General Questions about Young Life:

  1. What happens at club?
  • Every Young Life club is a combination of fun, humor and time for kids to hear about God in terms they can understand. Young Life staff and leaders are there with kids during club. Club is held at a neutral location where kids feel safe
  1. Does my child have to be a Christian or believe in God to attend Young Life?
  • Your child doesn’t have to be a Christian or believe in God to attend Young Life. At Young Life, kids will definitely hear talk about Jesus and the Christian faith and will be encouraged to think about what all that means for them. But they never have to be a Christian to attend or become a Christian to stay. We want all kids to feel free to be curious, even skeptical. We want them to check it all out, ask questions and have fun.
  1. Is Young Life affiliated with a particular denomination?
  • Young Life is non-denominational and has been from the outset (1941). Therefore, we are not affiliated with any denomination, nor do we encourage one Christian denomination over another. Our staff and volunteer leaders are affiliated with a wide range of Christian denominations –both Protestant and Catholic
  1. What about church? What role does Young Life play in kids going to church?
  • Young Life values the role that churches play in kids’ lives. Young Life staff and leaders are committed followers of Jesus Christ and come from many denominations (Protestant & Catholic), and we encourage kids to become involved in the churches that are most familiar to their families and to respect the faith traditions of their families when it comes to denominational issues. If their families are not connected with a church, we offer suggestions when appropriate. If the family already attends a church, kids are encouraged to attend there as well. If not, Young Life staff and leaders will help kids find a church they feel comfortable attending.
  1. What is Young Life?
  • Young Life is a Christian ministry that reaches out to middle school, high school and college-aged kids.
  1. How is Young Life organized?
  • Young Life has a Board of Trustees that is responsible for the mission’s growth, health and direction, as well as supervising the Young Life President, Senior Vice-President’s, Vice President’s and the directors oversee public relations, human resources, properties, finances and specific ministry “divisions.” Within each division, there are Regional Director’s who oversee “regions” and then Area Directors who oversee smaller “areas.” All “areas” have local committee’s (group of 8-20 adults in the community who care about kids) who help raise area budget and provide accountability, credibility and direction.
  1. How is Young Life funded?
  • Young Life is a non-profit organization, funded through the donations of individuals, foundations, businesses and churches. The overwhelming majority of funding for Young Life ministry comes through individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of kids in their communities. Many of our supporters were involved in Young Life as kids, or know someone whose life has been significantly impacted by Young Life ministry. To find out more about how you can support Young Life in Rapid City & Hill City call the Young Life office at 605-721-1238 or visit our website at
  1. How do Young Life staff and leaders meet kids?
  • Our approach is relational. Staff and leaders go wherever kids are to begin building significant relationships with them. Leaders go to school sporting events, concerts, plays, malls and fast food restaurants. Leaders are genuinely interested in kids’ lives, and they do what they can to show kids they care about them.
  1. Does Young Life have a political agenda?
  • Young Life has no political agenda whatsoever. We do not get involved with politics in any way. Our mission is to introduce adolescents to Jesus Christ and help them grow in their faith.
  1. What about safety?
  • The safety of kids is a priority in Young Life. Our staff and leaders know they are responsible for modeling lives of integrity. Young Life’s Human Resources department has developed mission-wide policies and procedures to ensure that kids are protected when they are with Young Life staff and leaders as well as when kids are part of Young Life-sponsored activities. Listed below are the standard practices Young Life employs to keep kids safe:

All potential Young Life staff and leaders go through a careful screening process that consists of an application, interview and character references. Criminal background checks are completed on all staff and volunteers

As part of the screening process, potential employees and volunteers are given Young Life’s Faith and Conduct Policy Packets. These packet’s include Young Life’s: Statement of Faith, Mission Statement, Sexual Misconduct and Harassment Policy and Conflict Resolution Guidelines

  • The Faith & Conduct Policies are also accompanied by an Acknowledgment Form that potential employees and volunteers sign indicating they have read, believe in and agree to support the Statement of Faith and Mission Purpose Statement. Their signature also indicates they understand and agree to abide by the Misconduct, Sexual Harassment and Guidelines for Conflict Resolution policies.
  • Applicants also complete a Background Questionnaire in which applicants must disclose, as permitted by state law, any criminal convictions, criminal charges, unlawful misconduct allegations regarding children or sexual misconduct as well as any dismissal or reprimand from a church, denomination or other religious organization because of sexual misconduct or inappropriate, immoral behavior
  • Young Life is structured so that staff and volunteers all have trained supervisors (the local Area Director)
  • The Human Resources department trains new Young Life staff on maintaining appropriate boundaries in relationships with kids. The Human Resources department also trains Area Directors on how to screen and train their volunteer leaders.
  • Male leaders work with male students
  • Female leaders work with female students