CloseApplications for Youth Gather are now open.
Please read all information below carefully. By applying for this event, you agree to everything stated on this page.
We are excited to be back at Essex Outdoors on Mersea Island for our annual Youth Gather, with cabin accommodation and a brilliant range of outdoor activities. We will combine opportunities for climbing high ropes, archery, zip wires and much more to keep you challenged and entertained, with guest speakers and workshops which will give you fresh insights into yourself, and your faith, by telling their stories.
The weekend includes lunch and dinner on Saturday, breakfast and lunch on Sunday, two Mersea activities, 2 BCYS workshops, a night in a Mersea log cabin and travel to and from Mersea Island.
Collections from National Youth Sunday parish appeals have greatly helped us subsidise the cost of this weekend, and we are pleased to be able to offer places at the cost of £75 for young people (school years 9 – 13) and £30 for leaders (over 18 having left school)
What happens at Youth Gather?
The weekend is a mix of faith, fun and friendship – hearing from speakers and being encouraged to think about topics and issues prevalent around us today, trying some of the fantastic activities on offer at Essex Outdoors, socialising with friends old and new, and all while sharing in and celebrating our Catholic faith.
To give you a rough idea of what the weekend will include, please see a proposed timetable below:
Saturday Morning
- Coaches arrive at Essex Outdoors
- Check in to your cabins, explore the site, meet the staff, leadership team and other young people with some group activities and ice breakers.
- Lunch will be served in the dining hall.
Saturday Afternoon
- Hear from our amazing guest speaker Leila, who will share about her work in Politics, help us to think Catholic Social Teaching and how it impacts current issues in the world, while leading us in discussions and activities.
- Try one of the amazing activities on offer such as archery, climbing or zip wire. Everyone will be in small groups and assigned to an activity allocated to us by Essex Outdoors.
- Dinner will be served in the dining hall.
- A Vigil Mass will be celebrated by Fr Michael. There will be a group of singers and musicians, the opportunity to read and other ways to be involved with Mass for those who wish.
- An evening of games and challenges together will be led by our young leaders before we finish with night prayer and head off to bed.
Sunday Morning
- Breakfast will be served in the dining hall.
- Think about the input from the previous day, as the staff and volunteer team lead us in prayer and activities throughout the morning.
- Try a different outdoor activity in your groups.
- Lunch will be served in the dining hall.
Sunday Afternoon
- Join together for a final prayer and reflection, celebrating the weekend before the coaches arrive to take you home.
What else do I need to know?
TRAVEL
On the booking form you will be asked to select how you wish to travel to and from Youth Gather.
If you have selected to travel on one of our coaches, they will meet you at the following places on Saturday 26th October. (Times and exact stops TBC)
Coach 1
Stratford, Great Eastern Road
Romford, The Campion School
Chelmsford, St John Payne School
Coach 2
Southend, St Thomas More School
Basildon, Holy Trinity Church, Wickhay
Brentwood, Brentwood Cathedral Car Park
Own Transport
For those who have chosen to make their own way to and from Mersea Island, the address is Essex Outdoors Mersea, Rewsalls Lane, Colchester, CO5 8SX.
Please aim to arrive for 10:30 on Saturday morning and pick up will be 15:15 on Sunday afternoon.
WHAT TO BRING
Kit Lists will be sent out from Essex Outdoors, so please do read it and ensure you do not forget to bring anything you will need for overnight including a sleeping bag and pillow, and appropriate clothing and footwear as well for the outdoor activities.
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YOUNG LEADERS (Aged 18+, having finished school)
All those aged 18+, having finished school, are invited to serve as young leaders for the weekend.
We invite you to join us at a heavily subsidised rate, which will include all your meals and accommodation. The outdoor activities are primarily for the young people, however if there is space you may be able to join in!
There will also be a compulsory leader training session which will be provided either on zoom in the week leading up to Youth Gather (date TBC) or in person at Essex Outdoors on Friday 26th October. Accommodation for Friday night will then be provided. You will also need to have a current DBS check with the Diocese of Brentwood, so please get in touch ASAP if this is not something you have completed in the last 3 years.
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Terms and Conditions
All those wishing to attend this event must have completed the online booking form and deposit payment no later than 6 weeks before this event. The full balance will be due 4 weeks before the event.
All those who are attending this event and are in current school year 13 or below must have completed a parental consent form no later than 2 weeks before this event.
By applying for a place, you agree to make full payment for the event and that this money is non-refundable unless
- You cancel before the BCYS incur any expenses or enter into any commitments.
- The BCYS cancel the event for any reason, and some money remains after meeting all expenses and commitments.
We expect everyone attending to be kind and respectful to those around them, including the BCYS staff, Essex Outdoors staff and any volunteer leaders.
Essex Outdoors and the BCYS will provide a safety and rules briefing on arrival at the site. Failure to follow this instruction may result in individuals being asked to leave, and may affect your place when applying for future events.
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If you are unsure if you have any outstanding items, you can check this by logging into your account at www.bcys.net and seeing if there is anything still listed on your “To Do List”.
In order to confirm your booking you will be asked to pay a non-refundable deposit.