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Reports on Pathfinder and CYFA 'Camps' that our young people have participated in.
Taken from the Church Magazine.
1989 Pathfinders at Gaines
1989 CYFA at Blaithwaite
1990 The Gaines Experience
1990 Blaithwaite
1991 Blaithwaite
1991 Gaines 1991, Pathfinder Venture
1991 Sizewell 1991, Pathfinder Venture
1992 Blaithwaite
1992 St Anne's on Sea -Pathfinder Venture
1993 Blaithwaite
1994 Blaithwaite
1994 Gaines
1995 Gaines 3
1997 Sparkford
2007 PURE Chillin' in Wales
Pathfinders at Gaines 1989 (October 1989 edition of the magazine)
Before I went to Gaines Pathfinder Venture I had many questions in my mind. Would people be friendly? What kind of worship would there be? Would it be religious teaching all the time? Would the food be alright?
These questions were soon answered. My dormitory leader was friendly and I made very good friends with the other people in my dormitory. I really enjoyed the worship; it was lively and meaningful.
And no, we didn't have religious teaching all the time. After breakfast we studied the bible in small groups. Then in the evening we had informal services with different speakers every night. The talks were very good. Then after the services before We went to bed we had discussions and prayers which went on for much longer than they should have because we enjoyed them so much.
The rest of the time there were many other activities including dry slope skiing, 'It's a knockout', canoeing, craft workshops, tennis tournaments and many more.
The food was very good, especially enjoyed by our own Curate, Jonathan.
If anyone asked me whether they should go on a Pathfinder holiday I would strongly advise them to go. I had one of the most enjoyable holidays I have ever had. I made some very good friends. Most of all God has become a lot more important in my life.
Kate Dawson
CYFA at Blaithwaite 1989 (October 1989 edition of the magazine)
A week at Blaithwaite as a cook/helper is completely different from a week there as a member of the house party, I discovered in August this year. Time was perhaps the biggest problem; work in the kitchen dictated the amount of free time we had to join in the activities and general fun and games, to say nothing of finding the occasional moment to ourselves. This lack of time to enjoy the same things as I enjoyed last year made me quite disappointed at the beginning of the week, but by midweek I had realised that if I stopped dwelling on the things that I was missing and began concentrating on the fun I really was having in the kitchen I felt much better.
In giving something back and serving others (albeit in a small way in the kitchen) I found that I gained more from the week than I did last year when I had only myself to consider.
I adopted a short passage from Hebrews 6 to help me through the exhausting parts of the week:
"God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.."
Helen Thompson
After much persuasion from friends, I eventually agreed to go to the CYFA venture at Blaithwaite. Being 18 years old, I was taken on as a 'helper' - a position which involved preparing meals, organising the washing of dishes, carrying various heavy objects, cleaning bins, building a bonfire, supervising games and various other unsavoury tasks. However, the companionship within the group of helpers was fantastic, and we all had a great time.
Because the helpers spent a lot of time together, we did not get to mix with the rest of the members as much as we'd have liked. This did not cause me much worry, but those who had been before (as members rather than helpers) seemed to be disappointed that there was less opportunity to make friends and have fun.
Nevertheless, I thought the week was an exciting and useful experience - the atmosphere of friendship and faith was very strong and most of the talks were well structured and appropriate to the age group present. The activities and games were well organised, and provided an excellent opportunity to try new sports.
To summarise, Blaithwaite helped me to strengthen my faith and broaden my outlook in both spiritual and physical activities. It was a superb week - even for we unfortunates who had to do all the work.
Mark Beresford
The Gaines Experience 1990 (October 1990 edition of the magazine)
Gaines is a small village consisting of a few houses and a farm on the Hereford/Worcester border. The centre itself was built in the 1700s and still remains an impressive building. It has been a Christian Youth Centre since the 1960's. All through the summer there are Christian camps, involving many nationalities. Our week was for Pathfinder groups. Ten of us went with Libby Holden and Carleton Badger. There were about 100 people all together. We were in dormitories with 6 to 8 others.
In the mornings we had a quiet time, praying together before breakfast. After breakfast we attended various seminars about Jesus, his life, death and resurrection, and several other subjects. The afternoons were very sporty - canoeing, "deathslide", grass sledging, swimming, football, tennis, volleyball and not forgetting the Go-karts. There were various competitions throughout the week, the teams being: The Blue Suede Shoes, The Red Arrows, The Yellows, and undisputed best losers The Green Wellies, which was the one I was in.
In the evening we had The Meeting. This consisted of singing, praying, testimonies, and other ways of talking to Jesus. One evening after The Meeting there was an invitation to meet Jesus. I went and talked to Carleton about it. This was probably the best night of my life. I got to know Jesus and now have a good friendship with him. I owe this opportunity to Gaines, Carleton, and all my good friends at Gaines.
Jonathan Brassington
(with help from Andrew Lunn)
Blaithwaite 1990 (October 1990 edition of the magazine)
It was a hot Saturday afternoon in August as 105 eager teenagers and adults entered the courtyard of Blaithwaite House. It was the start of another eventful week of Christian fellowship and activity at the annual CYFA venture in the Lake District.
The first evening was spent familiarising ourselves with the surroundings and each other, allowing everyone to feel at home. Each morning we were roused by our resident trumpeter. Once out of bed and dressed, "Quiet Time" was called which gave all those who wanted to pray, read (or wonder what war for breakfast), time to do so.
After breakfast, the morning "Focus" meeting began. At these meetings, after a short time of praise and prayer, the challenging views of the Bible were portrayed in a powerful way. We were also given sound practical advice (aimed towards the teenage lifestyle) as to how to live as Christians. Once our minds and vocal chords were satisfied we were released into the Lake District to participate in a wide range of activities from windsurfing and canoeing to horseriding and rock-climbing.
After the hard day's sporting activities there followed a period of rest and relaxation which often became a rather chaotic game of volleyball. The bell was then rung to call us to the barn for the evening Focus meeting, where the atmosphere and fellowship filled the room as we learned more about God and worshipped him.
The hectic day was brought to a close by a brief session of hot chocolate and chat before we went on our way to our dormitory group bible studies.
The week flew by, to Saturday morning saying our fond farewells and "promise I'll writes", with the memories of an exciting week behind us. Unforgettable lessons were learned by all; of God's grace, sharing his word and - for me - having had the not so bright idea that horse riding might be fun!
The week at Blaithwaite was one when a group of friends got to know each other better, made new friends and, more importantly, gained or strengthened a steady relationship with God through Christian fellowship. Roll on next year.
Graham Chisnell
Blaithwaite 1991 (October 1991 edition of the magazine)
Northward bounding - (car allowing)
Mini-bus-ing - People Meeting
Trumpet Waking - Friend Making
Games Playing - Bible Reading
Water Fighting - Onion Peeling
Barn Dancing - Song Singing
Aerobicing - God Meeting
Up-Washing - Faith Finding
Not Sleeping - Cake Eating
Thought Provoking - Buzz Grouping
Jesus Praising - Life Changing
Mind Blowing - Thirst Quenching
Award Winning - Fond Farewelling
BLAITHWAITE!
"Blaithwaite was good for renewing lost faith and for making new friends."
"We were dead close by the end."
"We were dead by the end."
"Looking forward to next year!"
Rosie Welch
Gaines 1991, Pathfinder Venture (October 1991 edition of the magazine)
God's Go-Karts
On the 17th August 1991 I went to Gaines Pathfinder Venture for not only a fun-packed adventure week, but to learn about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
When we had finished breakfast, at 10 o'clock, we would have our seminars for one hour. They would contain three optional seminars and three fixed. My three optional seminars were 'Christians in Sport', 'Christians in Music' and 'The Media' and my three fixed were 'God - The Father', 'Jesus' and 'The Holy Spirit'. The seminars lasted for one hour every day. After that we would have free time until lunch. After lunch we would have time to do all sorts of activities like Tennis Tournaments, Volley ball Tournaments and Badminton, they also had Football, Go-Karts and Swimming. My favourite activity was the Go-Karts. For one pound you had six laps of the special track made for the go-karts - they were fast, furious and fun.
On Monday we had "It's a Knockout" to do and on Tuesday we went to a Safari Park which was wild, and an Amusement Park with rides and things to see. On Wednesday we had an assault course to go round, which was tough. The activities lasted until about S o'clock. After tea we had Teamtime where we were split up into groups. Every night we had to carry out a task to use our brains and physical ability. When we had finished Teamtime it was the evening meeting where we sang songs, had bible readings and prayed about the worlds unrest. After the meeting it was tuckshop and then bedtime.
I enjoyed Gaines very much and I thought the camp was brilliant. The facilities were very good and the food was excellent. I recommend Gaines to anyone who can go.
Rob Lewis
Sizewell 1991, Pathfinder Venture (October 1991 edition of the magazine)
This year during August a group of eight girls from our church, St. Thomas', set off on a journey to Sizewell Hall in Suffolk. For me it was my first "Christian" Holiday and I was curious at what to expect; on the one hand looking forward to the fun side of things, but on the other not so keen on the "religious" bit!
When we arrived and-had settled in, having made ourselves very much at home, it was time for the evening meeting. The atmosphere towards the meetings as we went on through the week gradually built up. Pathfinders started off with the odd clap and a few lines to the songs, but after we got to know each other and were relaxed and less self conscious it was easier to have an attitude of lifting our hearts to God. Each evening at the meeting one leader gave a talk. The topic covered was "God's World". Most talks were interesting and had you thinking of how mighty God was and of course still is!
Towards the end of the week the majority of pathfinders had become Christians. Encouragement, honesty and openness between all at Sizewell was important, but firstly to open our hearts to God and allow Him to enter. I, myself became a Christian and it was one of the best and worthwhile decisions I'll ever make. Now I as many did that week, have learnt that God is MY friend as well as my saviour. Throughout the hectic seven days there were organised games and activities and each one was enjoyed by the group of 80 pathfinders.
The food was....food and sometimes....enjoyed, always filling and useful for the food fights we were itching to have, the pillows were good substitutes nevertheless!!
So, Sizewell was fun, but more than that the whole week taught me so much and I now understand more about God and have accepted all He wants to give me. From now on there's no looking back.
Laura Cromwell
Blaithwaite 1992 (October 1992 edition of the magazine)
Reflections on Blaithwaite 1991, CYFA Venture Camp
The mini-bus pulled into the courtyard and after being greeted with hugs and hello's and bumping into people we thought we knew but didn't really, we found our rooms. These come free with new friends!
Every morning we were woken at 7.45am. by a trumpet call, the tunes ranging from Jingle Bells to Chatanooga Choo?!! We stumbled bleary-eyed to breakfast at 8.30am. and woke up for Focus, a short time of worship and notices, some by the tantalizing tuck shop boys and others for "Buzz groups" (sorry "Pick and Mix") which followed.
For two afternoons we went off site for activities such as windsurfing, rock climbing, horse riding and fell walking. There were also onsite activities such as drama, fashion (or the lack of it in most cases) making high flying rockets and learning to play Bridge and other card games.
We had one afternoon of an "It's a Knockout" competition, which basically consisted of lots of wet and muddy games. On Friday afternoon we took over a local town for a game of Hunt the Spy, in which leaders dressed up as gnomes and window cleaners, slept in show room beds and various other strange and weird things.
Before bed each evening we had "Dorm groups" which were Bible Studies, then to bed (or that's what the leaders thought).
On Saturday when we were leaving Blaithwaite, the yard was filled with cases, bags, good-byes, "write soons", people looking for lost clothes, and even a few tears here and there.
We learnt a lot at Blaithwaite about God and his love for us all. We came home with a much firmer faith, looking forward to Blaithwaite '93.
C. Garland and R. Williams-Morgan
St Anne's on Sea -Pathfinder Venture 1992 (October 1992 edition of the magazine)
St. Annes was super camp. There were loads of facilities including football, swimming, tennis, squash, table tennis, visits to Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Sandcastle, computer games and pool.
We were in dormitory groups of eight or nine. Each group had a leader who was supposed to keep order. This was only in theory! Each night saw fierce water fights, pillow fights and throwing missiles at neighbouring dorms.
Each evening there was a meeting where we learnt about Jesus' life on earth. This was done through the story of Robin Hood. Robin Hood was Jesus, his merry men were the disciples and the Sheriff of Nottingham was Pilate. We also sang songs and had quizzes.
After the meetings we had cocoa and sandwiches. Then we had a fun time where we had to win points for our dormitories.
At 10.30pm. we had quiet times in our dormitories. In our quiet times we followed up what we had heard in the meetings. We read the bible verses and talked about them.
The average lights out time was 11.30pm. but our group didn't exactly match this time.
It was a great camp and everyone was really friendly. I would like to go next year.
Andrew Goodacre
Blaithwaite 1993 (October 1993 edition of the magazine)
What a Venture!
At 10am on Sat. 31st July, a small unit of CYFA met in the church car park, ready to set off for the lakes, for the holiday of the year.
After getting settled into our luxury accommodation, a crime was committed. Everybody from then on kept close to their teddy bears, as a Bear Napper was at large; but after some brilliant detective work by the members of Blaithwaite, the crime was solved and the local villain "Baby Face" was soon arrested.
The week soon passed by after this Cluedo welcoming event and contained many interesting, fun and energetic activities such as: the Krypton Factor, small courts (which consists of anything from tiddly winks to netball shooting) canoeing, mountain biking.
A typical day at Blaithwaite is very tiring but great fun. The rising trumpet sounds at 7.45 am, which gives us 45 minutes to get washed, dressed and down to breakfast. This may sound reasonable, but when there are seven girls in one room it gets a bit hectic. The days are filled from morning to night with events and activities. We have two focus meetings, which are basically short church services and this year based on the book of Luke.
In between these we have 'pick 'n' mix', which isn't a 10p candy mix, but a choice of topics to study from the Bible which are also related to young people, such as: Whom can I trust? Is the Bible really reliable? Who am I and does it matter? Image and self esteem. We also have workshops in Drama, Aerobics, (which for some reason consisted mainly of males), Art and Craft, Photography, Music, Computing, Egg Racing and Juggling.
In the afternoon we are let loose outside the boundaries of Blaithwaite house. We all head off to different parts of the Lake District to canoe, sail, orienteering, beach comb, horse ride, play golf, rock climb, cycle etc.
By 9pm everybody is in Ellrigg (the dining room) with a mug of hot chocolate and feeling the effects of the busy day at Blaithwaite. Everyone manages to drag themselves to bed and by 10.45pm lights are out and snoring begins! Well, that's what the leaders hoped for, but it wasn't always the case!
My favourite day was Thursday 5th August because as everybody knows its Christmas day, well it is at Blaithwaite. Nobody, apart from the leaders, knew about this until we were all awoken by the sound of carols blaring out of the trumpet. Santa came at breakfast, we had a scrummy Christmas dinner and listened to a very amusing speech by Queen Elizabeth II. All of this was to get the message across that we should celebrate everyday like Christmas Day.
Blaithwaite contains such a brilliant atmosphere. It's a great place to make friends and learn about yourself and life as a Christian. If I have the chance I will be going back next year for the 5th time - it's Brilliant!
Linzi Balderson
Blaithwaite -A leaders Eye-View
Many friends told me I was mad to go to Blaithwaite again this year after being exhausted by last year. But each year the hard work and heart ache is worthwhile, and I am reminded again that we if we are faithful to the Gospel, and share the Good News, God works through it and touches and changes lives.
I am also reminded that we cannot be effective in what we try to do through our own strength: Part of the joy of Blaithwaite - besides the sheer bliss of spending 8 days with 120 people - is having to rely completely on God because of the sheer exhaustion, and thus seeing God at work in our weakness, as well as being restored and built up in your own faith in the process.
Rosie Welch
Blaithwaite (1994) (October 1994 edition of the magazine)
Blaithwaite, for those of you who have managed to avoid various members of CYFA enthusing about it, is a Christian Centre in the Lake District which for one week a year is taken over by CYFA members and leaders from all over the country. We all get together for seven days of worship, teaching, mayhem, washing up and watery cocoa.
This was my third year at Blaithwaite, all of which have been equally fun and mad. The reason I love going so much is because I always make new friends and pick up exactly where I left off the year before with old ones. I find it incredibly refreshing to be taken out of my normal church environment and being with people whose opinions and perspective on God may differ from my own. This makes me question my own views and presents challenges which help to strengthen and deepen my faith, kicking any complacency and staleness out of me.
Then of course there is the sailing, climbing, waterfights, wide games, various other assorted activities. This included a fun if somewhat water-logged day out to Grasmere, and generally just having a good time with good friends. All in all, Blaithwaite is always an excellent week which anyone with an opportunity to go, would be mad to miss.
Becky Morgan
Gaines (1994) (October 1994 edition of the magazine)
At 4.30pm we arrived at Gaines, which is situated on the border of Hereford and Worcester. We were welcomed to "The Gaines" by the manager, Richard Proctor. After settling in to our dormitories and meeting old friends we went downstairs for our first three course meal.
The week consisted of outings, activities, quiet times and evening celebrations. For our two outings we went to Dudley Canal Museum then the zoo and castle on Tuesday, and Symonds Yat Maze and Butterfly Centre on Thursday. At Dudley Canal Museum we went on an underground canal trip, going through old mines and tunnels. In the afternoon we went to the zoo and castle in Dudley. To get to the top of the hill on which the two are situated, there was the option of climbing the hill or for the less energetic, a ride on the chairlift or the train. After a fun packed afternoon we headed back to Gaines for our evening meal.
Our second outing was to Symonds Yat Maze and Butterfly Centre. We took part in several games which took place in and around the maze.
At the beginning of the week we were divided into four coloured teams and during the week there was the opportunity to score points for your team during wide games. There were many organised activities during the week including canoeing, football, mountain biking, fencing, swimming, aerobics, crafts and go-carts. There was also a tennis tournament on Wimbledon quality grass courts.
Every morning after breakfast each dormitory group shared a quiet time where a small portion of Mark's gospel was studied. These were enjoyable, interesting and useful. They were also a good opportunity to get to know the people in our dormitory.
The theme of the evening celebrations was "jelly and rock" and was based on the story of Simon Peter. We were visited by people from all over the world during one evening, who shared with us their experiences of being a Christian in their respective countries. They were in this country with C.M.S. (Church Missionary Society). The evening celebrations included sketches, well known songs, prayers, readings and a talk which was led by a different leader each evening.
Every evening after the celebrations, the leaders entertained the Pathfinders with sketches, songs and making themselves look stupid. On Thursday the roles were reversed and the Pathfinders entertained the leaders, which generally consisted of the leaders getting covered in squinty cream.
At the end of the week nobody wanted to leave Gaines and their new friends. The last morning was spent taking photos and swapping addresses. This year was our second visit to Gaines and there will hopefully be a third.
Jonathan Cooper and Philip Goodacre
Gaines 3 (1995) (October 1995 edition of the magazine)
Fifty five young people from England and Wales took part in Gaines 3, a Pathfinder Venture near Worcester. The theme of the week was telling friends about God.
We went to Gaines anticipating a week's Bible study; youth worship and fun. We were not disappointed. Activities such as roller skating, go-karting, canoeing and wide games were planned. Unfortunately (?!) our busy schedule of football, tennis (Jonathan won the tennis tournament), eating, sleeping and listening to music did not allow much time for such riveting activities.
We made time for daily Bible study in our dormitory groups. We studied the work of John and Paul and were encouraged to further study John's Gospel in more detail when we returned home. All groups joined in the lively evening worship sessions accompanied by a variety of musical instruments and voices.
On Tuesday and Thursday, outings were organised. In two short days we managed to cram in ten pin bowling, a safari park, a theme park, shopping, not mention the museum depicting Worcestershire life through the ages.
We soon got to know the other lads in our dorm, and even our Irish, duck farming, dorm leader, Bill, proved to be a good laugh (even though he left the room looking like a pigsty, ruined one of Jonathan's new tee-shirts and hospitalised him for several hours, and failed to buy the dorm a promised pizza).
So, in a few words, there was fun, food, fellowship and God.
CYFA Camp, Sparkford, Summer 1997 (October 1997 edition of the magazine)
Quite a few people from the CYFA group attended centrally organised ventures across the country this summer.
Last summer Philip Goodacre and myself went to a venture holiday held at a boarding school in Sparkford, Somerset. This year, however, our contingent has swelled three-fold, with Dan Frith, Nick Travis, Ben Marshall and Alastair Gordon accompanying us on our return visit. Pete Wilkinson also came as a leader.
The busy programme consisted of teaching, eating, sleeping, freetime and many and varied activities.
The theme was the Wild West, and there were several events which reflected this, such as the Barn Dance and the wide game on the penultimate day.
The teaching consisted of discussion and reflection in our dormitory groups in the morning. In the evening there was a main meeting with worship, drama and teaching. We all thoroughly enjoyed our time there. It is a great opportunity to meet new friends and get away from it all for a while. I'm sure some of us will return next year.
Pure Chillin' in Wales, February 2007 (Easter 2007 edition of the Spotlight)
The last PURE inter church youth weekend away held at Pentrenant Hall in Mid-Wales was great! Sixteen young people from St Thomas' attended the weekend and ate lots, didn't sleep much, walked a long was and spent quality time with God.
Highlights included 'wotsits' and shaving foam combined as well as a 5am fire drill!
The next PURE weekend is booked for the end of October this year at Dovedale House in Derbyshire. Another great opportunity for Christian young people across the town to spend time together, learning more about God and spending time in His presence.
Quotes
'It was amazing because we got to spend time with other Christians from our town, and share fun and faith....and it was Becky's birthday'
'It was a great time to reflect on God and chill with mates'
'Like a chocolate fountain!'
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