Our Mission Statement

To clearly present the Good News of Jesus Christ to people of all ages and backgrounds and to enable them to come to a saving knowledge of God while also providing an environment that gives fellowship, support and encouragement for Christians and non-Christians as they spend time together.

The Yorkshire Assemblies Camps Trust is a registered charity which administers the Sunday School Camp and is also responsible for a Focus Bible Study weekend each November.

History

The Beginning

The work had humble beginnings when, in 1948, two Sunday School Teachers from a small church in Ossett, West Yorkshire took a group of boys on a camping holiday to a local beauty spot. It was hugely enjoyed and viewed as very successful so the activity was repeated later in the year.

Osset and District

In the few years that followed, different locations were chosen and other, nearby assemblies were welcomed into the venture. Very quickly it became a mixed camp, then an annual event known as the 'Ossett and District Sunday School Camp'.

Camp at Ingleton

By the mid 1950's some 150 people were attending the camp and several sites had been used. A settled period of about 15 years was enjoyed at Ingleton in the Yorkshire Dales. In view of the number of assemblies who had joined the venture, it was renamed the Yorkshire Assemblies Sunday School Camp in 1964 and an organising committee was formed to develop the work.

Camp grows

As a result of the growth in the work, some equipment was acquired and, since it was no longer practical to transport the equipment to and from the site, a small hut to be erected in which to store it.

Camp at Howden

The work continued and began to outgrow the site at Ingleton so in 1970 a new site was found at Howden in East Yorkshire. The old 'hut' at Ingleton was abandoned and a much larger wooden building purchased and transported to site. As numbers continued to grow, so did the amount of equipment - with tents, chairs, tables, catering equipment and much more being accquired.

Camp moves

In 1980 the Christian farmer at Howden sold his farm and camp had to find a new site. For three years different sites were used - including one at a stately home, Nostell Priory and at Stathern in Leicestershire. The lack of a regular base provided many logistical problems particularly regarding transport and storage. The numbers attending the camp peaked at over 400 during this period and a decision that, in future, camps would be limited to a maximum of 400.

Camp at Duffield

In 1983 a site was found in North Duffield near Selby, North Yorkshire and the connection with this village continued for 17 years although three different sites were used. Logistics problems were still encountered and it was during this period that the Yorkshire Assemblies Camps Trust was established (October 1983) and a search for a permanent site began in earnest.

Another move

Foot and Mouth disease forced yet another move to North Lincolnshire for the 2001 camp but the Trust was then finally able to purchase its own site at Misterton, near Bawtry in South Yorkshire.

Organisation

Whilst the site and its development is the responsibility of the Trust a separate body named The Working Committee organises an overseas the week of camp each year. There is much to get ready to provide all daily essentials for 350+ people living under canvass or in caravans for a week in a relatively remote farmers field. It has often been commented that while much time is committed to improving facilities some of the best memories of fun times are those when hardship has brought people together. The reliable English Summer can often be the root cause of such experiences.

The working committee

The members of this organising group are drawn from members of churches in Yorkshire and further a field. Active church membership and an obvious passion for the work of the camp are two of the main prerequisites.
Meetings are held throughout the year concerned with arranging, developing and reviewing everything from the weeks menu, the theme for the meetings to the sleeping arrangements and refuse disposal!
The objects of the committee are:

To organise as efficiently and as economically as possible the week of The Yorkshire Christian Camp.
The salvation of boys and girls.
To ensure that the gospel is clearly presented during the week of The Yorkshire Christian Camp.
To make available practical opportunities for fellowship to believers.
To arrange such meetings and events as will promote the forgoing.
To make available opportunities whereby believers might be strengthened and encouraged in their faith.
To arrange the hire, loan or purchase of such items of equipment including marquees as are necessary for the period of The Yorkshire Christian Camp.

The Trust

With the purchase of a site the annual effort has been reduced, as all equipment is stored locally easing the setting up of the site. This has also meant resources have been focused more on developing the site. Work done to date has included drainage, electricity and water supplies, creation of a kitchen and washing up area, building renovation, sewerage and storage barns for equipment.
Much has been achieved and the next phase of the vision is to add a purpose built toilet and shower block - a long overdue facility many would argue.

Constitution

Both bodies hold to the basic principals of the New Testament scriptures. We believe the fundamental truths contained are;

Doctrines

The Unity of the Father Son and Holy Spirit in the Godhead to whom equal honour is due.
The Divine Inspiration and infallibility of the Holy Scriptures as originally given and its Supreme Authority in all matters of Faith and Conduct.
The Universal Sinfulness and Guilt of Mankind since the Fall rendering Man subject to God's Wrath and Condemnation.
Redemption from the Guilty Penalty and Power of Sin only through the Sacrificial Death of Jesus Christ the Only begotten Son of God.
The Virgin Birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the Dead.
The Necessity of repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to make the death of Christ effective to the Individual Sinner.
The Indwelling and Work of the Holy Spirit in the Believer.
The One Holy Universal Church which is the Body of Christ and to which all True Believers belong.
The Expectation of the Personal Visible Return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Practices.

The Observance of the Ordinance of Believers Baptism by Immersion on Personal Confession of Faith and the Commemoration of the Lord's Death in the Lord's Supper on the First Day of the week.
The conducting of meetings for Worship under the Guidance of the Holy Spirit with opportunity for the exercise in the Church of all true Gifts for Education Subject to the Lordship of Christ.

Child protection Policy

The organisers of camp appreciate the need to ensure the well-being of all those who join us for the week. A full child protection policy has been established with training for anyone participating as a Worker. A summary statement for Child Protection is included below.

Focus Bible Study Weekend

Held each November, currently in the Lake District, this is a week end designed to challenge teens to get to know the bible better. A series of informal sessions are mixed with good fun and relaxation in a fantastic setting.
The wk end has its own organising group, if you are interested in attending go here.

The Camp is administered by the Yorkshire Assemblies' Camps Trust, a registered charity. Contact info @ with queries about camp. Problems with the site should be directed to the webmaster.