I have gone to Eagle since before I was born, and growing up, I knew that Ignite was in my future. I saw my sister go to Ignite for three years and all the fun she had during her times and I couldn’t wait for when I could go. Then in 5th grade, I knew it was my time to go that summer, I was excited, I was finally a part of the youth group. Then I got the news, they pushed the age back a year, I would have to wait one more year until I could go. Little fifth grade me was devastated.
Then next year came, and it was finally my time. And Ignite definitely lived up to my expectations. I got to ride on a water slide backwards, stay up way too late, and eat too much candy. A middle schooler’s dream. But I was also able to get closer with the girls in my grade and experience the life changing words of the speakers. And it all kept me going back.
However, as I grew up, I faced more challenges in my life, I was learning what it was like to be a part of this world. I faced my struggles through these years and every year I would come back to Ignite and center myself around God. I learned what it is like to walk with Jesus and saw how fortunate I was to have lived the life I had been given.
By the summer after my junior year, Ignite had become a routine. I had had a pretty tough year that past year and knew that I wanted to hear from God, but I never expected Ignite to be that place. But of course, God provided. That was the year that I made my faith my own. For the first time in my life, I felt what it felt like to be loved by God and to see Him as my Father. I felt what it felt like to worship Him, tears streaming down my face, and not care what the people around me thought of me. I also developed even stronger bonds with the girls in my small group and we were able to discuss things that could not have been discussed elsewhere.
Ignite to me is about vulnerability. Giving the younger generations a safe place to be poured into and feel comfortable sharing their deepest fears with others. It’s about providing a place for friends to come together; to grow past having fun into deep relationships that last a lifetime. It’s about creating a framework of faith for middle schoolers to carry into high school, and high schoolers to carry into college. I can honestly say that I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for Ignite camp. I learned how to love and how to be loved and how to share that love with others. And that is something I will cherish forever.