Save for AYC 2016!

How far would you go to accomplish a goal if you knew that the end result would bring happiness, endurance, courage, strength and character? Every year, youth around the world have the priceless opportunity to do this when attending Ambassador Youth Camp.

But have you considered that you can plant the seeds to develop these fruits and more in the weeks and months leading up to camp? There are many things you can do now to make the most of your AYC 2016 experience.

Raising funds for camp is just one of those ways. Regardless of your age and job experience, you can have drive—a desire—to earn funds. Being passionate about your goal and taking responsibility for helping your parents offset camp’s cost is the first and most important step to successfully contributing to and getting the most from AYC.

Having drive goes a long way. It will allow you to be creative and resourceful in your search for employment or fundraising. Think outside the box! Write down as many ideas as you can and ask your parents for help in drafting a list. Some ideas might include washing cars, walking dogs, babysitting, mowing lawns, pulling weeds, and pet sitting, among others. If you are old enough, look into getting a job that will provide a regular cash flow.

After you complete your list, research your ideas in greater detail online, at the library, or in the classified section of the newspaper. By taking these first crucial steps, finding a job and earning funds will be much more fun and rewarding than you could have imagined. But you will never know unless you try!

Take ownership of your AYC 2016 attendance. Consider how much more profitable your time at camp will be if you can say you paid your own way (or at least contributed). You will be more vested in your experience and want to make the most out of every minute! Think about the stories you will be able to share at camp—how you spent some of your free time working to gather funds to create lasting memories at AYC.

The Proverbs reveal that “he that gathers by labor shall increase” (13:11) and, “In all labor there is profit” (14:23). Remember these words when you are looking for a job. It may be difficult at first, but strive to persevere. Continue to move forward, be creative, and do your research to educate yourself as much as possible.

Most important, drive yourself to contribute to your AYC experience. If you do this, you will profit—so says God.

Doing so will help you to not only have an exciting and rewarding time at camp, but also develop character and become a well-rounded, balanced teenager.