The Youth Programme has been carefully designed to ensure that it nurtures the individual spiritual lives of young people across the 11-17s age group. We meet twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Each session is packed with teaching, worship, small-group discussion, multi media presentations, crazy games and lots of time to laugh and respond to God. During the second half of the morning and during the afternoon we offer a range of optional activities, including our soap box sessions, (a chance to go deeper on a variety of issues) sports, music, art, prayer and chill out in our own late night café. Throughout the weekend we’ll help you discover what it means to love and serve God daily.

Children under 5 have their own programme in our fantastic Children’s Centre and Garden, using a mixture of play, singing, games, crafts, stories and sensory activities -  the under 5s are guaranteed to have a wonderful time. Under 5s meet during the morning only. We also offer a soft play room that is open all day.

Children aged 5-11 meet together in a programme that has been carefully designed to ensure that it nurtures the 5-7s and 8-11s effectively. We meet twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Each session is packed with crazy games, teaching, worship, puppets, age streamed small-group activities, multi media presentations and lots of time to laugh and get to know God. During the second half of the morning and during the afternoon we offer a range of optional activities, including Bible Bop, sports and art. 

We also offer an opportunity for the whole family to come together for all age worship on the Final Day.

Please click here to download the festival guide.

Youth & Children's Information:

Welcome to this year’s Festival Children’s and Youth Programme.
We are looking forward to working with your child or teenager as we unpack the theme “Vintage Christianity”.  We are 100% committed to serving you this weekend and ensuring that everyone who attends our programmes has a fantastic time.

Also - look out for Face Painting and Punch & Judy on the main site, between chapel and the Missions Marquee.

Under 5’s Programme (Creche & Preschool)

• During the morning ministry session (doors open 15 minutes before main session begins)
• Singing, crafts, games, stories, play
• In the Haven Family Centre (access from front entrance on main road)
• Soft Play and Parents’ room (access from front entrance on main road)

5 - 11’s Kids Programme

• During the main morning and evening sessions Lively worship, creative prayer, film clips, puppets, games, crafts, Bible teaching, making new friends, lots of fun!
• Additional Bible Bop, craft sessions and sport
• Led by the Gorsley ‘Buzz’ Ministry Team
• In the Kids’ Tent in Camping Field 1

11 - 17’s Youth Programme

• During the main morning and evening sessions
• Podcast style presentations, entertainment, worship, teaching, small groups, discussion, DVD clips, drama, times of response, dynamic prayer, sanctuary
• Additional art and drama workshops, soapbox and sports sessions
• Late night chill out zone
• The Prayer Cell
• Led by the Gorsley Youth Ministry Team and a host of great guests.
• In the Youth Tent in Camping Field 1 

Check out the programme here for details of the workshops we are offering this year. (Please note that some workshops require pre-booking)

If you have any questions or concerns then please do not hesitate to talk to a member of the team at your child’s venue or ask to speak to our Youth & Children’s Pastor, Nathan Jones. 

Youth & Children's A to Z:

Care of children & young people:
Whilst at Festival, please exercise the same care of your children as you would at home, and ensure they follow normal rules about strangers and not wandering off alone. 

Collecting children & young people from venues:
All children aged 0-11 will need to be collected by designated parents / guardians wearing a wristband that displays your child’s unique reference number.  All children should be collected as soon as the session they are attending ends.
Young people aged 11-17 attending the youth programme are free to leave venues unaccompanied.  If you prefer to pick them up, it is your responsibility to let them know they must wait for you. 

Entering the kids’ and youth venues:
Only approved staff or adults can enter the kids’ and youth tents when sessions are in progress.

Entrance to the adult programmes:
Children and young people are welcome in any of the main services in the Big Top, but not into seminars or adult workshops.  We would kindly request that you are mindful of other guests if they make a disturbance.

Lost children:
If you lose your child, or find a lost child, please go immediately to the Information Tent.  If we find your child, their wristband will enable us to obtain their details in order to contact you. 

Parents’ Area in Big Top (& whereabouts at other times):

 It is vital that we know your whereabouts at all times when your child is in our care.  Parents of under 5’s must never go off site whilst your child is with us. Please be contactable at all times by mobile phone (switch to silent in the Big Top).

If you are in the Big Top, we don’t have a designated parents area.  If we need you, your child’s wristband number will appear on the big screen.
If, for some reason, you choose to be elsewhere, please let us know. 

Registration & Wristbands:
Every child and young person on site must have completed a Registration Form and wear an identity wristband before they can access any of the kids’ or youth programmes.
Forms and wristbands are available from the Information Tent between 9.30 to 6.30 on Thursday 27 August, or between 4.30 to 6.30 on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.  They are also available at the entrance to the appropriate venue at the start of any session.

Parents or guardians of all under 11’s will also need a wristband in order to collect children. 
Wristbands should be worn at all times - they are waterproof and should last all weekend.  We are happy to replace any lost or damaged wristbands.  Under 4’s will need to wear a wristband whilst in their session, but we are happy to issue you with a new one daily at the start of each session, so they don’t have to wear them all weekend. 

Soft Play and Parents’ Room:
This year we are offering additional facilities to parents of under 5s.  There will be a soft play room set up in the Blue Room above the Haven Family Centre.  This will be open from 12 noon until 8.00 pm each day (open from 1.30 pm on Sunday). 
There will also be a parents’ room open in the Haven Family Centre from 6.30 pm to 9.00 pm each
evening (except Thursday).  This offers facilities to heat milk and let your under 5s play before bed.  Parents are required to supervise their children, and we ask that no children over 5 use the soft play room or parents room.

Special needs:
We welcome children with special needs into our programmes and have a number of designated trained stewards. We do ask, however, that a parent or guardian remains until the leader confirms that the team is able to cater for their special needs.  We cannot guarantee that care can be provided.

Sports Academy (at Gorsley Goffs School):
Only those pre-registered on the registration form can attend the sports programme.  The sports field is located at Gorsley Goffs Primary School, a short distance from the church.  Access is via the approach road to the church, across the main road, and around to the right of the school.  Parents should drop off and collect all children, and the same  collection rules apply to this venue.  Those aged 11+ are free to arrive and leave
unaccompanied, but we would encourage you to still drop them off and collect them and make them aware of the main road.  We cannot take responsibility for them before and after the sessions.  Toilet facilities will be available at the school. 
Children and young people attending sports sessions should bring a drink. 

Team members:
Our team mainly consists of our regular team here at Gorsley but we have also been joined by members from other churches and organisations.  Every team member has been screened by CRB, trained for the weekend and will work within strict guidelines.  Team members wear identifying yellow wristbands and Festival name badges. 

What to take to a session?:
We supply all the children under 11 with appropriate drinks (not baby or infant milk), fruit and biscuits, unless you have specified otherwise.  Please send any specific drinks / food they require with them and make sure the leader of the area is aware.  Plenty of drinking water will be made available for them and children will be encouraged to drink if they appear hot or thirsty.
For children attending the under 5’s programme, bring anything that your child would normally need at home - comforter, dummy, spare nappies, change of clothes, etc.  Please don’t dress your child in their best clothes as they will be enjoying themselves and may get messy!  Please ensure everything you bring, including clothes, are clearly labelled with the child’s full name.
 

Please note: No peanuts or products containing nuts should be taken into any of the venues.
Young people aged 11+ just need to bring themselves, a Bible (if they have one) and a small amount of money to purchase a soft drink or some tuck if you wish.