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Belmont and Carey Youth Camp

Belmont & Carey Youth Camp is a summer holiday camp supported by Belmont Road and Carey Baptist Churches which caters for all ages between 8 and 18. 

Each year for one week in August, we can take up to 50 children to a seaside location, and camp under canvas; providing a comprehensive programme of activities, run by a staff of volunteers. The camp is a non-profit making organisation and has been running since 1977 - giving us 40 years of experience!
 

Camp 2024 is going to Isle of Wight 

17th - 24th August 2024

Please speak to one of the Youth Leaders if you are interested in going.

You can find out more about camp by going to our dedicated website.
 

Camp 2023 in Sheringham, Norfolk

12th - 19th August 2023


Reflections on 2023 by Camp Organiser Warren

 

Today I have been packing away our camping equipment, ensuring the stock is taken, items are accounted for, and working out what has seen better days and needs replacing for the Isle of Wight in 2024. I hate this part of the CO role, for a few reasons; it’s one of those jobs that takes ages and it’s heavy lifting of boxes. But most of all, I know that camp is at its furthest point in the year until we go again.

One item that is very carefully packed away is our camp flag. I am not sure when it was made, who even made it and when we started using it; but in my nearly 30 years of camp it has always been there.

It’s strange to think this flag has flown over multiple camps, multiple campers and multiple staff. It’s looked over many camps over the years, the washed out ones, the windy ones, the smaller camps, and the biggest camp. It’s seen multiple wide game run-ins, it’s been in multiple camp photos, and it’s seen camp change and evolve. That flag probably saw me on my first camp, arriving at camp as a shy 9-year-old boy in the juniors (no air tents then for juniors), turn into a cheeky senior, grow into a teenager in the 14+. Maybe it missed me in the 2 years that I didn’t attend after I turned 18. But it was there to welcome me when I returned as a staff member. It has seen my two boys attending their first Camps. Now, I am responsible for safely storing it so that it will continue to fly over our camp for many years to come.

This year at the end of camp, John and Sadie had their last year as campers, and therefore lowered our flag at the end of camp. Everyone circled the flag pole to mark John and Sadie’s final moments as campers. Hopefully we will see them back as staff members next year.

This is what camp is all about, it continues to give the same experiences and moments to children year in year out. Nearly all of our staff were once campers and they know what it means, the friendships you make, the games that you will never forget, and for many it’s that first experience of independence, the relationship or introduction you can have with God. We know how camp can shape you. This is why the staff volunteer every year, we don’t see it as volunteers as we love it. Why? Because camp is a part of us, we are a part of it. So, I know that some of the juniors that attended this year will one day be staff members.

Camp is run for the campers, but we all get something out of it. This year there was definitely a feeling of this being one of the best ever, as I look back I think there are a few key reasons why:

A larger number of campers and kindergarten – we had over 50 children on site, all of them bringing something special, all unique and each one having fun. Filling the field with laughter and enthusiasm, from PT to sports, programme games to worship. So a big thanks to them all.

Hard working staff – camp is at its best when everything is on time and people are not feeling rushed. Every staff member not only delivered on their roles but were willing to lend a hand where needed, from helping on orderlies or just playing cricket with the campers. Amazing work from them all, my thanks go to them but their ultimate reward is the campers joy.

The sun – of course the weather always helps and on site at Beeston Regis with the stunning view of the sea – its an amazing way to start the day. The field is always dry, so no damp feet or washed out games. So we were really blessed this year.

I hope any parents reading this blog have heard multiple stories from their children that attended this year, I hope they will attend next year to build on these memories, or spread the word to others to join. Don’t forget, while nothing can replace camp we can continue to reconnect at our local youth groups – if you are unaware of these do please reach out.

Next week I will share the feedback comments from the campers. I can’t wait to read their view of this year.

Hopefully see you soon, if not then I’ll see you next year when we go to the Isle of Wight and fly our flag again

Warren

Please speak to one of the Youth Leaders if you are interested in going.

You can find out more about camp by going to our dedicated website.

 

13th - 20th August 2022 - Whitecliff Bay, Isle of Wight


What a week! It was so wonderful to be back on the Isle of Wight (a personal favourite site for me) with the sun shining - most of the time anyway! While last year had the shadow of covid looming large, it was a relief to be back in the normal rhythm of camp once again this year. A huge thank you to all of the fabulous staff for working so hard and showing such teamwork in running one of the smoothest camps I have been a part of. A big thank you to all of the children and young people who attended too - we hope you had as much fun as we did. It was such a joy to be with everyone this year, I’m already excited to head for Norfolk in 2023! Below are just some of the comments the campers gave us on the journey home.
Rhiannon CO

Kindies: (0-7 yr olds)
I liked the camp cabaret so much
I liked playing in the field with my new friend


Juniors: (8-10 yr olds)
I really enjoyed the camp cabaret and black gang chime. I loved the tuck shop
I really enjoyed camp. Camp is my favourite thing of summer and could not like it any other way.

Seniors: ( 11-13 yr olds)
Camp was good and the programme leaders were very kind. Food tasted good. Squad E is the best

Camp was very fun and enjoyable. Robin hill was meady but everything was better than great. Squad E is a vibe.
Everyone else on this page is wrong. Squad F!! Camp this year was very fun.
Best camp yet! Absolutely brilliant! Program leaders were great making each day and evening incredible!! Loved every minute and my squad was crazy fun! Thanks all
Amazing week, my favourite camp by far! Evening programs were fun and very enjoyable. All the staff were amazing. My squad was 100% the best! We had so much fun together! Thanks!!

14+ : (14-18 yr olds)
Brilliant week, loved the game on Monday and the wide game

Thank you to the 14+ staff cuz all the activities were really fun and also I loved my squad we had so much fun together
A great experience all around and an enjoyable week. My favourite part of the week was being involved in the wide game.
My week at camp has been fantastic.
This year was as wonderful as ever, my fav part was the game on Monday night. I think we can be more vigilant on the vegi stuff

Staff: (18++)
A great year, thank you to everyone for making it special. Really enjoyed the company of all of our great camp kids. Special shout-out to the COs - thank you so much for what you do!

I had an awesome week and really felt like I was surrounded by family. Loved watching the wide game on action!
Great camp this year! Especially compared to last. Everyone did an amazing job again
Staff brilliant as always. Our programme was brilliantly executed by all involved. Wide game was excellent and a massive improvement in comparison to last.

 

14th - 21st August 2021 - Prestatyn 

carey camp

Where friends become family

We were delighted to have run Youth Camp this year. Between 14th and 21st August just under a 100 (37 campers, 44 staff, 18 kindergarten) of us headed to the sandy shores of Prestatyn. Our CO's Warren, Martin and Rhi worked hard adding to our normal Safe Practices and Procedures in order to keep us safe and mitigate the risk of Covid-19 spreading at Camp. 

You can find out more about camp by going to our dedicated website.

Why not follow our adventures of the week by logging onto our blog. 

 



 


 

Glenys
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