Revolution Camp

Revolution is a youth camp for students in years 6-8 to encounter Christ in a fun and dynamic way. The 2-night weekend camp provides a space for young people to make new friends and encounter God through the Sacraments, prayer, and music/worship. Through talks, creative activities, and small groups, we explore what a revolution of love is and why it’s important for us and our world today.

The Diocese of Christchurch and the Catholic Youth Team are committed to ensuring our events and programmes are places where all young people, families, staff and volunteers are safe, secure, cared for, and respected. We welcome all young people at all stages of their life and faith journey to attend CYT events and programmes.

CYT has carefully planned and implemented policies and procedures and Risk Assessment Management Systems.

The Catholic Youth Team provides services to vulnerable people (children). It is a legal requirement that all our staff – employees and volunteers – are police vetted. The Diocese of Christchurch takes vetting seriously and is committed to this process for clergy, employees, contractors and volunteers.

In addition to Police Vetting, Catholic Youth Team staff are trained in Safeguarding, Youth Worker Ethics, First Aid and Mental Health response. CYT volunteers undergo training and formation, including Safeguarding training, National Office for Professional Standards Code of Conduct, and Pastoral Care before ministering to young people.

You are most welcome to contact us about these CYT policies and procedures or safeguarding measures.

CYT camps are lead by CYT Staff, Mission Team, and trained volunteers. The CYT Event Coordinator is on-site for the full duration of the camp, along with other CYT Staff members and Mission Team, and volunteer leaders. CYT camps have an adult-to-child ratio of at least 1:8.

Camps are only possible with the generous help of talented CYT volunteers. CYT volunteers are usually young adults (20 – 30 years old) who undergo extensive training and formation and have a large amount of experience at these events.

Revolution Camp is also a mentoring opportunity for new volunteer leaders in years 11 – 13 (senior high school). We encourage any high school pupils interested in getting volunteering to get involved!

We are always blessed when religious or clergy can join us at camp, and parent help is always welcome!

When registering for Revolution Camp, the parent/caregiver is given a participants document alongside the confirmation email and information. In this document, it states that we encourage you to organize your own transport to and from the venue. However, we also understand that due to clashing schedules or limitations of transport some parents/caregivers are unable to bring their child/children to the venue. If this is the case, we simply ask you to email the Events Coordinator before the due date stated in the document and they will organize a ride for your child/children. They will then get in contact with you with regards to details and contacting the carpooling host for your child/children

If you are or have a youth coming from outside Christchurch, we are able to organize pick up and drop off from the airport for you and/or your group to the venue if you are struggling to find someone to pick you up from the airport. Again, please simply send an email to the Coordinator. 

The cost for Revolution Camp covers food, accommodation. Every year, we attempt to lower the price of our camps so they can be as affordable for our young people. However, we understand that there are some families that may not be able to cover the cost of the camp due to challenges. 

Some options we have with regards to help with funding are: 
1) Asking your respective schools for sponsorship. In previous years, we have had some generous schools sponsor students from their schools to attend our youth camps so we encourage your child/children to ask their schools first if they are able to. This helps keep them connected and supported by their schools to encounter and grow in their faith. This also allows the schools to be a main point of contact with regards to allowing their students to encounter more in our diocesan youth events. 

2) Asking your home parish and communities for sponsorship/ fundraising. This is a common tool our youth often do to help them get connected with their parishes. We have many generous parish communities that are always open to giving when they become made aware of your circumstances and the help needed to encounter. In doing this, your parish priest is able to support the young people in their parishes as well as promote the event to other young people who may not be aware of this event.

3) Should you really be struggling and are in need, CYT too are able to help sponsor young people and families who are in need due to financial challenges. We never want costs to be a hindrance for your child/children to be able to encounter Christ and others in our events therefore, we want to do our best to either be able to lower the cost for or help with sponsorship. 

Revolution Camp is open for all young people in years 6-8! You do not have to be Catholic or Christian to attend and have a good time with us. You also do not need to strictly only be from the Christchurch area or diocese to be able to attend and take part! Revolution is open for our young people to be able to have an encounter of joy and love in our events. We have had previous groups attend Revolution from Auckland, Palmerston North, Wellington and Hamilton. 

Your packing and gear list for Revolution will be given out to the parent/caregiver and participant through email in the document ‘Participant Information.’ This has the extensive needs your child/children need to bring such as bedding, clothes, water bottle, toiletries, a bottle of soft drink and some baking, etc. 

Alongside this, it stated the contact numbers of the venue and the Coordinator should you need to contact the person in charge in cases of emergencies.