YXL is a week-long summer camp for high school students, focused on helping them discover who God has designed them to be and how they can join in His story of redemption within our broken world.
At YXL, students experience many things you’d expect from a week at camp — vibrant worship, inspiring speakers, daily prayer, and plenty of fun and games in the amazing setting of the Rocky Mountains. They have opportunities to hike in the mountains, raft on the rivers, and explore the charming town of nearby Buena Vista.
Yet beyond the incredible setting, what truly makes YXL unique is the deep, personal investment into each student. Our leaders are committed to knowing every student individually—hearing their story, investing in their personal development, and equipping them to live for Christ. Here, students aren’t just part of a crowd; they are known, seen, and valued. They build meaningful friendships with peers who understand their struggles and dreams, while also connecting with Christian leaders who take the time to learn their names, listen intently, and speak words of profound gospel encouragement.
At YXL, students enjoy the gift of community, the beauty of God’s creation, and the delight of play. But even more, they grow to enjoy God. This is a place not only to know about his redeeming love, but to enjoy God’s presence—to taste and see His goodness—and to see how each person’s story fits into the bigger story of Jesus.
The four key ingredients of YXL
- Gospel-centered preaching & teaching
- Community
- Personalized assessment and leadership development
- Worship and prayer
How does YXL pursue its mission of engaging and equipping High School Students as future leaders of the church?
- Students receive dynamic gospel preaching each evening from our main speaker.
- Students begin and end every day with corporate prayer.
- Students work together in teams of 8-10 (half guys/girls) participating in games, leadership challenges, and group discussions.
- Some students help lead worship each night under the guidance of our worship leader.
- Students participate in seminars which teach practical aspects of faith and leadership.
- Students receive practical training in identifying and understanding their own personality and unique giftedness so that they can better see how they fit into the church and God’s mission.
- In addition to team events, students can choose from a variety of outdoor activities like hiking and rafting.
- At the end of the week, every student receives individual feedback, assessment, and prayer with their counselors.
- We begin and end each week celebrating God’s grace to us through great meals and corporate worship services.
The YXL experience doesn’t end here though. The friendships built during the week at YXL often extend well beyond the shared week in Colorado.
YXL’s History
YXL was started in 1976 by a group of pastors who had a vision for a reformed youth leadership conference where their own kids could learn and grow. Originally called the “National Presbyterian and Reformed Youth Leadership Conference,” the name was changed to “Presbyterian Youth in America” in the late 80s and then to YXL in the early 2000s.
Our Organization
YXL West is a ministry of Christ Presbyterian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The conference is led by a team of men and women who volunteer their time to plan and run it every year. Currently our planning team is comprised of:
- Evangeline DeGraaf
- Tiffany Hoxworth
- Abby Maher
- Quinn Maher
- David Poteet
- John Ranheim
- Paul Ranheim
- Joel Smedshammer
- Patrick Tebbano
- Wendy Vedders
Our relationship to the Presbyterian Church in America
You don’t have to be part of the PCA to attend YXL. The conference is open to christian youth from other denominations. You should be aware that we teach from a reformed doctrinal perspective.
- What we believe
- Presbyterian Church in America
- Our sister conference: YXL Northeast