until further notified by your camp's childcare administrator.

We have fundraising resources available to you to ensure you can join us. Childcare camp fees are based on the number of days at camp.

*The camp fee is considered a tax-deductible contribution as you are paying to volunteer.