Summer Youth Program

The MDS Summer Youth Program (SYP) is a week-long service experience designed for youth and their sponsors to put hands and feet to the gospel by serving others.

If your youth group is interested in spending a week with MDS at a Summer Youth Project location,  please follow the link below to submit a request for your youth group anytime of year. When the SYP project locations are determined (usually by late December or early January) inquiry groups will receive an email inviting them to apply through our online scheduling system.

View the Summer Youth Program Calendar to see the full list of 2021 SYP locations and dates, and to request your preferred week of service.

Summer Youth Calendar 

How to Apply

MDS runs week-long youth projects during the summer months. Groups arrive Sunday early evening, work Monday through Friday, and leave the project site Friday evening or Saturday morning. In January you will receive an MDS email announcing the upcoming SYP weeks and locations.

Your group will then submit your group’s request for their preferred week by January. The MDS Coordinator for Weekly Volunteers will be in touch with your group to confirm your placement. Once you have agreed to a placement, a $50 per person deposit is required and each participant must complete the required registration documents (exact deadlines for each step are indicated on the application form).

How It Works

Students (ages 15+ or have completed 9th grade) and their adult sponsors apply for a week-long experience. Project locations vary each year, and groups can expect to participate in a variety of work. Projects located in a camp or urban area might focus on community service, while others will be cleaning and repairing damage caused by natural disasters. SYP works best when half of the accompanying adults have construction or building trades experience. One adult to every four youth is required. Groups can expect to:

  • Work hard and have fun.
  • Receive meals, snacks and lodging Monday-Friday.
  • Arrive Sunday evening and work Monday through Friday.
  • Provide their transportation to and from the project.
  • Pay a $50 fee for each person in the group.
  • Read all orientation and prep materials ahead of arrival.
  • Follow MDS guidelines for dress and safety.

Put hands and feet to the gospel by taking your youth group on an MDS Summer Youth Project (SYP).

Youth Project Locations

Each year, MDS chooses project locations suitable for church youth groups and their sponsors.

This year MDS is offering an SYP project in each region of the U.S., and encourage groups to travel to the closest placement offered. The four SYP locations of 2021 are: