Sion Summer Camp - Example Letter to Parents

Dear Parent,

I’m writing to provide details about the Sion Youth Summer Camp, 23rd-26th June to which your son/daughter has been invited to take part on through his/her school.

Sion Youth Summer Camp:

Summer Camp is a four day summer event which runs every year in the gardens of Sion Community’s main house in Brentwood. Around 100 people from years 10 to 13 attend from all over the country and even beyond.

The Summer Camp is a good opportunity to grow in the love of God in a fun and dynamic way. Your son/daughter will receive teaching in the forms of drama, music, sports, workshops and gathering in small groups which will give him/her a vivid and meaningful experience of living the faith out in a joyful way. It also offers them space to express their ideas while listening to those of others, to find enriching ways of prayer, to make friends who share the hope of life in Christ and who have the potential to support each other in their everyday discovery of the love of God.

Whether your child enjoys artistic, intellectual or sport activities, the Summer Camp offers a safe and dynamic environment conducive to discover and/or further develop his/her abilities and gifts as it includes a variety of settings such as a large marquee, a Chapel and Sion’s house facilities together with a diverse portfolio of creative workshops and ways of teaching. The beautiful British sunshine will also be inviting for plenty of time spent outdoors!

Sion Youth:

History

The Sion Catholic Community was founded in 1984 by Father (now Monsignor) Pat Lynch, from the Diocese of Nottingham. He was given permission by his Bishop to work full-time in evangelisation. Within a year, Fr Pat had brought together seven other people to found the Sion Community. Today, the Community works at the centre of the Church under the authority of the Catholic Bishops of England, Scotland and Wales.

Our Name

Mount Sion, on which the city of Jerusalem stands, is symbolic of the present and future Kingdom of God. It was the focus from which the preaching of the Gospel went forth to the whole world (Acts 1:8): "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem (...) and to the ends of the earth.”

Further details:

Food and Accommodation

Sion Community Centre for Evangelisation and National Training (S.E.N.T.) is a fully equipped residential Christian Conference Centre which can accommodate up to 200 people during the Summer Camp including participants, teachers and team.

Students will be camping in the grounds of S.E.N.T and will therefore need to bring a tent or share one with a friend/friends (single sex only). All meals will be provided. There are sufficient indoor toilet and shower facilities on site.

Transport

Students’ travel will depend on the school but will most likely be by Minibus to and from:

Sion Community, S.E.N.T. Sawyers Hall Lane, Brentwood, Essex, CM15 9BX

Accessibility and Special Needs

Please contact us directly if your child requires special care or access:

Security

There is always a First Aid officer available on our events. We also follow child protection laws, and have renewed our CRB/DBS (Criminal Records Bureau/Disclosure and Barring Service) every three years. In the case of fire, we have people responsible for making sure that everybody leaves the house, and our house has excellent fire regulations in place.

Site rules

Strictly no alcohol, drugs or drug paraphernalia on site - except for medical purposes.
No mixed gender accommodation on site unless they are a married couple.
Smoking is not permitted on site.
Silence in the camp after lights out.
Sion Youth cannot be held responsible for loss or damage to persons or personal property.

In the event of an emergency

Contact Sion Community on: 01277 215011 or

Payment

The Summer Camp ticket cost is £60. However the overall price will be affected by transport, implications for teaching cover, insurance and any other costs the school will incur. Please see the trip organiser for details of the final cost.

There is a deposit price of £25 (which is not refundable) which will be payable upon reception of the booking form.

All further details can be found at

Kind regards,

The Sion Youth Team