Ignite (9-12)

A week packed with water sports, wild activities, new friends and fun discussions about faith for 9-12 year olds.

jump in to camp fun

Ignite is the perfect first step into residential camp life. Whether you're coming with friends or on your own, you'll quickly feel at home as you dive into sailing, kayaking, archery, tunnelling and the assault course. Each Ignite camp has its own unique theme and everything, from the games to the talks, is built around it.

You don't need any previous experience; our instructors will make sure everyone learns new skills at their own pace, with plenty of support for those trying things for the first time and extra challenges for the more adventurous. Evenings are filled with campfires, night walks, themed activities and short, engaging talks about the Christian faith, followed by small group discussions where campers can ask questions and share their thoughts.

With comfortable cabins, delicious food and a team of caring leaders who remember what it's like to be your age, Ignite creates a safe space where you can grow in confidence, make memories that last a lifetime and explore what it means to follow Jesus.

Make Friends for Life

At Ignite, friendships happen naturally. From the moment you arrive, you'll be welcomed into a community where everyone looks out for each other. Share a cabin with your mates or meet new people from different places. The mix of teamwork activities, mealtimes together and evening hangouts means you'll leave with friendships that often last for years.

Faith That Makes Sense

Each evening, a speaker shares short, fun talks that connect the Christian message to real life. Afterwards, you'll chat about it in small groups with leaders who listen well and take your questions seriously. There's no pressure – just honest conversations about faith and what it means to live as a follower of Jesus in today's world.

"The best thing for us grown-ups was having energetic, kind adults engaged with our kids"

Family weekend guest

"The team were incredible and engaged the children so well. So many of them commented how this was the best week of their lives!"

St John's Primary School

“CYE is one of the highlights of my year, for my faith and also for the amazing activities.”

Zach, 17
Inferno Camp (025)

“The messages in the talks helped me understanding my faith and told me how to stay close to God.”

Blaze Camper
Blaze Camp (12-15)

“CYE is the best thing that can happen to a person. It’s amazing.”

Ignite Camper
Ignite Camper (2025)

“The week brought me closer to God and made me laugh to the point of exhaustion.”

Inferno Camper
Inferno Camp (2025)

Events Calendar

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FAQs

Let us put your mind at rest.  Please do get in touch if you have any other questions.

Why do you charge fees for activities and why have they increased?

CYE is a not-for-profit charity. While we receive financial donations from generous supporters, and through grants from trusts, we are unable to cover the cost of running CYE using these gifts alone. Each year we need to ensure we cover the remaining costs which include training, insurance, equipment, site maintenance, staffing, kit replenishment, as well as food, electricity and all the other costs which go with providing excellent quality events. We try to keep these fees as low as possible. Please be reassured that we only increase our fees so we can ensure our site, staff and equipment offer you and all our guests an irresistible and unique experience.

Can my child share a cabin with their friend?

This will probably be possible. You will be asked on your booking form if your child would like to share a cabin with anyone in particular. In all cases we will try to accommodate these important requests but ultimately we can't guarantee we'll be able to.

How do I book? Can I reserve a place over the phone for my child?

Bookings need to be made online and are not complete until valid deposit payment has been received by the Centre. Do call the office if you have any questions.

What happens if my child gets ill while they're with you?

All of our staff have up-to-date First Aid qualifications and are competent at dealing with minor emergencies. If it is deemed necessary to seek further help then a child can be taken to either Southbourne Surgery or St Richard's Hospital in Chichester.

Can my child use their phone during their stay?

To help all young people get the most out of their time at CYE, we ask that mobile phones are not brought with them. If a phone is brought, it will be collected on arrival and stored securely in the office for the duration of the stay. This helps everyone switch off from digital distractions, enjoy face-to-face friendships, and fully take part in all that's on offer at CYE. You can call the office/out of hours phone if you need to contact your child during their time with us. In the unlikely event of an emergency, we will contact you directly.

Can my child ring home if they need to speak to me?

Unless it's really urgent, we encourage them not to. Very few children miss their families to the extent that they need to talk with them while they're with us. However we would, of course, facilitate this in a situation where it was necessary.