Young Life Leaders, we are grateful for the time and energy you have invested in knowing kids. We are looking forward to serving you at Cairn Brae this summer. We have been planning and preparing for you and your campers and cannot wait to create a space where they all feel a sense of belonging and excitement as they encounter the Gospel! A culture of belonging is a core value to ensure that Cairn Brae is a place where every person is welcomed, known, heard, respected and celebrated for the ways they uniquely reflect the image of God.
This page highlights the most pertinent information and resources to equip you for your trip, and will be added to in the lead up to camp, so please stay tuned for updates!
Please give us a call (+44 (0)1764 652586) or email (cairnbrae@ylinternational.org) if you have any questions that aren't answered here.
Checklists
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PRE-CAMP:
Get as many online health and consent forms returned as possible!
Make sure all your leaders have been approved in the Volunteer Application Process
Ensure all leaders are signed up
Send out the packing list to your young people and leaders
Camp arrival:
All remaining Health Forms to be handed in (however, ideally these are completed online prior to camp)
Luggage - Tag your luggage to distinguish boys (blue) and girls (red)
Medications collected/labeled (see Travel Instructions below)
Electronics collected/labeled by area (see Travel Instructions below)
Travel Instructions
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How to get to Cairn Brae:
Most areas will travel to camp via bus/ferry/train which has been pre-arranged by the main staff person and the Regional Administrator. If you have questions about how your group is getting to camp, please first ask your main staff person. If they require more information direct them to the Regional Administrator, dmills@ylinternational.org
For arrival to Cairn Brae, the coach will pull into the lay-by on the A85, just before the Loch Monzievaird Self Catering entrance turn off. This is where we ideally drop off our campers and from here ou staff will lead them into camp. If you are coming by car, please still drop your leaders and young persons here.
When to get to Cairn Brae
- Arrival - Between 2pm and 4pm on Day 1.
If you have a delayed start please let the Camp Office know immediately. Otherwise, please call the Office when you are one hour away from arrival. Camp Office: +44 (0)1764 552586
- Departure - Noon! On Day 7 for Young Life or Day 5 for Wyldlife.
Collecting and Packaging Electronics
- Collect your young person's electronic devices before arrival to camp.
- Ensure all devices are TURNED OFF
- Place them in labelled zip-lock bags (noting the name and area of the camper). It is recommended that you bring a clearly labelled box or bag to place these in and hand to the camp office.
- These will be collected by the Head Leader upon arrival to camp.
Collecting and Packaging Medications
- It is recommended that these are collected prior to commencing the journey to camp, alternatively at the time you are collecting electronic devices.
- Ensure you are aware of which campers have medications that need collecting (this will be on their Health and Consent Form)
- Place the medications in a clear labelled (with camper and area name, dosage and frequency) bag. Please come to the Office with your young person to hand in the medications to the camp medic. They will log the medication and note what times etc. the camper needs to take these medications.
- The Camper can access these by visiting the camp office at the times they require to take the medications.
Helpful Resources
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Some tips on how to:
- be a leader at camp,
- lead Cabin Time,
- do One-On-One time well, both at camp and at home,
- make the most of free time,
- follow-up with your young people post camp: Part 1 & Part 2.
New Leader Survival Guide - we know if can be a little daunting to lead at a camp for the first time! Feel free to read over this article to gain some insights and ideas for your time at camp.
Printable PDF Camper Health and Consent Form (for late sign ups only, please prioritise using the online forms).
Printable PDF 18+ Leader Health Form (for late sign ups only, please prioritise using the online forms).
Food Allergies/Dietary Restrictions: Please ensure campers and leaders list food allergies/dietary restrictions on their health form. If a health form is completed without those details, email Camp (cairnbrae@ylinternational.org) and we'll make sure they are included on our internal tracking list.
FAQs
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- What time should we plan on arriving to camp? Arrival is between 2 - 4 PM on Day 1 of your camp week.
- How much does camp cost? Contact your local staff person to find out the camper and/or leader costs for your area.
- When do I need to return the forms from my Registration Packet? This is due 10 business days prior to camp. Ensure you have completed all pages of the packet, and emailed it back to the Cairn Brae office.
- Who's medication is collected while at camp? All camper's medication is collected upon arrival at Cairn Brae. All emergency medications (ex: EpiPens) will be returned to individuals once it has been logged.
- How should medication be packaged and how can our young people access it? Medications should be placed in a clear bag, labelled with the campers details. Your young people can access their medications by visiting the office when they need to be administered.
- Are linens being provided? Linens will be provided for both Young Life and WyldLife sessions. Campers and Leaders will be required to bring their own towels.
- Can Vapes be brought to camp? Vapes are prohibited at camp. The same zero-tolerance approach that is applied to alcohol, weapons and illegal drugs, solvents and substances will be applied to Vapes.
- Can campers gain access to their devices? Devices will not be given back to campers during the duration of camp. However, if a camper does need to contact their parents this will be facilitated.
- How many changes of clothes do I need? Make sure you have more than enough for the amount of days that you're at camp. Due to the types of activities we do, you may need to change 1-2 times a day. Check out the packing list for more details about what times of clothes to bring!
- Can I use my phone? Yes, but limit your time. The kids don’t have theirs so don’t be seen with it, as it's already challenging for them. Encourage your kids to bring a digital/ disposable camera or video recorder if they really want pictures/videos.
- Will I have time for myself? Yes, you can take time for yourself in the leader lodge. It is important that you actually take this time out. Whether you just have a cup of tea, catch up with friends on the phone or have quite time. Take the time! Camp is full-on and it’s important to look after yourself.
- Will I be tired? Absolutely! You are go, go, go at camp. From activities all day to cabin time chats. Camp can be hectic at times. So get your sleep. The FOMO can be real but as a leader it’s important you are rested and ready for action the next day.
- What if someone gets sick? Don’t worry camp has a medic onsite who’s available at all hours.
- Should I tell the kids about what’s coming? No, keep the surprises. Not all kids enjoy surprises but it really makes camp. Encourage the kids who have been before to not spoil it for anyone else.
- What do I do during meal times? This is a great time to chat with your young people! Here's some ideas for what to talk about.
- What is a one-on-one? A one-on-one chat is an opportunity for you as a leader to chat personally and build a strong relationship with your key kids. It is a chance to talk about camp/life and help them digest the message they’ve heard. Pull a kid aside, grab a coffee or go on a walk around the loch. These are the conversations that deepen and encourage faith!
- What’s Cabin Time? Cabin time is the last thing you do with your campers each night. It is an opportunity to discuss what you’ve done and heard that day. A favourite question to break the ice each night is "what was your high and low of the day?". This time allows the kids to discuss clubs talk, and let them share their thoughts, and opinions and reflect on the message. You will be given a sheet with questions to help you lead but don’t feel as though these are set in stone. Go where conversion and kids lead you.
- Can I ask for help? The staff at the camp are there to help and support you as a leader. Nothing is too big or small. If you’re unsure about anything just ask! They might not always have the answer but they’ll try to find it or someone who has the answer.
- Camps over, what now? It is important to rest after camp. It is an intense time when you are giving 100% to your kids, so it’s okay to take some time off. However, it’s important to follow up with your kids! After all this time building on your relationship with the kids, and walking alongside them in what can be a life-changing week. Let them know you are there for them after. That the talks and chats don’t end because camp has.
We are so grateful for ALL you are doing to bring kids to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ this summer.
Important Things to Communicate & Do:
No Electronics
- No phones, laptops, iPads, iPod touches, Switches... nothing! The only exception is a digital camera (not linked to a phone)!
- All electronics need to be collected on the way to camp.
- Please put each camper's electronics into a clearly labelled bag so we can store these items safely and return them efficiently. Please make sure they are TURNED OFF.
Luggage
- Please put a coloured tag with your area name on each of your campers and leaders luggage.
- Blue for males and Red for females (the tag can also be white with your area name in Green and Yellow writing). This will help us to be efficient on camp arrival and deliver your luggage to the right locations.
Alcohol, Vapes and Drugs Policy
- As a reminder, Young Life has a zero-tolerance approach to alcohol; vapes; weapons; and illegal drugs, solvents and substances. Young Life can send individuals home from camp or an event at their own expense and without refund for violating this policy. Young Life may also report violations of this policy to law enforcement as well as to a minor’s parent or guardian.
Health and Consent Forms
- We need one for every young person AND every leader.
- Ensure if they are allowed painkillers such as paracetamol that it is written on their health form, otherwise the office will have to call their parents before administering the painkillers.
- Their medication needs to be put in a clear labelled bag and the campers and leader will need to bring it to the office to log with the camp medic. Please have the dosage and frequency of the medications written on the bag too.
- Campers will need to come to the office to collect their medication each day.
Packing List
- You will be required to bring some costumes and fun things for your cabin, therefore we will send out a packing list once the programme team has finalised it. Please note, there will be different packing lists for Wyldlife and Young Life camp.
- Some things on your packing list should be kept a secret from your kids, so please read it carefully and don’t just forward it to campers!!
Time Line
iRs - September
These are initial camping spot requests so we can base our weeks of camping on those. You are not yet committed financially.
R1s - February 1st
R1s are an update on your camping spots, still no financial commitment. However, you will have to fill out your first R1 contract. Please return to us by Feb 1.
R2s - May 1st
May 1 you will submit your R2 contract which makes you financially liable to cover 90% of your reserved camping spots.
Further, if you are a YLI area a £35 deposit per camper is due May 1st.
Trip Leader Packets - May 2nd
The Cairn Brae Team will send out the Trip Leader Packets to each area. Please keep an eye out for these! They will include:
- Registration Packets/Housing
- General/Programme Packing List
- 10 Day Action Sheet
- Health & Consent Forms for Campers and Leaders
10 days before you arrive at camp [for the YL Session = 29th June / WL Session = 21st July]
10 days before your camping week we will need you to fill out the following:
If any of your campers take medication on prescription, please make sure they bring those with them to camp (including inhalers and Epipens).
- Housing Request Form
- A-Form
- Health and Consent Forms (for both the Campers and Leaders)
This is very important information for camp as we prepare for meals, housing, rides, etc.
24-Hour Check-In - 1 day before you arrive at camp
We will be checking in with you 24 hours prior to arrival to confirm the final camp numbers. But please, if you know of any changes, inform us as soon as you can
Arrival - You made it to Cairn Brae!
Please ensure that our camper/leader list is the same as people you have brought.
