I personally think that Youth Sing Praise (YSP) is cool. I've done it twice, and I made a lot of friends. The following is quoted from the YSP application:
YSP is a week-long summer program for high school students who exhibit serious vocal talent and who have put these talents at the service of the church. At the end of one week, the YSP participants perform a major Christian musical for thousands of people in the outdoor ampitheatre at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, IL....
Basically, what this means is that talented high school vocalists who are involved in their church get together for a week to learn a musical. These students come from all over the country. Auditions are conducted through video tapes. Although the cast is chosen from these tapes, the actual "casting" doesn't happen until the group is gathered at the start of the week. Then another audition is held to determine who gets what part. Obviously, since no one knows what part they will have until they arrive, the entire play is learned, music, lines and all, in one week.
Besides rehearsals for the musical, the week is filled with activities. The majority of time (outside of rehearsal) is spent in spiritual activies. A major form of these activities is the small groups. This was actually my favorite part. By the end of the week, the entire cast is like family, but the people in your small group are even closer. You share so much with the small group that they feel like your best friends that you've known forever, even like sisters and brothers.
Ok, here's what you get at YSP: a week away from your parents, friends for life, a new extended family, Youth Ministers that are really terrific, a chance to perform in an awesome musical, and a fun new way to praise God.
Speaking of musicals, here are the cast lists for YSP `96 and YSP `97.
If you want more information, maybe on catching the next YSP performance, or even on becoming a part of the YSP family, check out the YSP homepage.