The young people are away from home for the week with forty to fifty people the same age from their school. This in itself is important because it gives them the opportunity to take a step back from day to day pressures and learn more about themselves, each other, and God. There is a very real challenge in living together for a week and working with new people: the Castlerigg team which consists of between eight and ten people each year, three or four of whom work with each course. For the school staff it is an opportunity to see and be with the young people in a different environment and have the time they would love to have normally to chat and be with the young people. If a local priest goes with the group it is an opportunity for the young people to see a priest joining in all the activities as well as leading the celebrations of mass and for him to spend time getting to know the young people which pays dividends back in school and beyond.

After initial introductions and the opportunity to explore the 19th century manor house which is situated at the top end of the Keswick, in the North of the Lake District, the young people eat together (after singing grace before meals to the tune of 'We will rock you!') on tables of eight, with one space at the end of the table for a member of staff. The experience of eating together is an important part of the week. Then the first session from 7.30pm-9.00pm has some warm up games followed by a practical problem solving task done in groups. Usually there will be six groups, each with a member of staff and these groups remain the same throughout the week. When these groups are put together the aim is that there is a cross section of people encouraging the young people to get to know and work with others that they wouldn't normally do. After each task there is an evaluation within each group and an overall summary by the Castlerigg team member leading the session.

Each evening there is a break usually between 9.00pm and 10.00pm followed by a quiet time of reflection where each young person is encouraged to keep a diary of the day. Many young people have kept these diaries from years and years ago and are very valuable to them as a special reminder of an important time that they spent at Castlerigg. After diaries there is night prayer in chapel, which is a converted stable and the most beautiful and special place in the house. It is very moving to see how the young people respond to this sacred space, particularly as the week goes on. Then it is time for bed, and at that age it is a good part of the week to be sharing a room with some of your friends (and there is a settee situated at the top of the stairs between the boys corridor and the girls corridor where the school staff take it in turns to sit whilst everyone settles down in case anyone 'gets lost').

Each morning there are sessions that deal with different issues around citizenship, self awareness, global or other issues that are tailored to the needs of a particular group. These activities are usually hands on, fun, interactive and allow the young people to learn important lessons in an enjoyable way. These sessions are led by the Castlerigg team. Each afternoon the whole group goes on a walk, kitted out in blue Castlerigg cagoules and boots and amidst the moaning and groaning there is often a real sense of achievement and shared experience.

Then after a chance to get changed and some free time there is another activity before dinner. On Tuesday and Thursday this will be the celebration of Mass and it is wonderful to be able to celebrate mass with the group as part of all that is taking place. On Thursday everyone is involved in the celebration in one way or another which helps the young people feel more part of the celebration and have a deeper understanding of what is going on. After dinner each evening there is another activity which may be a simulation game where each person takes on a role in a game e.g. members of different countries, to help raise awareness of important issues or another sort of group challenge. This is followed by a break, diaries, night prayer and bed.

On Thursday morning the young people help prepare for the Mass, experience different forms of prayer and finish their diaries. All this leads, after a short walk to Keswick, to an evening of celebration. On the Friday morning the young people evaluate the course, as do the school staff and then there is a final Mass or liturgy before everybody sets off back home!

In a way trying to explain what happens at Castlerigg is like giving the ingredients to a wonderful recipe. Unless you have tasted it for yourself it is hard to see how it can have such an impact. But it clearly does and Castlerigg Manor is a very valuable resource. It is great that our secondary school supports it with two year 11 weeks and a year 8 weekend each year.

From my own point of view I think that it is a wonderful opportunity for our young people and we should try and do whatever we can to support it. That is why I make the time and am grateful to all the parishioners who understand why I see this as a priority to support in the parish.