Is CYIA Just Being a Camp Counselor?
No.  When you join CYIA, you go to a required training week, and you are expected to come help with many of the 5-Day Clubs and possibly other events.  Camp Counselors in central Wyoming can only be regular CYIAers; you cannot just start there.  Besides, the full CYIA program provides great training opportunities to help lead kids around at camp.  If you are an adult and want to solely help with camp and volunteer in another position, please contact us.
What Does CYIA do at Camp Good News?
Later in the summer, CYIA teens are required to attend Camp Good News as camp counselors.  Camp Good News is a church camp on Casper Mountain meant for children ages 7-12.  As CYIA teens, we will be required to host a cabin of around ten to twelve kids.  We will lead these kids around to their activities, supervise them in the cabins, lead them in devotions, sit with them at mealtimes, and play games with them.  CYIAers will also need to attend a nightly meeting with the other leaders and staff members.  Although it can be stressful, it is truly a great experience.
What is training all about?
CYIA Training is a mandatory week-long event for CYIA teens.  We will stay overnight for the whole week on the campus of Frontier School of the Bible in La Grange, Wyoming; transportation will be provided.  Students will foremost learn how to evangelize with the wordless book, teach missions stories and Bible lessons, and conduct a 5-Day Club.  We will also get to meet new friends, play games, and worship God.  CYIA teens will stay in dorm rooms at Frontier School of the Bible and eat fresh meals in the campus dining hall.  It will be similar to a church camp experience with extra emphasis on learning about evangelism.
How Can I Afford Training?
Our CYIA leaders offer many opportunities for fundraisers and support to pay your way to training.  Last year, we conducted a Pizza Ranch fundraiser, car wash fund raisers, raffle ticket fundraisers, and a Five Guys fundraiser.  You can also get support letters and cards here to send to friends and relatives to support you.  You are also allowed to pay part or all of the $335 out of your own pocket.  If you still cannot afford this fee, contact us to learn more about CYIA fundraisers.
What Are the Requirements for CYIA?
CYIA is for students in high school and college, or you can start when you turn 13.  There may be exceptions made if you turn 13 partway through the summer; contact us with questions.  You also must have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and you must agree with our statement of faith to participate in CYIA.
What is Needed for Transportation?
Usually, CYIAers are responsible for getting to River of Life Church to meet up with the team before most events and should be picked up there as well.  There will be parking, so CYIAers can drive ourselves if we are allowed to drive.  From this church, the team will ride in vans to a 5-Day Club or other event.  For the weeks of training and camp, we will again meet at Wellsprings church, and the CYIA leaders will drive us where we need to go.
What Does a Typical Day in CYIA Look Like?
During regular weeks when we are running 5-Day Clubs, our schedule might look something like this:

7:30 - Bible Study with CYIAers
8:30 - Leave for Club
9:00 AM - Start Club (Teach Memory Verse, Bible Lessons, Songs, Prayer, Missions Story)
11:00 AM - Club Ends
Can I Go on a Vacation?
Yes, you are definitely allowed to take time off of CYIA for family time, vacations, or other outside events.  Just let one of your leaders know about it at least a few days beforehand.
Can I Have a Summer Job and Do CYIA?
While CYIA does take up much of your time, it may be possible to get a summer job.  You are required to spend a week (day and night) at each training and Camp Good News; however, you can take time off from other events to go to a job sometimes.  Most weeks we are done with all ministry before noon, so an afternoon job could usually be incorporated.  If you still need to work but cannot get a job and do CYIA simultaneously, we still me be able to figure something out.  Contact us for more details.  Ultimately, you should pray about what decision to make.
"Some of my best CYIA memories are mostly the time I have spent helping kids, teaching them about God, and hanging out with all my fellow CYIA friends. Though it can be hard and a little stressful at times, it is truly an amazing experience. I love every moment of it that we spend together teaching and growing closer to God. I love the way I get to see God work in the kids' life in just one week during clubs.

God has done amazing things in my life over the summers. CYIA has helped me get closer to God and my faith. It has shown me how truly amazing He is. There is no way I would rather spend my summer than helping kids know the love of God and seeing how He works in not just my life, but the life of the children we teach, my fellow CYIA friends, and leaders. God is truly amazing and wonderful.

Before CYIA, I was drifting away from God. CYIA has helped me see how much I need Him and has brought me closer to Him. After participating in CYIA for just two summers, I can’t imagine a life without God in it. I can’t imagine a life where children don’t get to know God the way I have. Through it all, I just want to say that CYIA is an amazing way to learn how to effectively spread the Word of God to kids and the people around you. CYIA has really become a family to me, and I love my team as a family. So if you have ever thought about wanting to do missionary work and spread the Word of God, this is the place to start."
 -Lilli Merryman, 4th-year CYIAer