The Summer Camp took place at Alfrey Activity Centre, Meriden. It was attended by 43 young people aged 4 – 15 years and a volunteer team of 11 adults who worked extremely hard to make the camp run smoothly during the week. Although the camp was called ‘Summer Bay’ and the theme was Sun, Sea & Sand the weather did not quite live up to its name with one child remarking ‘Why is God letting it rain all the time if it’s meant to be a summer island?’
The teachings were based around the life of John Newton who temporarily pastored a church in Warwick for 3 months and is well known for writing the famous hymn Amazing Grace. John Newton experienced loss, separation, disappointment, guilt and periods of atheism eventually being touch by the life transforming power of Jesus Christ. The young people were tremendously impacted by his story bringing out their own pain from parental separation or grief and loss. They also identified with the anger and depths of wrongdoing that John had experienced and found healing as they worked through their issues with the Holy Spirit.
The children enjoyed a wide range of activities including pony rides, go karts, film, crafts, sports, bouncy castles, trampolines, gladiators, a giant sandpit, an assault course and a mid-week trip to the seaside where they were joined by local parents and siblings.
During the evening the children enjoyed entertainment from a magician as well as a Puppet Show & Ventriloquist act and workshops with a professional singer and trained actress. A team of youth helpers were trained to help lead activities on the camp and the visiting entertainers held separate workshops for them where they were presented with challenges to learn new skills in order to build their confidence and leadership and children’s work skills.
The young people also organised and hosted the annual camp ‘talent night’ and the camp ended with a BBQ and show for the parents before they left with their exhausted children. A good time was certainly had by all!
The holiday camp was supported by a grant of £5,280 from The King Henry VIII Endowed Trust, Warwick.
