In mid-September 'Life to the Max' returned for another year. Life to the Max is an outdoor activity holiday for young people from clergy families in the Diocese of Bath and Wells and the Diocese of Bristol. For the second time, the event took place at the Mendip Outdoor Activity Centre. 23 young people aged 11-18 and a team of leaders spent the weekend taking part in a range of activities, renewing old friendships, and making new ones.
Friday evening started with a 'getting to know you’ session, followed by a night walk, with star gazing and hot chocolate before heading off to bed! Saturday morning began with a hearty breakfast, before an activity filled morning of raft building and an assault course. There was a lot of mud and a lot of fun! Then it was onto active archery and frisbee golf. There was plenty of competitive spirit and we mainly avoided the rain!
After supper on the Saturday evening, the group gathered around the fire pit for s’mores. During this time, the young people had an amazing conversation about the best and most memorable things about living in a clergy household, as well as the funniest and oddest thing that has happened because of living in a clergy household!
Cheryl Govier, Growing Faith and Everyday Faith Adviser for the Wells Archdeaconry said: "Over the years of doing Life to the Max, we have learnt more and more about the unique experience of living in a clergy household. This weekend never disappoints in providing a space for young people to connect, with no pressure or expectations, but instead offers a space to be and hang out."
Finally, Sunday morning involved tobogganing, which was a highlight for many of the young people. Several of them worked out which were the fastest toboggans (for those wondering, it was the blue ones!) and which part of the slope helped them go down the quickest!
Ruth Slade, Growing Faith and Everyday Faith Adviser for the Wells Archdeaconry said, "Life to the max was such a fun, relaxed weekend. It was great to see the young people being themselves, making friends, genuinely looking out for each other, and having a really great time."