As a result of the vast stereotypes surrounding Young Life, I’ve managed to evade going to a meeting for my entire high school career. It was not until the fall of my senior year that I attended for the first time.

On my way to the meeting, I was full of anxiety and confusion, clutching a cup of coffee. I knew two things: I was going to a barn and I had to wear a Halloween costume. When I arrived, the official Young Life leaders wasted no time, and before I knew it, I was sitting on the ground watching an improv skit about Australian park rangers. My apprehension quickly turned into enjoyment– a feeling that carried on through the entire night.

Despite my expectations, the concept of religion only came up for a short but meaningful moment.

That’s because, for many, Young Life is more of a social event and less of a religious gathering. In fact, Naperville North Young Life director Peter Jarrett said that you do not have to be religious to attend Young Life.

“There are actually a lot of people that come that aren’t religious in any way because they are just exploring and seeing what faith is all about and what Christianity is all about,” Jarrett said.

The highlight of the night, and easily the most meaningful moment, was when the Naperville/Aurora Young Life director Matt Margaron gathered everyone around for a speech. His ability to captivate an audience through words of love and passion was impressive.

¨Remember: when the depression comes back, when your parents argue, when you don’t have anyone to sit with at lunch, when you’re stressed about college apps, God is with you. Fight back,” Maragon said in his speech.

Religious or not, the message was strong enough to move everyone in the crowd and left me wanting to come back to another Young Life session soon.

Junior Young Life member Jon-Jon Pettinger was equally affected by Magaron’s message that night.

“It made me feel like there is always a place for you in the world,” Pettinger said.

Not once did the stigma surrounding Young Life seem present that night, and surprisingly when I asked Jarrett about how he deals with it, he said he accepts it with open arms.

“I kind of like the stereotypes because I think they’re true” Jarrett said. “I want those kids at Young Life because we believe that Jesus changes lives and that Young Life might be the only way they will ever change.”

Senior Young Life leader Cajsa Weber believes what attracts people to the club is both the support system it establishes and the great people who attend.

“What keeps me coming back is definitely the people that go there,” Weber said. “If I am going through a tough time, I know I have a second family to turn to.”

What I thought would be a night to forget ended up being unforgettable, and I encourage everyone to give Young Life a try.