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Launch of Holiday Camp for Cookham Kids

18 February 2014

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 Looking for an unforgettable experience for your children this summer? Search no further… Rocky’s Plaice Fish and Chip Shop Holiday Camp is coming to Cookham!


   The camp will run daily, 9am to 3pm from Monday, 28th July to Friday, 1st August at Holy Trinity Church Parish Centre and paddock.


   Fun and action-packed, it will feature fast-moving creative teaching, games, songs, drama, craft activities, chat, music and sports. And what’s more, it will be set in an imaginary fish and chip restaurant called Rocky’s Plaice, which happens to be where a church meets to help youngsters learn about Jesus.


      Father Nick Plant, who has been Associate Priest in Cookham for nearly five years, had the idea to launch the summer camp after helping with Burnham Lighthouse, a Christian holiday week for primary school-age children.


   ‘It’s huge - 800 people attend the Lighthouse camp every day. It is incredible and brings people together in ways I haven’t seen before. Everyone has a wonderful time, so I thought we could do something similar on a smaller scale here in Cookham,’ he said. ‘Trying to keep children busy and prevent them from getting bored in the summer holidays can by hard, so a camp in the first week could be just what’s needed.’

   Organised by Holy Trinity and St John the Baptist churches, and supported by all four Christian churches in Cookham, Rocky’s Plaice will be based on an established Scripture Union holiday club programme.


  There is room for 60 children on the camp, aged between five and 11 year’s old. They’ll be split into two groups for most activities - 5-8 years and 8-11 years.


   ‘I don’t think as a church we currently cater for young people as well as we could, so it’s something we want to work on. Likewise, teenagers are illusive and we want to appeal to them too,’ said Father Nick. ‘The camp is open to all primary-aged children in the community – those with little or no experience of the church as well as those who are already part of a church community. Our aim is for the children to have a great time and learn a little bit more about God, and for us to connect with families in the local community.’


   The camp can’t run without donations, so the suggestion is £30 per child for the week. However, the organisers don’t want to exclude any child whose parents can’t afford it so will accept any donation or none if in some cases this is necessary.

   ‘I’m really looking forward to running it, and I’m lucky to have such dedicated and talented people around me to help. But we do need more volunteers,’ said Father Nick.

index.11.jpg (34614 bytes)  The organisers are looking for adult and teenage helpers, and local sponsors, and they’ll be putting on a creche for any volunteers’ children under the age of five. If someone volunteers for a minimum of two days, you will not be expected to make a donation for your children to attend the camp. You will be trained in safe-guarding policies and need to be CRB-checked. 

   ‘We’re also looking for people with specialist skills who might want to get involved. Are you energetic, good with kids, great at ball games, musical or able to motivate people to put on a play? Then we need you!’ said Father Nick.


   The priest has a few ‘secret skills’ he’ll be bringing to the camp, in addition to his religious teachings. For a start, he plays bass guitar with a rock group! ‘We play the Beatles, Oasis and present-day stuff. We’ve done a few gigs in pubs and I’ve been known to do a bit of head-banging! I don’t mind showing off my talent at the camp!’ he laughed.


   Father Nick also sings with Voices in Harmony and a cathedral holiday choir. ‘My wife, Angela, and I have been singing with them for years - classical stuff. And I shall of course be singing God is Good to Me at the camp – all the children know that one! My sons, Josh, 18, who is a teaching assistant, and Jamie, 14, who just about to do his GCSEs, will both be helping at the camp too. We all enjoy playing football, so they may oversee a few games. Our family will be joining forces for Rocky’s Place, and I hope it brings many others together too.

   ‘If your children want to have what will be an unforgettable and amazing week of fun – perhaps the best week of their summer - and if you want to do a good deed and make friends for life, then get involved.’

 

If you’d like to volunteer to help, email chris.harris10@btinternet.com

 

Tickets will go on sale at the Stationery Depot in Cookham from 14th April. 

 


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