Years Running
Conferences Held
Attendees
Youth For Freedom
Youth For Freedom was started by Kami Mitchell in 2002. Prior to being known as Youth For Freedom, the program was called Youth for America and was sponsered by George Wythe University. It began as a three day youth conference enabling youth ages 12-18 to live exciting and successful lives, a deep and personal freedom, and a knowledge of the constitution. In 2010, the conference was renamed “Youth for Freedom” to recognize the inclusion of its international attendees.
Kami and her team ran the program for 18 years before passing the torch to Aubrey Taylor in 2019. Aubrey attended the program as a youth and helped run it as a counselor, session director, and Vice President. Filled with empowering and life changing experiences, Youth For Freedom continues today as a multiple day summer camp held in Prescot,t Arizona, among many other locations. Everyone who participates in the conference leaves with knowing themselves on a deeper level, higher levels of trust, love, and value of themselves and for others.
Our Mission Statement
Meet Our Creative Team
Aubrey Taylor
Aubrey is a powerful, alive, and free human being. She has been a part of Youth for Freedom for the past 15 years, and now owns the program. The person she is today is a direct result of her experience in this work. She is genuinely excited about life and all of the possibilities in it. She shows up and takes things head on with a fun and commanding presence. Aubrey is committed to changing what it means to be a human being and creating a new world for her children and others to live into. She puts herself out there and does what she says she will. She lives her life boldly and with alacrity. Her commitment is to YFF succeeding and with velocity.
Ben Beals
Caleb Lake
Caleb believes in truth, freedom and love. He loves to learn from mother earth and human kind. Caleb has been a member of Youth For Freedom since 2011 and a very large part of his soul belongs here. He dreams of being a leader among leaders and believes that every human being is royalty. Through leading himself and following others, Caleb embodies greatness. His goal is to share that way of being with those around him. He leads from the front and is willing to do what is necessary to create a life of greatness. He follows those in the back to assure that all feel the presence of greatness and peace of heart. He is free spirited, compassionate, and a wholehearted healer, leader, hero, and adventurer. He chooses to stand with and serve those who believe and want and choose to be alive.
Daniel Patterson
Session Director, Simulations Expert
Daniel is a “regular dude”. He likes reading comic books as much as he loves playing sports. Daniel dreams big and encourages others to do the same. Daniel has recently graduated with a double bachelors degree in Psychology and Sociology with an emphasis in Criminology. The past year Daniel has been living in Weihai, China studying to learn Chinese as well as teaching English at an Elementary school. This 2019 year will be his fourth year being involved in YFF. He brings an incredible attitude of possibility, growth and hard work to the program. He has created multiple simulations used in YFF that have helped the youth come to a greater understanding of who they are, build a solid foundation of why they love themselves as they are, and to boldly move forward in life, unashamed, confidently declaring that they are of value. Daniel’s mentality can be summed up in two words “No Shortcuts”. To understand better, you will have to ask him to explain it when you meet him.
Erika Ludwig
Erika currently lives in Las Vegas and, along with her sister-in-law Heather, she enjoys spending time together running “Live For Excellence”, a business group that focuses on helping youth and young adults learn how they influence what occurs in their world on a daily basis. Her favorite part is coaching and working intensely with youth as they become powerful leaders. She has studied emergency medicine and is currently going to school for Respiratory Therapy. She hopes to work in the emergency room as well as the NICU. She has worked closely with the youth for over ten years and her goal is to help them recognize their power. Erika is powerful in assisting others in learning that who they choose to be matters and makes a difference. Her personal motto that she chooses to live by is Latin stating, “vixi discrepo audeo” or “dare to live differently”.
Heather Ludwig
Heather is a master listener. She is committed to empowering individuals in creating powerful shifts in their lives. Heather obtained her Master’s degree in Professional Counseling and is sought after as both a Life Coach and Licensed Professional Clinical Therapist. Heather has over 15 years of experience of working with youth and has a special affinity in connecting with them. She has a special, inspired ability of creating space for people to be themselves. She values teaching these skills to youth and young adults within the “LiFE” (Live For Excellence) program and assist them in gaining access to their greatness. People are able to see the best in themselves and others when they are in her space. She believes it is a gift to be with others, and that you matter in everything that you do and don’t do.
Zackary Taylor
Zackary loves to explore anything and everything and has a huge curiosity for life. He has passed on his love of questions to his three small children. “Why” is a constant phrase in the Taylor household. His abilty to ask questions has allowed for Zackary to become a creation master. He creates from nothing and can link things together that seem impossible. He loves working with youth and showing them new ways of thinking and being. Some of his favortie ways to create include: legos, drawing, and websites. He is committed to living a full life surrounded by community. He embodies YFF’s mission to “Be Awesome.”