Welcome to main landing page for Fantastic Magic Camp's Youth Leadership Academy program! This is a spot you can always come to see details and major updates for YLA. We try to send all communications out through email, but do our best to alert the FMC Intern & Staff Discord and Fantastic Magic Camp YLA Parents Facebook page as well. We will also include major updates and notices here.
Most details are available in the YLA 2026 Intern & Parent Handbook -- These will be available at YLA training sessions.
You can always contact Ariel with YLA related questions or concerns at ariel@magiccamp.com or admin@magiccamp.com
YLA Training Schedule
YLA offers at least 5 core training sessions scheduled ahead of time. While we ask families to attend these 5 Core Training Sessions, we understand that conflicts can pop up. To help with this, we will also update families with additional bonus opportunities and activities to get credit for missed training sessions. These additional Bonus YLA Opportunities can count towards intern training requirements for working at camp sessions, however they may not contain the same materials covered in our core training dates, and may not even be affiliated with Fantastic Magic Camp. Instead, they may provide transferable skills, training or a chance to practice life skills we encourage in YLA. These may include additional training, camp fairs, supply and inventory workdays, social events and more.
5 Core Training Sessions
Location: Journey IFC, 7500 Woodrow Ave, Austin, TX 78757
January 18, 2026; 2:00 - 7:00 PM
February 22, 2026; 2:00 - 7:00 PM
March 15, 2026; 2:00 - 7:00 PM
April 19, 2026; 2:00 - 7:00 PM
May 17, 2026; 2:00 - 7:00 PM
Bonus YLA Opportunities
Locations and dates for additional opportunities may vary and will be released as they are scheduled. This list will be updated as new opportunities occur.
The Serpent Flies at Sundown performance by Glass Half Full Theatre
Location: Texas Capitol grounds (not inside), 1100 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
When: Friday, January 16, 2026, 6 - 7 PM
Giant lantern puppets alert! Casandra and her friends take flight at the Texas Capitol. a shimmering, 26-foot flying lantern serpent and harbinger of the impossible times we live in — will rise and glide across the Texas Capitol Grounds in The Serpents Fly at Sundown, a free, large-scale outdoor performance by Glass Half Full Theatre. Cassandra will bring along other giant lantern puppet friends, designed by local elementary school students. Take a picture of yourself at the event and email it to fantasticmagiccamp@gmail.com to get a half day credit for YLA training.
More: https://events.humanitix.com/ghftserpents
13th Annual Youth Career Fest
Location: Palmer Event Center, 900 Barton Springs Rd
When: Tuesday, January 28th, 2025, 9-12pm
Attend the City of Austin’s Youth Career Fest as a guest and get a half day of YLA training credit. Many AISD and area schools are already planning a field trip for this event. To get credit, YLA member should email a photo of themself at the event to fantasticmagiccamp@gmail.com
More: https://www.austintexas.gov/department/youth-initiatives-office
FMC CPR/AED & First Aid Training 2026
Location: Journey IFC, 7500 Woodrow Ave, Austin, TX 78757
When: Late February, Date TBD
YLA Interns that are 13+ can join Fantastic Magic Camp’s CPR/First Aid Training to get certified in CPR/AED and First Aid. Your RSVP to this event is required. The training is provided by an outside group, and does have a fee to be paid at the end of the training – $35 cash/card/venmo. The fee covers the certification, which is valid for 2 years. YLA members are NOT required to have this certification to attend YLA trainings or work at Fantastic Magic Camp camps or events. Staff members are required to be certified in CPR/AED and First Aid.
RSVP: LINK COMING SOON WITH DATE
February Mini Camp at Crestview
Location: 7500 Woodrow Ave, Austin, TX 78767
When: February 16 - 17, 2025, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
For YLA members that attended 2025’s training sessions, you may sign up to work as a CIT or Counselor at this FMC camp. You will still receive the same stipend as the 2025 year until your 2026 training is complete. If you’d like to work this camp, please be sure to sign up to work it on the sign up form.
Sign Up: https://forms.gle/TpfBjT1HvRp12DZaA
Spring Break Camp at Crestview
Location: 7500 Woodrow Ave, Austin, TX 78767
When: March 16 - 20, 2025, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
For YLA members that attended 2025’s training sessions, you may sign up to work as a CIT or Counselor at this FMC camp. You will still receive the same stipend as the 2025 year until your 2026 training is complete. If you’d like to work this camp, please be sure to sign up to work it on the sign up form.
Sign Up: https://forms.gle/TpfBjT1HvRp12DZaA
March Mini Camp at Crestview
Location: 7500 Woodrow Ave, Austin, TX 78767
When: March 31, 2025, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
For YLA members that attended 2025’s training sessions, you may sign up to work as a CIT or Counselor at this FMC camp. You will still receive the same stipend as the 2025 year until your 2026 training is complete. If you’d like to work this camp, please be sure to sign up to work it on the sign up form.
Sign Up: https://forms.gle/TpfBjT1HvRp12DZaA
April Mini Camp at Crestview
Location: 7500 Woodrow Ave, Austin, TX 78767
When: April 6, 2025, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
For YLA members that attended 2025’s training sessions, you may sign up to work as a CIT or Counselor at this FMC camp. You will still receive the same stipend as the 2025 year until your 2026 training is complete. If you’d like to work this camp, please be sure to sign up to work it on the sign up form.
Sign Up: https://forms.gle/TpfBjT1HvRp12DZaA
May Mini Camp at Crestview
Location: 7500 Woodrow Ave, Austin, TX 78767
When: May 25, 2025, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
For YLA members that attended 2025’s training sessions, you may sign up to work as a CIT or Counselor at this FMC camp. You will still receive the same stipend as the 2025 year until your 2026 training is complete. If you’d like to work this camp, please be sure to sign up to work it on the sign up form.
Sign Up: https://forms.gle/TpfBjT1HvRp12DZaA
Summer Kick-Off Party
Location: TBA
When: May, date TBA
Our annual Summer Kick-Off Party designed by none other than Bertil himself. You know he'll be grilling something tasty as we end our training, give out awards and have some fun! This party includes a few last bits of training and teambuilding, so you'll be able to earn a half day of YLA credit for attending. More details will be coming about this event soon.
More to be announced...
Spring Break Camp & Mini Camps
For YLA members that attended 2025’s training sessions, you may sign up to work as a CIT or Counselor at this FMC camp. You will still receive the same stipend as the 2025 year until your 2026 training is complete. If you’d like to work this camp, please be sure to sign up to work it on the sign up form.
Sign Up: https://forms.gle/TpfBjT1HvRp12DZaA
Staff Applications (for those 18+)
Once an intern turns 18, they are eligible to apply to be a Staff member at Fantastic Magic Camp. Staff applications for 2026 will be due February 28, 2026. If you are interested in becoming a staff member, contact us for application details at admin@magiccamp.com
Summer Kick-Off Party
Our annual Summer Kick-Off Party designed by none other than Bertil himself. You know he'll be grilling something tasty as we end our training, give out awards and have some fun! This party includes a few last bits of training and teambuilding, so you'll be able to earn a half day of YLA credit for attending. More details will be coming about this event soon.
Stay Connected to the YLA and Fantastic Magic Camp Community
Follow us on Instagram & Facebook: @magiccamp
Join the FMC Intern & Staff Discord: https://discord.gg/dAKmfD3FUj
Look at the YLA webpage for updates: magiccamp.com/YLA
Join the Fantastic Magic Camp YLA Parents Facebook group
Join the Magic Camp Alumni Facebook group
YLA Coin 2025
In 2025, the YLA Officer group worked to design a wooden coin to commemorate the year's cohort. We hope to continue this in years to come and are excited to share the design they came up with.
Don't Forget...
Our YLA interns aren't too old for all of our programs. Fantastic Magic Camp offers a variety of programs each season. Keep an eye out for our FMC Afterschool program during the school year (ages 6-14) as well as our Performer's Academy performance camp during the summer (ages 10-16).