Interfaith Youth Leadership Camp

The Des Moines Area Religious Council and The Comparison Project at Drake University are proud to co-host the Iowa Interfaith Youth Leadership Camp.


The Des Moines Area Religious Council and The Comparison Project at Drake University are proud to to co-host our 8th annual Interfaith Youth Leadership Camp July 10-14 at Drake University. High School students and 2024 graduates will explore the diverse religious communities of the Des Moines Metro, visiting communities for worship services, meals, and conversations. Each participant will also create a digital storytelling project about their own beliefs or values. Applicants do not have to be religious to take part—just interested in getting to know their neighbors.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through May 31, 2024. Apply at the link below.

“I became more aware of the similarities between every system of beliefs and that all are built on love… there are so many ways to worship, and all are unique and valuable.” 

— Audrey Martin, 2023 camp participant

Interfaith Youth Leadership Camp 2024 Application

The Des Moines Area Religious Council and The Comparison Project at Drake University are proud to co-host the eighth annual Interfaith Youth Leadership Camp on July 10-14. Please complete the included application by May 31st to be considered for this year’s event.

  • Personal Information

  • Parent/Guardian Information

  • Your Faith

    Please note: you do not need to be affiliated with a particular religion or faith community to be involved with Interfaith Youth Leadership Camp, this is just to provide us with a bit more information on your faith background. Answers of “none” are perfectly acceptable.
  • Essay Question

    You must complete this section for your application to be considered. Please convey a personally meaningful faith experience, practice, or belief. Ideally, by identifying a moment in your life in which you discovered some insight about your religious tradition, community, or life. Each 2024 camp participant will create a digital story based on their essay. Please see digital stories from last year for inspiration.
  • Accepted file types: doc, pdf, docx, Max. file size: 64 MB.