Encounter Youth Weekend 2024

In March 2024, Encounter is breaking new ground and heading to the beautiful Westbrook residential centre on the Isle of Wight for our annual weekend away.


The Encounter youth weekend 2024 is taking place 8th to 10th March for anyone in school years 7-13 and for the first time we are heading to beautiful Westbrook on the Isle of Wight.  We’re going to enjoy a packed programme with all kinds of outdoor activities, lots of fun games and activities and times of worship and meeting with God.  There’s also going to be lots of time and space to chill out and relax in the comfortable surroundings of Westbrook.

The place

Westbrook residential centre, run by Urban Saints, is located near Ryde on the Isle of Wight and has been a venue for church youth camps for over 70 years. It’s a beautiful location with well-equipped dorm rooms and a wide range of activities including their beautiful heated indoor swimming pool.  They also have extensive grounds and all weather sports areas that we can use for outdoor games and activities and a games room with table tennis and pool tables.

Travel

We will be taking the FastCat ferry from Portsmouth Harbour.  You will need to be dropped there on the Friday evening around 6pm and collected from there on the Sunday afternoon around 5pm. Exact ferry times have not yet been published so we will confirm nearer the date.

You will need to be able to carry your own luggage!

Money and Stuff

The weekend costs £105.  We realise this is a lot of money and would encourage you to speak to your church youth leader if the price is going to be a problem.  We have shopped around for price this year and, surprising as it may seem, traveling over to the Isle of Wight was considerably cheaper than returning to either of the venues that we have used previously.

Booking

It is going to be a fantastic weekend!  If you want to join us you need to book using our online form below.  You need to complete the form and pay your deposit before the end of the year to reserve your place.  After Christmas we will send out a kit list, a medical form and lots more details.

Any questions, please contact your own youth leader in the first instance.  If they don’t know the answer please contact Karen.

All the important details

When: Friday 8th March – Sunday 10th March 2024

Where: Westbrook residential centre, Ryde, PO33 1PU

Cost: £105 (Includes food, activities, ferry, accommodation etc. but not transport to the ferry terminal).

Pick up and Drop off: Portsmouth Harbour FastCat Passenger Terminal, Portsmouth, PO1 3PS

Accommodation: Dormatories with bunk beds.

If you want to book

Booking has now closed for this event. However, if you still need to pay for your place please use the details below:

  • Sort code: 30-90-86
  • A/C: 01432334
  • Reference: “YWA24” and your surname

Summer camps

We have two fantastic summer camps on offer this year. Dynamic is for those in school years 6-9 and Satellites is for those in years 10-13.


Dynamic is an action packed Christian residential camp for people just finishing school years 6-9 which includes sport, craft, worship, Bible teaching, small groups, evening entertainments, the chance to make lots of new friends and a day trip.  Older teenagers (year 12-13) can sign up as leaders—speak to Paul if you’re interested in that.

All the important details

When: Saturday 24th August – Tuesday 27th August 2024

Where: Lockerley Water Farm, East Tytherley Road, Lockerley, Near Romsey, Hants. SO51 0LW

Cost: £105 (Includes food, accommodation etc. but not transport).  We do not want cost to be a barrier to attending, if this might be the case please speak to Paul in confidence before you book.

Accommodation: Cabins with bunk beds.

If you want to book

Bookings for Dynamic are being handled this year by our friends at Chichester Baptist Church, so the link below will take you to their website and booking system. When you book you will be given two options re payment: one to to pay them and the other is to pay through your own church. Please select the second option and then transfer money as per the details below in the usual way.

  1. Click here to complete the booking form.
  2. Please make your payment, ideally by BACS using the following details:
    • Sort code: 30-90-86
    • A/C: 01432334
    • Reference: “DYN24” and your child’s name
    • Failing that, cheques can be made payable to “Thornhill Baptist Church” please.

Satellites

Satellites is a five day Christian gathering for young people from across the country.  There’s a big focus on worship, hearing from the Bible and spending time in God’s presence, but there’s also a load of music venues, sports tournaments, coffee shops, seminars and places to chill out with friends.  Expect plenty of fun and relaxation, expect plenty of opportunity for your faith to be stretched… It’s perfect for young people in years 10 to 13 who have a faith or are interested in finding out more about faith.

All the important details

When: Friday 2nd August – Wednesday 7th August 2024

Where: Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet, BA4 6QN

Cost: £TBC

Accommodation: Camping

If you want to book

At the current time we are gauging interest to see whether we have enough of a group wanting to go. To register your interest in coming to Satellites please contact Paul.