CHW Youth & Children's Team

Thank you to a fantastic Youth & Children’s Team this year! We laughed, we cried, we worshipped. 🙏🏼

See you all next year at the 40th Castlewellan Holiday Week. Let’s make it the best one yet! Applications will open for Youth & Children’s Team in the new year. 🎉🎉

We had a great day at the CHW colour run! A big thanks to all those involved in helping set it up and organise it and an even bigger thanks to all those involved! Should we bring it back next yeah?!

📸 -

Meet the Youth Leaders for CHW 2024!
Joshua Doig (Top Left), Hannah Doig, Sarah Rock, Grace Harbison, Andrew Matthews, Sarah Pope, Rebekka Snoek & Aaron McFaul.

Matty McCrea (Top Left), Adam Ruddock, Sam Mayes, Joshua Kennedy, Marli Hetutu, Luke Barnard, Abigail Rea, Anna Farrelly, Reuben Barr & Hope Graham.

Please pray for them and the young people they will lead throughout the week

Meet the 9-11 Leaders for CHW 2024!
Aaron Sweeney (Top Left), Hannah Chambers, Joel Wiseman, Abbie Myles, Anna Rainey, Ivana Rajaemmanuel, Natalie Matthews & Nathaniel Barr.
Please pray for them and the children they will lead throughout the week

Meet the 6-8 Leaders for CHW 2024!
Ben McGurk (Top Left), Daniel Alderdice, Hannah Alderdice, Sara Calvert, Irah Toal, Nadia Hall, Grace Matthews & Charlie Croy.
Please pray for them and the children they will lead throughout the week!

Meet the 4-5 Leaders for CHW 2024!
Rebekah Unsworth (Top Left), Jack Donaghy, Daniel Ohoka, Alex Gracie & Heather Bailie.
Please pray for them and the children they will lead throughout the week!

Applications are now closed for Youth and Children's Team!

If you signed up, check your emails as we have sent some important information out.

Applications are now closed for Youth & Children’s Team!

If you signed up, check your emails as we have sent out some important information.

1 week left until applications close for Youth & Children’s Team. If you want to spend a great week with even better people and serving a great God, sign up using the link below! 👋🏼😆

https://form.jotform.com/240166443200342

This year at Castlewellan, we have Mark & Zara Miskimmin joining us to speak at the Youth Programme.

Mark and Zara are passionate about young people understanding their identity as followers of Jesus and living a life worthy of Him. They both work with young people in different settings.

Mark works for a company “Catalyst” leading a youth programme called “Strive” and Zara works for a Christian charity “Made for More” creating workshops and training for young people or those who work with young people on various issues they may be facing.

Mark grew up going to Castlewellan Holiday Week, it had a huge impact on his faith. They both go to CFC in east Belfast with their two children Eliza and Arlo who can’t wait to be at CHW this year.

To sign up for Castlewellan Youth and Children's Team, sign up using the link below. Only 1 week left to sign up!

https://form.jotform.com/240166443200342

2 weeks left to get your applications in for Youth & Children’s Team. Apply using the link below!

https://form.jotform.com/240166443200342

Next up in our "Meet the Leaders" is Rebekah who is leading our 4-5 Programme this year!

Hey! My names Rebekah, I’m 21 and going into my final year of uni at the University of Edinburgh over in Scotland! I study Government, Policy and Society which I really love but sounds a bit fancier than it actually is! While I’m not in classes or doing uni work, in the past year I’ve been involved in the CU on Committee as one of the Outreach Coordinators! Which means I’ve been able to plan lots of fun events, that give the opportunity for people to share the Gospel with their friends and coursemates and come along and have some great conversations! I also love all things Music and singing! I’ve been leading the 4-5s for the past two years and previous to this have been at Castlewellan nearly every year since I was two

It’s very hard to choose a favourite memory from Castlewellan, but as a child I always loved the Praise Parties and then later the late night worship! Being on team the past few years I’ve loved seeing how the children praise God in so many different ways and how we can learn so much from them through that too!

This year in 4-5s we are going to continue to have great fun learning about God through our beautiful crafts, stories, play time and action songs!

If you would love to be part of the Youth and Childrens Team, sign up using the link below!

https://form.jotform.com/240166443200342

Next up in our "Meet the Leaders" is Michael who is part of the Youth and Childrens Team Committee.

Hey, I'm Michael, I'm 28 and currently work in a school in Belfast. Away from work, I'm a big fan of travelling (usually you will find me in Milwaukee in America), walking and supporting the best team in Northern Ireland, Coleraine FC. C'MON THE BANNSIDERS!

I have been part of the Youth and Childrens Team Committee since 2020 and I am in charge of all the admin side of things. I do all the Access NI's for new team members, send lots of emails and texts and usually during the week you'll see me trying to sort something out! I've been involved in the Y&C Team since 2014 and have had different roles, from being part of 15+, to helping lead the Youth Programme to sitting at the back doing visuals!

One thing that I love about Castlewellan every year is the daily blessings. We've had the honour of having the Spence family joining us the past few years and it has been such a joy and privilege to have them share and guide us every morning.

If you think Castlewellan Youth and Childrens Team is for you, apply using the link below or send the page a message and we can chat with you!

https://form.jotform.com/240166443200342

Next up in our “Meet the Leaders” is Ben who is leading our 6-8’s.

Hi! My name is Ben, I am 23 and I currently work for a charity called Redeeming Our Communities were I do a lot of the Admin and Digital work! I have been going to CHW since I was 6 years old, and this will be my third year leading the 6-8s! I have been volunteering at a lot of IMYC events and other church events over the past couple of years! I did an Arts degree in university so I love everything creative, and I am also a massive nerd too!

I have so many amazing memories of Castlewellan over the years so it’s quite hard to choose just a few! I have loved getting to be on youth & children’s team the past few years, getting to witness children and young people engage and respond to what God has been saying to them over the week is such a blessing!

This year at 6-8s we are going to have so much fun playing games, getting to know each other, doing loads of crafts, singing & dancing and most importantly learning from God!

First up in our “Meet the Leaders” is Aaron who is leading our 9-11’s.

Hi! I’m Aaron, I’m 23 and in my day-to-day I work for Bible Society NI. I’ve been to CHW every year of my life and for the last 2 years I’ve led 6-8s with Ben, but not anymore. I graduated in 2023 with a degree in Applied Theology and I’m also a qualified youth worker, which I use from time to time at IMYC events or in volunteering with Aspire at East Belfast Mission.

It’s too hard to choose a favourite memory but some of the highlights for me are lakeside/late-night worship, team time in the mornings, and getting to see children & young people engaging with God year after year.

This year in 9-11s we have a packed programme that’s gonna help us deepen our relationships with God, get to know each other, and help us have lots of fun all at the same time as we learn how to God first, when so many other things are trying to take that place.

Just a reminder that applications are open for Youth and Childrens Team!🔥

We'll be hearing from some of our Age Group leaders in the next coming weeks so keep an eye out for those.

Apply using the link below. 👇

https://form.jotform.com/240166443200342

The time has come!

Applications for Castlewellan Youth and Childrens Team are now open. 😎😎

Whether you have never been part of team or are a seasoned veteran, we would love to have you. 🔥

If you love A/V or if you enjoy helping out in the kitchen, we have a place for you.

Apply now using the link below.👊

https://bit.ly/chwyouthandchildrensteam2024

True worship. That's it!

why not screen shot one of the scriptures that you want to have on your phone this week as a reminder of what is being asked off you.

What are your gifts! Bring them with you! Also please don't forget to bring your sleeping bags, pillows and TOOTHBRUSH.

Be so devoted to each other that you are willing to do each others dishes!

As you give up a week of your time and money may you know the love of your father who gives us the example of how to live!

One of the themes this year is based around Freedom. Scripture tells us that freedom is expressed by serving others.

Are you a baker? if so don't forget to bake some treats to share with the team. If not then don't forget to buy a few treats or sweets to share the love.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2SeLeM3jSQw5udH28J7hat?si=ddc9991e884547dc

Being on Team isn't always easy yet we can safely say it will change us as we become more like Jesus.

You’ve got 1 week to get your application in!

Applications will close next Monday.

Castlewellan Y&C Team applications will close in 2 weeks on the 15th May, so if you haven’t applied yet and you’re still thinking about it, you don’t have long left.

For those who have already signed up, check your emails for some more information!

It seems our Castlewellan Team Tales isn’t over yet! Up next we hear from Beth Hand, who alongside her husband Mark, led the Youth Programme for a number of years!

“Why did you do team?”
Serving at Castlewellan felt natural, I had been there as a child then young person and it had been instrumental in helping me grow in my faith and relationship with Jesus therefore I knew as an adult that I wanted to serve and obey God’s call to be a disciple who makes disciples in whatever small way that I could. Chw team was the best challenge and place to grow with leaders and team mates who were supportive, wise and passionate in the pursuit and service of Christ.

“What do you love most about doing Y&C Team?”
I love the sense of family that you get to be part of; you learn and grow in your skills and giftings together whilst having brilliant chats and banter along the way. I love seeing God connect with young people, see them experience and understand His great love for them and the transformation and wholeness that result from a relationship with Christ. It’s an honour and privilege to get to know young people and journey alongside them as they give everything to God, the highs and lows. I’m so thankful to have the opportunity!

To apply to do CHW Y&C Team, click the link in our bio!

Our final team member in our Castlewellan Team Tales, we hear from Sarah Rock.

“Why did you do team?”
I’ve been going to Castlewellan all my life so when I was offered the opportunity to do team, I didn’t think twice. Although, I was a little bit scared to do team as I was one of the youngest and I didn’t know if I was ready to take on the responsibility, I felt supported by everyone and it turned out to be an incredibly fulfilling experience. Having the chance to give back after so many years was truly special, and I'm eagerly looking forward to doing team again this year.

“What do you love most about doing Y&C Team?”
I love seeing the kids encounter God and grow in their faith. Witnessing the children's unwavering faith and confidence was truly inspiring, and I never imagined the impact they would have on me!

To apply to do CHW Y&C Team, click the link in our bio!