1. Why? Build, confirm and affirm a group identity. Opportunities to do new things. Different context brings a different mindset. Specific stuff you want to do. To SHARE life with your group for a weekend. Achieve more in a weekend than a bunch of weekly sessions Be part of something “bigger” Space

2. Plan: Start 1 year out (cast the vision / find a venue). St Bartz / Ashburnham / Carroty Wood / CYE (Chichester) / Micklepage / Dalesdown / The Oasts / Soul Survivor / Greenbelt / New Wine / Spring Harvest / SU Camps / CPAS Camps etc! “All in” or Self Catering / you organise activities etc. Think about what “team” you have. Think about overall “costs”. How you want to spend your time while away!

3. Plan: Insurance. Risk Assessments. Criminal Records Checks. First Aid // Food Hygiene // Life Guard. Budget. Pray and get others praying. Visit the centre if possible. Gossip about it to others...

4. Plan: Advertise (Church Newsletter // Young People // Profile) Money! Parents (Communication / consent etc) Medical Forms Video / Photo permission Run an “info evening” for nervous parents. Bursary scheme for those who cannot pay. KNOW the cancellation charges!

5. Plan: Build your team Expertise (camping / cooking / sports) Beg and borrow Team – Leaders, Helpers, Chefs, Drivers, Guests, Activities, Pastors, Admin, Kitty Hire or Buy equipment?

6. Programme: Type of group? Age of group? Team available? Time? Think “theme” right from the beginning... Keep it simple Transferable? Responsibilities?

7. Programme: Worship (Band / Need a priest / Young People?) Teaching (Guests – be clear! / What makes it different from what you normally do? Activity (Reflective / Fun / Relaxation / Free Time / Instructor led) Food (Rota young people to serve / TIME to eat + digest) Away during the Rugby World Cup? Rhythm (late nights – lousy mornings) TOO much or TOO little?

8. Programme: Examples... Three is Good! (Trees / Greatest Things / Art of Connecting) People (Peter / Heroes) Getting ready for (Mission / University / Confirmation) Explore a topic – Justice, Relationships, Gifts If activity based (light touch “thought for the day”) Part of something else (space for response / questions if needed)

9. Resources: YOU! Rock Solid / Holiday Club Material / Substance / Urban Saints / Scripture Union / Film / Youthwork Magazine / YES Material! Own it (think identity and context of your group) Start from where they are – not where you wish they were. Be sure of what you can tackle (Theology / Subject matter).

10. Doing it! Meeting time / departure time / journey time / arrival time “Easy does it” on the first night Top and tail the day (begin with prayer and end with prayer) Weekend boundaries (clear, consistent, calm, careful) Review (how is it going / “ditch it” “add it” “switch it”) If this is your groups first time – they WILL be excited when they arrive – stay calm and patient (YOU set the tone for the weekend).

11. Going home: It isn't over (keep your eye on it!) Check and double check venue (leave as you found it) Keys // Sign out etc. Arrange pick ups or drop home? A mishap, error of judgement on the way home... Don’t let that be the abiding memory of the weekend! Ensure team is OK too!

12. Follow Up: Response? Feedback in the church? Testimony? Share with those who couldn’t make it (sensitively!) Provisionally re-book venue (or... Not!) Watch out for “we went on the weekend away” cliques. Keep them “grounded”.

13. Questions: What did I miss? What do you need (what can we do to help your group realise the dream of a weekend away?) We are happy (myself and Steve) to help you plan / think through / guest speak if required... yes@diochi.org.uk