Camp Memories

Hey guys I am so joyful to met and hangout with every one of you guys and to hear where you guys are coming from and after all this is where god called me. I told some of you guys that about 6 months ago that God told me that he wanted to have me work a summer camp. I was like okay. So I applied al over the U.S. and got offerd jobs in portland and in LA. and by Disneyland where they offered me about 3 hundo a week. But in the middle of all this Daph sent me Idk if it was snail mail, email or what but she said that they needed help so I believe God whants you to go somewhere he will drop you hints so I was like why not? I knew Isaih Alen, the old dirctor because he is my youth pastor and we also go down there each year with my church North Heights Luheran. And not even kidding you 2 days after I applied I recived the Staff manual. So I amnot sure if daph thought I would apply or what but I was like so God So its Ironwood ok I can do that. Came down there not knowing what to expect. You guys are so cool I have never in my whole life known you for like week and it feels like I have known you my whole life. I am so greatful that God put all of you in my life because you have touched my heart so much trhat I am not the same person that I was. As well as how God work so much through me in pretty powerful ways.If I didnt take anything else from this last week is that God touched each campers lives and used me to help them. So I can assuer you that because I obeyed God and went where he called me that did some pretty outragous thigs. Because that is what I live for to see the love and joy in peoples smiles and lives that when they laugh i can see Gods face and It makes me cry aligator tears. As for Josh and Daph even though I meet you like a moth ago it feels like forever ago. But as for myself I really want to come back next year if it is God's plan. Josh was right when he said that we are the future of this camp. Face it we are. Along w/ God we are the foudation of Ironwoodsprings Christian Ranch. So if and only if it is God's plan lets make this camp the best it can be. That it camp where campers lives will be touched and that they never forget where they got closer to Gpd, or comitted thier life over Christ for th e first time. "Jealous Kind" I built another temple to a stranger I gave away my heart to the rushing wind I set my course to run right into danger Sought the company of fools instead of friends You know I've been unfaithful Lovers in lines While you're turning over tables with the rage of a jealous kind I chose the gallows to the aisle Thought that love would never find Hanging ropes will never keep you And your love of a jealous kind Love of a jealous kind Trying to jump away from rock that keeps on spreading For solace in the shift of the sinking sand I'd rather feel the pain all too familiar Than to be broken by a lover I don't understand 'Cause I don't understand One hundred other lovers, more, one hundred other altars If I should slow my pace and finally subject me to grace And love that shames the wise, betrays the heart's deceit and lies And breaks the back of foolish pride and here is a verse to stand on and yes, it is redundant i am awhere but Jer. 29:11 that is no coniceandience that verse came up last . week believe me, it was on my cake! But seriously pick it a part. Some books I would recomend is jesus freaks, The Pourpose diven life by Rick Warren, and Wild at Heart By, John Eldredge. And when you go back to school just stop yourself in the middle of the hallway and ask yourself are you truly fire proof? God bless, Ben Carlson

7/22/2007

megan peda

meganpeda@myclearwave.net

wow, i love ironwood sooooooo much i feel like it's a family when i'm there. it's wicked awsome, epic, and totally dominating

2/28/2007

Carrie

I've never been to camp b4 and this was an amazing experience and I cannot wait 'till summer camp. Luv & Miss every1 In Christ ~*~Carrie~*~

5/25/2006

wow! i have been coming to this camp for a few years now, and this camp is soooo much fun. extreme snowdays was one of the best weekends of my life. i reconnected with old friends, made new friends, and most importantly i got so much closer to god. i hope to keep coming to this camp, and then maybe even become a counselor someday!!

2/23/2006

Emily

Wow! This year Extreme Snowdays was awesome! This camp is so much fun. I have been coming to ISCR for a few years now, and everytime i come here i get so much closer to god. I also make so many friends at this camp. This camp has gods presence all around it. I can't wait to come back to teen camp this summer! So thankyou to everyone that put all of it together! *Love Emily*

2/19/2006

Emily

Wow. I have been coming to ISCR for awhile and this place is so amazing! Everytime i come here i get closer and closer to god. I have made so many great memories at this camp! Someday i hope to become a counselor there. So, i just want to thank everyone that has put this fantastic camp together! *Emily*

2/14/2006

Emily

wow! this camp is amazing. i have been coming to ironwood for awhile know, and everytime i come i get so much closer to god. When you're here, you can feel gods presence. everyone here just loves god so much! its like everyone says...this camp is "a home away from home".

2/10/2006

Jaime

Wow ISCR is so filled with the presence of God. When you walk in there you get blown away. Especially that prayer time at one in the morning. That was amazing. I can not wait untill next year. That was the best experience of my life. That beef jerkey was alittle salty tho. Luke you owe me a brownie.

2/8/2006

Sarah

i just wanted to say i loooooove ironwood!!! i have made so many friends there and it is so EXTREME (i never want to hear that word AGAIN!!!)! frontrowsteve, you guys better come back...OR ELSE!! the tubing hill was so awesome! i am going to come back to ironwood forever!! <3 to you all!! *Sarah*

It has been several years since I was down, but I loved being a camper and counselor during the 80s and early 90s. I was introduced to Ironwood through my friends Cecil and Jack Vitalis. Sadly Jack passed away over the winter, but have always loved their family. Nick Pearson White Bear Lake nickpearson1971@msn.com

Alexis Bartel. June 2007

I've been to Ironwood for two years. Every time I think about this coming summer, I can see myself at a DOMINATING Highriders at Ironwood. I feel lucky to be blessed so much to go to ISCR. I love it so so much, Pastor Jim and Josh and EVERYONE at Ironwood made me feel at home. The second year I went to ISCR I was nervous, I was thinking no one would remember me but a lot of the counselors and campers remembered me and helped to bring me closer to God. Ironwood has changed me so much. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!! everyone at Ironwood helped me to feel God in everything I do. The chapels were touching to see everyone at the camp worshiping God. My favorite parts of camp were the horses, BIFFER and chapel.

Dear Staff,
A big wonderful thanks you!for your hospitality! We are our staff had a wonderful day! We very much enjoy working with all of you! Ironwood is a wonderful facility and very beautiful! You are all so accomodating!

Barb Wilson and the CCRR staff

Emily Anderson
I have been going to Ironwood for three years know, and this camp truly rocks!! This summer i went to Teen Camp, and it was the best week of my life!! Josh, and Pastor Jim, are two amazing people! Since i've gone to this camp, my faith has grown so much, and i've grown so much closer to god!! The counselors at this camp, are just so amazing! its like one big happy family at this camp! 6/2005

Hillary Hook
I just finished my fifth year at Ironwood and this year was the best. Everyone here was so amazing they all love God so much and they all share a love for Ironwood. I can't wait till next year when i get to go to teen campf ro the first time in like EVER

Alyssa
Ironwood Springs was awesome!!I went there for a school field trip, and it rocked!!!!The horses are BEAUTIFUL! The super slide was really fun!

Jessica
I love it at ironwood! I went and its a place u want to stay forever. u dont get judged here and its like your one big giant family and for parents with kids and teens send them here they'll love it!

Jo K
Thanks for helping to make the Kopishcke Family Chistmas Party a joyful-non-stressful day!! A good time was had by all. Thank you. Jo.

Joanna Ravlin Dey
This is Joanna Ravlin Dey, I went to youth camp at ISCR as a child, and also worked as a youth counselor a couple of summers. I saw your web page about the new lodge you're faithfully building. Bob, I want you to know that my experience at Ironwood was profound and life changing, and I'll be forever grateful for your impact on my life. Thank you so very much. My husband David is a carpenter and would like to volunteer for any projects you have. porkchopnchubby@aol.com.

Krystal
I always loved going to ironwood springs with my youth group(hype/abc) it was one of the things I looked forward to throughout the year. Everything was peaceful and comfortable there. Thank you for having this place...and thank you for opening it to me and many others.

Melisa (Brandt) Sween
20 years ago I met Bob Bardwell in Seattle, WA as we celebrated finishing a 10K wheelchair road race in Husky Stadium. This was before family, wheechair sports camp, and before Ironwood was to play such an intricate part in my personal relationship with Jesus. Little did I know back in 1986 when I boarded a plane in Eugene, OR how much Bob, Jode & girls, the staff, and Ironwood Springs Camp, over the next 2 decades would be used by God to mold and shap me into the person I am proud to be today. There are far too many awesome memories to specifically detail in this short note of how God has blessed Ironwood and those who are there to glorify his name! God is not a God of accidents and I know I was hand selected to be blessed at ISCR, as well as be a blessing to all those he brought each day to the camp during my years on staff. I regularly pray for God's continued blessings on the Bardwell family, the camp, the staff, and may the numbers double to 40,000 who are touched by the Joy of the Lord at Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch in 2005!

John Voltz
My favorite part about camp was when I saw my cousin walk up the chapel isle to get saved.

A.L.
You may not even remember who I am, but you made a huge impact on my life! At the end of the school year I made some mistakes with some friendships. I went into the summer deternined to get my friends back. What you helped me realize is that the greatest friend I could ever have never left me. Now I think of God as my best friend. Every year Ironwood gets better and better. I can't even imagine what Teen Camp might have in store for next year! You touched my heart, your stories moved me, and your love for God inspires me. I am so pumped for God! I told you that I was so scared that I might lose God again this year, but I am so on fire for HIM that I know that couldn't possibly happen... thank you for helping me rediscover my best friend. God Bless

Dj Wannarka
I really enjoyed working with everyone at the ranch this summer, and I plan on Volunteering later this year and next summer. Working with all of the staff at I.S.C.R. impacted my life in some way. I want to say thank you to the Wranglers, and all other staff. God bless you and thanks for all the memories!!!

Matt W. Lowell
I just wanted to say thanks for having me at camp this year. This was the best year I've ever had at camp. All the people were so nice and friendly. I really didn't want to go home, so I came back the next week for Wrangler Day Camp and I am looking forward to coming back next. Next year I plan on being a Junior Wrangler, and when I'm old enough, I would like to be a real wrangler and maybe a counselor. Thanks again for a great year.

Lynn Gedicke
This summer I have been volunteering as a Junior Wrangler. It is so much fun, and just a great experience. Wrangler camp was so much fun. Thank you wranglers for working so hard to make it the best it could be! God bless you all, and hope to see everyone again!

Bricelyn Sigrist
I went to Ironwood Springs for the 1st time last summer & had the time of my life--The concert was awesome!everything was so much fun--can't wait to go back again this summer...

Holly Andersen
I went to Ironwood for several years, and I loved it. It's been three years since I last went, but still the awesome memories of the people I was with, the fun times, and the ever presence feeling of God are with me often. I cannot thank Ironwood (and God!) enough for the amazing experiences it gave me.

Laura Hughitt
Camp has been the best experience of my life by far, I look forward to it every year! All of you people at camp are great and I love you with all my heart! God bless everyone...

Ali
I loved the worship and everything this year and it's so sad that it was my last year!! I can't wait to come back and be a leader!! Our church has been so blessed to be able to come to Ironwood every year!

Jessica
My fave activity is Balloon Blitz!!! It was way fun! And of course the worship in the chapel!!! ISCR is awesome! Keep up the great work!

Amanda Thillen And Jackie storlie
Wranglar camp was so cool. There horses are so awsome! Well got to go! Buh Bye! See you next year at wrangler camp!!!! Love, Amanda and Jackie

Laura Titusdahl
I have attended Ironwood camps for more than half my life, and each year never fails to be an amazing experience. The people, activities, and overall atmosphere is so uplifting. This camp has touched my life in so many ways, and it's hard to find words to describe it.

Luke Fannin
This summer I was blessed enough to be able to counsel at Teen Camp and Jrs. I & II, and what an amazing blessing it has been. I cannot say enough about this ranch and its entire staff; I can't wait to return again and again...

Curt & Kim Miner
First time camping here, had a very good time, thank you

Lynn L
Thank you for allowing our recital to be held at the ranch. The chapel was a wonderful place to have our special event. We appreciate the help to get it prepared for us. I received so many positive comments about the facilities. God blessed us with a glorious day and lots of beautiful music. Thank you again.

Annie
I just wanted to thank you once again for the fabulous weekend! Not only did I come away a "quilter", but I felt I met some very dear woment who I hope to spend more time with sometimes down the road. Your camp is beautiful and you made me feel so at home & welcomed there... thank you for that! I've started reading your book Bob, very inspiring & challenging :} Thank you and your staff again for everything.

LaRae Kor
Horse camp is the best...ive gone there for 4 years now I have the best time i meet so many people and have such a GREAT time My summer wouldnt be complete without camp!! Trails are the best and the texas toast is THE ULTIMATE MEAL!!! I have so many great memories of camp and the closer i get to God every year is just amazing to me!! Love ya

Heidi Eckers
This ranch feels like a home away from home to me. The staff are like a surigate family, wonderful and warm and never stop sharing God's love!

Matt Streyle
I grew up attending Ironwood as a child back in the early 1990's, and I have been able to have the privilege of seeing it grow to be what it is now. I pray that God keeps blessing Ironwood and its staff in the many ways that he already has, and thank Him for Ironwood's involvement in my life!

Brittany Jensen
I love the trails I love the food. I've gone for 4 years now. Great job on the food last year cooks!

Pastor Buegel
Thank you so much for the use of the room for our Elder's retreat, and the wonderful lunch. Thank you for your Christ like attitude and love , and may God richly bless you in the ministry there. Hope to see you again soon. Because of Christ's love, Rev Charles Buegle

Gail H
Thank you for the wonderful, warm hospitality. We had a tremendous time and it was a blessing to have been a part of the weekend and its preparations. Please know that you are permanently on my prayer list and keep lifting me up, too, it means so much.

Adam Posegate
I remember coming to camp in 1990-- my first year of many! Now I look forward to the return of Teen Camp and all it has to offer.

Ariel Miller
I have come out to Ironwood with our Happy Trails Saddle Club and I really enjoyed the sleigh rides. I enjoy the area and the scenery.

Al Baylor
I used to go to "Boys Ranch" when that camp was held in the mid 80's and came up with Pleasant Valley Evangelical Free Church. That inspired me to go into a career of Christian Camping!