As the school year winds down, Arizona Urban Youth Excel (UYE) is already gearing up for one of the most exciting and powerful times of the year — summer camp!
Each year, summer camp is a key part of our mission to help connect at-risk teens in Phoenix to faith. It’s more than just a fun trip or a break from school — it’s a life-changing experience where students encounter God in a real and personal way. It’s also a chance for our leaders and students to build strong relationships that continue long after the week is over.
Why Summer Camp Matters
Our team works with inner-city youth all year long, walking with them through challenges at school, at home, and in life. We listen, pray, guide, and support. Camp is often the moment when it all comes together. It’s where the seeds planted all year begin to grow.
Last year, UYE partnered with amazing organizations like Young Life, Christ’s Church of the Valley (CCV), and Beloved Community Church to give students a wide variety of camp experiences. These partnerships help us reach even more teens with love, truth, and the hope of the Gospel.
What Happens at Camp?
Camp is full of fun, games, and excitement — but the real power is in how God shows up.
Every night, students gather to hear a message about Jesus. The camp speakers are funny, engaging, and real. They break down the Gospel in a way that makes sense to teens.
After each message, students head back to their cabins for “cabin time.” This is when things get deep. Students open up, ask questions, and share what’s on their hearts. Our leaders guide these conversations and help students understand what they heard. These moments are often the most meaningful part of camp.
One-on-one time is another key part of the week. Every leader sits down with each student to talk privately. We ask where they stand with God and what’s holding them back. Many times, students share painful struggles — broken homes, fear, anger, or doubt. This is where UYE steps in to help, offering hope, prayer, and support long after camp ends.
Leaders also meet together during camp to encourage one another. Being fully present with students all week is hard. We laugh, we cry, we pray — and we help each other carry the load.
And yes — there’s tons of fun too! From water games and dance parties to shared meals and late-night laughs, these activities help build trust and break down walls so we can have even more honest conversations with students.
What Comes Next?
Some people think that when students say “yes” to Jesus at camp, the work is done. But for us, it’s just the beginning.
We don’t want our teens to crash after the “camp high.” That’s why just one week after camp, we hold a reunion to keep the momentum going. We’ve started Bible studies and discipleship groups to help students grow in their faith, learn how to pray, read Scripture, and follow Jesus in their everyday lives.
We’ve already seen some amazing fruit — students praying for each other, sharing their faith, and making better choices. But we know God wants to do even more.
How You Can Help
We need your prayers as we prepare for this summer. Pray for the teens who will attend — that their hearts will be open. Pray for our leaders — that they will have strength, wisdom, and love. And pray for lasting life change that will impact families, schools, and communities.
Your support makes camp possible. Every dollar helps us give another teen the chance to experience God’s love in a powerful way. Whether it’s $25, $100, or more, your gift changes lives.
Thank you for walking with us. Thank you for believing in these students. And thank you for helping Arizona Urban Youth Excel connect hearts to Jesus — one life at a time.
