Southwind Trip Leader Info

We are grateful for the time and energy you have invested in getting to know kids and we look forward to hosting you this summer. As you prepare for your trip, please use the links below to access necessary summer trip documents. More links and information will be added as we approach summer, so stay tuned and please visit this page often.

If you have any further questions, please give us a call (352-288-2500) or drop us an email (kmizell@sw.younglife.org). We look forward to hosting you this summer!

*Updated 10/7/2025*

Summer 2026 Information

Before we jump in, we want to pause and thank you. Thank you for showing up in the lives of hurting teenagers with the HOPE of the Gospel. Thank you for sharing the LOVE of Jesus with them as you build friendships. Thank you for continuing to pursue them in the middle of chaos. The work is certainly not easy, but it is so important. We pray that your time at Southwind will be a breath of fresh air and will provide your Middle School and Capernaum friends the opportunity to experience adventure, laugh, and hear about the greatest Story every told.

There is a lot of information. However, we have worked hard to ensure that unnecessary information have been left out. Hopefully, everything included here will keep you informed and make it as easy as possible to get to Southwind this year.

If you have any questions whatsoever, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Camp Contact:

UPDATES TO KNOW NOW:

  • NEW Trip Leader Website here!
  • Southwind Area Camp Trip Survey:​ We are excited for your area to be at camp this summer! In order to prepare for you, we ask that you tell us about your area and your friends before you arrive. These are due April 30, 2026.
  • Please review Young Life's​ WyldLife Camping Policies. Area directors, trip leaders, assigned teams and camp staff should be familiar with and comply with these policies which have been approved by field senior vice presidents.
  • YL Connect Camp​ can be used for registration, payments and trip management tools. A standard registration template has already been added to your YL Connect account and is ready to be customized for your trip. All registration pages are to be published by January 15, 2026.
  • Don't miss any of the Day Zero Newsletters​ that are coming each month to give you an update of what you need to know to be prepared for camp this summer.
  • Other Areas Your Week:​​​ Want to see which other areas will be at Southwind your week? On your camp trip in YLCC, click the dropdown arrow in the top right and select "Camp Trips by Week". This will show you every trip at the camp you are attending organized by week. If you want to see all camp trips, check out the Camp Reservation Report​ found on the Camp Home page. Adjust the filters at the top of the report to find the data you're looking for.
  • SUMMER STAFF APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN! We will begin placements at the end of August. If you know anyone that would be a great volunteer for Summer Staff send them to this application. Any SS questions for Southwind can go to​ Mindy Ray.
  • We are looking for VOLUNTEER MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS!​​ We need 1 volunteers per week (1 MD, NP, PA or RN). They can apply HERE. Any questions for Southwind medical volunteers can go to Jose Lazo. We are currently filling our volunteer medical spots.
  • Check out our WyldLife Camp Promo Video

WyldLife Outreach 2026

We cannot wait to have you and your friends come and experience Jesus at Southwind this summer. To make this experience easier for you, we have created a dedicated WyldLife Trip Leader Guide​ that holds the following information:

  • Any Trip Leader information relevant to any and all types of summer camp trips.
  • Information, resources, deadlines, and forms related to WyldLife specific camp trips.
CLICK HERE - TRIP LEADER GUIDE
- Arrival & Departure Information
  • Arrival:​ Day 1 from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm *Please call Southwind by 10:00 am EST to give us your ETA, final number breakdown, and any changes.
  • Departure:​ Day 5 at 11:00 am (Buses can arrive starting at 9:30 am EST)
- Packing List

Capernaum Outreach 2026

We cannot wait to have you and your friends come and experience Jesus at Southwind this summer. To make this experience easier for you, we have created a dedicated Capernaum Trip Leader Guide​ that holds the following information:

  • Any Trip Leader information relevant to any and all types of summer camp trips.
  • Information, resources, deadlines, and forms related to Capernaum specific camp trips.
CLICK HERE - TRIP LEADER GUIDE
CLICK HERE FOR CAPERNAUM SPECIFIC INFORMATION
- Arrival & Departure Information
  • Arrival:​ Day 1 from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm *Please call Southwind by 10:00 am EST to give us your ETA, final number breakdown, and any changes.
  • Departure:​ Day 5 at 1:00 pm (Buses can arrive starting at 11:30 am EST)
- Packing List

Session Specific Links

CHECK BACK FOR UPDATED LINKS AS SUMMER APPROACHES!

Session 1 :

  • Camp Director Letter: (COMING LATE SPRING)
  • Program Letter: (COMING LATE SPRING)

Session 2 :

  • Camp Director Letter: (COMING LATE SPRING)
  • Program Letter: (COMING LATE SPRING)

Required Documents

YL Connect Camp (YLCC)is required for summer 2026.​ The YLCC Arrival Form replaces the registration packet/A form excel document. Training materials​ on YL Connect Camp are available through Learning Guides as well as a Quick Guide with videos. The Arrival Form specific information can be found here.

Leader Screenings:​ Please ensure that your leaders are up-to-date on the mandatory screenings on Staff Resources

Young Life is making updates to the Health and Consent form. The online 6007 Health and Consent form will not be available until early 2026. Stay tuned to Day Zero, the Health, Consent, and Release form page on Staff Resources, and this Trip Leader site for the latest updates. Questions? Reach out to ylcamping@sc.younglife.org.

Tasks you will complete as Trip Leader, at the bottom of the page, you can find the due dates for your week:
  • 10-DAY REPORT:​ The 10-Day Report is due 10-days prior to your arrival by 8:00AM EST.
  • 48-Hour YLCC Arrival Form:​​ Due 2 days prior to your arrival by 8:00A​M EST.​ To complete the arrival form in YLCC, please ensure all campers and leaders are registered and the following sections are completed for each guest: health form status, housing, second-timers, and leader orientation. Please refer to section 4 of the YLCC User Guide​ for more details on updating the arrival form.
  • DAY-ONE CALL IN: done on Day 1 by 10:00 AM EST. No form is required. Be prepared to provide the following information: ETA, final number breakdown, and any changes. You will text Karly one more time 30 minutes before your arrival to schedule a specific arrival time.

Useful Information & Policies

  • Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions:​ If a camper or a leader has a special diet that the kitchen needs to be aware of, please fill out the Special Dietary Request Form.
  • Leader Orientation:​​ Please have your leaders complete the Summer Camp Leader Orientation via Young Life Access.
  • Early Departures:​​ If a camper needs to leave separate from the rest of your area, a completed Permission to Leave Camp Early form (YL-1853)​ must be completed online before​ the camper is able to leave camp.
  • Other Areas Your Week:​​ Want to see which other areas will be at Southwind your week? On your camp trip in YLCC, click the dropdown arrow in the top right and select "Camp Trips by Week". This will show you every trip at the camp you are attending organized by week. If you want to see all camp trips, check out the Camp Reservation Report​​ found on the Camp Home page. Adjust the filters at the top of the report to find the data you're looking for.
  • Retail Gift Card:​​ Click THIS LINK​​ to pay for a retail gift card (formerly known as a "tab") for your camp trip before arrival. These gift cards can be used in both the store and snack bar.
  • Lost and Found: If someone on your trip forgot something at Southwind after your departure, please fill out the Lost and Found Form.
CAMP SPOTS
  • Adding Spots and Waitlist - To request additional spots in a camp week, contact the camp office. If spots are not available, the area will be placed on the Wait-to-Add list. If spots become available, the area must take the waitlist spots or be removed from the list.
  • Dropping Spots and Waiting to Drop -​ After R2 is returned, areas wanting to drop spots must either trade the spots away to another area or go on the Wait-to-Drop list. The area is financially accountable for Wait-to-Drop spots, unless another area picks up the spots.
  • Trading Camp Spots -​ Areas wishing to drop camp spots can trade those spots away to another area through the camp office.​ Camps will honor trades between areas up until the day before the camp week begins.​ To complete a trade, all areas involved must confirm the trade with the camp office via email. A new DocuSign Contract will be created for each area.
YOUNG LIFE POLICIES
  • Electronics:​​ Please collect all personal electronics (cellphones, cellular enabled watches, iPads, laptops, DVD players, etc.) prior to your arrival; place in individual Ziploc bags and label with the camper's name and area number. These will be collected upon arrival and stored until your departure. Please refer to the YL Cell Phone & Electronics at Camp Policy​ for more information.
  • Medications:​ Please collect all prescription medication prior to your arrival; place in individual Ziploc bags and label with the camper's name and area number. All medications must be in their original prescription container with the label.​​ These will be collected upon arrival and stored in the Infirmary to be dispensed by our medical team (this differs for Capernaum Summer Camp). We will collect all medications except​ birth control, epi-pens, inhalers, and OTC medications.
  • Controlled Substances:​​ As a reminder, use, possession or distribution of illegal and nonmedical authorized drugs and/or alcohol is not allowed on camp property or in connection with any Young Life event. Young Life can send individuals home from camp or an event at their own expense and without refund for violating this policy. Young Life may also report violations of this policy to law enforcement as well as to a minor’s parent or guardian. Please refer to the Controlled Substances policy (AS-802)​ for more information.

Additional Resources

Due Date Timeline

Camp Weeks

YLCC Arrival Form

Day 1 Call-In Due Date​

Week 1: May 28 - June 1, 2026

5/18/2026

5/26/2026

5/28/2026

Week 2: June 2 - 6, 2026

5/23/2026

5/31/2026

6/2/2026

Week 3: June 7 - 11, 2026

5/28/2026

6/5/2026

6/7/2026

Week 4: June 12 - 16, 2026

6/2/2026

6/10/2026

6/12/2026

Week 5: June 18 - 22, 2026

6/8/2026

6/16/2026

6/18/2026

Week 6: June 23 - 27, 2026

6/13/2026

6/21/2026

6/23/2026

Week 7: June 28 - July 2, 2026

6/18/2026

6/26/2026

6/28/2026

Week 8: July 3 - 7, 2026 *CPNM*

6/23/2026

7/1/2026

7/3/2026

Week 9: July 8 - 12, 2026

6/28/2026

7/6/2026

7/8/2026