Summer schools 2025: Friends, fun and faith!

Summer school. A week I always look forward to, writes Breanna Hildrew (Glenrothes). Over seven days, I found myself catching up with friends, doing fun activities and, most importantly, getting quality time to reconnect with and grow closer to God.

The songs spoke to me and allowed me to use my gift of singing to glorify God. I even found myself to be a more confident sight-reader! The giggles the ladies brought along have given me unforgettable memories and dare I mention the board games elective with the silly talk and great laughs. Just the whole week in general brought me joy. The silent disco, the ceilidh... I could go on and on!

This was my third year at camp, and the theme really stood out to me: Step Up and Stand Out. After discussion in worship and cell groups, I became very encouraged. For me, stepping up involved a duet in Stirling Chorus and helping with the Transformers evening activity, the one-minute bottle flip challenge. I really enjoyed watching everyone connect in such a positive way.

I don’t think I can put into words how inspired this week has left me. Not long out of camp and I already miss it like crazy! I can’t wait to see what next year will bring.

Fifty-five young people gathered at Wymondham College for this year’s summer school, writes Bethany Grimshaw (Norwich Citadel). We explored the theme of being Known by God, discovering each day a different name for him: Yahweh, Jehovah, Raah, Shalom, Rapha, Jireh, Shammah and Nissi.

Alongside daily worship, creative and engaging activities included media, chorus, band, stepping out, dance, art, songwriting, discussion, sport, photography and worship band. There was something for everyone.

Each evening, the fantastic staff team led fun-filled social events that brought the whole school together. From lively discos and a murder mystery to a film night – with more than a few spontaneous High School Musical singalongs! – quizzes, a talent show and team scavenger hunts – one of which literally led us to find Jesus – the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement and laughter.

Harriet Carr (Stowmarket) shared: ‘Something I have taken away is that God is always here and he is here now. That can be easy to forget, so I think it’s important to be reminded.’

Micah Hall (Kettering Citadel) reflected: ‘I enjoyed every moment. It gave me the space to explore my passion, and I discovered how powerful media can be in sharing testimonies, promoting events and encouraging others in their faith.’

Imogen Beattie (Norwich Citadel) said: ‘I was in the worship band option for the first time and was singing. I was nervous, but excited. In the first session, I was quite quiet and didn’t feel very confident, but then I realised it isn’t a performance: it’s one of the ways I can worship God and lead others in worship too. The song “Who You Say I Am” reassures me that God specifically chose me and will always support me. When singing it, I felt my nerves go away and confidence grow and I knew that God was with me.’

‘Is there much “God stuff” at this camp?’ said a young lad connected through a local Salvation Army drop-in. ‘Well, not in the way you’d think of it...’ came the reply from one of our team members, writes Divisional Youth Specialist Nathan Bright. The divisional youth camp is a week of camping at Hadleigh Farm. The whole emphasis is allowing young people to feel welcome, invested in and known, so much of our programme simply involves spending time and having fun with each other. Young people are given the opportunity to be young people – a vast contrast from circumstances they might find themselves in at home, which force them to grow up quickly.

During our time at camp we gathered around the theme of Under Construction, allowing us to understand that not everything in this world – including ourselves – is perfect, but can be taken on a journey of being wisely built up, so that God’s Kingdom can begin to be seen ‘brick by brick’ and ‘stone by stone’. As the week progressed we saw minds opened, life choices made and God – who was very much part of all the stuff! – glorified!

Ganaway Activity Centre hosted this year’s summer school, writes Temra Neill (Belfast Temple), which was themed Transformed, with Romans 12:1 and 2 as our focus. Through worship, prayer and Bible study, students explored how the fruit of the Spirit can transform them from the inside out.

Students took part in activity streams choosing choir, band or art, each providing an opportunity to express their faith musically or creatively, displaying how we all can show the fruit of the Spirit in our daily lives.

Camp activities included laser tag, an egg drop challenge – demonstrating how we can be protected by God’s love – and Taskmaster-style games, developing a healthy competitive spirit as well as strengthened friendships. The students put their faith into action by visiting The Salvation Army’s Sir Samuel Kelly care home, where they led a short worship time for residents, who were each gifted a handmade card with a Bible verse reminding them of God’s love.

It was a week of faith, friendship and fun living out what it means to be truly transformed by God’s Spirit. The final festival joined students with family and friends to celebrate the many different ways to showcase our talents to worship God.

Together with 101 young people from across the two divisions, we explored what it means to be Refreshed, writes Divisional Youth Specialist Anita Gellatly (South East). We looked at how with God we can be reset, renewed, refreshed, restored and recharged and that, if we allow him into our lives, we can reflect him to others through who we are.

We looked at stories of Zacchaeus, Elijah, and Mary and Martha and at Romans 12:2, where we were challenged about not conforming to the world around us, but being transformed as we listen to God’s word speaking to us in new and refreshing ways.

In a powerful evening of prayer, we walked through Psalm 23 with stations of reflection. We stopped, and we had time to ‘be’ and to allow God to refresh our souls. Friendships and connections were made that will encourage us all in our daily faith journeys as we grow together. Decisions and commitments to follow Jesus were made as the Holy Spirit touched people’s lives. He refreshed our souls, ready to go back to our lives and make a difference, as we recall daily: ‘The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need’ (Psalm 23:1 New Living Translation).

We pray that the week equipped and enabled us all to daily claim God’s refreshment in the ups and downs of life.

I came to junior camp to make new friends and to do fun activities, writes Henry. My favourite activity was the Fire Fighter for a Day. At camp I learnt that the disciples had to wait for the Holy Spirit to come to them. I am going to tell people about all the fun activities that we did.

I loved last year’s camp, writes Ava, so I came again! On the way I was extremely excited to come for the second time. Also I made many lovely friends who I hung out with at free time and at activities. My favourite thing to do was swimming and Pizza Hut. I learnt in teaching how Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to give his disciples an ability to speak nearly every language, so they could spread the word about God. The staff are kind and really fun to be with, so don’t have any worries!

Young people from the division spent the week in Fleetwood considering the theme of Love, writes Divisional Youth Specialist Darren Highton.

We started the week discovering that we were loved by God. Every day focused on a different aspect of Love, including the magnitude of God’s love, how we love God, how we love when it’s hard and loving in our communities. The final day included a challenge to go out and love!

We started the week discovering that we were loved by God. Every day focused on a different aspect of Love, including the magnitude of God’s love, how we love God, how we love when it’s hard and loving in our communities. The final day included a challenge to go out and love!

Delegates and staff were all challenged to dig deeper and have open hearts to listen to what God is asking of them in a world where love is not the norm. Our week was full of challenge, fun and special moments of worship, with lives changed and transformed with a deeper understanding of God’s love and how we should love others.

At the end of the week, everyone shared with family and friends in a final worship celebration together, leaving with the words of Ephesians 5:2 to ‘let love be your guide’ (Contemporary English Version).

In May, 48 children, 20 leaders and 3 young leaders gathered for our fourth year of Camp Nowesa for four days filled with adventure, friendship and faith, write Children’s Outreach Worker Amy Dickinson and Children’s Worker Amelia Burr.

With the theme Explore!, campers set out to discover great explorers in the Bible, offering opportunities to learn about trusting God, following his call and sharing his love.

The days were packed with fun-filled activities, from outdoor games and crafts to team challenges and evening celebrations. As a team we aimed to help children see that faith is not just about knowing stories, but about stepping out in their own walk with Jesus. Time was spent reflecting on the sacrifice Jesus made and what that means for their lives, reminding them they can be strong and courageous with Jesus in their lives.

For many, the highlight was worshipping together – singing, dancing, crafting, discussing, praying and hearing God’s word in a way that made sense to them. Leaders and children alike left camp encouraged, challenged and full of joy, with each child being prayed over by their leaders. It’s always the highlight of our year.

One child summed it up: ‘I’ve learnt that God is with me wherever I go, and exploring with him is the best adventure ever!’ Amen to that.

At junior camp, the children enjoyed the theme of Space Academy, writes Divisional Children’s Worker Adrian Kemp. They learnt many new things about God’s amazing universe, while exploring the incredible Bible stories of Daniel and his friends in exile in Babylon – which was so different to their own land and Jewish culture it was as if they were on a different planet!

A youth activity centre on Dartmoor was our new venue, where the children loved pushing themselves on the adventure activities, including high ropes, bushcraft and raft-building. Each day included whole-camp gatherings for worship, Bible teaching and hilarious games, while small groups allowed deeper exploration of the day’s Bible story.

Loads of fun was had with arts and crafts, outdoor games, campfire songs, an inflatable assault course and a silent disco, but there was also time for beautiful quieter moments: each night before bed we slowed down for creative prayers, and a Godly Play session allowed children to wonder about and respond to the Creation story.

At the end of the camp, children were invited to kneel and pray at the window, like Daniel did, and say yes to living their lives for Jesus.

Be strong and courageous! Joshua 1:9 was the theme for West Midlands Summer School as young people and staff gathered at Denstone College for a week of fun and sharing together, writes Divisional Youth Officer Lieutenant Corinne Seabridge.

The story of Joshua was explored through gathered worship and prayer, Bible study groups, and studies and activities. Young people could choose from drama, gospel choir, art, dance, media and brass for their main study, and then two options from sport, journalling, photography, team games, musical theatre, timbrels, worship band and crafts.

These gave opportunities to discover more about the theme of Courage, and also to be inspired and develop skills. Activities included a Rave Jesus Night, a silent disco, a Traitors evening, a games night and the annual Big Water Event! The week concluded with two final celebrations, allowing students, family members and friends to worship together through music, drama, dance, media and timbrels. Artwork was displayed for all to see as they walked through the college to the theatre.

The celebrations concluded with the young people and staff joining together, singing praises to God and thanking him for all he had taught us during an amazing week.