Round 2
I hope that I can summarize the comments made to the first part below fairly and properly - please take the time to read those, but please make any new comments to this post.
All the responses indicate a wish for Criccieth to carry on, while accepting that closure could be the best option. But some felt that the "canvas option" might be losing its appeal among today's teenagers - and maybe the potential staff? Can we find another venue in time to put this in the brochure for next year?
A couple of people said that it would be easier to volunteer to help next year's leaders if we all knew what sort of tasks could be shared. I think most of us - even some who have been unpopular for years - do not know all that the holiday leaders do throughout the year. So an actual list of jobs that need to be done would be a boon. (I can think of one already - going out and selling the holiday to church youth leaders and teenagers.)
A couple of people hope to be able to bring more campers next year.
What is clear from the responses so far is the Criccieth is deeply loved by those who have been unpopular, and strongly supported in prayer. It is also well-supported in terms of giving.
I have to repeat that time is not on our side. We need to decide soon - before this year's camp - whether to go ahead with 2005 and, if so, where and under whose direction. Please keep your comments coming, and please keeping looking at what you could do to make it happen.
All the responses indicate a wish for Criccieth to carry on, while accepting that closure could be the best option. But some felt that the "canvas option" might be losing its appeal among today's teenagers - and maybe the potential staff? Can we find another venue in time to put this in the brochure for next year?
A couple of people said that it would be easier to volunteer to help next year's leaders if we all knew what sort of tasks could be shared. I think most of us - even some who have been unpopular for years - do not know all that the holiday leaders do throughout the year. So an actual list of jobs that need to be done would be a boon. (I can think of one already - going out and selling the holiday to church youth leaders and teenagers.)
A couple of people hope to be able to bring more campers next year.
What is clear from the responses so far is the Criccieth is deeply loved by those who have been unpopular, and strongly supported in prayer. It is also well-supported in terms of giving.
I have to repeat that time is not on our side. We need to decide soon - before this year's camp - whether to go ahead with 2005 and, if so, where and under whose direction. Please keep your comments coming, and please keeping looking at what you could do to make it happen.
posted by Toby Scott at 7/11/2004 08:30:00 PM
2 Comments:
Just a few more thoughts from Helen to throw into the pot:
We have a great team of staff willing to serve God at Criccieth and many have said they can commit to some work during the year if they know what needs doing.
We have 60 young people coming to camp this year including new contacts/ new churches.
90 paying people is not enough on the current costings so we need to try to reduce costs and do more to encourage more bookings (am I right in thinking only 10 more people would make camp viable at the current cost?)
In terms of bookings we need YFC to get the brochure out sooner- i.e. September or October (or give us a usable booking form including the small print so we can attach it to our own publicity)
We need lots of pictures of this year's camp to put on a regularly updated, fun website and tell the campers about it so they can show their mates.
We should seek to support Phil and to pray for other people to be looking at taking on the overall leadership.
Camp hasn't fallen apart it just isn't making quite enough money. Splitting into 2 holidays this time didn't work and I understand that has been difficult. We just need to get things back on track. YFC seem to be want it to continue.
My personal feeling is that we should be very careful about moving to another venue- particularly indoors! Criccieth is a pretty unique holiday (both in terms of camping and location). We would still have to work hard to get bookings wherever we were and there are lots of other 'houseparty' holidays out there.
A few thoughts from John S.
- I agree with Helen's points! And with some of the others.
- I am willing to continue to help in whatever way I can before and during camp.
- I am still praying about it, but my initial thoughts are that:-
a) Criccieth is special to me and many others, and I would therefore be loath to move away from the site;
b) I would NOT want to go indoors!
c) It is the camping that makes it different (?unique to YFC); we could try to upgrade more facilities (e.g. a permanent cookhouse, if planners allow);
d) We must try to work with YFC ('cause they bail us out!), but we must also do more through our own contacts to reach other churches/YP.
e) We must get the publicity out earlier, even if independent of YFC.
f) We should plan (and pray) as if 2005 is going ahead.
See (most of) you there - I'm off to Barmouth for a few days!
John.
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