YLC will happen July 2 through July 26, 2025 in person! YLC will take place at Camp Taloali in Stayton, Oregon. Campers are responsible for their own transportation to the Portland International AIrport (PDX) or to the campground. For those arriving at the airport, we will provide transportation to and from the airport and the campground.

You can apply online! 

Campers —  Please review the camper information page before applying to see what the requirements are. The deadline to apply is on December 15, 2024.

We accept students currently in the 10th or 11th grade. If you are a senior and will be graduating in spring 2024, you will not be able to apply. If you are a freshman, please wait until next year.

The tuition fee for campers is $4,000 and will be due before June 1, 2025. The camp tuition fee includes ground transportation during camp, lodging and meals during camp, canteen and laundromat expenses, one (1) NAD YLC T-shirt, one (1) YLC sweater, and one (1) printed YLC group photo. 

You do not need to pay $4,000 upfront when you receive an acceptance letter. However, you will need to make a deposit of $100 to reserve your spot.  The $100 deposit is included in the $4,000 tuition fee. Please do not make any payments until the applicant receives their application status from us.

Several payment plans will be available.

Yes, we encourage you to apply regardless of the funding. There are ways you can get financial support, we encourage you to: 

• Contact your vocational rehabilitation counselor and share this letter with them
• Apply for the Frank R. Turk Scholarship
• Reach out to your local organizations or clubs such as your State Association or local Lions Club
• Fundraise! You can fundraise online or do a fun activity while earning dollars such as car wash.

The NAD YLC offers a variety of exciting wilderness adventures, including mental and physical activities. This includes leadership training, self-advocacy field trips, team-building, and independent skills through special events. Please see a list of our daily program activities here!

Being a camp staff is a real job! Being a YLC staff is just as rewarding as it is to be a camper. You will experience YLC with different lens. On top your paycheck, you will also get: 

• Experience life in the beautiful Pacific Northwest
• Enhanced leadership skills
• Networking with other staff members and guest presenters
• Learn from and interact with our diverse campers
• Can convert this job to an internship opportunity 
• Letter of recommendation for future job applications
• And most important of all, you get to invest in our deaf youth!

• Training & Certifications (such as CPR & First Aid and Food Handler)
• Professional Development
• Networking Opportunities 
• Affinity for nature
• Free room & board
• Paycheck of $1,500!

• Staff / Camp Counselors 
• Assistant Director
• Curriculum Coordinator
• Administrative Assistant
• Business Manager
• Nurse

Descriptions for each position are available here.

Note: All camp counselors will be assigned different duties and responsibilities to operate our daily activities. 

Absolutely! Camp counselors will be paid a $1,500 stipend as a camp counselor. BONUS: You don’t need to pay rent or pay for your meals! However, you will be responsible for getting to Portland on your own (whether you drive, fly, bus, train, etc).

Nope! In fact, the CPR & First Aid training is part of our staff training. This means you will gain a CPR & First Aid certification after you leave YLC!

Nope, definitely not! You do not need to have any YLC experience to become staff. We welcome anyone with any type of camping experience. 

Yes! We will have two required training sessions. We will have our first training session virtually, staff orientation in May; this way, all staff members can know what to expect before arriving on-site for the second training session in-person. The in-person training will take place on June 18 – June 26, 2024. 

Camp will be July 2nd through July 26th, 2025. However, all staff members are required to attend staff training on June 24th through July 1st, 2025 and stay for two days after camp ends. This means YLC staff members must commit from June 24 through July 28th, 2025.

You can apply online today! All applicants must complete the following: 

• Online application will ask for the following:
  • Cover letter and resume
  • Video Essay (not required for returning staff members) 
  • Letters of recommendation (not required for returning staff members)

Apply by March 1, 2025!