By FFWPU UK
From 3rd to 8th August 2026, 24 children (age 7-12) gathered at Livingstone House for our Summer Camp, supported by 6 Team Leaders (age 15-18) and 14 staff members.
This year’s camp theme was: Do Re Mi Familia
Inspired by the camp movie Coco, the theme of the camp made us use music, family and faith as a way of exploring who we are, where we come from and how we can build loving relationships with those around us.
Throughout the week, our programme combined study sessions, games, creative activities, sports, prayer and plenty of opportunities simply to enjoy being together.
Our study programme explored themes including lineage, love and harmony, teamwork and unity, creativity and offering, and remembrance. Through stories, discussions and practical activities, the children were encouraged to think about their families, their relationships with others and their own potential to make a positive contribution.
Family and remembrance were particularly important themes throughout the camp. Inspired by Coco and traditions surrounding the Day of the Dead, the children created family-inspired crafts, including picture frames, ofrendas, Memory Envelopes and Legacy Boxes. These activities gave them opportunities to appreciate the people and traditions that have shaped them and to think about what they can pass on to others.
Of course, Summer Camp would not be complete without plenty of games and adventure. The children enjoyed outdoor team games, Skeleton Ball, Capture the Flag, water sports, a water slide, water fights and our much-loved Predator evening. We also took the whole camp out for a day of Combat Laser Quest, where teamwork, strategy and encouragement were essential.
Creativity and self-expression were another important part of the week. The children worked on crafts (family pictures and the ofrendas), team projects and performances, culminating in our Family Night, where each team presented a skit alongside individual performances, music, karaoke and plenty of laughter.
Alongside all the activity, we made space for prayer and reflection. Our Prayer Night gave the children an opportunity to slow down, open their hearts to God and spend some quiet time praying within their teams. These quieter moments helped balance the energy of the camp and gave space for the children to reflect on the themes we had been exploring as well as open their hearts to God.
One of the most rewarding parts of the week was watching the children grow together as a community.
Many arrived knowing only a few people, but through games, shared meals, team challenges, study and simply spending time together, new friendships quickly developed. The children were encouraged to support one another, communicate, work as a team and recognise the unique contribution each person could make.
Our Team Leaders played an important role in this. Having experienced Summer Camp themselves in previous years, they were able to act as role models and bridges between the children and staff, bringing energy, encouragement and a sense of continuity to the camp community.
The final day, “Re Re Remember Me”, was a chance to reflect on the week, play some final games and celebrate everything the children had achieved.
We finished with our graduation ceremony, joined by parents and family members. It was a special moment to celebrate the children and recognise the friendships, memories and experiences they had created together.
After graduation, everyone was invited to stay for a picnic in the garden of Livingstone House. With beautiful weather and a home-cooked paella prepared for everyone, we were able to finish the week in a relaxed family atmosphere, sharing food and conversation together.
A camp of this size would not be possible without the dedication of the people who give their time and energy to make it happen.
We are deeply grateful to our 13 staff members and 6 Team Leaders for everything they contributed throughout the week: from preparing and delivering activities and study sessions, to cooking, organising logistics, caring for the children and creating the atmosphere that made the camp so special.
We are also grateful to all the parents, families and members of our wider church community who supported the camp through their encouragement, practical help and prayers.
Most importantly, we are grateful for the opportunity to spend this week with the children. We hope that they return home with new friendships, happy memories and a deeper appreciation of their families, their community and their relationship with God.
Do Re Mi Familia reminded us that, just like music, life is richer when different people bring their unique gifts together in harmony.