Ignite Summer Camp 2024
12 February, 2024
In January 35 high schoolers from our diocese travelled down to the Sunshine Coast for Ignite Summer Camp. The camp was a fantastic way to start the year; the young people from many different parishes form a wonderful community together, and all have the opportunity to learn more about our faith and encounter God through prayer and the sacraments. This year was the fourth year in a row that our diocese has attended, which means that we have several students who have joined on all four trips. One of those students is a year 12 student from Gladstone who I invited to share her experience of Summer Camp in this newsletter:
My name is Charlotte Boyle and I want to share something amazing with you. I have gone to 4 incredible Ignite Summer Camps for high schoolers!! It is a massive four days where there is no time to be bored. Since my very first summer camp in 2020, I have met so many new and amazing people who I still stay in contact with today. At the start of camp, everyone gets assigned into small groups which is such a special part of the camp as you get to connect with those people and make long-lasting friendships. Once the camp slowly comes to an end, in our small group we get to write affirmation cards for each other telling all the good things we have seen in one another.
Each year at Summer Camp, there have been so many different things to do throughout the days and nights. Throughout the days there are many different indoor and outdoor activities and talks. Some of my favourite activities that have been done over the years are the colour run, craft activities, and human foosball. Each night is different; the first night is Reconciliation, the second night is Holy Spirit night and on the third night is adoration. One of my favourite things which happens on Holy Spirit night is Prayer Teams, which is an opportunity to ask two leaders to pray for you for anything you want. Throughout the camp, Emmanuel Worship is up on the stage singing and leading us in praise to God. Men’s and Women’s Day is an incredible part of the camp as we get to spend the day with people the same age and gender as us. We get to spend the day with people who are doing the same things as us and get a new understanding. At the end of the day, we have an honouring night where everyone gets dressed up and photos get taken, the girls then sing a song for the boys and the boys do the same for the girls, and then the boys honour girls by serving them dinner. Many lasting memories have been made at summer camp over the years I have been going. This camp is not a camp where you have to be perfect or spiritual all the time. It is a time to spend with friends and find yourself in God’s love to kick off the year with!! It is an unforgettable experience of a lifetime!! Each year I have definitely felt like I have come closer to God in many ways.
Our next diocesan youth event will be our trip to Ignite Conference in Brisbane on the 19th to 22nd of September, and of course we will be returning to Summer Camp in January 2025. If you’re interested in being a part of these events or you’d like to help young people from your parish be able to share in these experiences then please get in touch with me at youth@rok.catholic.net.au or 0433 897 973.
