Ironwood Springs has played a roll in my life since I was a child. My parents were the youth leaders at our church and would take the group snow tubing. Crack the whip, being towed up the hill and drinking hot chocolate in the warming house are some of my best memories. When I was finally able to drive, my friends and I would call in advance and book an hour long trail ride. We made the forty-five-minute drive from Albert Lea to exit 205 on I-90. We also went on sleigh rides and had attended a few day events at the camp.
When I graduated high school, I ended up working at a youth camp for seven glorious years. I worked first as a wrangler and eventually made my way up the ladder to become head wrangler. I ran a heard of forty head of horses, managed staff and campers. I lived at an elevation of 9,500 feet. I climbed mountains with horses, jumped hunter courses, rock climbed, mountain bike and enjoyed the beauty of the changing of seasons in the mountains.
Camp has always been a part of my life. It is something I have always wanted to be a part of my kid’s lives. There is something magical that happens at a camp. They can test their wings and practice flying. They practice being leaders, yet following as needed, they are challenged through the activities, and the camps that we chose their relationship with God is nurtured and encouraged.
This year I visited Ironwood Spring’s website to see if they had scholarships available and if Maddie was old enough to attend. Sure enough, they had both. An email and an application later she was registered for her very first horse camp. The look on her face when we surprised her with the news is something I will never forget.
We have begun to slowly get the things she will need for her week-long stay at camp. I would love to attend one of their family camps and be supported, nurtured and draw closer together as a family in the way only a camp can inspire.
Whether you are looking for a youth camp, family camp, wheelchair camp, horse camp and even a military camp. You will want to visit their website, give them a call or shoot them an email. Ironwood Springs has been breathing God’s truth and showing his love for years.