The Diocese of Sourozh runs an Orthodox children's summer camp dedicated to Saint Seraphim of Sarov and organised and operated by our Parish of St Nicholas. The St Seraphim Orthodox Youth Camp is open to all baptised Orthodox children and young people between 8½^* and 16 years of age. Our campers come from across the UK, with a small proportion traveling from abroad, and represent a wide variety of national backgrounds and Orthodox jurisdictions.

In 2008 the camp moved from its previous location in Norfolk to Gloucestershire, to former farm near the Forest of Dean, which is being converted into a Christian youth activity centre. The site is well-equipped for camping, but has the added luxury of on-site lavatories and showers, as well as a very popular zip-wire and swing!

The first camp on the new site proved very sucessful and everyone is already planning our return in 2009.
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Below is a brief account by Grainne Henry, the parish choir director who allowed herself to be persuaded to come and help for the first week of camp:

This year was my first time at St. Seraphim Orthodox Youth Camp and I spent a week in the kitchen helping to prepare meals. I was surprised at the relaxed, steady flow of each day and the flexible adjusting to unexpected events. Everyone seemed to know what they had to do and simply did it!

After prayers and breakfast, the day's camp leader (drawn from a group of wonderful Orthodox twenty-somethings) would be greeted warmly and noisily before he or she outlined the day's schedule. Children experienced the discipline of tent inspection and helped to lay tables or clear and wash up after meals. Later the camp leader would allocate points to each tent team, often accompanied by hilarious explanations. There was a daily lesson with the clergy on an aspect of the Orthodox Faith and then activities which gave children a chance to expend lots of physical energy. Through sunshine, showers and the occasional storm, they threw themselves enthusiastically into a talent contest, disco dancing, the Olympics, preparing the campsite for the feast of St. Seraphim, candle making and customising t-shirts. I found evening prayers particularly moving, as the children gathered quietly and reverently in the chapel's candlelight.

My impression is that the camp is an emotionally and spiritually rich experience that children will remember all their lives. They have a rare opportunity - the freedom to hang out with friends for two weeks, sharing responsibility for the domestic sides of things, playing, learning and praying side by side in an Orthodox setting.

Maybe adults could do with some of that too!

Friday 24th July - Tuesday 4th August

If you wish to enrol your child in this year's camp programme, please download the documents below. You will need to read through all the information and then complete and sign the application and medical forms, returning them, together with the camp fee, to the address indicated.  

Unless agreed previoulsy, all forms must be received by 30th June.