KYM Keady loves having “front row seats” to the transformations that happen over the four days of Ignite Summer Camp.
This year she saw about 200 teenagers from around Brisbane archdiocese and Rockhampton diocese start off in their shells on day one, but after encountering Jesus and each other, they open up with heartfelt testimonies by day four.
“It’s the best thing ever,” she says, “I feel so proud of them.”
For the teenagers, it’s four days away from ordinary life – just friends, live music, opportunities for spiritual encounter and detoxing from screens.
Many of them were about to step onto high school campuses for the first time this year.
Mrs Keady said it could be daunting for many students who had just finished Year 6 to be approaching their first day in secondary school.
She said a great thing about summer camp was the opportunity to start the year with 200 new friends who were all in high school.
This year also saw NET Ministries send their youth leaders to the camp for the first time as part of their training for the year ahead.
She said it was a good chance for them to see what it was like being on mission and have a chance to be a role model to the teenagers.
It was not all about direct spiritual encounter either, she said Christian role modelling was also learning how to play together well, how to lead in a team, how to be resilient and other important life skills.
“Starting the year with summer camp because for me and my staff and my team, it’s just such a high,” she said.
She said getting to hear the young people speak about their experiences in their own faith journeys and on camp was always powerful.
Summer camp kicks off another big year for Ignite Youth with Launch and Conference always fast approaching.
Mrs Keady said for anyone interested to look out for the summer camp reunion on February 9.
