On the Beach on a walk to Market Bay, Isle of Mull, during the Camas residential
Each project runs at least one residential each year. It's a great way to help a group bond and strengthen relationships - they're also really good fun! Scroll down to see photos and read stories from our residentials over the last year and see what an incredible, life-changing experience they can be!
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South West Peak, Peak District National Park
This year, we were awarded a grant for our residentials with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund through the South West Peak Landscape Partnership and are planning to explore the South West Peaks for our residentials. We had 3 booked; a 2 night stay at High Ash Farm for the Primary Club, a 2 night stay at Gradbach for the Secondary Club, and a week long stay at High Ash Farm in the Summer for the Secondary Club. While on residentials this year, we were to have Peter Parker and Jackie Wragg joining us. Peter running activities such as orienteering and canoeing, and Jackie working with us on some conservation work of the area, including a bat walk one evening. We were hopeful during our stay we could enter into some conservation work in the area and have our young people engage in the John Muir award. Due to COVID-19 we unfortunately had to postpone these residentials. However, we are hoping to carry these out in the future, once it is safe to do so, in order for our young people to have these great experiences.
2019 Camas, Isle of Mull, West Coast of Scotland
We took a large group of 16 young people aged 11-16 - some of whom have not been away from home before, to the Iona Community's Camas Centre - offering outdoor activities and community living on the Isle of Mull. The trip was incredible. Some challenges, lows and difficulties that come with living together away from home and having to learn to get along, and take part in everything - including the chores to keep the community running smoothly (like washing up and cleaning the loos). Some big highs as well; coasteering around the bay, sailing, swimming, bog-jumping and being in the spectacular Scottish wildness. Memorable moments included: a grumpy hike in defiant dressing gowns (perfect outerwear for a hike in Scotland!), being stopped on the road by large highland cows ("are they real?"), charging into the sea in pouring rain, to escape horrific midges, and sitting up till 2am trying to persuade angry young people to go to sleep instead of fighting.
Thank you; To the wonderful supporters of Cre8 who so generously donated just over £2,100 towards the cost of this year's Camas residential. You have helped 16 young people make memories and sow seeds of change that will last a lifetime. Many blessings x
2018 Greenbelt Arts & Music Festival, Kettering
Greenbelt is a Christian Arts & Music Festival that is celebrating it's 43rd year this year. We've been taken small groups of older young people (usually aged 14+) for around 7 years. The Festival is very family and young people friendly. It offers a safe place, a welcoming environment and a positive atmosphere. The programme includes all different types of music, as well as creative activities, artistic installations, have a go workshops, and also talks on politics, faith & justice. Young people seem to really enjoy it, and we have received a small number of free tickets through 'Trust Greenbelt' which enables us to take young people from our music project.
2018 Egerton Hall, Rostherne, Knutsford
Our youngest youth club go on residentials, usually for 2 nights. We build on the principles of community living by doing jobs together (clearing/cleaning up after ourselves), cooking together, and having fun together. These trips are often the first time young people will have been away from home without their family. They are fantastic for building relationships and enable us to have strong link with young people as they get older.