Youth Leader Info
To help make the most of your Kairos experience we have compiled some handy and important information below. Please take the time to read through this information, and please get in touch if you have any other queries.
Run up to Kairos…
• Get your youth group organised! Please remember that you will be responsible for your young people while they are on site and so you must have all emergency contacts and relevant medical information for each young person in your group.
• Book your ticket! All young people and members of your team are required to complete the Kairos Booking Form.
• Ensure you have read all the relevant site & safety information as well as the group leaders responsibilities found below.
• Download our handy kit list below and begin the packing!
Setting up at Kairos…
• Kairos camp opens at 1pm on the Friday. Upon arrival you must check in and receive your wristband from reception.
• When setting up your tents, please ensure there is a 3 meter gap between each tent. If this is not the case, you will be asked to relocate.
• Although cars are allowed on site for unpacking and setup, they should be moved to the main car park as soon as possible (no later than 7:30pm). As this is an active site with lots of young people, please drive carefully following all road signs, and keep your speed to no more than 5mph.
Whilst at Kairos…
• Showers and toilets are located in the main building. The event hall and café are also located here.
• Hot meals are provided at mealtimes between 8am and 11pm. Some groups opt to cater for themselves, please ensure you communicate with your youth group what you have decided and if they need to book a catered or a non-catered ticket.
• Catered tickets include 3 main meals per day with a choice of options available. We aim to provide a good selection of home cooked favourites for dinner each night, as well as the classics like burgers and chips. Catered tickets do not include things like chocolate, crisps and sweets, however these are available to purchase throughout the weekend.
• Young people are NOT to leave the site without first being pre-approved by you, their group leader, and being signed out at reception. Young people are the responsibility of you as their group leader for the duration of the weekend.
• If any of your young people need to take any medication while at Kairos then you should speak to parents/guardians about the best way to look after this. Kairos does have designated on-site first aiders but please remember that young people/group leaders will be responsible for looking after any prescription medication. If you have any questions please contact us.
Pack down…
• The main event will be finished by 12pm on the Monday. Parents/guardians should start to collect their young person/s from site at this time. Vehicles will not be permitted on the camping field until this time. The site should be cleared by 2pm. If this is going to be a problem then please do let us know.
Group leaders responsibilities…
We want to make Kairos a safe, fun relevant place for the young people in the North East. Please commit to the following points:
• Be responsible: Kairos is NOT responsible for your youth group, YOU ARE. Please remember that you are your group’s leader at all times while on camp; you need to be accountable and responsible.
• Read the site rules to your youth group and be prepared to enforce them. Don’t be afraid to set some of your own group guidelines.
• Camp WITH your group (and stay on site with them). This means not only in the same field but in the same area so you can be found easily; your group needs to know where your tent/caravan is.
• Sleeping accommodation arrangements while camping, must be suitable and safe for every member of your group.
• Make yourself familiar with the location of reception, first aid and introduce yourself to your village leaders.
• After hour events will finished at 11.15pm so we please ask that all people be in their own tents by 11.45pm and settling down by 12am. Please encourage people to stay in groups of 2’s and 3’s after dark if going to the toilets.
• Make sure you have enough group leaders. All young people must attend with a group leader. The minimum ratio we recommend is 1 leader to 6 young people under 18. However, this is dependent upon the age, maturity, behaviour or individual needs of the young people you are bringing. It may be necessary for you to bring more leaders to ensure your young people are adequately supervised and their needs are met. If you are bringing a mixed group, then you will require both a male and female leader.
• If you are aware of anyone acting inappropriately or behaving aggressively, please speak to a Kairos team member.
• Please make sure you know the location of your nearest muster point.
We want Kairos to be a place that can resource, encourage and give time for groups to grow together in their relationship with God during this time away. This weekend will be a unique time to build lasting friendships and really get to know one another. We have put time in the programme for you to invest in your group and you will receive a group leaders study guide, please use this time. If you struggle to see this working please speak to Dan Holland or Rachael Ezra. We would love to help.
Here are a few more ways you might want to make the most of your time together:
• Eating together.
• Going to main meetings together (try sitting in roughly the same place for each meeting so your group know where to find you).
• Get involved – why not get a team together for the football tournament or all go to a workshop together?
• Make sure you see everyone in your group at least once a day – be aware of how they’re finding the event, especially for younger youth or those less used to encountering the Holy Spirit.
• Think about how you might follow up with the young people once you are home.
Kairos can also be a great opportunity to be with others that serve and love young people. Kairos recognises that youth leaders are an integral part of the young people’s relationship with God. We want your group to grow and learn together but we also want to resource and refresh you. Why not take the opportunity to connect with other youth leaders, share ideas over a coffee or get to know other groups from your area you could work with further after Kairos?