The answer to both is no. Both the dynamics of Challenge and its pace do not make a good fit for having infants or young children in attendance, even at a limited capacity, and we do not provide childcare. Therefore, we respectively ask all groups to adhere to the Challenge age minimum (students entering 7th grade).

All of our meals are nut- and shellfish-free. We also provide gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan meal plans upon request. (In the registration process, youth leaders must choose a meal plan for each individual.)

Yes, absolutely!

Challenge requires a 10:1 student-to-leader ratio, per gender. For example, if you have four female students and six male students coming, you would need one leader of each gender.

You will be able to download a variety of Challenge media elements—including logos, promotional photos and graphics—from the Resources section of our website.

The registration rate for leaders and students is the same.

If you need to register additional people after you first register, you simply log into your existing registration and add them to your group. You will be able to register people through June 15, 2026.

Outreach: Pre-registration is required. As churches register for Challenge, they have the option to register for outreach. Read our full outreach registration instructions below.

Equipping Labs: No pre-registration.

Recreation: No pre-registration, except for tournaments. Sign-ups for these tournaments will occur during breakfast; look for the sign-up table in the dining hall.

Learn more about afternoon options on our Schedule & Activities page. 

Through June 15, 2026, we will grant refunds (minus your deposit*).

After June 15, 2026, we cannot guarantee a refund; they will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

*Deposits ($100/person) for Challenge are due at the time of registration and are non-refundable. Deposits can be transferred to another attender in your group (i.e., switch people) or to your overall account balance, but they are not refundable.

You will be able to reserve hotel rooms after you register for Challenge. After registering, your group’s main contact will receive an automatic confirmation email with an attached confirmation packet. This packet provides important logistical information to help your group prepare for the conference, including instructions for reserving hotel rooms. Hotel rooms are reserved through a site called Orchid; a link to open the Challenge Orchid site will also be included in the confirmation packet. 

The hotels do not charge the credit card provided at the time of booking unless there is a late cancellation or a no-show. Thus, in most cases, the card provided at the time of booking is solely used to guarantee the reservation. During the week of Challenge, all attendees are asked for a method of payment upon hotel check-in.

We offer outreach opportunities on four afternoons: Tuesday – Friday.

We offer service and prayer opportunities throughout Kansas City.

Prayer outreach is intercessory and evangelism-based outreach utilizing prayer stations and prayer walking. Training is provided.

Service projects mobilize groups to serve with their hands, muscles and servant hearts. Projects include restoring parks and playgrounds, working with homeless shelters, partnering with other city organizations and coming alongside local churches as an extension into their communities.

Groups are limited to two afternoons of outreach. This is due in part to the availability of transportation, but we also want to encourage groups to participate in our Equipping Labs and recreation opportunities.

Yes.

Outreach registration is part of the conference registration process. Please see our outreach registration instructions for details.

We attempt to honor all requests but can’t guarantee a specific day or site. Group size is a major factor in assignments. Your flexibility is greatly appreciated.

Our goal is to communicate assignments two to three weeks before your arrival at Challenge.

If you’ve registered for outreach and you desire to make changes to your registration, you can update your registration through June 6. 

Once onsite, options are limited; there is no guarantee of openings. In order to honor our city sites, it is important you register prior to Challenge according to our timeline.

Yes, Challenge and our outreach partners provide all needed equipment. Instructions regarding how to dress for service projects will be sent in late June (to those who have registered for service).

Yes. We contract a bus company that takes groups to outreach sites.

On days you are assigned to outreach, your group still receives the conference lunch. We will provide logistical details as we near the conference week.

We do not send groups into overtly dangerous communities. Generally speaking, if groups respect that they are in a city, stay in a group, and make it known they are present to serve and help, they will be welcomed and supported by the people of the community.

Please email challenge@efca.org if you have questions.

If you’ve registered for outreach and you desire to make changes to your registration, or if you didn’t register for outreach during your initial Challenge registration and you want to sign up, please update your registration by June 15, 2026.