Every year, families ask the same question: Is my child ready for YELC?
And every year, the answer begins not with a form, but with a conversation.
On January 5, applications officially open for the Youth Environmental Leadership Camp (YELC), a one-week summer program that challenges students to learn deeply, lead confidently, and engage meaningfully with their community and environment. As excitement builds, here’s what families should know before applying.
First Things First: APPLY RIGHT AWAY!
To ensure you have a chance at entry, don’t wait to apply – do it right away! Volunteer before March 1st and receive a preference point towards being selected. Applications will be reviewed during the first half of March, with admissions decisions sent by email shortly after, likely in the middle of March.
Our thoughtful review process helps ensure that each camper is ready to learn and grow with Splash and can be placed in a week that fits their availability.
Before You Apply: Start With a Conversation
One of the most critical steps happens before the application is submitted. Families are encouraged to review the YELC webpage with their age-eligible child and discuss openly what the experience entails.
YELC is most impactful when campers genuinely want to participate, not just because a parent thinks it’s a great opportunity. The program is immersive, structured, and full-day, so camper buy-in matters. Not only that, but parents are also committing to the full schedule. They must ensure their camper gets the most out of the camp by attending the entire week, participating in the two volunteer activities and fundraising, and attending the December reunion, where campers give a brief presentation about their experiences.
What’s New This Year
To better support families with summer planning, the entire application timeline has been moved earlier. This means more precise deadlines, earlier decisions, and more time for families to plan around school schedules, summer school, and travel.
What You’ll Need When Applying
Families should be prepared with the following information:
- Student basic information
- Confirmed availability – including:
- knowledge of your child’s school release date
- understanding of any summer school commitments
- awareness of family travel , doctor appointments, or other scheduling conflicts
- Transportation plans to and from Splash
You’ll be asked to select which of the four possible camp weeks your child can attend (you may choose more than one). If accepted, families are committing to full attendance for all five days of the assigned week, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
YELC is packed with learning, teamwork, and hands-on experiences. Missing any portion of the week is disruptive not only for the individual camper but also for the group as a whole.
How Families Will Stay Informed
When applications open, announcements will be shared through multiple channels:
- Splash’s Facebook and Instagram
- Flyers distributed via PeachJar to FCUSD schools
- Physical flyers available during Splash field trips and outreach events
- At least one reminder shared before applications close
After You Apply: What Happens Next
Once applications are reviewed, families will be notified by email with the next steps. The onboarding process, including confirmations, required forms, and orientation details, will follow shortly after acceptance notifications are sent.
YELC isn’t just a summer camp. It’s a commitment to learning, leadership, and showing up fully. Starting January 5, families are invited to take that first step together.
Applications open January 5. Planning starts now.