"There are lots of summer programs, diocesan camps, L.I.T. programs and leadership training opportunities. Why is Ask & Imagine different?"

Ask & Imagine includes fun, friends, new skills and new experiences but it also engages young people in academic theological enquiry. Faculty members lead workshops and sessions on Biblical Exegesis, Theological Reflection, Church Story (shhh, don't say 'History' to this age group), Science and Theology, Ethics and Moral Decision making. The theological subjects are a favourite aspect of the program for the participants.

"When I saw 'Biblical studies' on the schedule, I was all set for it to be boring. I was so wrong! I have never heard anyone talk about Scripture that way! It was really exciting and interesting...the time just flew by. I couldn't believe the session was over; I wanted to hear more." (D.R., age 20, Niagara)

"My favourite session was "What's the Story? with Bill. He made church history - the 'h' word! - fun! He taught me lots about the church's role in history. It was excellent." (D.Z., age 16, Huron)

"You know what I appreciated? At A & I you guys (the mentors and workshop leaders) are not afraid to talk about tough stuff: Native issues, global justice, interpreting the Bible, creation/evolution stuff, sexuality, faith and belief.we could talk about or ask questions about anything. I liked being treated as an adult." (A.L., age 17, Niagara)

"Science and Theology was amazing. I love science, and this session gave me some future job ideas." (T.B., age 16, Ottawa)

Ask & Imagine affirms young people's gifts for ministry and has a strong component of leadership development at a level beyond the basics.

"Ask and Imagine helped me grow within a close Christian community in my spirituality, my strengths and with my weaknesses. It also opened my eyes to the larger picture of us as the church." (A.M., age 18, Huron)

"Ask & Imagine helped me not just to know, but to understand and feel. It helped me to fully accept who I am and be confident in that. I now feel I have the knowledge and skills and confidence to share my faith with enthusiasm." (S.A., age 17, Edmonton)

"Many youth events are experienced by young people as a great 'spiritual high', but that energy and enthusiasm quickly fades after the event."

Ok, so that's not a question, but it is an observation that youth and adults sometimes make.

Ask & Imagine is not merely a one-time exciting spiritual event for youth. It is true that it is a profound and life-changing experience in the context of a Christian community but the program is about equipping young people for ministry and sending them out into the world to live their faith, to be Christian leaders, to build community, to minister in their home congregation or diocese, or to carry their faith into their life and career decisions. Almost all participants return to their home communities excited and eager to share what they have learned - and need your encouragement and the opportunity to do so!

Many participants have written to us months or years after completing the program and say that what they learned and experienced is still having an effect in their lives.

"I have been talking with Hilary about her experience at Ask & Imagine, and I want to say how impressed I am with the program you put on - Hilary is simply glowing! and full of energy! She has obviously had one of those experiences which put things together for one at that age, and I am looking forward to our receiving a great deal from her leadership." The Rev'd Harold Munn, Rector, St John The Divine, Victoria, BC

"Is it Bible-based?"

The program includes - among many other things - Biblical studies and reflection on scripture. Youth are given the 'real goods' - Biblical exegesis as a theology student would be taught in seminary (but geared for a learning style appropriate to their age group).

Some parish priests and youth ministers have asked "How do young people react to that?" Many parish clergy and lay ministers remember their own experience of encountering in-depth Biblical study and critical methods in seminary as being very challenging to their faith. In our experience, youth do not have the same reaction. At their age, most are excited to learn that there is "more to it" in scripture than what is there at face value. In most cases we have seen that it has the effect of deepening a young person's faith to learn that there is more to scripture than what they learned in Sunday School or youth camp Bible study.

"What's the theological perspective of the teaching at the program?"

Young people come from all over Canada, from different ecclesial traditions and representing the whole spectrum of the Anglican Church. Ask & Imagine works hard at being an inclusive community where many theological perspectives can be voiced. Youth learn to listen, to dialogue, and discover what it means to live in communion with those who think or believe differently. We think that's what being an Anglican is all about.

"The leaders didn't answer the questions for us and treat us like kids, or give us "fluff about God and life. They pushed our limits to the extreme and got us to really think in a way that we never had before.I feel so much stronger in my faith, and so energized in my spirituality." (R.B., age 17, Nova Scotia)

"At 'Ask and Imagine', I needed to lay all my beliefs in front of me and truly re-examine them. I'm nowhere done obviously, but I'm inspired to keep at it." (R.K., age 18, Ottawa)

"A really big 'Aha' for me was during the Ethics presentation. Taking part in the role-play really helped me to understand how truly difficult it is to iron out the touchy subjects within the church. It's not as easy as simply making a decision. I also learned how important it is to take the time to understand other viewpoints." (J.A., age 18, Eastern Newfoundland)

"What kind of young person is the ideal candidate for Ask & Imagine? Is it just for kids who are dynamic leaders or who are thinking about ordained ministry?"

Ask & Imagine is a place where all young people are affirmed as unique and blessed individuals. Everyone comes in at a different place, with different levels of maturity, different strengths and skills, different personal challenges and hopes for their own future. Participants find the opportunity to be accepted, to grow and to deepen their faith. The program doesn't try to get everyone to the same place, rather, to help individuals to discover themselves and how God is working in their lives.

"I have learned so much and grown in strength through this program. It is well structured, the staff are amazing and it lets you discover yourself in ways that once seemed inconceivable. This program should be made available to every Anglican Youth." (P.G., age 17, Toronto)

"Ask and Imagine is an incredible program. I truly believe it will have a huge impact on my life when I get home, and the decisions I will be faced with." (A.N., age 18, Algoma)

"I never thought about being a priest. Now I think it might be a possibility in my future." (R.S., age 18, Toronto)

"Not everything appeals to everybody. Some sessions I found boring and other people thought were the best. What was most important was that we were a community together. We were all challenged in different ways and everybody got so much out of it." (A.P., age 16, Toronto)

"It's awesome. This is a program where you can grow in so many ways. It's a place where everyone is so loving and understanding and where you can discover your gifts." (S.L. age 16, Ottawa)

"Ask & Imagine made me see that I could be a leader someday. It made me realize that I had the courage to go out and meet new people." (B.S., age 18, Moosonee)

"Do young people have to be good at academics to benefit from the program?"

Lots of the learning happens in a classroom setting however the teaching style tries to be as interactive as possible. Much of the learning is experiential, even in the class. Many youth thrive in a class setting, but we recognize that some young people find the 'academic' parts of the program challenging. There are many aspects (Faith-In-Action day, high ropes, climbing wall (new in 2004), small groups, team building activities etc.) which appeal to a different kind of learning style. Learning and growth happen in different ways for different youth.

"It all came together for me at High Ropes. I'm scared of heights, but people believed in me. This activity showed me that I need to trust people more in my life." (J.B., age 16, Toronto)

 

"It is just another form of youth camp?"

No. It is a university program for high school and college age students and we have expectations about the program consistent with that fact. For many young people, it is their first time away from home in an environment where they are treated as young adults. It goes beyond just fun, spiritual growth, friendship and exciting challenges. It is "demanding on every level and more rewarding than you can imagine" as one participant said.

Walking the Labyrinth – one of the spiritual exercises on the Retreat Day

"A & I has given me a lot of new perspective. I've been able to see and hear things in new ways. After I 'hit the wall' (got stuck in between a rock and a hard place - spiritually), it helped me wake up and realize things about myself. Ask & Imagine got me to run into that wall which is what I needed." (participant, age 16)

"The blanket exercise (interactive teaching of Native history) was a growing experience. It opened my eyes in a way that no amount of classroom learning had ever done. I think a part of me really grew up that day, a part that I have been trying to forget about and then it just hit me.
My AHA moment was that I can do something, I can help make a difference! " (participant, age 16)

"What I enjoyed the most at Ask & Imagine would most definitely be the Plunge experience (downtown Toronto street life awareness). That takes a bit of justification. It's not like the experience was 'fun' or anything. It was enlightening; a sort of epiphany as it were. Homelessness doesn't enter into my every day considerations. I don't ever think about people who are homeless. I learned and saw things of 'Plunge' that I never knew about. This experience has motivated me to see if my diocese has downtown missions and if I could be involved. The whole experience opened eyes I had squeezed shut." (participant, age 19)

"Go for it! Give two weeks of your summer and your life will be forever changed!" (S.A., age 17, Edmonton)