The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Shaina D. during the 2008-2009 League.
Mission: Tactics - SSI Experience
I love SSI! It is one of the highlights of my summer. I have trouble trying to explain how great this "government camp" is. It’s kind of like an inside joke, you have to be there to get it. The last place someone would expect to be spiritually refreshed is a government camp, but it happens, SSI changes lives. This year, however, I was successful in my attempt to get a friend to attend. As soon as I described the week of activities, my friend called his boss to request time off. He schedule the time off, not knowing if there would be space available for him to attend.
This was my fourth year at SSI. It was just as fun as my previous years. The first time I went to SSI I was in the ninth grade. I had been hearing about it for years from family who had attended. I was finally old enough to attend and was not disappointed. My room mates were great, and I had a fun caucus. I felt independent writing my first public speech and delivering it at the state capitol. I also loved having my parents watch me in the chamber.
Every year has proved to be just as great as the first. The second year was fun. I was a senator, and yet again I delivered my speech at the state capitol. I still remember being nervous again but somehow I got though. The third year I was a lawyer. My teammates and I tried to find reasons why our defendant was innocent. I love the theatrics that the aid-de-camps and chaperones use during the trial.
I had to study the hardest the fourth year. I was on the moot court track with three other students. We had a blast! We studied (and laughed at jokes) in a room we called "The Black Hole." As moot court students, we were allowed to stay up later than others because we had a lot of material to study. After a lot of hard work, the big day came. We would present our cases before three actual judges. I was nervous at first, but when I started arguing my case to the judges it was fun.
My favorite part of SSI is worship and fellowship. I love gathering together with others my own age, to worship and sing praises to the Lord. The songs we sing are great (especially the Destiny song). I have also been blessed by all of the speakers, and the messages that they bring throughout the week. They have been very encouraging and inspirational. Everyone should have this experience. I feel so blessed that the Lord has brought SSI into my life.
