Summer camps for kids, youth & families 2023
Summer camps and Christian festivals can have many big wins for you and your kids or youth group – quality time away to get to know each other and build community, an environment away from home for faith stretching and experiencing God’s presence.
But it can be very time consuming to do the research to find out what events are out there and available – especially since COVID. Well, good news, we’ve done ALL the leg work for you and have compiled a list of over 75 summer camps and holidays for kids, youth or families hosted by trusted Christian charities. There is a broad mix of types too, some that you can send/recommend to your group or their parents (that have leaders already), some you can take your group to or go to as a family yourself. They are all over the UK, and range from approx. age 8 all the way up to young adults 18-30. There is a decent mix of accommodation options too from camping, to sail boats to log cabins and bedrooms in boarding schools.
If you find the list overwhelming and are left pondering which is right for your group heres our lowdown & pros and cons which we hope might help you distinguish what is best for your group.
Christian holidays/smaller camps – if you can’t host yourself or commit to taking young people to an event, or lack youth leaders, this type might be best as they have already recruited volunteer youth leaders and all you need to do is signpost and recommend it and your young people (or their parents) book themselves on. If you are taking a group to a smaller holiday or camp, you may wish to (or need to) manage the bookings yourself. These tend to be smaller with 20 to 100 young people which can be less overwhelming if your kids/youth haven’t been to a Christian camp before or been away from home a lot. Some of them have the opportunity to take your group to, or may have the option for you to sign up as a leader if you did want to go so that your youth have a friendly face to recognise. Some of them have themes around arts, music, sports or sailing which can be great if your young people want to focus on a specialism. A lot of the smaller holidays have indoor and outdoor accommodation options which is great if camping isn’t your cup of tea. The biggest pro of these smaller holidays is the chance to build friendships and community which is easier to do with smaller numbers. There might be a holiday or smaller camp which is happening right near to where you are based which might make it an easy one to recommend.
Big Christian summer camps/festivals – these have thousands of young people in attendance and you tend to bring a group to them. It can be a huge encouragement to worship with thousands of other young people. There tends to be lots to do on site from skate parks and sports, to pop up cafes. Young people can either be trusted to go off on site and do their own thing and meet at certain times or alternatively you can put young people into groups with adult or young leaders supervision that they have to stick with. Having smaller groups can really help with accountability and also with overseeing and encouraging spiritual development but also give a sense of independance.
You can either manage the bookings yourself and have your youth/parents book with you directly and then you book everyone on yourself or you can get your group to book on themselves and quote your group or church name so that they are all added to the same booking and access your group list online or from the host of the event.
Camping tends to be in villages so that you and all your young people camp together. These events are usually self catering, which can be tricky with a large group – we’ve brought a chef with us before to do all our catering, or had teams of youth on a rota to prepare lunches etc. and we’ve bought all the food and charged our youth an extra amount to cover transport and food costs. If you have camping savvy leaders or youth you can also sort food out in smaller teams and get them to bring food and equipment to prepare an easy meal like pasta or soup and use small camping stoves. There are also usually food vans on site to buy things like chips, burgers, waffles and hot snacks and usually an on site shop to buy fresh things like yoghurts and sandwiches. We found these bigger christian fesitval events exciting for our youth to go to, they were always popular, and we saw young people come to faith or make recommitments. One of the biggest downsides for us was the challenge of building community as a church group as there were so many acitvities to do there were few times we were all together. Our young people did solidify friendships and make lasting memories. Big summer camps can also be hard to get to as they tend to be located at showgrounds and it may be a 3 to 5 hour drive from where you are based, but on the upside the journey to get there might be really formative for your group.
DREAMING THE IMPOSSIBLE (DTI) 2023, 29 July – 03 August
Age 12-18. location: Staffordshire County Showground
cost £119 until May 31st, then £129. | accommodation: camping
Type: Large scale summer festival to take your youth group to.
Dreaming The Impossible is an annual youth gathering for young people aged 12-18 from churches and youth organisations everywhere. We’re passionate about seeing young people meet Jesus and fearlessly follow Him, believing that nothing is impossible with God.
https://www.vineyardchurches.org.uk/events/dreaming-the-impossible-2023/
Satellites, 4-8 August
Age 12-18, location: Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset
cost: £99 to £129 | accommodation: camping
Type: Large scale summer festival to take your youth group to
Satellites is a five-day Christian youth event brought to you by the team at Youthscape, aimed at 12-18 year olds.
Youth groups camp together, and we join as one for a huge gathering each morning and evening in our main sessions. Our team works hard through the year to create a dynamic programme for the week which reflects our seven core discipleship values, and sets your group up for their faith journey all year round.
Alongside the main programme for young people, we also run Satellites Kids for the children of youth leaders and team members – a holiday-club-style mini-event for children aged 5-11, and a crèche for 1-4’s. There’s also a dedicated programme of input, prayer and relaxation for youth leaders too. https://www.youthscape.co.uk/satellites
Limitless Festival 2023, 5-9 August
Age: 11-17 and 18-30, Location: Stafford Showground
cost: £129 full price, £30 day pass | accommodation: camping
Type: Large scale summer festival to take your youth group to.
Limitless Festival is a vibrant summer gathering that’s all about community, connection and change.
Featuring dynamic venues for youth (11-17) and young adults (17-30), as well as a packed programme of activities, sports, events, seminars, workshops, and after-hours venues.
Limitless Festival is the declaration of a generation who exceed the limits of their expectations.
Camping on-site on the night of Wednesday 9 August is encouraged.
Please be off-site by 10 am on Thursday 10 August.
https://www.elim.org.uk/Groups/364056/Limitless_Festival.aspx
Newday, Monday 31st July – Friday 4th August (going home Saturday 5th August).
Cost: £150 | accommodation: camping
Age: 12-18 year olds. Location: Norfolk Showground, Dereham Road, Norwich, NR5 0TT.
Type: Large scale summer festival to take your youth group to.
Young people come to Newday in church groups and we ask each church to nominate a Group Coordinator – a responsible adult who’ll act as our point of contact before and during the event and who’ll take overall responsibility for the young people in their group at Newday. There’s so much to get involved in at Newday outside of our regular meetings.
We have cafés to meet-up and chill out in, a busy central concourse area, sports teams, live music, workshops, prayer zones and inflatables. There’s something for everyone.
Luminosity (New Wine youth venue), 26 – 30 July or 1 – 5 August (see below)
Cost: £160 (with camping) or £60 (offsite)
Age: 11-18’s. Location: Kent Event Centre, Maidstone
Type: Large scale summer festival to take your youth group to, or attend with family
LUMINOSITY at UNITED is for young people aged 11-18 who are attending New Wine UNITED with their immediate or church families. 11-18s camp within main UNITED villages.
LUMINOSITY at United A, 26 – 30 July 2023
For young people (11-18s) attending New Wine United A with their families or church groups. Book via the New Wine website.
LUMINOSITY at United B, 1 – 5 August 2023
For young people (11-18s) attending New Wine United B with their families or church groups. Book via the New Wine website.
https://www.weareluminosity.org/
Kairos Youth Camp, Friday 25th to Monday 28th of August
Age 11-18’s,
cost: £65-95 (day pass £15) | accommodation: camping
Type: smaller scale, bring your youth group
Kairos 2023 is happening at Hollybush Farm, Thirsk August bank holiday weekend.
It is aimed at Christian Young people aged 11-18′s to come as a youth group. All groups must have a responsible group leader.
Catered Ticket £95 | Non-catered Ticket £65
Free place for 1 youth leader from each group
Full day Tickets £15 | Afternoon or Evening £8
Creation Fest, 3 – 6 August 2023
Age: 12-18 | Location: Royal Cornwall Events Centre, Wadebridge,
cost: £70-£150 depending on early bird and age | accommodation: camping
Type: Large scale summer festival to take your youth group to or take your family
Campers can arrive on site from 12pm on Wednesday 2nd of August with departures by 10am on Monday the 7th. Our full programming runs Thursday to Sunday so get ready for 4 days and 5 nights of full on Creation Fest fun!
We are so looking forward to gathering Summer 2023 at the Royal Cornwall Events Centre for a time of renewal as we celebrate the good news of the God who loves us and we can’t wait to have you join us!
WEC Camps
- Week A: 30th July 2023 to 5th August 2023
- Week B: 6th August 2023 to 12th August 2023
Warrior (9-13 year olds) & Teen Campers (13 to 17 year olds)
Cost: £205
Type: smaller scale camp to send your young people to
Location: Criccieth in North Wales!
WEC camps is a first class camping experience with Bible and missions teaching for young people. It is more than just a holiday, it could change your life! WEC stands for Worldwide Evangelisation for Christ, and the charity operates in over 80 countries worldwide!
Our camps are for young people from all backgrounds and have a strong basis of Christian and Mission teaching. At camp we emphasise the central aspects of the Christian faith along with our ethos of good times, good teaching and good involvement.
Contagious (various summer holiday dates)
age: 8-19
Cost: £399 (bursaries available) all inclusive of accommodation, food, activities and teaching materials.
Type: smaller scale to send your young people to
Adventure, 8-11* year olds, 5th-11th August 2023, Blundell’s School, Tiverton, Devon
Go, 11-14* year-olds, GO Central 22nd-28th July 2023, Kingham Hill School, Oxfordshire | GO ScoNo, 22nd-28th July 2023, Barnard Castle School, County Durham | GO West, 5th-11th Aug 2023, Pioneer Centre, Worcestershire | GO South West, 5th-11th Aug 2023, Blundell’s School, Devon | GO East, 19th-25th Aug 2023, Orwell Park School, Suffolk
Max, 14-19** year-olds, MAX Central 22nd-28th July 2023, Monkton Combe School, Somerset | MAX ScoNo 22nd-28th July 2023, Barnard Castle School, County Durham | MAX West 5th-11th August 2023 Pioneer Centre, Worcestershire | MAX South West 5th-11th August 2023 Blundell’s School, Devon | MAX East 19th-25th August 2023 Royal Hospital School, Suffolk
* At ADVENTURE and GO the oldest age group (11 and 14 year-olds) can choose to stay at that Conference or move up to the next age group. We have done this so that friends can stay together, however please note that the teaching and activities at ADVENTURE are aimed at 8-10 year-olds and at GO are aimed at 11-13 year-olds.
** At MAX 19 year-olds have the opportunity to stay on at MAX or to join our CREW! To find out more about serving on CREW please click here.
Contagious Bible Ministries is a Christian charity that provides youth residential conferences every summer throughout the UK. Our camps are Bible saturated, Jesus centred, increasingly popular and great fun!
Urban Saints Camps
A whole mix of camps to take groups to and holidays you can send children or youth to or take a group.
https://camps.urbansaints.org/camps/
Spree in the Borders, Fri 16th to Sun 18th June 2023.
Age: 8-19 Years, Cost: £82 (Lodges), £42 (Camping), £25 (Day ticket)
Spree South West, Fri 23rd to Sun 25th June 2023.
Age: 8-17 Years, Location: Westpoint, Exeter
type: Large scale summer event to take your youth group to.
Spree Wales, Fri 7th to Sun 9th July 2023,
Age: 8-15 Years, Location: United Counties Showground, Carmarthen
type: Large scale summer event to take your youth group to
Spree Central – We are very sorry to share that Spree Central will not be running in 2023. This is due to recent staff changes made at Urban Saints – please see our website for further information (urbansaints.org/wayforward)
Westbrook Adventure & Westbrook Challenge (*FULLY BOOKED*) Sunday 23rd to Saturday 29th July 2023.
Ages: Challenge: 13-16 year olds (school years 8 to 11), Adventure: 10-12 year olds (school years 5 to 7). Cost: £300
Location: Urban Saints Westbrook, Isle of Wight
Type: smaller scale event to send young people to
Family Camps Studland (*FULLY BOOKED*), Week 1: Sat 22nd to Wed 26th July 2023/ Week 2: Sat 20th to Wed 23rd August 2023/. Week 3: Thurs 24th to Mon 28th August 2023
Location: Studland, Dorset
Type: smaller scale event to send young people with their families to
The Studland campsite is just a few minutes walk from a beautiful sandy beach. Tents are provided, leaving you more room in the car to bring your bucket and spade! And as Family Camps are fully catered you can even have a break from cooking too.
M+M, Week 1: Sat 22nd to Sat 29th July 2023, Week 2: Sat 29th July to Sat 5th August 2023
Location: Rock UK, Frontier Centre, Nr Kettering
Type: smaller scale event to send young people to
Llanddwywe Camps (Wales)
Junior Camp, Fri 21st – Tue 25th July, Age: 8-11 Years, Location: Llanddwywe, Wales
An awesome five day Camp packed with fun activities for younger children and their Group Leaders.
Family Camps, Camp 1: Thurs 27th to Mon 31st July, Camp 2 *FULLY BOOKED*: Wed 2nd to Sun 6th August, Camp 3 *FULLY BOOKED*: Mon 8th to Fri 12th August, Age: Families, Location: Llanddwywe
For families in North Wales, we’re offering a relaxed, fully catered, fun-filled, family Camp. (We recognise that families come in all shapes and sizes. Therefore ‘family’ is defined as children with attached adults – parents, step-parents, grandparents, foster carers etc.)
Type: smaller scale event to send young people (and their families) to
Middle Park Adventure Camp, Tuesday 15th – Saturday 19th August 2023, Age: 11-18 Years, Location: Middle Park, Welshpool
Come with your group for an extraordinary week that will delight your adventurers. Once you’ve experienced the Blob, you’ll be back every year!
Type: smaller scale event to bring your group to
Cranfield Junior Camp, Sat 29th July – Sat 5th August 2023
Age: 10-14 Years, Cost: £120, Location: Chestnutt Holiday Park, Cranfield
Looking for an action-packed week away? Then Cranfield is the Camp for you! The location is simply phenomenal – you’ll be camping near the beach and overlooking the Mourne Mountains. Each day will be packed full of brilliant activities, chances to explore Christianity and build friendships.
Type: smaller scale event to send young people to
Kalos, Sun 6th to Sat 12th August 2023
Come along to Kalos for an awesome week filled with fun, friendship, food and, most importantly, Jesus. We will be delving into God’s word throughout our week to find out who God created us to be.
Type: smaller scale event to send young people to
Nefyn Camps
Type: smaller scale event to send young people to
Camp A, Sat 22nd to Sat 29th July 2023.
Age: 16-18 Years Location: Llyn Peninsula, North Wales
Nefyn A camp is the eldest age group and there is a great chilled out vibe around the camp! We still have all the classic Nefyn activities which we all know and love, but there is also free time built in for personal quiet times, trips off camp, and time spent doing random activities and games on the camp site which take place both outside and under marquee! There’s also the opportunity to re-connect with friends made at Nefyn over the years as well as make new friends!
Camp B, Sat 29th July to Sat 5th August 2023.
Age:9-11 Years. Location: Llyn Peninsula, North Wales
This Camp will include activities like ‘hunt the leader’, beach games, crafts, tournaments, sports, ‘it’s a washout’, camp fires, tuck shop and off-site optional trips. The week is led by an experienced team with a family atmosphere on the camp. We have an evening meeting including challenges, drama and music as we explore our Bible based theme.
Camp C, Sat 5th to Sat 12th August 2023
C camp is a fun filled week, with lots of exciting activities and a chance to speand time with friends, both old and new. We try to spend as much time as possible on the beach, whether crabbing, swimming, building sandcastles or just chatting! We aim for the atmosphere to be that of an extended family and to pack the day with lots of organised activities – this makes for happy children who sleep well at night!
Nefyn C is fully booked. 9/01/23
Early Bird Bookings are open and Camp C is now fully booked so we have amended the age ranges on D & E Camp to accommodate 13 year olds.
- If your child is 12 or 13, please consider booking on E Camp if you can make those dates
- If your child is 13 or 14, please consider booking on D Camp if you can make those dates.
Camp D, Sat 12th to Sat 19th August 2023
D camp is a fun packed week at the end of the summer for 14-16 year olds where campers can come and spend time with friends and make new ones as we have young people from a range of different places. We spend our week getting involved in lots of different activities that aim to build friendships and bond the camp. We have a great team ready to work with the young people who really care about getting alongside them and encouraging them to get involved during the week.
Camp E, Sat 19th to Sat 26th August 2023
Age:10-13 Years. Location:Llyn Peninsula, North Wales
E Camp is a fun packed week for 10-13 year olds. The camp will include activities like hunt the leader, beach games, crafts, tournament games, sports, it’s a washout, camp fire, tuck shop and off-site optional trips. The week is led by experienced helpers with a family atmosphere on the camp. We have an evening meeting including challenges, drama and music as we explore our Bible based theme. This is always the highlight of the day and enjoyed by all on the camp.
Scripture Union Holidays
Dates: Various throughout the year including summer holidays (we’ve listed all the summer ones below)
Age: 8 to 18
Cost: Various
Locations: various UK from camping, to boats, to indoor accommodation.
Type: smaller scale but a mix of types, some to send young people to and some you can take a group to (if you sign up for free to be an SU Faith Guide!)
Over 45 camps and holidays to take your group or send your kids and young people to from April to November including camping, boarding schools and activity centres. You can also apply to be a youth leader volunteer if you’d like to serve.
Families Together, Fri 7th Jul – Sun 9th Jul
Duration: 2 nights | Age: 0-18
Price: Standard – £109.00 | Under 5 – £29.00 | Under 8 – £69.00 | Under 11 – £69.00 | Under 15 – £109.00
Families Together is a residential activity weekend for families with children 0-18 years based at a log cabin site in Somerset.
SOLID festival, Fri 14th Jul – Sun 16th Jul
Age: 8-18 Years 4 to 13, cost: £40
SOLID is an annual festival for 8 to 17 year olds that brings together hundreds of children and young people from across the South East of England to discover and worship Jesus while taking part in all kinds of adventure, creative and sporting activities. Accommodation is in tents. The festival is organised by Scripture Union, Red Balloon Foundation, Kick London and the Diocese of Chelmsford and is open to any children’s/youth group from any denominational background to attend.
You can find the full schedule and more here https://www.solidfestival.org.uk/
Great Wood eXperience, Sun 23rd Jul – Sat 29th Jul | Duration:6 nights
Age: 10-12 Years 6 and 7 (boys only)
Price: Standard – £276.00 | Accommodation: Log Cabin
Great Wood eXperience is a residential outdoor activity holiday for 10 to 12 year old boys based in log cabins in the heart of the quantock hills in Somerset.
SUbmerge, Sun 23rd Jul – Sat 29th Jul | Duration:6 nights
Age: 11-14 Years 7 to 9
Price: Standard – £282.00 | Accommodation:Boarding School
SUbmerge is a residential multi activity holiday for 11 to 14 year olds based at a boarding school in Berkshire.
Submerge yourself in an action-packed week of fun and study. Unscramble and react to Bible truths in an energetic and fun way. Enjoy the Crystal Maze, Wetter the Better, wide games and grounds. Get in deeper to discover God’s plan for your life. Know How to learn a new skill. What more could you ask for, but a week filled with fun, fellowship, study, challenge and games.
The Maze, Sun 23rd Jul – Sat 29th Jul | Duration: 6 nights
Age:11-15 Years 7 to 10
Price:Standard – £276.00 | Accommodation:Boarding School
The Maze is a residential multi activity holiday for 12 to 15 year olds based at a boarding school in the Peak District. With activities ranging from art to bushcraft, caving to drama, the mysterious ‘Enigma’ to football, there’s something that you’ll love – and that only covers A to F! Come and join us for an aMAZEing holiday!
Longbarn, 1- Mon 24th Jul – Sat 29th Jul (fully booked), 2- Mon 31st Jul – Sat 5th Aug (fully booked), 3- Mon 7th Aug – Sat 12th Aug (fully booked), 4- Mon 14th Aug – Sat 19th Aug (fully booked) | Duration: 5 nights
Age: 8-11 years
Price:Standard – £115.00 | Accommodation: Tents
Longbarn is the perfect place for children to actively experience the joys of camping in the gorgeous Kent countryside.
The fun packed daily programme is led by the woodland setting and includes choices of activity such as hiking, and exploring the woods and streams, and playing exhilarating wide games. Arts and crafts, drama and singing, cooking on campfires, together with finding out more about the Bible.
Please be aware, due to restrictions on accommodation we ask that you email camp leader confirming number of children and week you wish to attend and wait on confirmation before booking your place and avoiding disappointment by via emailing longbarn@scriptureunion.org.uk
Harriers, Sat 29th Jul – Sat 5th Aug | Duration: 7 nights
Age: 15-18 Years 10 to 13
Price: Standard – £315.00 | Accommodation: Boat
Harriers is a sailing holiday for 15 to 18 year olds on the Norfolk Broads. Harriers is perfect for blowing away those term-time stresses. Sit back and relax as you sail on the Norfolk Broads, on a unique fleet of traditional yachts. Learn new skills, meet new friends, recharge your batteries, but be prepared for a challenge both in sailing and with God. The perfect holiday – cruising, carefree and Christ-filled. Come and discover it for yourself. PS there’s cake.
Spot the Difference, Sun 30th Jul – Sat 5th Aug | Duration: 6 nights
Age: 8-11 Years 4 to 6
Price: Standard – £276.00 | Accommodation: Boarding School
Spot the Difference is a multi-activity holiday for 8 to 11 year olds based at a boarding school in the Peak District. For children who haven’t spent time away from home before Spot the Difference gives the opportunity chance to play sports and wide games, create art, act, swim, sing or play music and be part of the Spot the Difference family! They will be challenged to try new things and outdoor activities and then join in the celebrations with our special party!
Make the Difference, Sun 30th Jul – Sat 5th Aug | Duration: 6 nights
Age: 15-17 Years 11 and 12
Price: Standard – £276.00 | Accommodation: Boarding School
Make the Difference is a residential leadership training holiday for 15 to 17 year olds based at a prep school in Derbyshire. Looking to deepen your faith and discover your place in God’s plan? Join us for Make the Difference. A week of building friendships, discovering more about God and your importance in serving God and others. With a specific focus on building confidence in servant-hearted leadership, there will be opportunities to deepen your faith, discover your passions and skills and explore how to put them into action in your daily life. There will be plenty of time for games, challenges, tea and cake!
Great Dayz, Mon 31st Jul – Sat 5th Aug | Duration: 5 nights
Age: 8-11 Years 3 to 6
Price: Standard – £230.00 | Accommodation: Log Cabin
Great Dayz is a residential activity holiday for 8 to 11 year olds based at an outdoor activity centre in Somerset. Great Dayz is based at the fantastic Great Wood in the Quantock Hills. Children stay in log cabins and enjoy the forest environment, a mixture of traditional and new games and activities, the swimming pool, and take a close look at a different book from the Bible each year. We want the children to enjoy the week and learn about God from His word! This year we are looking at the exciting book of Exodus.
Lagger, week 1 Mon 31st Jul – Fri 4th Aug or week 2 Mon 7th Aug – Fri 11th Aug (fully booked) | Duration: 4 nights
Age: 8-11 Years 3 to 6 (Please note spaces available for females only)
Price: Standard – £121.00 | Accommodation: Tents
Lagger 1 is an outdoor camping holiday for 8 to 11 year olds based in Gloucestershire.
Lagger camps have an active outdoor programme which includes games, walks, wood crafts, cooking lunch, campfires, and free time for the campers to play football, experience the aerial runway, trampoline or jumping in the splash pool!
There is a daily club time featuring songs, competitions, Bible stories and prayers which gives the children time to think about Jesus and have fun too.
We make the most of our stay on camp by cooking our lunch on a campfire, drinking cocoa before bed and sleeping out under the stars!
Activ8, Mon 31st Jul – Sat 5th Aug | Duration: 5 nights
Age: 8-11
Price: Standard – £230.00 | Accommodation: Boarding School
Activ8 is a multi-activity residential holiday for 8 to 11 year olds based at a boarding school in Wiltshire. Are you ready for a fun multi-activity holiday? There will be sports, games, crafts and swimming (every day). We will have fun learning from the Bible and make lots of new friends. We can’t wait to meet you!
Curtains Up, Mon 31st Jul – Sun 6th Aug | Duration: 6 nights
Age: 12-17 years
Price:Standard – £282.00 | Accommodation: Boarding School
Curtains Up! is a creative arts holiday for ages 12 – 17 in Wokingham. We are a creative arts holiday giving you the opportunity to explore your gifts in the arts and what the Bible teaches us about God; occasionally at the same time! In previous years, creative workshops have included dance, drama, film, photography, singing, visual arts and lot of other cool stuff! Curtains Up! is filled with friendship, fun and food and we look forward to having you join us.
LiveWires, Sun 6th Aug – Sun 13th Aug | Duration: 7 nights
Age:12-15 Years 7 to 10
Price: Standard – £322.00 | Accommodation: Boarding School
LiveWires is a Technology-themed residential holiday for 12 to 15 year olds based at a boarding school in Wiltshire.
LiveWires is a technology-focused week which gives young people the chance to experience the worlds of computer animation, video production, electronics, programming and recording studios with systems used by professionals. There’s time away from the computers each day and a day out too.
The ratio of team members to campers is high, with great opportunities to get to know and support young people within their faith journey. This holiday is based at a boarding school in Wiltshire and facilities include an outdoor heated swimming pool. You can find out more here.
The Real Thing, Sun 6th Aug – Sat 12th Aug | Duration: 6 nights
Age: 15-17 Years 11 to 13
Price: Standard – £276.00 | Accommodation: Log Cabin
The Real Thing is a residential forest adventure holiday for 15 to 17 year olds based at a purpose-built activity centre in Somerset.
The Real Thing is a weeklong mix of fun, action, friendship, excitement, adventure, silliness, and growth aimed directly at older teenagers. The holiday takes place in a wooded valley in an area of outstanding natural beauty, so we sleep in log cabins, do a fair bit of outdoor stuff like walks on the hills, including a hike with overnight camping. Accommodation: Dorms sleeping 4-8
Create 2, Mon 7th Aug – Fri 11th Aug | Duration: 4 nights
Age: 10-13
Price: Standard – £232.00 | Accommodation: Boarding School
Create 2 is a residential holiday for anyone who loves getting arty and crafty. Would you love a holiday when you can get really creative? Then this is the one for you. Each day there will be lots of time to spend on different art and craft projects, as well as time to socialise, chill and sample the goodies that the guests on the SU Bake Off 2 holiday are producing.
Bake off 2, Mon 7th Aug – Fri 11th Aug
Duration: 4 nights
Age: 11-13 Years 6 to 8
Price: Standard – £232.00
Accommodation: Boarding School
The SU Bake Off 2 is a baking holiday for 11 to 13 year olds based at a boarding school in Berkshire. Do you love spending time in the kitchen and cooking up amazing new creations? This is the holiday for you: our summer baking holiday is packed full of time to be creative in the kitchen! We have fantastic leaders on hand to help develop your baking skills at our baking holiday where you’ll spend time in the kitchen with numerous opportunities to socialise with others, including those on the Create 2 holiday, and to enjoy other on-site activities.
Slam Llanm, Mon 7th Aug – Thu 10th Aug | Duration: 3 nights
Age: 11-16
Price: Standard – £135.00 | Accommodation: Activity Centre
Holiday for Faith Guide groups in Wales.
Designed for Faith Guides (children’s and youth workers working with those not in church) to bring their groups and come with them on team and continue the journey with them.
Join us as we discover the adventure of finding and following God in some wild places!
This holiday can only be booked via a Faith Guide and is not open to general applications
Unlimited, Tue 8th Aug – Sat 12th Aug (fully booked) | Duration: 4 nights
Age: 19-24
Price: Standard – £256.00 | Accommodation: Activity Centre
Unlimited is a multi-activity residential event for 19 to 24 year old young adults with learning disabilities in Norfolk.
Unlimited will give you the opportunity to have great fun, make new friends and learn more about Jesus. It is a multi-activity holiday for young adults with learning difficulties and everything will be geared towards helping you to have an amazing holiday in a safe and secure environment.
There will be a guest to team ratio of around 1:1 to ensure everyone receives the support they need.
Soak a leader, brave the zip wire, make your camp t-shirt and chill out around a camp fire – this will be a holiday to remember!
Based in a residential centre near Norwich, there will be lots of different things to do during the week. Whether you are up for an adventure or just want a laid back and fun holiday, at Unlimited there is something for everyone.
X:site, Wed 9th Aug – Sun 13th Aug | Duration: 4 nights
Age: 8-11 Years 3 to 6
Price: Standard – £152.00 | Accommodation: Activity Centre
X:site is a residential holiday for 8 to 11 year olds based at an activity centre in North Yorkshire. X:site is the place of the cross, a fun, friendly and modern way of exploring your faith. Amongst lots of gunge, silly games, a theme park trip, lively meetings and making lifelong friends and memories we learn more about ourselves and our world helping us to evaluate what we believe. Our aim is to have lots of fun whilst looking at the gospel; providing children with the information they need to make an informed choice about their faith journey. Both indoor and tented accommodation is available. Accommodation: Dorms with bunks (sleep 4-6 people) or shared tents
High Tide, 1- Sat 12th Aug – Wed 16th Aug, 2- Wed 16th Aug – Sun 20th Aug | Duration: 4 nights
Age: 11-16
Price: Standard – £150.00 | Accommodation: Boarding School
Holidays for Faith Guide groups in SW England.
Designed for Faith Guides (children’s and youth workers working with those not in church) to bring their groups and come with them on team and continue the journey with them.
Join us as we discover the adventure of finding and following God in some wild places!
This holiday can only be booked via a Faith Guide and is not open to general applications
Ka’zoo & Ka’zoo 2.0, Sun 13th Aug – Fri 18th Aug | Duration: 5 nights
Age: 8-11 school Years 3 to 6 and 12 to 15 year olds school years 7 to 10
Price: Standard – £335.00 | Accommodation: Boarding School
Ka’zoo is a multi-activity residential holiday for 8 to 11 year olds and 12 to 15 year olds based at a boarding school in Somerset.
Ka’zoo crams the time of your life into six days. Make life-long friendships, challenge yourself to try new things, laugh until you cry, and discover how to live life to its fullest by meeting Jesus and getting to know him through the Bible. It’s a week you’ll never forget!
Accommodation: Rooms sleep 1 or 2 people.
Wide Open, Sun 13th Aug – Thu 17th Aug | Duration: 4 nights
Age: 14-19 Years 9 to 13
Price: Standard – £240.00 | Accommodation: Log Cabin
Wide Open is a residential holiday for 14 to 18 year olds with a learning disability based at a purpose-built activity centre in Somerset.
Wide Open is held at Great Wood in the heart of the Quantock Hills, on a beautiful camp site with log cabins and an outdoor swimming pool. The holiday perfectly lends itself to young people who are unable to access mainstream camps with opportunities to try activities such as low ropes, archery and cycling, not to mention a traditional camp fire for all to enjoy. With a one-to-one ratio both the teaching and the activities are tailored to suit the specific needs of the young people.
Through the message of Jesus, the unique location and the exciting activities, we know you will go away with memories to last a life time.
Voice Music, Sun 13th Aug – Wed 16th Aug | Duration: 3 nights
Age: 11-18 Years 7 to 13
Price: Standard – £125.00 | Accommodation: church
Voice Music is a performing arts holiday for 11 to 18 year olds based at a church near Warrington, Cheshire.
Voice Music brings together young musicians from all over the country to make exceptional music, explore faith and have loads of fun! So if you love singing, or playing rock or orchestral instruments why wait? Find out more about us here.
Accommodation for this holiday is on site at a church or young people can sleep at their home each night. If you wish for your young person to return home each night please indicate in the ‘Please detail any specific additional or health needs we need to consider‘ section of the application.
Edale Adventure, Tue 15th Aug – Fri 18th Aug (fully booked) | Duration: 3 nights
Age: 8-11 years
Price:nStandard – £141.00 | Accommodation: Activity Centre
Edale Adventure is a residential holiday offering a range of outdoor activities as well as games and crafts
Edale Adventure is a week full of; fun, faith, making new friends, water fights and activities. Located in the beautiful Peak District, we can’t wait to make the most of the local area, play games and enjoy activities on site.
As places are limited, please contact sarahhs@scriptureunion.org.uk before making a booking.
Escape, Fri 18th Aug – Thu 24th Aug | Duration: 6 nights
Age: 12-14 years
Price: Standard – £276.00 | Accommodation: Log Cabin
Escape is residential forest adventure holiday for children aged 12 to 14 years held at a log cabin site in Somerset.
Escape offers games, challenges, swimming, arts and crafts – plus a visit to an amazing outdoor centre where you can try abseiling, raft building and rock climbing.
Join us as we discover the adventure of finding and following God in some wild places!
In previous years we have explored fire making; swam in an outdoor pool; built our own shelters; toasted marshmallows around a roaring campfire; enjoyed fun team challenges under the stars; had a go at archery and the low ropes courses.
Accommodation: Dorms with bunks (sleep 4-8 people)
Transformers, Sun 20th Aug – Sun 27th Aug | Duration: 7 nights
Age: 14-18 years
Price: Standard – £329.00 | Accommodation: Boarding School
Transformers is a residential holiday for 14-18 year olds which combines technology and faith. Get away for week and be creative with technology whilst exploring faith. At Transformers you will use professional equipment and software to level up your videography, coding, music production or photography. Away from the screens, we’ll learn more about God, the Bible and faith, as well as having a party, a banquet and time and space to relax with board games, in the wonderful grounds, or just in a quiet corner. So if you’ve got ideas ready to be captured in sound, vision and code, come and join us at Transformers!
Love All, Tue 22nd Aug – Fri 25th Aug | Duration: 3 nights
Age: 11-13 year olds
Price: Standard – £162.00 | Accommodation: Boarding School
This holiday for anyone who loves sport and would like to improve their skills. You will have lots of time on the courts plus other fun activities as well including Netball, Basketball, Football, Cricket and Hockey. The holiday is based at a well equipped boarding school with dorms that mainly sleep two people.
Mallards, Sun 27th Aug – Thu 31st Aug | Duration: 4 nights
Age: 11-14 years
Price: Standard – £315.00
Accommodation: Activity Centre
Mallards is a sailing holiday for 11-14 year olds based at an activity centre in the Norfolk Broads.
Are you ready to set sail on the adventure of a lifetime? Join us on a sailing holiday on the beautiful Norfolk Broads this summer!
Not only will you have the opportunity to learn how to sail (or improve your skills), you’ll also be making new friends and taking part in a range of fun activities. From playing silly games to learning about God, there’s something for everyone on Mallards. We’ll be staying in wooden cabins at a nearby campsite, with a games field, campfire, chill out space and more, then heading out in the boats each day.
Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to have lots of fun and make lasting memories on the Norfolk Broads. Sign up today and get ready to set sail!
Find all the holidays listed and more at England and Wales https://events.scriptureunion.org.uk/events.php
Scotland SUholidays.org.uk
Suffolk Christian Camps (summer holidays)
Type: smaller scale, send kids, send youth or take the family
Suffolk Christian Camps have provided fantastic holidays for children and families for over 60 years. You can send kids and youth to these as leaders are provided.
With three camps on offer, there’s something for everyone. Fab games, activities, great music plus an opportunity to discover more about what it means to be a Christian today.
Junior Camp – Fab fun for children in school years 5 to 9. Week 1: July 22nd – July 29th Week 2: July 29th – August 5th, Price: £105.00 per-person, £30.00 deposit required to secure place.
Summer Madness (youth) – Summer mayhem and madness for young people in school year 10 to age 19, August 5th – 12th, Price: £110.00 per-person, £42.00 deposit required to secure place.
Family Camp – Family fun for all ages, Week 1: August 12th – 19th Week 2: August 19th – August 26th Price: £105.00 for adults & teens; £55.00 for children, £20.00 deposit per person required to secure place. Children are ages 4 to 12 with 3’s & under free Camp tent hire fee: £30, Site fee £50 (to bring your own tent/caravan).
www.suffolkchristiancamps.org.uk
Aquasports, 6th to 13th August 2023
age: 13 to 18 years
location: South Woodford, London
cost: £395 early bird, £445 full price (includes food, tents, safety gear and all the activities)
Type: smaller scale, send young people
The best Youth Christian Water Sports Holiday on the Planet!
AQUASPORTS is a Christian based activity holiday and water sports camp for young people. Any young person between 13 to 18 years, of any background and any sporting ability, can come and experience a week of exciting activities – on and off the water.
This amazing holiday offers young people the chance to learn and improve a range of water sports activities in a safe environment, taught by qualified instructors. Aside from all the sports on offer, Aquasports is a great place to meet up with other young people and discover who God is and go deeper in relationship with him. It is an opportunity to find out how Christ can transform our lives and the difference this can make when back home, at school, college, university or work!
Bursaries are available to help with costs. Please contact us for details:
bookings@aquasports.org.uk or apply online.
Ventures and Falcons
Various dates throughout the year including summer hols, october half term and more from 3 to 6 nights
Age: 8 to 18
Cost: from £160 to £393
Locations: various across UK
Type: smaller scale, send young people
CPAS run holidays for 8-18s full of great activities, friendship and fun with the opportunity to explore life with Jesus.
Ventures are fun-filled holidays that offer children and young people the opportunity to make great friends, take part in incredible activities and explore life with Jesus. They are open to children and teenagers of any faith or none at all, and regardless of family circumstances, race, gender or sexuality – every young person is welcome! Packed full of adventures and with time to relax, they give young people the chance to make long-lasting, life-enhancing friendships. There’s a choice of around 70 Ventures to pick from offering a massive range of activities. And best of all explore how the promises, challenges and questions in the Bible can apply to life, with the help of our amazing leaders.
Falcons are subsidised holidays, designed to suit children and young people who may face disadvantage or difficult circumstances in their daily lives. School Ventures give pupils at Church of England primary schools the chance to investigate the core concepts of the Christian faith for themselves.
Lee Abbey Youth Camp, 12-18 August 2023 (Sat-Fri) or 19-25 August 2023 (Sat-Fri)
Age: 13-18
Cost: £190 per person (tents are provided!) (Bursaries are available)
Location: Devon
Type: smaller scale, send young people or take your group
An amazing week to come explore the Christian faith through worship, creative teaching and seminars. Not to mention the fun and crazy games, crafts and space to be you! With a programme full of sports, activities, crafts, messy games and time to chill out and enjoy the beauty of camp (the field overlooks the beach!!), we hope you’ll develop friendships and make new ones!
Camp has been a huge part of many people’s lives since it began in 1948 and we would love to welcome you in the summer!
The Field at Lee Abbey, 29 July – 7 August 2023 (Sat-Mon)
Age: 18-30’s
Cost: £225 per person (or day rate £30) (bursaries are available)
Location: Devon
Type: smaller scale, send young people/young adults
‘The Field’ is a Christian camping community opportunity for 18-30 year olds which is held at the beginning of the Summer.
The Field is many things – a holiday, a Christian community, a chance to pause … all in a stunningly beautiful location framed by rolling wooded hills and our very own beach. The Field is a unique place for anyone aged 18 – 30, whether single, a couple or a family, to come and be, to explore God’s great love, to meet new people, to be creative or simply to step out of the busyness of life. We will welcome you, cook for you, entertain you, worship with you, offer you inspiration, peace, rest or even a challenge. We will pray for you, laugh with you and stand beside you – whatever stage of the faith journey you are at. Sound good? It is. Do join us!
https://leeabbeydevon.org.uk/visit/camps/thefield/
Wild Hope, 6-15 July 2023
Age: 18-25 year olds
Cost: Only £195 (Includes all food, accommodation & outreach transportation for 10 days!)
Location: YWAM Harpenden, Hertfordshire
Type: Send young people/young adults or go as a group
Share Hope to the hopeless. Gather with other young adults to share Jesus in the UK.
An effective outreach team needs a whole mix of people: prayer warriors, evangelists, worship leaders, social action champions, creative communicators, digital influencers administrators and those who are great with kids… Whatever your gift or passion, if you want to encounter more of God and share him with others, join us this Summer!
Join our two day training camp at YWAM Harpenden. Deepen your understanding of the Father’s love – Learn how to talk about your faith – Take your prayer life to a whole new level
Travel with your team to serve alongside a local church for a week. Experience worship in mission – See God work in the lives of people outside the church – Work as a team to support each other.
Gather back with the other teams to process your experiences and celebrate what God has done. Be commissioned to continue living a life of mission.
For last minute bookings or next year perhaps:
Big Church Festival 27 & 28 MAY 2023 | WISTON ESTATE | WEST SUSSEX
Go for the day or camp.
Join with over 35,000 people from across the UK and beyond to worship together in the jaw-dropping surroundings of the Wiston Estate, in the company of some of the best Christian artists in the world.
Each year, rippling flags and worship anthems ring out from the mainstage as families flock to the field of fun, and cream teas are served within earshot of choirs surrounded by the beautiful gardens of Wiston House. This is the church; all tribes and all ages, campsites becoming communities, memories in the making, the happiest festival-goers on the planet.
COME AS GROUP – Whether it’s your church, your mates, or your family, the more people you bring, the more discount is applied to everyone’s tickets. There is no minimum group size, but savings start at 10+ people. Cost from £35. (camping is £22.50 pp extra)
INDIVIDUALS – For anyone not coming as part of a group (less than 10 people). We have various options for senior citizens, students, families and more. Cost from £64 (camping is £22.50pp extra)
www.bigchurchfestival.com
Wildfires, 29TH – 31st May
Age: 11-18’s (kids groups too)
Accommodation: camping
Type: large scale, bring a group or go as a family
We will be back on the Wiston Estate, West Sussex, in May 2023 for three incredible days together, contending for the next great awakening! Wildfires is a three day festival, it was launched in 2018 as a joint adventure between 24-7 Prayer, Worship Central, Bible Society, Pioneer, Fusion, Big Church Day Out and Tearfund. Wildfires 2023 will be held 29th – 31st May, this year we will be AFTER Big Church Festival on the 27th-28th May and you get access to all five days for the price of three!
If you are group who are part of a Wildfires Camping Village, then you can look forward to having access to one of the Wildfires Village Halls. These are spaces supplied with fridges, power points and lighting as well as lots of space to socialise and eat with your group.
Both Wildfires Villages and the General Camping Area will have a fire pit with hay bales for seating so you can make new friends and enjoy those cosy evening fireside chats.
https://wildfiresfestival.com/need-to-know/about/
Spring Harvest @Skegness 1 – 5 April 2024 | @Minehead 8 – 12 April 2024
All ages
Type: large scale, but mostly indoors, take a group or go as a family
Accomodation: chalets
A christian takeover of Butlins at Skegness and Minehead, accommodation is indoors in chalets, food comes with options for catered or self catering and there are venues with teaching and activites for the different age groups, families, adults, kids and youth.
https://www.springharvest.org/events/
Know of a Christian camp or holiday we haven’t got listed? Let us know so we can add it now or include it next year.