Don’t miss out on the last opportunity to experience YBL and become the leader God has called you to be. For more than a decade, YBL has welcomed high school students who are devoted to Christ, hold leadership positions in their communities, excel academically, and strive to understand God’s plan for their future, to an immersive educational experience on the campus of Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky!
June 8-17, 2026
Check out the dynamic people, inspiring activities, and unforgettable moments that made this past summer’s YBL a life-changing experience.
From energetic team-building games to powerful worship sessions and leadership workshops, see how YBL empowers the next generation to grow in faith, leadership, and service.
YBL participants stay in Asbury dorms for 10 days over the summer. They dine together in the campus dining hall and study in Asbury classrooms. They also have access to the full suite of the university’s student-centric amenities.
At YBL:
Experience a dynamic environment for growth, learning, and exploration!
Youth Becoming Leaders
(859) 858-5393
ybl@asbury.edu
Complete the three-step application process by March 10, 2026. Students who enroll at Asbury are eligible to receive 3 academic elective credits that will be applied toward their general liberal arts degree completion.
* The program includes a post-event curriculum where students collaborate with mentors on a ministry project. Mentors receive a workbook and attend two Zoom trainings: one before the program and one on its final day.
Application Mentor Reference Scripture Video Submission
YBL will inform you of Acceptance Status
Confirm your Participation
Pre-Assessment Personality Inventory Results Challenge Course Permission Form Parent Permission Form Payment (Deposit of at least $250)
Payment for YBL is based on a Sliding Scale.
We offer the following suggestions to support you as you discern how your family can best balance the financial cost of participating in YBL with the needs of your family. We understand that costs are rising, but we continue to witness how God is transforming young people’s lives and communities through YBL, and we believe YBL is worth the investment in your student.
The following are merely guideposts. Your family can choose any amount that falls between these categories, and we offer payment plan options for any category. We encourage you to reach out to your local church about scholarship opportunities, and we have fundraising ideas to assist you in asking for prayer and financial support from family and friends. We know that there are some families for whom $999 would be a burden on your household. If that is the case for your family, please let us know because we never want money to be a barrier to a student’s participation in YBL.
The standard registration rate for YBL is $999. Please see the information and resources described in the guideposts above.
Consider paying this amount if doing so would not create a hardship for your household. You might choose this rate if you are able to meet your basic needs regularly and have some expendable income, can travel every couple of years without burden, and may have some debt but are able to pay it regularly.
The real cost of YBL is $4,000 per student. This figure is derived strictly from the operating costs of the residential program itself, including dorm space, food, transportation, books, faculty, and summer staff.
Consider choosing any amount between the standard rate and the at-cost rate if your family is able to cover not only your student’s standard rate, but also funding to contribute to the actual cost of YBL.
We regularly have conversations with students who are concerned about their ability to participate in YBL due to the financial resources of their family. If you have the financial means and ability to support YBL participants beyond your student, consider choosing any amount over $4000 to cover the actual cost for one young person to attend the YBL Institute, contribute to YBL’s ongoing overhead for the program such as administration and yearlong personnel (which are not included in the at cost rate), and most importantly, provide funding to support scholarships for more YBL participants.
YBL Financial Support Info
More Info for Parents
Want to be involved in YBL without being a camper? YBL recently launched Leadership Fellows. Students who have attended YBL and wish to continue their development as a leader now have one last chance to gain hands-on leadership experience alongside counselors and first-year YBL students.
Fellows will experience:
To apply for the program:
Fellows will also develop a ministry project, which may extend their original project or be new altogether. Leadership Fellows must arrive on campus by 3 pm on Sunday, June 7, 2026.
We want Youth Becoming Leaders to be an experience that launches students into a lifetime of leadership and discipleship. As a mentor, you serve a critical role in helping students integrate what they have learned at YBL into everyday life.
Youth Becoming Leaders is run by Asbury University faculty and students from the School of Christian Studies in partnership with Asbury Theological Seminary faculty, Youth for Christ staff, local ministry leaders, and a host of expert guests. The 2026 Schedule, Speakers, and Instructor will be announced soon!
We believe high school students can be Christ-like leaders in the church today and in the future. By supporting YBL, you help equip students for service and leadership through Christian community, leadership projects, and mentor relationships.