Camp

For many years the church has run a camp in the Summer half-term for children in school years 6-10, in co-operation with our sister churches Sharnbrook and Kempston Evangelical Churches. This has given those who go to any of these churches’ youth activities an opportunity for a few days away getting to know each other better and enjoying a variety of outdoor activities. The camp is based in Coniston, in the south west Lake District. Coniston Water is famous for Donald Campbell’s world water speed record attempts; the Coniston hills are a popular walking area.

We use St Andrew’s Youth Centre, which accommodates up to 50 people. We call it “Camp” because we used to camp in tents in Yorkshire, and didn’t want to change the name when we moved to Coniston! The only real differences are that we sleep indoors and have showers, real toilets and a drying room in the Centre. St Andrew’s Youth Centre is a converted school providing accommodation, cooking, meeting and indoor games facilities (table tennis, pool, table football). It has a catering standard kitchen, a dining room and a hall which we use for our morning meetings and for games. Campers are expected to help with washing-up and cleaning jobs around the centre. Camp gives everyone a chance to make new friends and try a variety of outdoor activities in an enjoyable and safe atmosphere. This year we plan to include:

  • Rock Climbing
  • Mountain Walking
  • Navigation
  • Abseiling
  • Canoeing

      • All activities are supervised by leaders with suitable qualifications or experience. Several leaders hold nationally recognised qualifications and between them the leaders have many years of experience leading groups of young people in the Lake District and other similar parts of the country.

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    Two camp leaders are qualified nurses and several other leaders hold current first aid certificates. We provide an overall adult:camper ratio of 1:3 or better for the week. In 2006 Camp ran from Sunday 28 May – Friday 2 June. This year it was co-ordinated by Martyn Hallett (Pastor of Goldington Evangelical Church).

    If you have any questions about any aspect of the camp then please do not hesitate to contact Martyn Hallett on 01234 402526, at 77 Foster Hill Road, Bedford MK40 2EX or email martyn@gec.org.uk. Alternatively, visit the Contact page.