This summer, St. James' Parish hosted an unforgettable Parish Camp, bringing together young people for two weeks of fun, faith, and friendship. The camp ran from July 25th to 28th and again from August 1st to 4th, and each day was packed with exciting activities and meaningful experiences.

Week 1: A Memorable Kick-off

The first week of camp began on the Feast of St James', the patron Saint of our Parish. We begun with a warm welcome from Fr Jacob and a peaceful morning prayer led by Brother Solomon. We then head to church and joined the parishioners for Mass celebrating the feast of St. James. This was followed by real excitement in the afternoon when we headed to Blackpool Pleasure Beach. The sunny weather made the day perfect for thrilling rides and enjoying a delicious meal together. The joy and laughter shared on the rides created lasting memories for everyone.

On the second day, Brother Malachy led us in a thoughtful morning prayer, and our catechism class focused on the question, "Why did God become man?" The day's adventure took us to Ninja Warrior Adventure Park, where the young campers showed off their skills on climbing walls, balance beams, and obstacle courses. Many of them took on the challenge of the Warped Wall and Mount Sasuke, making the most of their time in this action-packed environment.

Day three was all about competition and community. We enjoyed a variety of games set up in the lovely gardens of St. James'. Activities included football, UNO, giant connect 4 and much, much more. After the games, we came together for Mass to give thanks for the fun and fellowship we had experienced. At the end of the day we celebrated the achievements of our campers, with a special shout-out to those who excelled in the day's activities.

The final day of the first week was just as special. Brother David led us in a morning prayer that encouraged us to reflect on how we connect with God through our senses. We then had a catechism session about the importance of baptism and confirmation. The afternoon was filled with fun at Tenpin Centre, where campers enjoyed laser tag, bowling, and a tasty meal. It was a fantastic way to end a week of exciting activities and spiritual growth.

Week 2: New Faces and Fresh Adventures

The second week of camp began with a warm welcome for a new group of young people. Brother Solomon started our day with a heartfelt prayer, setting a positive tone for the week. We continued our tradition of starting each day with a catechism class and then headed to Blackpool Pleasure Beach. The weather was perfect, and everyone enjoyed the rides and the shared meal, creating new memories and friendships.

On the second day of the second week, Brother Malachy's prayer focused on our dreams and trusting in God to help us achieve them. We spent the rest of the day at Ninja Warrior Adventure Park, where campers had a blast navigating the various obstacles and enjoying the inflatable courses. The Warped Wall and Mount Sasuke proved as challenging as ever, and the energy and enthusiasm were palpable.

Competition Day, which fell on the third day, was a highlight for many. Brother Reuben led us in prayer, and Fr. Jacob gave a catechism class about how Jesus opened heaven for us. After a delicious pizza lunch, we dove into a series of games, from football to UNO and giant connect 4. The day ended with a Mass to celebrate our time together and recognise Ash, who was honoured as the overall winner of the day's competitions.

The final day of the camp was both exciting and reflective. Brother David led a prayer session about the Church as our ladder to heaven. We then enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon at the Tenpin Centre, where bowling, laser tag, and arcade games brought joy to everyone. It was a fantastic way to conclude the camp, with lots of laughter and shared experiences.

A Heartfelt Thank You

As Parish Camp 2024 came to a close, we took a moment to appreciate the hard work of our parish team and the Salesian brothers who made these two weeks so special. Their dedication ensured that each day was filled with fun, faith, and unforgettable moments. A massive thank you to all benefactors- without your help we wouldn't be able to run this camp! We are grateful to everyone who participated and helped make this year's camp a success. We look forward to welcoming even more young people next year for more adventures and spiritual growth. God bless!

Text and Images from St James' Bootle website