YL FIRST FRIDAY
Friday, October 2, 2026

7:00 - 8:30 PM

For the last First Friday of the year, 5th GRADERS are invited to join 6, 7, & 8th graders as a preview for the 2026-2027 school year!
Come solo or bring a group!

JOIN OUR DETAILS DISTRO FOR IMPORTANT EVENT UPDATES

Students will check in at the registration table; enjoy open play/mingle; participate in outdoor competitions/games; listen to a 10-minute message about Jesus based on a Bible passage; enjoy a concluding time of open play/mingle. Adult YL leaders (who have been screened and trained) participate with students throughout the entire program. 

Students wear casual active wear and shoes that can get a little dirty/wet without them being upset.

Optional: Students can choose to somehow dress according to the First Friday theme.

Who Can Attend?

Any student in grades 6, 7, 8 is invited to attend New Canaan Young Life events, regardless of which NC Middle School they attend, background, ability, faith-affiliation, or lack thereof. All students are unconditionally welcome.

There is no "membership" or requirements to join; students simply attend YL gatherings whenever they can. The invitation for additional students and families to participate in YL is evergreen. 

There are absolutely NO prerequisites to attending YL.

Most YL events do not require pre-registration or payment; some will require both.
For First Fridays, students can simply show-up and enjoy!

All YL gatherings feature unconditional welcome, friendship-building, safe outlets of fun and adventure, and brief messages about Jesus.

While attending YL events, every student is expected to contribute to an environment where all feel safe, welcomed, included, and respected.

What will students do at First Friday?

Students will check in at the registration table; enjoy open play/mingle time; participate in competitions/games; listen to a 10-minute message about Jesus based on a Bible passage; enjoy a concluding time of open play/mingle and snacks. 

Adult YL leaders (who have been screened and trained) participate with students throughout the entire program. 

What to Wear:

Themes are simply ways to organize some of the fun & games that happen at YL First Fridays. A theme is one way YL Leaders create a memorable night of purpose, fun, & friendship. If students want to, they can "dress up" to match the theme...but please note this is purely optional!

In the past, most students do so in some SMALL way...like wearing a certain color, etc. There is NO NEED to get an elaborate costume or anything like that. In fact, anything elaborate will get in the way of the activities (Students who do not "dressing up" in any way STILL end up feeling included and having a great time).

Most YL gatherings include active games that involve movement.Students are encouraged not to wear anything "nice" that they would be upset about getting dirty. 

There are sometimes optional opportunities to get wet or participate in "messy" games.  Many students, whether planning on it in advance or not, end up choosing/enjoying these activities.

So again, think informal, casual, active-wear attire!

FAQs:

How does supervision work at YL First Fridays? Through rockstar YL Leaders who go through every moment with kids side-by-side, careful planning of programming that draws kids together (not apart), and an extra layer of supervision via parents who volunteer to serve as chaperones. YL First Fridays may sometimes appear like controlled chaos; know there is lots of intentionality and leadership happening right in the middle of it!

How are gatherings funded?  Young Life is a global nonprofit 501(c)(3). Our local chapter, YL New Canaan, includes a Local Board and network of benefactors who donate to cover YL expenses. Fundraising initiatives throughout the year advance the local area and help pay for events. Your contributions are always welcome, never expected, and achieve great impact in the lives of many kids. In addition to formal donations, parents can choose to contribute directly to costs of things like food at events. 

Is YL associated with any particular church or community group? YL is an independent organization active in over 100 countries that seeks to collaborate with those who want to help kids experience the love of Jesus. Individuals who participate in YL come from a variety of faith backgrounds/churches, including no faith/church background at all.  

How can you help? NCYL aims to serve kids unconditionally, regardless of parental participation. However, there are many opportunities for adults to get involved & support the growth of YL in our community, directly with students or behind the scenes. Reach out to Sarah Dugal for more information on how to get involved!

Learn More About Young Life for Middle Schoolers: