CYMs Basecamp - Suffolk School Trip

CYM Ipswich

Residential Trip Residentials East of England

Basecamp exists for the main purpose of helping individuals grow in awareness of who they are and their place in the wider world. By creating a variety of activities and learning environments we hope groups will find joy in discovering and celebrating their individual and unique strengths and differences, as well as new things that they share in common. By the end of the Basecamp experience our aim is that every individual gains a new sense of perspective of the world that we live in and feels encouraged to take ownership of their own journey through life.

Practically, we design our programmes to have a good balance of adrenaline filled activities, where groups can try new things, with relaxing with their friends, building social skills with space without structure. All of our programmes include reflection points to consider how values play a part in our development and how they can be applied in what we do.

We also take great care over the experience received by accompanying staff and volunteers; allowing you the space to relax and recharge whilst away, with various treats and surprises throughout your visit.

Teacher Checklist

Risk Assessments
LOtC Quality Badge
Adventure Mark
£5m PL Insurance

What activities are available during educational visits?

Here are some of our favourite activities at Basecamp. Contact us to discuss the package options:
Archery
Kayaking
Raft Building
Bridge Building
Laser Tag
Orienteering
Water races
Nightline
Zip Wire
Crop Game
Swimming
Low Ropes
Team Building Activities
Campfire
Field walk

Which curriculum topics do we cater for?

Citizenship School Trip

Personal development and resilience Team building British Values International Relations

Basecamp is built on the foundation of values and critical thinking. Many of the activities allow space for discussion and debate, often resulting in the healthy display of different emotions, all leading to new perspective and points of view.

English School Trip

Storytelling

Story telling is the backdrop to Basecamp, whether listening, writing or telling someone stories. Many of our activities use reading and writing to communicate instructions.

Religious Education School Trip

Christianity

As a Christian charity we are experienced in communicating the Christian faith in a practical, relevant way. We are also understanding that not everyone that visits us will be Christian and therefore adapt our language and behaviour accordingly.

Physical Education School Trip

Orienteering Archery Kayaking Zip Line

Many of our activities provide space for students to experience new things as well as adding opportunities to try new sports. Our activities have been thought through to help give every student access to push themselves in a safe way.

PSHE School Trip

Teamwork and resilience Mental health and awareness Morality Right and Wrong People who help us

Our programme looks at lots of topics locally, and also from around the world, providing spaces to hear stories or immerse yourself in one. Through the activities we ensure that we reflect on what we have achieved, but also debrief what hasn't worked as well. We also educate people around specific values in a practical way.

Watersports School Trip

Kayaking Raft Building

We offer kayaking and raft building on our very own lake. These are led by trained and competent staff team members.

Food School Trip

Preparing food and cooking techniques

One of the activities that can be offer, includes cooking on an open fire using different techniques. We encourage creativity in using different flavour combinations to come up with something unique and original.

We cook bread on a stick and cakes in oranges, inspired by forest school style cooking. Further exploration into cooking can be made on enquiry.

Wildlife School Trip

We are endeavouring to use the natural resources all around on the campsite. We are based in the heart of the Suffolk country side, where the impacts of a changing world can be seen around us, both in agriculture and in the wild.

An example of this is exploring the fields around the campsite, where groups are encouraged to identify different elements of the natural world. Many of our volunteers are amateur enthusiasts, sharing their love and passion for the natural world.

Team Building School Trip

Basecamp looks a variety of ways teamwork can be shown whilst away. Our first day normally consists of exploring what teamwork means, whilst using activities to practically focus on this value.

We use reflections, stories and questions to dive deeper into its meaning. We explore that everyone is needed to create a strong, effective team to succeed in different tasks. Activities like our Low Ropes course, Raft Building and Crop Games give a wide spectrum in how teamwork can be applied.

What size groups do we cater for?

We can accommodate 60 young people, with spaces for one staff member per ten students.

The accommodation provided on the campsite are cabins, which vary in size, from 4-8. The cabins are also accommodation for visiting staff and our own team. No adult ever shares a cabin with children, however all cabins are based close to each other.

Being based in the country side with a public bridleway located nearby, we have sought feedback from schools and have installed a CCTV system to act as our invisible fence around the campsite. Please do ask for more details if you would like about this.

The cabins are located nearby a high quality shower and toilet facility, with two additional separate disabled access toilets.

At CYM we take security and safeguarding very seriously and continually learn from all educational setting on best practice at the campsite. As such, we are more than happy to discuss our current procedures to ensure you feel comfortable before you arrive.

On-site classroom facilities?

Most of the indoor spaces on site can be adapted for classroom use if needed.

We have use of a large Sports Hall, marquee and dining room which can all be multipurpose if required. A separate barn may be available but will need to be requested separately from your main booking.

Is there first aid on site?

CYM's staff are first aid trained to First Aid at work level, however we do ask that visiting group staff are also first aid trained.

We have a defibrillator and multiple first aid kits, including a special trauma kit, across the site that can all be used by trained first aiders.

Access for visitors with disabilities

This is dependant on the disability and we would be more than happy to discuss this further. We aim to be as inclusive as possible but understand that due to the campsite's setting, we may not be able to accommodate.

Visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Yes we do and we would like to have a conversation about how we could best support the participant(s) and adapting any existing programmes to make sure everyone has the best time away.

Anything else?

We have two main aims when it comes to offering programmes at Basecamp. The first is we feel it is a priority that you are the only group on site at one time. Secondly, we feel it's important to help you as much as possible by creating a full programme, completely led by our team, where you as the organiser can sit back, relax and enjoy the experience with your group. Therefore we have created different programmes, which we are sure will cater to all wants and expectations.

'Basecamp 5' - our premium limitless offer, with all activities available and included in your package. Over 5 days, you have the flexibility to chose which activities you would you like from our menu.

'Basecamp 3' - our highlights package, which has been created by some of CYMs favourite activities. This 3 day stay package is all put together for you.

'Basecamp 1' - speciality themed days, such as creativity, sport and leadership to name a few. These are non-residential days, which explore the character and potential in every participant. Many of these sessions are led by experienced experts in their field.

We are more than happy to send example programmes to you to see how we map out your experience. Please also contact us for further information or for a visit of some kind to talk about how we can best welcome you to Basecamp!

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Who are CYM Ipswich?

Christian Youth Ministries (CYM) is a faith-based charity working with children and young people (and their workers). Our vision as an organisation is investing in generations. Inspired by Jesus. Our faith motivates us in who we are, whilst remaining inclusive to all in what we do and offer.

We are frequently asked as a Christian motivated charity whether we always include Christian content in our programmes. Though our beliefs are the reason we do what we do, all of our programmes include as much or as little to no Christian content, depending on the needs or suitability of any group. We have hosted a number of non faith groups previously and are more than happy to discuss where "the line" is for your group.

We have been working in the Ipswich area, Suffolk, for forty years and our work has focussed on schools-based activities, residential programmes and visits. In recent years our schools work has shifted to a 'Chaplaincy' model and our events, programme and residential activities are now running from our beautiful home at Vauxhall Christian Trust's campsite.

At CYM we are ... joyful, creative, generous and collaborative. Our values are fundamental to our work and how we interact with all who we meet. It's so important to us it's on all of our kit tops!