As youth workers we know that one of the most powerful, memorable and sometimes life-changing ways to work with young people is to send them or take them away overnight – on a camp, to a residential centre, to a festival, on a mission team or a pilgrimage….
But the choices of what’s out there can be overwhelming. What’s best for YOUR group?
Or maybe you go to the same camp or event every year and aren’t aware that there might be something else more suitable out there?
We’ve tried to find as many residentials as we can, group them into “types” and give a brief description so you have an idea of if it might be good for your group. We’ve also added links so that you can go directly to their websites to find out more and book in. Where we know dates for this year, we have added them.
We’ve also added in Youth Leader training conferences and gatherings, and Young Leader residentials.
If we have missed any that you can recommend, please get in touch and let us know.
Pilgrimages and joining Communities
Usually popular with those in the catholic traditions, but not exclusively by any means; going on a pilgrimage or joining an established Community can be a profound spiritual experience for young people.
Taize The huge gathering of young people from all over Europe in France, led by the Brothers of the Taize Community.
Iona On the beautiful remote island off the Western coast of Scotland, there is a Christian Community who host groups of young people (and adults). 
Walsingham Youth Pilgrimage 1-5th August 2016,
For the very brave, there is the ambitious Santiago walking pilgrimage in Spain. Follow the link to Peterborough Diocese’s group page.
Camps & Houseparties
Mostly but not exclusively run by evangelical and ecumenical Mission agencies, there are many holiday options to choose from for your young people.
Ventures & Falcons run by CPAS, 90 camps over Easter and Summer, across the UK. Fun Christian camps, Falcon Camps are especially designed for young people facing disadvantage in their lives.
Youth for Christ organise evangelistic and fun Rock Solid activity weekends, including one at Kings Park, Northampton for 11-14’s. Some of these camps are designed for you to take your group, rather than send young people individually.
YFC have also launched a new Residential option for 8-11’s The Big Academy weekend.
Scripture Union Camps and Holidays – Including: The Maze 21-28th August, Action Replay 6-13th August, Training in Action, 6-13th August, Helter Skelter 14-20th August at Brackley
And our own Rev Ben Philips from the Tove benefice runs an SU camp at Great Wood on 6-13th August 2016
Urban Saints similarly offer a wide range of Christian Holidays for young people across the UK
If you’d like to take your own young people away for a weekend but need some help resourcing and running the weekend, why not ask Pulse Ministries to help.
Young Leaders’ Opportunities
Young people who show signs of leadership can often grow and develop in their ministries and gifts by putting their skills to the test and joining a team.
Scripture Union Count me In have many ways that young people can volunteer and be part of teams, such as Beach and Summer Missions teams –
All the major festivals/conferences have opportunities to volunteer in their teams eg Spring Harvest, Greenbelt, Soul Survivor, New Wine etc
We have our own weekend away for Young Leaders in the Diocese: Inspire
This year it will be held on 21st-23rd January 2016 for 14-18year olds. For more information and to book contact Pete White, Youth Officer
Festivals
There is a spectrum of Christian festivals for young people of different ages and personalities….
Spree – Urban Saints’ fun camping festivals, full of activites, teaching and discipleship for 8-15 year olds
There are festivals across the country but the local Spree to us is in our Diocese at the Rock UK, Frontier Centre in Irthlingborough on 3rd-5th July
Soul Survivor – the popular youth spin off from New Wine, there are various opportunities during the Summer and year round to camp and experience their Charismatic style, big worship events. New Wine itself is on 23rd-29th July, and 31st-6th August, where there will be opportunities for Young people to work on teams.
Soul Survivor Dates for 2016 :Week A – 27-31st July Staffs, B & C – August 13-17th, 19-23rd B&Wells, Scotland 6-10th August
Greenbelt Arts, Faith and Justice Festival, that defies pigeon-holing, recently moved home into our Diocese to the beautiful Boughton House near Kettering. In 2016 it will be on August 26-29th. As the host Diocese we have negotiated lots of great offers for young people (half price!) and youth leaders (we have FREE tickets to give away!!) and local people ( free Sunday morning and cut price day tickets for certain postcodes). Get in touch on becky.wills@peterborough-diocese.com to find out more.
Creation Fest in Cornwall is a FREE(!) music, skating and Bible teaching festival, for all the family but great for those who love skateboarding.
Big Church Day Out is a large low key evangelistic event, where big numbers gather for music, fellowship and worship in West Sussex, next year on 28th & 29th May 2016.
Walsingham Youth Pilgrimage could also be put into this category too.
Spring Harvest is a teaching and worship event that is held over Easter at various Butlins sites around the UK. There is a full youth programme and opportunities to volunteer for young people.
Young Adults
An off shoot of Soul Survivor for young adults Momentum 22-26th July Staffordshire and there’s a Momentum Wkend 29th April – 2nd May Bordeaux 
There has been a New Wine Retreat to Advance weekend of renewal for 18 to 39 year olds in the last few years, contact them to find out id there will be one in 2016
YFC hold a weekend for students to be “challenged physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually” called Explore:the Residential
Youth Worker Conferences
As well as resourcing and inspiring your Young people, it can be vital for our youth workers to be re-charged, trained and encouraged. Unfortunately the three main conferences are not on this year. We will let you know of resourcing, encouraging and networking opportunities that come up and we are working on creating local hubs for youth workers. Get in touch to find out more and where your local hub will be.
Youthwork the Conference, is on a break this year, but hopes to be back in 2017
Youthwork Summit is a fast-paced, packed day of many and varied TED talks by youth work practitioners, experts and 
leaders. There are no dates for 2016 yet but you can watch lots of the short talks online.
The Soul Survivor Youth Leader training wing is Soulnet Retreat though they are currently pausing to re-envision their future resourcing of youth leaders.
Residential Centres
Places where you can take your group, in the local area or within reach.Some are outward bounds type centres, with activities as part of the rental agreement, or as optional extras, some are just places to stay. Click on the links to find out more.
There are two search websites plus YHA general search
And a general site aimed at private groups
Using Youth Hostels as a base for a group: YHA 
Individual centres
St Marks College, Audley End (Saffron Walden)
Chellington Centre, nr Bedford
Greenhedges – Sheringham
Abbey Woods House, Norfolk sleeps 10 (with indoor pool)
Buckden Towers, Huntingdon
Letton Hall, Thetford
Asheldham, Essex (Chelmsford Diocese)
Mandate House, Clopton, nr Thrapston, Northants
Woolhope Centre, Oxfordshire
Frontier Centre, Rock UK (Irthlingborough, Northants) with activites. Rock also work with Pulse Ministries who can provide the spiritual content for your weekend.
Harby Centre, Melton Mowbray,
Caldecotte Xperience, Milton Keynes, with activites 
Sir John Lowther Scout Centre, Kettering, with activity options
Grendon Hall, Northampton (incl Yurts) Longtown Outdoor Centre, Hereford & Everdon Field Centre (incl bunkhouse)
Aldwincle Champing (camping in a church!)
Funding Help
Some camps or organisations represented above offer ways that they can help with costs of sending young people away, see individual websites.
The Diocese also has the 450 Fund to help send young people on camps and Christian holidays, contact Pete White for more details
