Answers to Frequently-Asked-Questions and more. If you have a question about anything that is not covered here, please send us an email (address on the Contact Us page) or give us a call.

Whithaugh Park is located just across the river from the Scottish Borders town of Newcastleton. You will need to cross the bridge at the southern end of the town, travel a short distance along the road and then bear left to Whithaugh Park, which is well signposted.

Please do not arrive before 2.00pm.

Although bedding is now provided on site, you may bring your own duvet cover/sheet/pillowcase if you wish. (Please note that Sleeping bags are not allowed)

Essentials: Wash things, Towels, Clothes to sleep in, Socks, Casual Clothes, Warm Jumper, Trainers, Comfortable Shoes, Waterproof Jacket, Swimming gear & Flip-flops, Bible and your Fancy Dress for the Final Night.

Optional: Water gun, camera, torch, tennis racket. Please note that portable DVD players and TVs are not allowed.

It is difficult to advise how much money to bring on holiday, but £5-£10 per day should be enough. All activities at Whithaugh '08 are free, but you will need to bring extra cash if you wish to take part in the following activities which require specialist instructors:

Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting - £5 per session
Abseiling/Parascending - £5 per session
High Ropes - £5 per session
Pony Trekking - £5 per session

(Parents - Please make sure that the Parental Consent Form and Barnabas Adventure Activity Forms are signed)
 

What to do now if you want to go to Whithaugh -

1) 11-16yr olds: Find a small photograph of yourself and attach it to the Parental Consent Form. Make sure that your parent/guardian completes every part of the Parental Consent Form and Barnabas Adventure Activity Consent Form. We need clear information about contact address and telephone numbers of your parent/guardian during the holiday.

2) If you are coming as a Leader or Catering Assistant then you need to complete every part of the Adult Leadership Form. If you are under 18 then you will also need to complete the Barnabas Adventure Activity Form.

3) If you have any special dietary needs (eg vegetarian) then make a note on the appropriate form.

4) The cost of the holiday is still only £80. If you have paid your deposit then we need a cheque for the balance of the holiday, which is £60, made payable to "Sunderland Hillview Crusaders". We must receive your completed Parental Consent Form/ Adult Leadership Form and cheque for £60 by 1st July 2008 to guarantee your place on the holiday.

5) If you are travelling on the Sunderland Coach, the cost is £10, so you need to include an extra £10 for the cost of travel. If you are travelling on the other coaches /minibuses, then please check with the relevant Contact Person for details of cost, etc.

The cost of travel to Whithaugh Park is not included in the price, but some of the Churches and Youth Groups involved organise coaches and minibuses each year at a reasonable cost. (If you are travelling by coach you will need to bring a packed lunch with you.)

If you are travelling by coach or minibus you will need to bring a packed lunch with you. There are 5 official coaches/buses travelling to Whithaugh Park this year:

1) Sunderland Coach:
The main party will again travel by coach from the Grangetown Community Centre, Stannington Grove, Sunderland (see the map), leaving at 11.00am on Monday and arriving back at the Community Centre at 1.00pm on Friday. The cost for the return journey is £10. Contact person: Pam Taylor (Tel: 0191 5227028)

2) Gateshead Bus:
This bus will leave Beacon Lough Baptist Church at 12 noon on Monday and will arrive back at about 12 noon on Friday.
Contact Person: Dorothy Nixon (Tel: 0191 420 3119)

3) Whitley Bay Coach:
This coach will leave Whitley Bay Baptist Church at 12.30pm on Monday and will arrive back at about 12 noon on Friday
Contact Person: Jill Green (Tel: 0191 252 4351)

4) Barnard Castle Bus:
This bus will leave Barnard Castle at 12 noon on Monday and will arrive back at about 12.30pm on Friday.
Contact Person: Mary Foster (Tel: 01833 627 213)

5) Carlisle Coach:
This coach will leave Carlisle Railway Station at 2.15pm on Monday and will arrive back on Friday at 10.30am. This coach is for all those travelling by rail from London Euston, or from the North West.
Contact Person: Norman Taylor (Tel: 0191 5227028)

TRAVELLING BY RAIL:

If you intend travelling by rail to Carlisle then let us know as soon as possible and we will advise you about booking tickets.
The train from London and the Home Counties should leave Euston at about 10.30am, arriving at Carlisle at 2.00pm, for the outward journey on Monday and leave Carlisle at about 11.00am on Friday, arriving back at Euston at about 3.00pm.
The Carlisle coach will transport you to and from Whithaugh Park, only if you pre-book with us.
If you are travelling from anywhere else by rail, then please aim to arrive at Carlisle Station before 2.15pm.

As there are about 200 of us on site, there are a number of rules that must be observed:

1. NO alcohol, drugs, smoking, gambling
2. NO bullying or bad behaviour / language
3. NO boys in girls cabins or girls in boys cabins
4. NO-ONE to tamper with fire extinguishers, electrics, plumbing or any safety equipment
5. Water pistols, etc, must not be used inside any of the cabins. New rule - water pistols to be used only at organised events (eg Great Water Chase) - do not soak people around camp that don't want to get wet! (Avoids physical retaliation - see Rule 2!)
6. NO-ONE allowed outside the camp without permission
7. NO-ONE allowed on or near the assault course, climbing tower, high ropes course, lake or in the swimming pool without a qualified instructor
8. EVERYONE to be inside their cabin by 12 midnight
9. EVERYONE must wash and dry dishes as directed
10. EVERYONE must attend the Evening Meeting, Quiet Times and all other Organised events

Anyone who breaks these rules, or otherwise misbehaves, will not be allowed to remain and their parents will be instructed to collect them and take them home.