YouthCrossing
Summer Camp

What is YC Summer Camp?

YC Summer Camp is a time for students to come together for a fun 5-day, 4-night retreat! We pack the schedule for our 6th-12th grade students to spend the week learning, worshiping, meeting in small groups, joining in on the many recreation activities we have planned, and hanging out to grow in community with each other!

Location

Lake Williamson
Address: 17280 Lakeside Dr, Carlinville, IL 62626

Event Information

YouthCrossing Camp is a 4-night retreat June 3rd-7th 2026 at Lake Williamson Christian Center in Carlinville, IL. All Students will be dropped off at 9:30am on Wednesday for orientation. Students will return to the campus they departed from on Sunday around 2pm. For more information, please reference the FAQs below.

Campuses

Buses depart from Chesterfield, Mid Rivers, and Fenton campuses.

Registration

Stay Tuned! Registration tyically opens for YouthCrossing Camp in the spring.

Parent Waivers and Medical Policy

Eagle Crest Waiver: All parents must read over and sign the waiver and turn it in at dropoff. Students will not be able to participate at Barn Quest ropes course without a signed waiver and we will not be accepting waivers after departure.

FAQ's

Gender-specific rooms are assigned by campus. We will match roommates based upon your request during registration. Each room is supervised by our small group leaders. Adults and students do not share beds.

Each student is placed in a small group with one to two adult leaders who are responsible for the student's supervision throughout the week.

The registration cost includes all accommodations, travel, meals, tshirts and study guides. Merchandise and snacks will be available for an additional cost throughout the week but due to security concerns we do not allow take out/delivery orders. Students are welcome to bring snacks.

We use charter busses with professional drivers.

We will depart from the campus that you registered with. More details (via email) on how departure works will be available as we get closer to camp.

Small group and room assignments are based on gender and campus. We will use the information collected as part of the registration process to help determine small group and room assignments. This may include friend requests, small group, and school information. Our goal is for every student to be in a group with at least one friend.

Our primary source of communication will come via email. You will receive a confirmation email once your student has successfully registered for the trip and follow-up emails from your campus Student Ministry.

Due to security concerns, no visitors are allowed.

Please list all dietary restrictions when completing registration so we can plan to accommodate your restriction. Students are welcome to bring snacks/food with them. If you have additional concerns or questions, please contact youth@thecrossing.church.

If you are interested in financial assistance for Summer Camp, please apply here. You may also register your student for Camp, but please only pay the minimum of $75. Applications close on Sunday, April 13th. We will be in contact once applications close.

We start each day with breakfast followed by a morning session of worship and teaching. After the morning session we have all students meet up for a team recreational activity, then lunch and after lunch there will be free time to head to any activity until dinner.  Each afternoon we have options of free time activities such as lake activities, swimming, high or low ropes courses, rock climbing wall, and lots of hang time with friends.  Each evening we have dinner, an evening session with worship and teaching, time to circle up with small groups and night activities before curfew.

  • Modest athletic clothes (that can get dirty/messy) for daytime activities
  • Modest casual clothes for evening worship services
  • Clothes to match with their team color (team colors will be announced when registration closes)
  • Bedding (sheet, blanket, pillow for a twin OR full size bed)
  • Toiletries (soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste)
  • Towel, washcloths
  • Beach towel
  • Close-toed athletic shoes (that can get dirty/messy)
  • Flip flops
  • Dark t-shirt and shorts for water activities
  • Modest swimwear (if you are unsure, please bring multiple swimsuits or a dark t-shirt)
  • Small bag/backpack (for carrying personal items around camp)
  • Bible, pen, notebook
  • Re-usable water bottle
  • Hat/sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug spray
  • Luggage labeled with student’s name
  • A well-rested body with a heart to learn and grow

Students who have completed 6th-12th grade.

We ask that students leave their phone/technology at home. Our hope is that Camp is a place where your student can unplug from their normal routine and create a special space for God to show up. The opportunity to silence all the noise creates a chance for meaningful connection to happen with other students, leaders, and staff. Our policy is that if we see any device causing distractions, we reserve the right to take their phone for that session.

Due to very limited cell service, you can call the camp phone at (217) 854-4820 and someone from our YouthCrossing Staff will be notified immediately. Utilizing our youth@thecrossing.church email is also a great option. We will be checking our emails frequently.