Christian Youth In Action
Summer Ministry Training for Youth & Young Adults
DATE: June 6-12, 2026
LOCATION: Whisper Canyon Christian Camp, 52470 Smith Rd, Bradley, CA 93426 (Driving Directions)
Total Cost: TBC
*From experience, the youngest candidate for the program should be 14 years of age at the time of applying. For anyone younger, our missionary coordinator will need to have an interview in order to proceed.
*Your scholarship application will be reviewed and the amount awarded is contingent upon the availability of the funds and the discretion of the committee. We will get back to you by May 15th. [We highly recommend that you fundraise for the tuition immediately regardless of the decision deadline.]
Important Dates
May 1 - Scholarship Application Deadline
May 15 - CYIA Pre-training Homework Due
May 15 - Application Deadline & Full Tuition Due
May 16 - CYIA Pre-Training Day; Parents of Underage Meeting
May 18-22 - Wordless Book Practicum Week
May 20 - Last day to cancel participation with partial refund
May 30 - 5-Day Club Locations Assigned
June 6-12 - CYIA Training Week
June 15 - July 3 - 5-Day Club Practicum at 2 different locations (may take place in two different weeks)
August (First Saturday): CYIA Wrap-up Bash
What is CYIA?
Christian Youth in Action (CYIA™), is a missions program specifically designed for high school students and young adults. CYIA provides, training, materials, and ministry opportunities to help students confidently share their faith with children in their very own communities by teaching 5-Day Clubs throughout Southern California.
After this training, you will return to your local community and teach two more clubs at various locations with a team of other young people. These clubs take place out in the community with predominantly unsaved kids who don’t regularly attend church. You will be able to take the light of the Gospel to them in their apartment complexes, day care centers, neighborhoods, schools and other community locations.
How will you grow your relationship with God?
You will discover God's design for you through powerful class time, chapel, leadership development principles, and hands on training to complete your course. You will learn how to effectively share the Gospel with children. It will be a summer unlike any other!
What is the Total CYIA Training Time Commitment?
Please carefully review the following outline to understand the time requirements for successful completion of the CYIA program:
1. CYIA Pre-Training Homework
Estimated Time: 45 minutes
To be completed at home prior to in-person pre-training.
2. CYIA Pre-Training (In-Person)
Date/Time: One Saturday, May 16, at 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: CEF San Gabriel Valley Chapter Office
4054 E Live Oak Ave, Arcadia, CA 91006 (Driving Directions)
Attendance is mandatory. Students who miss this session will be disqualified from attending the CYIA Training Week, and tuition will not be refunded.
For Parents of Underage Students (Ages 13–17): A mandatory 1-hour parent meeting will be held from 4:00–5:00 PM on the same day immediately after the student portion of the CYIA Pre-Training. At least one parent or guardian must attend. This meeting includes a briefing with the Chapter Director and 5-Day Club Supervisors.
3. Wordless Book Practicum (Zoom)
Estimated Time: 20–30 minutes
Scheduled during the week following Pre-Training.
Details and Zoom link will be provided after pre-training.
4. CYIA Training Week (On Campus)
Format: 1 full week of in-person, immersive training.
Dates and location are provided separately.
Full participation is required.
5. CYIA Practicum: 5-Day Clubs
Requirement: Each student must teach in two separate 5-Day Clubs at different locations and in different weeks during June & July. Completion of both clubs is required to receive the CYIA Certification. Specific dates and club locations will be assigned and cannot be changed due to the complexity of the logistics.
If you have any vacation or mission trip plans between May and July, please consult with our Chapter Director before applying, to ensure possible accommodations. Participation in all the above phases is essential for program completion.
How do I apply and where do I pay?
To reserve a student’s spot, a $50 Non-refundable Deposit Payment is required at the time of application. This payment goes directly to the CEF SoCal State Office.
Online Application Deadline: May 15 (regardless of what other materials may say)
👉 Click HERE to apply and pay the $50 non-refundable deposit
Remainder of Tuition Payment Due: May 15, payable to CEF San Gabriel Valley Chapter
👉 Click HERE to pay the tuition balance
⚠️ Please note: These are two separate payments with two different links. Be sure to pay each amount to the correct office.
What is latest cancellation date?
Full tuition is due by May 15. If unpaid, our office admin will send a reminder. A 5-day grace period (until May 20) is granted if you respond promptly and arrange payment.
May 20 is the final date to cancel participation. After that, tuition is non-refundable.
After you've submitted your application online, below Screening Requirements are required by May 30.
Step 1: Register & pay the $50 non-refundable deposit payment to CEF SoCal State Office; full payment of the remainder $ to the CEF San Gabriel Valley Chapter by May 15.
Step 2: As per CEF Child Protection Policy, EVERY APPLICANT (the student) is required to complete and sign a Worker's Compliance Agreement prior to working with children.
Step 3a: If your child is new to CYIA and is an underage applicant (age 14-17), the following two reference forms will need to be completed by the respective party, ie. a Church Pastor and a Non-Relative. Please send the below links to the correct party ASAP. Response will need to be received by May 20.
Step 3b: If you are new to CYIA and is an adult applicant (18+), or if you are a returning CYIA student who will become 18+ at the time of training, California AB506 also requires LiveScan as part of your background check. The cost is $25 in addition to the $ CYIA tuition fee.
Step 3c: email the proof of payment to our chapter [email protected] and the best date/time/phone # to connect with you for your fingerprinting appointment booking.
Testimonies from Past CYIA Students
When I went to CYIA I only went because of my brother and my church friends; but as I went along, I now love CYIA and made many friends.
Before going to CYIA, I didn't know how important it was for children to know and put their faith in Christ. I also have witness the amazing work of God and how even children realize how amazing he is!
Going back to CYIA each year is always exciting to know what new challenges to learn from and what new stories from students that encourages me.
I grew in my faith in God first and foremost. Also, I grew my relationship with others as well. I met many people through CYIA that I got to make a friendship with and it was so fun collaborating with different members in our my team. Lastly, I grew my confidence in teaching little kids and now because of CYIA I am more excited to engage the kids and make them able to learn more about God.
At first I had really bad social anxiety. I wasn’t really a talkative person and making new friends was pretty hard. But CYIA really opened me up. Teaching kids was a new thing to me. I would sometimes volunteer at some other christian events, but I was never the actual teacher. Doing CYIA pushed me a lot and it revealed apart of me that I didn't know I had. Now I can correctly lead kids or even adults to christ. CYIA really changed my life.
CYIA helped to get equipped to share the gospel to the children and also I made a lot of new friends there as well. I've been going there for two years and this is my third year! My favorite part about CYIA is all the good food and the games that we've played at CYIA. My favorite subjects to teach are the Bible Lessons and the Missionary stories!!
I give thanks to God that many children have come to faith in Christ. CYIA has been a great program for me because I got to learn how to use the CEF curriculums and materials to teach kids the Bible lessons and other stuffs as well. The teachers and instructors were very kind and friendly. The first time I heard about CEF was from a homeschool friend that joined CYIA for five years and they recommended me that I participate in this program. I also like making new friends from different churches and especially from different CEF chapters as well. I remember during our free time many of our CYIA friends were downstairs playing fuss ball and I can just hear them screaming with excitement and playing volleyball outside in the courtyard. I also remember one junior high school girl from 5 Day Club accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and many of the teachers were so happy for her. I also did Good News Club as well in a elementary school and it was a lot of fun teaching and interacting with the kids. My favorite part in teaching the 5 Day Club were the Bible lessons and the missionary stories. In the training, I learned that every child needs the gospel in order to receive eternal life in heaven. CEF is a great organization to bring kids about the love of Jesus and I highly recommend anyone who are planning for their summer consider to join this program. May God bless you all!
For 6 years I have been waiting for the day that I could join CYIA like my Mom and sisters. When I started I was eager to start my training. As I was going through the training I learned to study hard and listen well. And after that I got to show my work and study by teaching a 5 Day Club on my own. CYIA was a great experience for me and I hope to do it again next year.
Every time I go, I see the need for more worker on the field. As the Bible said, "the harvest is plenty, but the workers are few" it's not easy to get out of my comfort zone, but through this training, I am able to become just a bit more bolder to share the Good News. I have been to CYIA for over 5 years, and each time it's like I'm a new student again. There will be some internal battles, but at the end of the day, it's not about myself. It's about being a messenger for God as He shows the kids His love through me. Highly recommend! (P.S. once you hear the reports of how God is working through the teachers, you'll want to continue telling the Good News!)
CYIA program is definitely the program you would to go if you like kids and want to share the gospel. You get training everyday so that you are prepare, you also make new bonds with people from other churches. I definitely enjoyed going, even though Im at a very young age I was so happy when I saw the kids at the club. Their bright smile when singing or dancing always brightens up my day more.
My name is Gizel Mainit and I have done CYIA for 4 years. My first year of doing CYIA was not my choice. My mom was going and wanted to take me along, I went just to obey my mom. In all honesty, I had no desire to be there. However, after I led my first child to salvation, my mindset changed. I wanted to go to CYIA until I graduated as a 5th year student. Every year that I have attended CYIA has been such a blessing and has helped me grow with my relationship with Jesus. CYIA has not only helped my relationship with God grow, but also my confidence as a teacher. Now I am in college studying to become an elementary school teacher. Without CYIA, I would have never known that I had such a deep passion to teach kids. Lord willing, I plan to go this upcoming year for my 5th year!!
CYIA is truly an amazing experience. It's challenging, it's life-changing. I was able to connect with amazing people of God and see first-hand how a 5-Day Club could change a child's life. The feeling when a child believes and is saved is unexplainable. It's wonderful!
Yes! I am again reminded of how fervent and serious we should be in spreading the gospel and being a light to this dark world. My own spiritual life has been strengthened by being around like-minded people, and I'm encouraged that I'm well equipped to share the gospel wherever I go!