The end of August saw one of our Faith Guide churches, New Life Llanfair Ceareinion, running a camp for around 50 children and young people. This small church in rural mid-Wales serves a small town with a large school and they have a big presence in the local community. Supported by the local SU team in Wales, throughout the year this Faith Guide church runs a range of clubs for children and young people, connecting with them on a regular basis. This meant that when they invited local kids to Middlepark Camp, nearly 50 teenagers signed up, many of whom are from the 95. 

Outdoor activities included kayaking, paintball, low ropes, climbing, a water-slide, archery, campfires and The Blob (a giant air bag that launches young people into a lake!). In addition to all of these things, this year SU Mission Enabler Keefe Owen ran a mountain bike skills session for the campers. 

'I taught them the ready position on the mountain bike and showed how this position made you ready to adapt to obstacles on a course I set out. I asked the young people how they could be in the 'ready position' in life, in a way that would enable them to follow Jesus' example each day.'

"There were also many other teachable moments, and the young people responded well." 

For Keefe, the adventure started last summer when he and some of the New Life team ran a bike fixing workshop outside the local school. A number of young people who loved biking came along to learn how to maintain their bikes. This provided an opportunity to connect with these individuals and led to Keefe being invited to lead a mountain bike skills session at the camp this year.  

The theme of the camp revolved around the, 'I am' statements of Jesus and the young people were encouraged to explore how the corresponding 'you are' implications impacted them as individuals. There were lots of different opportunities available for the young people to respond to the message of Jesus being revealed to them in various creative ways.

Keefe explains, 'I love to see young people grow in confidence in practical skills and spiritual understanding. It's wonderful helping kids face their fear at the top of a steep incline ready to start a downhill ride, and teaching them something about how Jesus will always be with them in every part of their life experience. As they relate the two things, it starts to make sense for them and their confidence grows in both areas simultaneously.'

"In outdoor learning every situation is different. You have to be tuned into the Holy Spirit and ready to respond."

A follow-up Youth Alpha was advertised at the camp and a good number of the young people indicated an interest in taking part in this. Furthermore, in the spring Keefe is planning some guided mountain bike trails with kids from the local area. 'We'll use the time outdoors in nature to respond to God using passages from Romans, exploring how creation reveals God's character and what it means for the young people.'

Remembering his time at Middlepark Camp, Keefe said, 'I was left very humbled by the dedication of the Faith Guides and volunteers who gave so much time to make all this happen. The very genuine and deep relationships they are building with the young people was evident and a testimony to them. Please keep the young people, the Faith Guides and the volunteers in your prayers.'

This summer more than 1200 children and young people took part in an SU holiday with another 1200 joining in a mission or club. They were served by an incredible 1224 volunteers who gave their time, energy, creativity and prayer into making each holiday, camp and mission a great success.