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Above and Beyond

About BCF > Children & Youth > Above and Beyond

Introducing BCF Outdoors

It is no accident that an outdoor flavour permeates many aspects of the life of our church.

God didn’t create cities and houses, roads and motor cars, computers and TV. That’s all our little invention, our additions, our attempts to make this world a better(?), more comfortable(?), more enjoyable(?) place. It was only the creation, the natural environment the universe into which we were placed that God looked down on, with an infinite smile, and said ‘Wow, this is good!’ ‘God’s glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.’ declares a psalmist (a la Eugene Peterson). However our motorised, concretised, computerised existence means that if we’re not careful, we could miss out on God’s glory.

BCF Outdoors is an attempt to redress the balance, to provide opportunities for folks to experience once again the created world– as naturally as the 21st century will allow! Our aim is to bring experiences alive, which will make it possible for connections to be made, and which will open eyes and ear and hearts to the Kingdom of God.

BCF Outdoors is co-ordinated by Grace & Gareth Davies
There is a small steering group that meets occasionally, offering them support, guidance and advice. Here is an insight into some of our areas of involvement:

Above and Beyond Club

Above and Beyond Logo


2005 is the eighth consecutive summer that we will have run an outdoor adventure club for young people connected with BCF, and their friends. The programme is designed for 11-16 years (school years 7-11). Each summer the programmes vary according to personnel, weather conditions, available equipment and logistics.

Over the years we have developed expertise in Rock climbing, Canoeing, Camping, Raft-Building, Navigation Skills, Outdoor Cooking, Bivouac Construction, Team-Building Games, Caving, Orienteering and probably loads more! It is all made possible by a group of dedicated leaders who give a great deal of time in planning and training and running activities. (We are always looking for new recruits to add to our team!)

Here is our Mission Statement that guides our thoughts and actions:

Through shared experiences and adventures in the outdoors, to encourage and support young people and enable them:

Church Camping Weekend

It is fast becoming a tradition for some of the more intrepid amongst us to head off for a camping weekend. Luxury static caravans can be hired by those less eager for close encounters with earwigs and daddy-long-legs. For these past two years our destination has been Llangorse in sunny South Wales.

Our desire is to provide fresh opportunities to experience what it is to be church together, to live together, to laugh, to share, to play, to pray and to encounter God in an uncluttered creation.

M6/8

M6/8 is the BCF ‘gap year’ programme, designed primarily for school/college leavers, but open to anyone with time and a passion to get involved.

‘This is what God asks of you, only this; to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.’ This was prophet Micah’s exhortation, many centuries ago. Here in Bristol today, we examine, explore and get under the skin of this call to arms. In the search to increase awareness of ourselves and our world, to work as a team a little more effectively/cohesively, to develop relationships, to encounter challenge and uncertainty, to grow in confidence and trust. We positively embrace the great outdoors. We recognise the rich potential that it holds, and in the course of the year we run modules that harness this as a key to development and growth. Approximately one day per week throughout the year is directly allocated to this dimension.

Parents and their Teenagers

In recognising the potential that outdoor adventure activities hold for young and old alike, we also affirm the importance of families, and the need for positive, shared experiences that cut across generational divides. On a rather ad hoc basis, (when time permits), we organise adventure activities in small groups, where parents and teenagers together come to share in an experience that cuts across any of the barriers arbitrarily erected by today’s culture.

Resources for Other Projects and Organisations

There are many projects and organisation working alongside different groups, who may with to benefit from our expertise and resources, and who would like to make use of the sort of outdoor adventure activities that we provide. We have already forged links with One25, which we hope will develop further in the future. We are always prepared to explore fresh avenues and develop new relationships.

Safety & Training

The natural environment is both majestic and dangerous. When venturing out into a hazardous environment of oneself, it is important to plan carefully and anticipate the risks to be encountered. When a position of leadership, with young people in our care, this preparation and anticipation becomes absolutely essential.

We promote the training of our leaders in nationally recognised Governing Body Qualifications, where these are relevant to the activities. We organise first aid training with St. John’s Ambulance, and always have certified leaders and first aid equipment on hand at any of our events.

We risk assess all of our adventure activities in advance. We only use equipment that is of an appropriate standard, and maintained. We encourage and promote sound youthwork procedures, and operate within the guidelines of BCFs Child Protection Policy.

We are members of a national network of churches and youth organisations who use outdoor adventure activities as a tool for initiating learning and spiritual growth.

Through individual member affiliations we have established links with the British Canoe Union (BCU), the British Mountaineering Council (BMC), the National Caving Association (NCA), Mainstream– Christians in Canoeing, Bristol Orienteering Klub (BOK), the Christian Outdoor Networker (N), the Association for Outdoor learning (AfOL).