By Ian Ho, Impact Youth Camp 2024 Committee
In April 2023, I was asked: “Why not join us for Impact Camp this year?”. Unbeknownst to me, I signed a 5-year contract with Impact that day! Fast forward to February 2024, I was asked a similar innocent question: “Do you have any ideas for camp games?”
I was going through a rough patch at work and my schedule post-working hours was packed with job applications. I thought I couldn’t take on any more. After some time of prayer and support from my amazing wife, I agreed to join the games committee for Impact Camp 2024 (IC24). It was and still is one of the most fulfilling opportunities I’ve been given so far this year. Special thanks to Celestiel for being an extraordinary teammate and Kendrick, Anabel, and Cladys (the games committee) for stepping out of their comfort zone by taking on a ton of responsibility.
Creating “The Game of Life”
Camp this year was a little different for me. Rather than just being a facilitator for one group of youths, I was responsible for making sure the games were all planned out. The games team had slightly over a month to come up with ideas for icebreakers and station games, figure out a scoring system, create a group rotation schedule, buy props and prizes, and brief all the people helping out.
Being a little ambitious, we decided to also plan another game session which we themed “The Game of Life” where we got campers to simulate family life with ‘parents’ having to go out to work, ‘kids’ going to study, and ‘uncles’ visiting the casino a little too often. Some ‘families’ took a regular path to success, investing early in a fixed deposit, getting their kids to study to earn more in the future, and stocking up on food to make sure everyone was well-fed. There was even a minority that broke off from the norm and devolved into a life of crime. This led to an insane, unplanned, and hilarious money heist on our poor casino owner, Marcus. The perpetrators were justly punished, just like in ‘real life’.
Reflection and Relief
Planning all these was a colossal task and to be honest, my mind was constantly racing since the planning continued right up to the 3rd day of camp as we were trying to make sure everything was ready and executed well for the campers. On hindsight, it was truly by God’s grace and strength that we managed to pull everything off.
Once all the games were over, I felt extremely relieved. I also felt a little guilty because I hadn’t been able to fully invest my attention on the campers for the past three days. I genuinely felt like I didn’t ‘deserve’ to minister to them in prayer during ministry night. Through quiet reflection and prayer with the IC24 team, I experienced rest from God and assurance that He is enough.
Experiencing God’s Work
I had the honour of watching God work in the lives of so many youths at IC24. I’m sure the rest of the IC24 committee would echo the fact that we saw God revealing Himself and challenging the youths through the sessions even on day 1.
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. – Colossians 2:6-7
The camp’s bible verse became so very real as we saw the truth of Jesus take root in the youths’ hearts and a foundation in the Word formed as each session increased in depth on the character of God and our role as His children.
A Call to Youth and Volunteers
If you are between the ages of 13 and 17, I highly recommend Impact. This community here will go through the joys and struggles with you, and hopefully you discover the satisfaction of knowing God together as a church family.
If you are above the age of 17, I still highly recommend Impact. Come and serve! Your heart will be filled, and you will have the opportunity to witness God’s work first-hand. I personally have found a bunch of friends here that I will gladly sacrifice more time and effort with to serve together for the furtherance of God’s kingdom.
P.S. Ask the youths about the Game of Life if you want to hear more about the shenanigans that went on that day.
Get Involved
💻 Watch the highlights of the camp.
📅 Stay tuned for the next Impact Youth Camp by following them on Instagram.
📨 Do you know someone between 13 and 17 years old? Invite them to join Impact Youth, an inspiring community that excels, excites and loves.
🤝 Have a heart for the young ones? Consider serving them. Contact Pastor Priscilla if you’re keen.