This March our JC’s Junior group went away for an action packed weekend to the beautiful St John’s in the Vale. Watch the video and read the reflections below to see some of the amazing things they got up to.
Reflections by Dollie (young person)
It was my first JC’s weekend away and I can tell everyone it won’t be my last. I couldn’t wait! In school I was looking at clock every 5 seconds. The car journey was fabulous, and the excitement was killing us all.
The dorms where superb and don’t tell my parents, but I was up past my bedtime every night! It was amazing!
We played many team building activities, and we also did lots of mini competitions. The first morning the leaders all challenged us to run up this huge hill. I came 6th WOOHOO! Then later that day we did another walk up, down and around a different mountain (bigger than the hill we ran up earlier). The walk up was just a spectacular experience, and I loved it more than anything else we did! The view at the top was worth all the hard work and dedication. All the children played a really wholesome game of rounders with a tennis ball and a big stick we found and that was such a good way of having fun at the top when all the leaders where resting.
We had a… QUIZ NIGHT! My team didn’t win but we all had a blast playing, then all the girls had a wonderful girl’s night (after all the boys left!)
We were put into ‘Family’ groups. The first morning was my ‘family’s’ turn at washing up and we all learnt how to wash up without a dishwasher! In all honestly, it was actually better than I expected!
Everyone packed their bags, got their lunch and headed to the activity centre. When we all arrived, the activities where amazing! We did Archery and Argo-Cat! My favourite was Argo-cat because personally I’m not good at Archery and plus it wasn’t fair that both the leaders won! Argo-cat is basically when you sit in a trailer and hold on while you zoom through rivers, drive up hills and get covered head to toe in MUD!
Finally, after getting cleaned up and having our lunch we started out journey home. I had THE BEST TIME, but couldn’t wait to hug my mum and dad!
I want to say a big thank you to all the leaders who volunteered their time to come away with us and a massive thank you to the cooks who came last minute and provided us all with food we needed over the weekend! And finally thank you St John’s in the Vale for letting us use the facilities we needed! Thanks everyone one for the amazing time and I can’t wait to see you all again next week!
Highlights and memories from other young people and leaders
“It was very fun, because we climbed the big Rigg and ran up the small one” – Belle
“Fast, fun and beautiful – went too quick & beautiful views” – Sienna
“I enjoyed the whole weekend, I got to spend time away from home & the leaders were really encouraging” – Ebony
“Really fun and adventurous, all the activities including Argo Cat, running up small Rigg, and connecting with others and God in the sessions” – Bethany
“The leaders tested my patience making me walk up the Rigg, but I’m so glad that I did it” – Nathan
“Argo Cat was fun with a good adrenaline rush” – Sean
“It was worth coming, being outside a lot was good” – Maisie
“The people, support from leaders, equality, safe and happy, FREEDOM! There was lots of variety, being part of Danny’s dinosaurs, had a party in the car” – Cas
“Happy, activities have been fun, games and chill time was also very fun” – Josie
“Everything! Enjoyed eating sweets and cake” – Sam
“Climbing the hill to get to the top and the views, enjoyed the music and everyone singing, the run and the prizes given, the accomplishment of running up the hill, enjoy sleeping! – Mia
“The walk, the food was glorious and the run, basically everything” – Minnie
“The walk, the nature and the environment” – Camille
“The food mainly and spending time in the common room with my friends” – Cassie
“I enjoyed everything about the weekend” – Ernest
“Watching all the young people having fun and getting to enjoy great weather on Saturday (an amazing answer to prayer!!)” – Lesley
“Building relationships with the youth and them opening up about situations they need help with “ – Sam
Some other Best Bits
The 4 points song
Sam (leader) slipping on a rock
Playing Uno
Pouring juice and salt in Jays coffee
Pouring a bottle of water al over Danny & Amie
Playing random rounders with a stick
The peg game
The evening session about God
Good weather
Global dance/ dance parties