New Wine - anyone been? Thinking about 2018 and got some questions!

[Tankerdale]

Thinking about going to new wine for the first time next summer.
I just wondered how it works with the children?
D.C. Will be 10, 7 and 3.
Will there definitely be places for all of them in the kids groups or is it a scrum on the first day to get a place?
There's no information online at the moment about the timings of the groups, especially wondering how much is on offer for 3 year olds.

I will probably be there by myself with the children - is it feasible or would I need to be in 3 places at once? (Other church friends have offered to help if needed).

Is it generally well run and ok for shyer children? I assume the ratios have to be fairly standard?

We're pretty used to camping but normally on nice campsites with proper washing up & bathroom facilities etc so realise it will be a bit different!!

Would love to hear anyone's experiences.

[Akire]

You book the children’s place on line when you book, so there will be spaces. Older children’s groups do start and end the same time but will expect you to pick them up unless given older one permission to met you at x point. They don’t just let them loose. I know under 2s have morning or afternoon sessions but at 3 pretty much run same. Though in evenings children’s groups finish 15-30m before main adult sessions but that’s fine people leave when need too.

There are proper bathroom faculties hot showers loos there are older built ones but they hire a lot toilets showers too.

[Jason118]

I've got no idea what any of this means

[Tankerdale]

It's a week long Christian festival/conference which happens annually. You go and camp in a big show ground and there are big sessions with music and talks, seminars and groups/activities for the children.

[Jason118]

I'm now enlightened, thank you! But why Wine?

[Tankerdale]

I think it's to do with the metaphor Jesus used about 'new wine into old wine skins' in Luke 5

[Madhairday]

Hi Tankerdale! I'm a seasoned New Winer, so hope I can help with your questions and worries.

Firstly, for the DC I think it's a wonderful experience. My DC have been every year of their lives and are teens now, and see it as a non negotiable - they absolutely love it. At the age of your DC it's particularly lovely because the children's groups are great fun and geared towards all DC - the louder and the shyer (mine were one of each!) For reception age onwards the groups run all morning and an evening session too. They are very hot on safeguarding and you have to write down exactly where you'll be so they can contact you if they need to, and they check your badge every time to compare the names so your DC are safe.

For littler ones, from 3 the session is all morning, and 0-2s I believe are half the morning (it's been a few years, but my DD now works in the 3-4s group so I know about that one!)

Yes - ratios are standard. In Pebbles where DD works it's 1 adult to 3 children and sometimes 1 to 2. There is SN provision too for those who need it.

As for being on your own - you'll probably find the 10 year old is happy to come back on their own, theyre allowed to if parents say so, particularly after they get used to it all. With the 7 and 2 year old you can go from one to the other without a problem, the little ones often end slightly earlier, and sounds like you'll have lots of support too from your church group.

I can't recommend it enough. I do admit that the facilities are somewhat basic, it's far from glamping, but the lovely atmosphere and wonderful worship and teaching make up for that side of it all.

If you have any more questions do feel free to ask or pm me.