Dream Crazy

Every summer, I look forward to driving up the winding roads of the Santa Cruz mountains to our Y-Camp. The trees get taller, the air gets cooler, and for a few days, the noise of everyday life starts to fade away.

I’ve been making that drive for more than two decades. What makes it even more meaningful now is that I used to make that drive as one of many parents dropping off our middle schoolers and teenagers. Today, those same kids have grown up, and they are returning to camp as counselors, mentors, and leaders. They’re helping a new generation of middle school and high school students have the same life-changing experience they had.

There is something powerful about seeing a ripple effect of impact—generations of lives transformed by God.

Every year, campers arrive with a wide range of emotions. Some are nervous and curious, others are overflowing with excitement and enthusiasm. Some come because their friends invited them. Others come because their parents encouraged them to go. Still more come because they have heard about how incredible camp is, and they can’t wait to experience it.

But no matter how they come in, everyone leaves different than they arrived. That’s what happens when we encounter God and his dreams for our lives. He changes us from the inside out:

“I’m here inviting outsiders, not insiders—an invitation to a changed life, changed inside and out.”

Luke 5:31 MSG

Enjoying more than just a week away

When people think about summer camp, they usually think about games, cabins, campfires, and outdoor adventures. And yes, all of that is part of the experience at Y-Camp. One of my favorite moments every year is the talent show in the camp’s amphitheater. Students impress us with their talent and courage, performing musical acts, dances, magic tricks, stand-up comedy routines and more, making memories they’ll carry with them for years.

But what makes camp special is what happens in people’s hearts as they come to understand God and themselves.

I watched middle school students build friendships that will last a lifetime. I watched teenagers wrestle with questions about who they are, what they believe, and what kind of future they want. I watched as kids with disabilities were included and started to realize that their voices mattered. 

And I was reminded of this: In a world where so many young people feel isolated, anxious, and overwhelmed, Y-Camp gives teenagers the things they desperately need: connection, purpose, hope, and joy.

Learning to “Dream Crazy”

“Here’s to the crazy ones… because the ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”

From Apple’s “Think Different” campaign

I love this idea from Apple’s iconic “Think Different” campaign. It makes me think about “Dream Crazy,” the theme of this year’s Y-Camps. The world is often telling young people to blend in, play it safe, and settle. But Jesus says something very different.

“I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”

John 10:10 MSG

That’s the kind of life we talked about all week. Not just surviving or existing but discovering the life God created us for. We talked about dreaming bigger than our fears, dreaming bigger than our mistakes, and even dreaming bigger than our own imaginations.

We spent the week learning from the Bible, talking about faith, purpose, relationships, character, and what it means to genuinely know God.

For many students, it sparked a desire to take a deeper look at their faith. This is what will last far beyond the week of camp. 

When students talk about their favorite part of camp, they rarely mention one specific event. Instead, they talk about the friendships, the vision, and the feeling that they belonged.

“My favorite part was hearing the classes and people share their lives. It made me believe I could change,” one camper told us.

And another camper told us that camp changed the way they thought about the Scriptures: “Before, I didn’t really think about the Bible. Now I want to study it with my friends and learn about God.”

Those kinds of comments remind me why we host this camp year after year. Our young people are searching for something real. They want authenticity. They want answers. They want to know their lives can matter. And having a few days surrounded by faith and real friendships can make all the difference in their lives.

Why parents love Y-Camp

Parents often tell me they see a difference in their kids when they come home from camp (after a good nap). Camp doesn’t magically solve every problem, but it does shift things in kids’ hearts. Many come home thinking differently about themselves, their future, and most importantly, who God is. They have greater confidence, new friendships, and better perspective.

That’s something every parent wants—a place where their children can grow into the people they were meant to become.

Closing out our camps with an unforgettable moment

The week ended with something I’ll never forget. One of the teen girls decided to get baptized. As she shared her story and talked about her desire to follow God, there wasn’t a dry eye in the camp. Then something amazing happened. Her faith and her desire for a changed life spread.

One of the teen guys who had been listening turned to his counselor and said:

“I want to do what she just did. How can I do that?”

That’s what camp is really about. It’s about seeing lives changed. It’s about helping young people discover that God is real, that faith is personal, and that they can choose a great direction for their lives.

One decision inspires another.
One story creates another story.
One changed life impacts countless others.

Keeping it going

Camp is the starting line, not the finish line.

We invest in generation after generation of young leaders because our desire is to help young people change the trajectory of their lives. Now that summer is here, our focus is to help these students continue what started on the mountain. We want to help them keep asking questions, building friendships that strengthen their faith, and getting to know God.

Young people don’t need small vision; they need crazy dreams.

They don’t need a little encouragement; they need huge hopes.  

 If you want to learn more about our Y-Ministry and how to get involved, drop us a line. We’d love to hear from you!