YALW FAQ

Q: Why do we still call it “YALW”? I’m not a “young adult.”

“Young adult” can feel awkward—especially if you’re married, raising kids, managing a mortgage and haven’t been to camp in 20 years. But the name YALW has a history and identity, and rather than toss it out, we chose to clarify what it means:

• W still stands for Weekend.
• L still stands for Leadership.
• A stands for Adult, age 18 and up.
• Y stands for Young, with a cap at age 40.

YALW isn’t for teens. It’s for adults—those making their own decisions, building meaningful lives and investing in God’s way of life for the long haul.

Q: I’m in my 30s—or married with kids. Is YALW still for me?

Yes—if you’re still building, still contributing, still growing.

YALW is about developing serious adults who are serious about God’s way of life. (It is still fun.)

Some are just getting started. Others are balancing a job, marriage and family. But we’re all here because we believe in the same things: building strong foundations, taking ownership of our calling and investing in God’s Church.

Showing up matters. Being around others who share your convictions matters. Your example can be the most powerful for those following close behind you.

If you're engaged in the Church and within our stated age range, then YALW is for you.

Q: What do you mean “Leadership”? I’m not trying to get ordained.

At YALW, leadership isn’t about a title, a spotlight or even a specific role. It’s about influence. It’s about example. It’s about taking responsibility—for yourself, your choices, your household and your impact on others.

Leadership in the Church begins at the individual level—and it stands on a strong foundation of understanding the truth and practicing it in real life.

YALW provides practical seminars, sermons and workshops to help attendees develop true leadership—the kind that grows through experience, not position.

Q: Do I really have to live in a dorm?

Yes. Yes, you do.

We know it’s not everyone’s dream setup. Maybe you're used to hotel points and continental breakfast. Maybe you live alone and value your quiet space. Maybe you’re married and would really prefer to crash with your spouse. Totally fair.

But YALW isn’t designed to be comfortable. It’s designed to shake you up.

This is not your typical weekend—whatever that means to you. We’re here to dig deep, to get off autopilot and to throw ourselves into something real. And part of that means sharing space, rubbing shoulders and getting dropped into a setting that demands presence, participation and a little grit.

You’re an adult. You make your own choices. You’ll have autonomy. You can rest when you want, connect when you want, stay up too late if you want. But you’ll also have an opportunity-rich environment—and that’s by design.

So, yes, embrace your “I haven’t been to camp in 16 years” moment. Or your “I’ve missed this since four years ago” moment. Whichever side you’re on, dorm life is part of the mix. And it makes the weekend better.

Q: What kind of person is YALW for? Do I need to be baptized, outgoing or on a “leadership track”?

YALW is for adults who care about their calling—even if they’re still figuring things out.

You don’t need to be baptized yet. You’re probably thinking about it though.

You don’t need to be single or married, confident or uncertain, still in school or well into your career. This isn’t about any of that.

It’s about whether you want to be part of what’s happening here.

Some who come to YALW are preparing for baptism. Others were baptized years ago and are still building the life that follows. Some are already leading, already serving—and they make the weekend better for everyone.

If you’re serious about engaging with God’s way of life—and connecting with others who are too—check it out.

Q: Can I bring my baby, toddler or child to YALW?

We love kids—but we’re not set up to support them at this event. At this facility, we don’t have the space, staffing or structure to safely include children. YALW is built for adults, and the current format reflects that.

We know this makes YALW a bigger investment for parents. We don’t take that lightly. If it can’t work for you this year, we get it. You’re managing a lot already.

That said, this might be the kind of weekend your friends or family are eager to support. Some have traded weekends with other parents. We’ve seen enthusiastic support for young parents serving at YALW—and we’re grateful to the grandparents, siblings and friends who’ve helped make that possible.

Q: Why does YALW have a theme every year?

Because focus fuels growth.

The theme helps set direction. It frames the messages, shapes the seminars and challenges the group to move forward together.

With this year’s theme, we’re narrowing our focus—so we can go beyond surface-level teaching and give you something sharper, deeper and less predictable. We know young adults want content that matters—not a rehash. The theme helps us deliver exactly that.

This year, our theme is PLUNGE—because we’re here to get serious.

Q: Why “Dig Deep”? Wouldn’t “Dive Deep” be better with PLUNGE?

We’ve heard this from several thoughtful voices. On the surface, both “dig deep” and “dive deep” seem to work. They both suggest depth, seriousness and engagement. In fact, the phrases are often interchangeable—especially when talking about content or learning. “Let’s take a deep dive into the material” is a familiar idiom.

But YALW isn’t just about studying truth. It’s about engaging with it. Wrestling with it. Living it. And that’s where the difference between the two verbs becomes sharp. At YALW you should be ready to get some dirt under your fingernails.