Diocese of Portsmouth
The Church of England

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    Teenagers enjoy Spirit-filled activity holiday

    Category
    Children and Young People
    Date
    14 Aug. 2024
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    TEENAGERS from churches across our area enjoyed an activity holiday that deepened their faith in God.

    Fifty young people aged between 11 and 18 headed to Adventure Plus in Oxfordshire to try fencing, archery, canoeing, kayaking, baking and clay modelling. There was also an outdoor treasure hunt in the dark, a silent disco, sport and a chance to write their own music.

    The worship, teaching and prayer centred on the Biblical story of King David, with memorable visual re-enactments of moments in his life and small-group discussion around how they could deepen their discipleship. There was a chance to make ‘giants’ out of cardboard and destroy them, based on the story of David and Goliath. The young people were invited to think about ‘giant’ issues in their lives that God could help them with.

    The five-day trip was organised by High Tide, the network of youth groups from churches of all denominations across the Portsmouth area, and by Christian charity Scripture Union. It’s the fourth residential holiday they've organised in three years, alongside the monthly youth services that take place across our diocese.

    There was worship each morning and evening, as well as teaching and discussion in smaller groups. Among the activities was a water slide, using inflatables on a soapy tarpaulin – and the much-loved ‘Hunted’ game in which the young people track their leaders across the site using a series of clues before trying to prevent them returning to base.

    Some of the sports sessions were led by Southsea-based Christian charity Spirit in Sport, and the fencing, canoeing, kayaking and archery by trained instructors from Adventure Plus. Most of the sessions were led by the High Tide youth leaders, who already know the young people well.

    There were worship sessions in the morning and evening
    There were worship sessions in the morning and evening
    Learning about David and Goliath involved making ‘giants’ out of cardboard that were then destroyed
    Learning about David and Goliath involved making ‘giants’ out of cardboard that were then destroyed
    The young people had a chance to try canoeing and kayaking
    The young people had a chance to try canoeing and kayaking

    Grace Frampton, aged 12, from All Saints Church, Denmead, said: “I was the only one from my church, but I made friends quickly. I really enjoyed the water slide, and the kayaking. It was good to learn about how we can defeat the ‘giants’ in our lives that might be holding us back.”

    Dexter Lupton, 14, from St John’s, Fareham, who has been on all three previous High Tide residentials, said: “The best part was the final evening worship because of how powerful it was and how present God was. High Tide has really helped me to grow as a Christian.

    “I enjoyed the Hunted game when we had to chase down our leaders in the dark. And the fencing and the silent disco were great,”

    Abbie Bacon, 14, from St Jude’s, Southsea, was moved by God’s Spirit to pray for all the other young people during the final evening’s worship. She said: “I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to pray, but I was a bit nervous and I was shaking afterwards. It has happened before, but not as powerfully as that. I loved the clay modelling and the baking, and it was good to spend time bonding with friends.”

    Eden Curtis, 13, from Holy Rood Church in Stubbington, was on her third High Tide holiday. She said: “I liked the canoeing and kayaking and the water slide, and I really liked the worship – I liked the whole thing, really. And my favourite food was the cheesy beans on toast. I've got to know more and more people, so I enjoy coming.”

    And Amos Henson, 14, from Harbour Church, said: “The whole holiday was good. The worship was great and it felt so peaceful afterwards. My favourite activity was the sport, which was led by my cousin Sam.”

    Making ‘friendship t-shirts’ involved covering your arms and hands with paint and hugging a friend – to leave your mark on their t-shirt
    Making ‘friendship t-shirts’ involved covering your arms and hands with paint and hugging a friend – to leave your mark on their t-shirt
    The young people led worship themselves during the five-day holiday
    The young people led worship themselves during the five-day holiday
    Time to pack up and go home, leaving the cabins and yurts they slept in
    Time to pack up and go home, leaving the cabins and yurts they slept in

    High Tide youth services take place each month, in a different church in our area each time. They include food, games, worship, teaching and prayer and anyone aged 11 to 18 is welcome. 

    The next High Tide youth service happens at the Oasis Centre in Arundel Street, Portsmouth, from 7pm-9pm on September 20. For details, click here.

    Click here for more information about High Tide
    Click here for more photos from the High Tide summer holiday

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