Young Life is the international Christian ministry dedicated to introducing students to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith. According to the Young Life website, it was founded in 1941 and has been offered at Princess Anne since 1977. With weekly meetings every Monday, Young Life focuses on building relationships and fostering community within the school by offering fun and adventure through camps, club meetings, and adult role models.
The organization creates a lively environment by playing games during the club. Then, for the last 15 minutes, students sit down, read the Bible, and talk about Jesus. There are also campaigners on Friday mornings, which is a Bible study to learn more about the bible.
Stafford Craymer has been the primary Young Life leader since the fall of 2016. He says his favorite parts of Young Life are the friendships and relationships that he has formed with the students and teachers who participate.
Craymer also leads Young Life for the students with disabilities in the West Wing. The program is called “Young Life Capernaum,” and they meet every other week. He says that Young Life is loved by students and explains, “I think a lot of students enjoy Young Life because, whether we realize it or not, everyone desires to be known, seen, valued, and loved. Young Life is a place where everyone is welcome and where students can have fun, belong, meet others, and be invited into a true, real, and authentic life!”
Junior Devonte White has been attending Young Life since his freshman year and explains that his peers love attending Young Life because they get to have fun with friends after school and learn about the gospel. “Young Life has changed my life by bringing me closer to Jesus and my friends,” White shared.
Young Life offers a fall camp and summer camp, which include high-adventure activities, community building, and faith-based messaging in a fun, supportive environment. Campers participate in activities like rope courses, sports, and singing, as well as meaningful discussions about life, love, and Jesus Christ.
Craymer says he personally enjoys summer camp more because it lasts longer compared to fall camp. Summer camp is usually one week long, while Fall camp is typically just one weekend.
Members shared that Young Life has changed their lives by bringing them closer to Jesus and the bible in an interactive way while building a community at the school.
Craymer shares, “As we continue to expand Young Life, we will rely on our adult and student leaders to spread the word about Young Life, be welcoming and inviting, and be joyful and loving towards other students at PA.” He says he expects Young Life to grow and last here at Princess Anne.
