Life Defenders Summer Camp 2026
Thursday, June 11th, 11:00am – Saturday, June 13th, 2:15pm
This 3-day event, open to high school and college-aged students, equips young people to speak confidently and graciously to the most pressing moral issue of our time—abortion. The registration fee includes meals and snacks, dorm room housing, teaching materials, and a Life Defenders t-shirt. The camp is held on the University of Saint Francis campus; students will start in front of Clare Hall for registration (2701 Spring Street, Fort Wayne).
NOTE: Registration begins on Thursday, June 11th, at 11:00am. If you're from out of town and need to come to Fort Wayne the day before, please ask us about accommodations!
National pro-life speakers Mike Spencer, Seth Drayer, and Ian Spencer will teach you how to make a compelling case for life. Through engaging lessons and practical strategies, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to effectively communicate and defend the pro-life perspective.
Event Details
- Registration (Part 1 of Registration): Registration due by 6/5
- Pay Here (Part 2 of Registration): Payment due by 6/5
- Please know that we strive to keep the cost as low as possible—and actually operate the camp at a financial loss—because we want as many students as possible to attend this training, regardless of income. If the $75 cost is beyond your budget, please contact us to see if scholarships are available.
- Packing List, Map, and Schedule
- Print Brochure
- Keynote Speaker & Breakout Session Descriptions (Coming Soon)
- Practicum Form: Only #301-level students
- Code of Conduct
Class Details
THE CASE FOR LIFE #101: First-Year Students
Instructor: Mike Spencer
This introductory course equips first-year students to simplify the abortion debate by focusing on the foundational question, “What are the preborn?” Drawing from the science of human embryology and sound philosophical reasoning, you will learn how to confidently explain why human life begins at conception.
The curriculum introduces the S.L.E.D. framework to demonstrate why biological differences do not change a human being's inherent worth:
- Size
- Level of Development
- Environment
- Degree of Dependency
THE CASE FOR LIFE #201: Second-Year Students
Instructor: Seth Drayer
Designed specifically for second-year students, this intermediate course explores competing views of human value. You will tackle advanced arguments by asking, “Are humans valuable because of who they are or because of what they can do?” In this session, you will:
- Examine the pro-life understanding of inherent value versus functional views.
- Engage with the “bodily autonomy” argument, one of the most enduring challenges to the pro-life position.
TACTICS & PRACTICUM #301: Third-Year Students
Instructor: Ian Spencer
In your third year, the focus shifts from theory to application. This course provides practical tools to engage others effectively, navigate challenges, and avoid being shut down. You will learn the art of “tactics”—knowing how to start, guide, and conclude dialogues in a way that reaches hearts and changes minds on abortion.
- Classroom Training: Students will receive instruction on Friday, covering conversation strategies and practical techniques.
- Practicum: On Saturday morning, students will participate in a hands-on practicum led by Ian Spencer and his experienced team from Created Equal. Transportation will be provided by RLNI. Questions can be directed to Phoebe Adams at phoebe@ichooselife.org.
"Coming to Life Defenders for the first time, I learned from a variety of topics—not just abortion, but eugenics, gene editing, and so many different things—and it really expanded my views and challenged me in my thinking too."
Makella, 2025 Student
"I can't think of any other place that's doing this—or doing it better. This is just the premier camp to send my kids so they can get this kind of training."
Pastor Phil, 2025 Camp Chaperone
Contest Alert!
Bring the most friends to camp & win a $50 gift card to the place of your choosing!
For more information, call our office at (260) 471-1849 or email phoebe@ichooselife.org.
