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What is Breathe?
An ecumenical youth retreat for secondary and sixth form pupils.Where?
Breathe will again be held at the Peak Centre, Edale, Derbyshire: http://www.peakcentre.org.uk.
A well resourced youth residential centre in the northern Peak District.
A summer youth residential with a difference…
Run by Darlington Area Churches Youth Ministry, and endorsed by the Retreat Association. Breathe* is a Youth Retreat designed to help young people encounter God in a way that is new to them. What Breathe* offers to young people is deliberately different to the major summer youth festivals like Soul Survivor and New Wine. We are relationally focused and spiritual engagement is bespoke.
How to get to Peak Centre (S33 7ZA)
The Peak Centre is situated in the small village of Edale, in the northern area of the Peak District National Park.
Edale is on the Hope Valley Railway Line between Sheffield and Manchester, and has its own railway station only a few minutes walk from the Peak Centre.
The Ethos…
The ethos behind Breathe* is shaped by our three core values.
Community – to create a community that is based on mutual respect, regardless of our social standing, gender, ability, sexuality, or ethnicity. A community that welcomes young people (and leaders) as they are, from diverse church backgrounds and traditions.
Prayer – a key aspect of any retreat is prayer. We seek to provide a place where the tools of quietude and contemplation can be an antidote to modern living thus providing young people with the space to rediscover some of the ancient Christian practices of prayer and meditation – but in relevant and contemporary way.
Justice – We want Breathe to be a place where we act justly towards one another, including those in the world around us. It is about acting out of a concern for what is right and seeing what is right and fair prevail in society, especially for those who suffer most and are least able to protect themselves.
Breathe is about Shalom…. To read more about our vision click here.
The Team…
Breathe* has been running since 2006 set up by Martin and Melanie Stand and Paul Northam. Martin and Melanie are youth workers for Darlington Area Churches Youth Ministry and have over 40 years youth work experience between them! Paul is a Evangelisation Fieldworker for Birmingham Catholic Archdiocese and has a published Grove Booklet entitled ‘Timeless Approaches to Prayer’. Alongside them a team of dedicated volunteers from all walks of life serve for the week, each member bringing a different talent to the team. Together they aim to make Breathe* a memorable and enjoyable week for all the young people present.
Quietude and contemplation…
Breathe* is a direct response to the busy and hectic lives most young people lead. At Breathe* we encourage quietude and time to meditate on the peace of God. It is a youth retreat in the most basic of definitions; it provides space and time to really get away from all the strains and demands of the modern world. We can think of no better place to connect with the wonder of God than in the peaceful splendour of nature. Aside from the multitude of activities provided every year, there is an optional hike at the end of the week . Those who go use some of the meditative tools they have been taught over the course of the week and sit in silence atop a hill. This time is often one of the most powerful for the young people that attend, with all of them commenting on their experience.
Accommodation…
Held in the idyllic surroundings of Edale in the Peak District. Surrounded by a dramatic views of the local hills (inc Kinder Scout and Mam Tor) and the sound of a baaing sheep or two, for one week Breathe* descends upon the Peak Centre to take up residence. Young people sleep in same sex dorm rooms of varying sizes, each bed is provided with bedding, and there are convenient toilet and shower facilities. Breathe* is a no camping residential! The Peak Centre has two fields and an indoor climbing wall – plus a fully equipped art and craft room. Within a short walk from the Peak Centre is the village facilities of Edale including the Peak District National Park Visitor Centre (with gift shop) and a National Trust Cafe.
Life long friendships…
Breathe* really allows time for friendships to develop over the week. Whether that be mountain biking as a team or eating together in the dining hall, the power of community is very much encouraged within the retreat. Because Breathe* is relatively small in comparison to other residentials, the members come to feel it is more of a family than a holiday camp. There are many ways group bonding is allowed for during the week, not least through the activities made available.
Celebration times…
Every morning and evening the whole camp congregates in the meeting room set aside for the occasion. During the morning the young people start the day with different meditative techniques, as well as high energy wake-up activities! The evening meeting is a time for reflection on the day that has happened, worship, the annual camp video vote and for guest speakers to talk. These times, aside from breakfast, lunch and dinner, are when all the young people and leaders are in the same room at the same time.
Small groups and journalling time…
Aside from the camp meetings, each young person is placed in a same sex small group at the beginning of the week. These groups meet after every evening meeting to discuss some of the ideas and themes that may have arisen throughout the day/guest speaker’s message. This structure allows for greater depth of relational youth work, and for a safe place for all young people to voice opinions, thoughts and feelings. These small groups could be viewed as communities within a community. One strand of contemplative prayer that Breathe* provides is that of journalling. Members are provided with Breathe* journals at the beginning of the week and given time and space to write their inner most conversations with God. This is not a compulsory task, but we believe prayer can be experienced in a variety of ways and means and seek to enable the young people to meet God where they are.
It’s not all peace and quiet!
Breathe* spends some of it’s time on and off site partaking in some high adrenaline, loud, sometimes messy, FUN! Activities vary from year to year, but at one time or another members of Breathe* have hiked, mountain biked, abseiled, canoed, built rafts, played archery, climbed, visited caves, rode a rollercoaster or two, and done it all with a smile on their faces!
That’s not to mention the, ahem, shall we say, tamer? activities. For those with a more artistic view on life, there has been tye-dying, jewellery making, art journalling, pizza decorating, photography snapping, drama participating JOY!
Booking Info
How to book, where is it, when is it.... so many questions!
How much does Breathe cost?
The cost per person for Breathe is £199.
We do have some bursary funding to help reduce this cost in certain circumstances – please contact us for details.
Donations can be spread over instalments if necessary.
How can I book my place?
Download and return the booking form to the left.
General bookings open from 21st February and will be open on a first come first served basis. You can reserve your place by returning the booking form with a non-refundable deposit of £35.00 per person, or £15 per person (if eligible for free school meals) to Martin Stand, Darlington Area Churches Youth Ministry, Room 11, Bondgate Methodist Church, Salt Yard, Darlington, DL3 7JJ.
How to get to Peak Centre (S33 7ZA)
By road:
From the east (M1/Sheffield/Chesterfield) take the A6187 to Hope. Turn right opposite Hope Church following the sign to Edale.
From the west (M6/Chapel/Buxton) take the road from Chapel-en-le-Frith towards Castleton. Turn left at sign to Edale and Barber Booth.
When in Edale, take the road up to the centre of the village from the public car park, under the railway bridge, and turn left as you go around the first corner.
Please note coaches must park in the public car park and may have difficulty navigating the narrow bridge if coming from Hope
By rail:
Edale is on the main Sheffield to Manchester railway that has a pay train service stopping at Edale.
What should I bring?
Download a full kit list below, you’ll need enough clothes for the duration, toiletries and some spending money. There’s some optional things you can bring such as a personal stereo and books… however things NOT to bring are Drugs, Alcohol, Large Stereos and Knives of any kind.
Download Kit List
- To respect and co-operate with all those attending Breathe especially the leaders who in return will listen to your thoughts, ideas and opinions
- To work with everyone as part of a team
- To keep curfew times
- To maintain a good standard of personal hygiene at all times
- Not to develop friendships that exclude other people
- Not to enter anyone’s bedroom that is not my own
- Not to gossip about anyone in any circumstances
- Not to bully anyone in any circumstances
- Not to demonstrate aggressive behaviour in any circumstances
- Not to go off on my own
- Not to drink and/or take drugs whilst on the project. (if a legal smoker, smoking will only be permitted in the designated smoking place)
You will be expected to follow the code of conduct at all times, and sign a copy of it to that effect.
Code of Conduct
Contact
Get in touch with any queries!For further inquiries please contact Martin Stand on;
email: MartinStand@dacym.co.uk
tel: 07717 336 183
address: c/o DACYM, Room 11, Bondgate Methodist Church, Salt Yard, Darlington, DL3 7JJ
Or just use the form to the right!
Testimonials
See what some of the past Breathe attendees have to say…