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    ALL ABOUT GENERATE

What is GENERATE all about?

You serve students during a great and important time. We know that there are many resources, and even many camps available that can serve your needs. These days are critical in the faith formation of your students. At GENERATE our team will work hard to serve you and your needs well while creating an experience that will impact the other 51 weeks of your ministry year. We are strategic and intentional to create experiences where the name of Jesus is lifted up, where the Gospel is proclaimed through the preaching and studying of the Word, and where not only are students encouraged to take the next step in their faith journey, but the challenge and opportunity to be a person of global impact is clear. These experiences happen in times of personal devotion, in small group times of reading, listening, and responding, in group building and serving, in times of corporate worship, and in strategic times with your church.

In the end, a camp can’t really change a life, but a real experience with God can. We don’t want to simply create moments. We want to partner with you and be a part of moments that matter through the work of God.

What are the age groups of students attending GENERATE?

GENERATE is designed for students who are 6th-12th graders, graduates, and the adults that come with the group.

 

With many camp options and camp styles, why GENERATE?

You as a leader need to simply find what model camp best fits your needs for your ministry. At GENERATE, we are intentional with every aspect of the camp experience. Our number one goal is to support you and your local ministry. You know your students best, so we strive to give you plenty of options to meet them where they are and challenge them to take the next step in their faith journey. We also know that you and the adults in your group are the ones who go home with your students, so we design the camp experience to make sure community, relationships, and connections continue at home. Although our staff may be awesome at reaching out to your students, our prayer is for you and the adults in your group to be the true heroes of the week. Our team is here to support you and your team.

In case you need to know, all GENERATE staff undergoes state and federal background screenings, motor vehicle reporting for those who drive company vehicles, and child protection screening. Because of the day we live in, GENERATE seeks to provide the safest environment possible for your students.

 

Who serves on the GENERATE staff at camp each summer?

When we welcome you to camp it will be a combination of some full-time staff who have been communicating with you all year and some seasonal staff members. Each summer we recruit, train, and serve with some of the most dynamic college students and young adults who are eager to minister to you and your students. Our standards are pretty high, as we believe God is honored with excellence and pleased with authenticity.

If you have a student who has already completed a year of college or is 20 years or older and would like to apply to serve with us they can find more information here: https://generatestudents.com/employment

Have a question? Need to chat? You can call our office at 888-969-6360, or you can email us at GENERATE@ym360.com.

 

 

Who can I talk to if I have a specific question about a GENERATE location? 

At GENERATE, our full-time Event Coordinators and Event Directors are here year-round to walk you through the entire camp process. We think life is about relationships and want to make sure you are well taken care of. If you have any specific questions about GENERATE that are not answered here, we would love to give you a call.

 

 

Do you provide anything to help promote camp to my students?

We have you covered. You can check out www.generatestudents.com/toolkit for videos, social media and theme images, logos, screen graphics, bulletin inserts, and helpful documents like sign-up sheets, parent forms, and even a note to coaches about students being away. Plus, our team at YM360 will mail you some killer posters to help get the word out about your week of camp.

 

 

What's the connection with YM360?

That is who we are. GENERATE, for lack of a better description, generates out of the YM360 offices in Birmingham, AL. If you don’t know who YM360 is you can find out more about us here. We also have some sweet resources, Bible studies, and training to help you all year.

 

Who does GENERATE partner with?

At YM360, we believe we’re stronger together than we are alone. That’s why we engage in strategic partnerships with other ministries, organizations, leaders, churches, and individuals, working as a team to see students come to know Christ and make Him known. We hold true to a Kingdom mindset that sees partnering with like-minded people and organizations as honoring God. Alone we may go fast, but together we go far.

COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL

Compassion is one of our national ministry partners. They exist to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. This summer at GENERATE, you will have an opportunity to be a voice for the voiceless and sponsor a child in the Compassion International program. At every camp, your students will get to know a graduate of Compassion International and will be presented with a challenge to do more with the resources they have been given.

SERVANT LIFE

Servant Life is all about mobilizing students in response to the Great Commission. Since its inception in 1999, Servant Life has been a mission-mobilizing ministry providing dynamic mission experiences for students and adults. Their aim is to connect Christ-followers’ love for God to the nations through His Word and empowered by His Spirit. Currently, Servant Life sends short-term mission teams to sixteen countries including six locations in the United States, as well as mid-term missionaries around the world.

FUND THE NATIONS

FTN helps people who are helping people. Their team works hard to make it easy for individuals, families, or groups to fundraise for mission trips, adoptions, and other causes they are involved in. All the work is custom-designed for free and includes free shipping. Customers select the kind of shirt they want, give ideas for design, and, in the end, get funds for whatever project they are pursuing in response to the Great Commission.

 

Is GENERATE connected to a specific denomination?

GENERATE is an inter-denominational ministry that serves many different evangelical churches. We think it is pretty cool that we get to be The Church when we gather together. If you want to know more about what we believe, you can check out our beliefs here: About YM360

 

 

REGISTRATION

What do I need to do to register?

Registration for GENERATE Camp is simple. To register your group and save space for camp, select your week of camp and click the button “Register Now.” Registering for GENERATE simply lets our team know that your group is planning to attend. Registrations are for groups only – not individual campers. There is no group size minimum. Deposits are applied per spot and are due January 31st, and paying those will confirm the space that your group is saving. Check out the financial details below.

 

 

What if we need to add people after we register?

After celebrating, contact us, and as long as there is space available, no problem. We know you work hard to get students to camp, so if there is any way possible to have them join us we will make it happen. If there is no space, we will let you know. Spaces that are added to your registration will be at the rate that is currently listed online. If you add space after you have paid for your group’s deposits, we do ask for the deposit for any additional spaces to be paid within two weeks of making that official addition.

 

 

Can I register after January 31st?

You can register at any point in the year for whichever GENERATE Camp you want as long as there is space available. Just a reminder that the cost of camp does change the closer we get to camp.

 

 

What if I cancel my registration?

YM360 believes in honoring our commitments to our camp location. If your numbers or plans change, please let us know as soon as possible. If this cancellation occurs before January 31, we will make sure you get your deposits refunded. If you decrease your number or cancel within 14 days (or 45 days for beach camp) before your week of camp, you will still be responsible for paying the FULL balance for your canceled registration.

 

 

 

 

What time do we need to arrive at camp?

First Light is an optional sunrise service that happens one morning at camp at a special place on campus unique to your camp location. First Light is a bit more liturgical in nature and an awesome way to start the day with God.

Registration is from 1 pm to 3 pm in the time zone of the camp you are attending. Don’t make the mistake of traveling across time zones and not calculating it! We would encourage you to arrive closer to 1 pm so you have plenty of time to get registered and check in before we get rolling.

From start to finish, the check-in process typically takes an hour, so we suggest planning accordingly if your transportation will be going off-site once check-in is complete.

CAMP OPTIONS

Which option is best for our group between CONNECT, SERVE, GUIDE, LEAD and EXPLORE? 

You know your students and their needs best. So we’ve created five unique GENERATE Camp options for you to choose from.

CONNECT is a great option for community building within your group. Groups in this option (called “villages”) will be in Bible study for part of the day and will also participate in group-building activities, all lead by your adult leaders. As the group leader, you decide if you want your students combined with other students from other churches (called “combined”) or if you want your students to be in villages of just students from your church (called “independent”).

SERVE allows your group to get off campus and serve for much of the day with one of our Community Partners (our team will take care of the details). In this option, your “village” will be students from your church.

EXPLORE allows you to decide how you want to spend your day from 10:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. when dinner starts. If you want to be off campus enjoying what the region has to offer, go for it! In this option, your students will also be in villages with students from your group. Note: Your selection needs to be for the entire week rather than by the day.

GUIDE is the best option for churches who desire to work in cooperation with the GENERATE staff. Instead of your adult chaperones leading your students in Bible study, recreation group building activities, and worship pre-gatherings, one of our Village Guides (a GENERATE staff member) will shepherd your group. Adults from your church will still be involved as participants with your students during the daily recreation session, maintaining a 1:5 student-to-adult ratio. We do ask for the adults in your group to refrain from attending the Bible study to prevent these groups from getting too big. All groups that choose the GUIDE option will be combined with students from other churches.

LEAD TEAM, One of the best ways to learn to be a disciple-maker is to learn alongside other disciple-makers. LEAD TEAMS allows for a small group of older students (10th grade and older) to be a part of GENERATE by serving alongside our staff. Your group will participate in staff devotions, meetings, development, worship, and areas of concentration such as production, recreation, and support roles. Additionally, each student will receive a t-shirt, and endorsements for future employment, and spend time in mentorship moments with a staff member. LEAD TEAMS are limited to 20 spaces per week of camp and are required to arrive one day before camp begins to help the staff set up. Note: The LEAD TEAM option is completely separate from all other GENERATE options. If you have another group from your church doing a different option the same week you have a LEAD TEAM at camp, the two groups will be separated for the entire week.

 

*The camp option that you choose (CONNECT, SERVE, etc.) needs to be for the entire week of camp rather than by the day. These options (CONNECT, SERVE, etc.) are not a part of the Beach Camp schedule.

Why are some of the options more expensive than others?

Options may vary based on daily expenses associated with that option. SERVE, for instance, is a higher cost due to a few variables. Expenses for things such as boxed lunches, ice for coolers, project expenses with community partners, vehicles, fuel, and staff create a higher per-person cost. EXPLORE is an option that is cheaper, knowing that you will be planning activities for your group on your own. Any activities that incur additional charges, whether on-campus or off-campus, will need to be paid for by your group. Our goal is to always be good stewards of resources and manage expenses in a way to accomplish as much as possible within appropriate budgets.

Can half of my group do one option and the other half do another option?

Of course! We want to do all we can to meet the needs of your ministry. If you would like to have certain students on one option, and certain students in another, we can make it happen. This would basically mean your church has two registrations for a certain week of camp. Your name can be the main contact for both registrations, but for the week of camp, we will need contact information for the other adults in your group.

 

What are LEAD Teams?

One of the best ways to learn to be a disciple-maker is to learn alongside other disciple-makers. LEAD teams allow for a small group of older students to be a part of a week of GENERATE by serving alongside our staff. Your group will participate in staff devotions, meetings, leadership development, worship, and areas of concentration such as production, recreation, and support roles. Additionally, each student will receive a t-shirt and signed certificate for 80 hours of community service. The cost for LEAD team participants is $150 per person with the youth minister from the group free. Maximum of 20 participants per week. Participants need to have completed the 10th grade to participate.

 

 

How does a GENERATE at the Beach event differ from other events?

GENERATE @ the Beach is one of the best ways your group can unite and bond together while making memories that last a lifetime! GENERATE worship services will be held at a convention center in the area, and there will also be catered lunches at or near the convention center for all who choose to have a meal ticket included. Once the Kickstart Morning Worship Service ends, your group will have the rest of the afternoon and early evening to have fun in the sun!

Final balances and final registration numbers are due 45 days before camp.

BIBLE STUDY GROUPS

What is a village or village leaders?

Villages are small group Bible studies that your students will be in throughout their week at GENERATE. The village names used at camp are actual villages from around the world. These villages at camp will consist of approximately 10-12 students, along with village leaders. Village leaders take on the role of leading students in their walk with Christ, with the hope that this leading will continue at home. Our staff will meet with these village leaders daily to cover some of the Bible study highlights and to enjoy a time of encouragement and equipping each day. Village leaders may also be accompanied by a student leader (12th grade-college age) who is ready to take on more responsibility in the discipleship process. These student leaders can help lead the group of students in the village, but only under the direction of the village leader.

Are villages made up of just my students or will students from other churches be included? 

At GENERATE, if you choose CONNECT, SERVE, or EXPLORE, your students will not be in a village with students from another church. In the GUIDE option, your students will be mixed up between a variety of villages with students from other churches.

ADULT LEADERS

Why do my adult leaders have to teach bible study in the CONNECT, SERVE, and EXPLORE option?

It goes back to the philosophy of supporting the local church. We believe it’s important for adults from the local church to be involved in what happens at camp. After all, they go home with the students. Their leadership during camp builds friendships, accountability, and connections that travel on the ride home with the students.

 

What is the adult to student ratio?

We suggest bringing ONE adult for every FIVE students (5 to 1 ratio) gender-specific. This includes you as the group leader. We will ask for you to have ONE adult for every TEN students to lead a village, so not every adult who comes along has to lead a village group. We consider leaders anyone 20 years of age or older. Please make sure you have enough leaders to monitor the students in the housing arrangements provided.

 

What are the general qualifications/expecations that I should have in an adult leader? 

Be an adult (20 or over), be a Christ-follower, be willing to be used by God, and be available. Also, your church is responsible for having a child protection policy where background checks have been performed.

 

What will my other adults do during the week?

Some will be Village Leaders leading Bible studies and helping during the day in your selected track time. They will be involved in counseling, relationship building, leading and loving students. Some of the leaders you bring to camp will become your biggest supporters in the coming years of your ministry. We ask that you bring adults who are Christ-followers.

 

What does it cost for adult leaders to come to camp?

The camp rate is the same for both students and adults.

 

 

What will Youth Ministers do at camp?

Besides being a totally cool hero for bringing your students, you will have plenty of free time to focus on being what God has called you to be. We encourage you to find the time to target the relationship-building you need to do, as well as target students for pivotal faith conversations. We also gather together nightly as youth ministers to have prayer and interaction with some of our camp leadership team.

 

 

Can I bring my kids with me to camp?

We know you are gone from home a bunch during the summer, so if you want to bring your kids with you we would love for that to happen. To help facilitate this, we have the Kids Academy of Awesomeness for children who have completed Kindergarten through 5th grade. This will provide some awesome things to do with some of our staff from 10 am to 3 pm. You have the option to get them for lunch, or they can stay with the other children. This is a totally awesome feature for you to be a hero for your family!

Children who have not completed kindergarten, are free to spend the day with a parent.

Camp Cost for Children: Kids 0-2 Free, 3 yrs-5 yrs old $70 off published camp cost, completed Kindergarten to 5th grade is $50 off camp cost and eligible to participate in the Kids Academy of Awesomeness.

 

The Kids Academy of Awesomeness is not available at any GENERATE at the Beach events.

 

FREE TIME OPTIONS

What Free Time options are available at camp?

Free time options vary by location, but generally, include:

  • Auditions for The Get Down (a camp-wide themed evening party and talent show)
  • Improv Worship with the Actors
  • 3×3 Basketball Tournament
  • Volleyball Tournament
  • Games with Bumper Balls
  • Q&A with the Camp Communicator and Worship Leader
  • A Movie Screening
  • Ultimate Frisbee
  • Corn Hole Tournament and Various Lawn Games

*These Free Time Options are not a part of GENERATE at the Beach.

 

Can I take my group off campus during free time?

If you are doing the EXPLORE option you will have many options of how you want to manage your day, off-campus, or on. If participating in SERVE you will be off-campus for the day and most groups return to campus for free time, but your group will be with you and under your leadership. If CONNECT or GUIDE, and you want to go off-campus during free time you can at your discretion, but would need to not leave until free time (roughly 3 PM) and be back by dinner (between 4:45-6:00 PM) and our evening activities. We facilitate camp to serve you and your needs, so we want to be great partners with you on what those are!

 

 

What are other fun elements at GENERATE camp?

Student ministry should be a FUN place that produces connections, especially at camp! At GENERATE we have specific elements of camp for your students to experience community through things like our camp-wide Dodgeball Tournament, Early Morning 5K (great for runners, walkers, and those who just want to cheer others on), and our themed late-night party and talent show, The Get Down. All of these activities are included in a week of camp at GENERATE. (Sadly, we can not host these events at beach events.)

 

What is First Light?

First Light is an optional sunrise service that happens one morning at camp at a special place on campus unique to your camp location. First Light is a bit more liturgical in nature and an awesome way to start the day with God.

 

Is there a camp store? Do we need extra spending money?

There will be resources and camp products available throughout the week, plus opportunities to get snacks during your time at camp. Monopoly money is not accepted.

 

 

 

FINANCIAL

What are some important dates to know?

October 31, 2024:
• Early Deposit discount (an additional $10 off per person) ends.

January 31, 2025:
• Deadline for the deposit required to secure your space at GENERATE. Deposits are 25% of your price per person and are applied per spot you pay for.
• Deposits made after January 31, 2024, will confirm reservations for your group if space is available at the current published price for your particular week of camp. All promotional rates will be extinguished if deposits are paid post-January 31st.

 If you neglect to pay for your deposits after January 31, you will still be responsible for 100% of the deposit balance regardless of dropping space after January 31. 
• After January 31, deposits are non-refundable AND non-transferable. If any spots are dropped after January 31, the deposit money paid on those spots will not be refunded or transferred to your final balance for camp.
• You can still register for camp at any time if there is still room in the camp.

14 days prior to your camp start date if your location is a COLLEGE Campus:

We will need to have received the following items:
• The remaining balance for your entire group – which is determined when we call you for your final count for your group. Please wait for us to send your final statement before submitting your final payment.
• Group leader agreement form and any special request or special occasion forms.

• If a cancellation from your group occurs, all final balances are non-refundable and non-transferable to another event within this 14-day window.

*Note: Waiver and Release Forms and the Verification Form of background checks on all adults attending will be due upon arrival at camp.

45 days prior to your camp start date if your camp is at a CONFERENCE Center or a GENERATE @ The BEACH location:

We will need to have received the following items:
• The remaining balance for your entire group – which is determined when we call you for your final count for your group. Please wait for us to send your final statement before submitting your final payment.
• Group leader agreement form and any special request or special occasion forms.

• If a cancellation from your group occurs, all final balances are non-refundable and non-transferable to another event within this 45-day window.

*Note: Waiver and Release Forms and the Verification Form of background checks on all adults attending will be due upon arrival at camp.

*Note: We do ask for all final payments to be paid for with a check. Checks can be made out to YM360 and can be mailed to:
YM360
P.O. Box 36545
Birmingham, AL 35236

 

 

What are the payment options?

• You can send payment by check to YM360, PO Box 36545, Birmingham, AL 35236.

• Credit card payments are also accepted and will have a 2.5% convenience fee added to the charge. To pay with a credit card, please call 888-969-6360.

 

 

Deposit Details

• Deposits are 25% of your price per person and are due no later than January 31, 2025. We will hold your space with no deposit until January 31, 2025, but at that time we need you to confirm your space with a deposit paid per spot.

• Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable for cancellations after January 31, 2025.

• Deposits are non-transferable to any other churches registered for a GENERATE event.

• On-time deposits help us make camp happen! Lost deposits are never fun, so we love to avoid them. We’ve set up our deposit schedule in a way to be as flexible as possible while helping us cover actual expenses to prepare for camp. When deposits are forfeited, we all lose the opportunity to minister to the students we expected to be at camp.

• Housing priority is determined by the date your deposits are paid. Our team begins placing groups in priority housing based on who paid for their deposits first.

 

What does my deposit payment cover?

Deposits are applied per spot, and fund the creation of camp that takes place in the 14+ months leading up to your scheduled event. Deposit funds cover the cost involved in event creation such as Bible study content, videos, writing contracts, and programming. Additionally, deposits fund summer camp recruiting and staffing, site visits, supplier/vendor payments, promotional resources, and overall customer care efforts.

 

 

 

What does the price per person cover?

Lodging, yummy meals in the cafeteria, Bible study, personal devotions, all large group gatherings with great leaders, all programming, a camp magazine, a t-shirt, a great time, and maybe world peace.

 

 

 

National disasters, travel bans and sudden cancellations of events?

YM360 believes in honoring our commitments to our camp locations and churches registered. Sadly, some events occur that can be outside the control of the YM360 staff. Events like hurricanes, fires, tornadoes, oil spills, etc. do occur and can threaten the ability to host a GENERATE Event. Also, other events like acts of terrorism, widespread violence, pandemics, outbreaks, panic, and national security threats can occur. If the GENERATE by YM360 Event that you are signed up for does have to be canceled due to circumstances outside of YM360’s control, or due to the current climate at that time, no refunds will be issued to your church.

If you decide to cancel your registration for a GENERATE by YM360 Event due to a potential threat of these occurrences, but YM360 has not canceled the event, you will not be issued a refund.

 

 

 

OTHER

Is there a dress code?

Of course. We ask for there to only be one-piece bathing suits at camp or a dark-colored t-shirt over a two-piece. Avoid short shorts (including guys showing off the bro thighs), spaghetti strap shirts, or really anything that will be a distraction to those around you. We honor God with how we dress. Be cool, but don’t be a fool! If needed, help a brother or sister out.

 

 

 

Are cell phones allowed at camp?

The choice of having cell phones and cell phone usage while at camp will be at the discretion of each individual church in attendance. GENERATE does however encourage eliminating distractions while in worship services and Village Bible Study sessions.

 

 

What if we have a student with special needs or medicine needs during the week? 

We work hard to create an environment where all students are welcome. While they will be spending most of their time with you under your leadership, let us know with this Special Needs Request and we will do everything we can to make it a fantastic experience. Food allergies will be noted with cafeteria staff when needed.

 

 

 

Do you have a nurse or clinic available, if needed?

We take the safety of your students seriously and want to make sure they have the best health care if needed. In order to achieve this well, we make sure you have directions to the closest medical clinic or hospital. We do not provide on-site medical attention in the camp environment, and we encourage you to keep a medical release form for each member of your group.

 

 

 

What if a student is sick? Can they come to camp?

If you or anyone in your group has had a fever or is experiencing sickness within 24 hours of camp, we do encourage them to refrain from attending. GENERATE Camp can not provide medical attention since there is no medical professional on staff. If anyone in your group becomes sick while at camp, all medical decisions and attention will be handled by the church.