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  We are happy to announce the Karis Summer Camp in August 2024!

Join the UK team and come to Kampala next year

Feb 2024 update: The dates for the Camp have been set at Monday 26th August – Friday 30th August. No further details have been confirmed yet, particularly regarding dates that the UK team will travel out and return.

Many of the Karis youth testify to the impact Summer Camp has had on their lives… for many it was the first time they gave their life to Jesus, for others it was the turning point for becoming who they are today.

To date, we’ve seen around 550 children commit their lives to Jesus through the eleven Summer Camps we’ve run since 2007 — around 50 children each time. God really meets people during these camps.

We are recruiting a UK team to travel to Kampala and support the Ugandan Karis team leading the camp. If you…

would enjoy working with children aged 9–19 years
have a heart for sharing God’s love
are available for 9 or 10 days in August

…then join the Karis Summer Camp 2024 team in Kampala!

We cannot promise a restful time, but the rewards and blessings of serving at the Summer Camp will last a lifetime. Have a read through this page and email wendy@kariskids.org if you’re thinking about joining us.

We’d be delighted to have you.

Julie & Nick Winning

Directors & Trustees

Our brilliant team from Summer Camp 2022

“We all love our safety, don’t we? But part of this encounter is to face our fear.”

— Bishop Zac Niringiye

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The Challenge

So, what’s it like at Summer Camp?

We want our team to be prepared. This trip is challenging.

The work at the 4-day residential summer camp involves long hours and the need for flexibility and maturity. While at camp, the team stay in very basic accommodation (bunk beds, shared toilets — some are 'long drop'). We eat the same Ugandan food as the children. The team will be provided with bottled water.

Many of the children who attend camp are orphans. All are disadvantaged by way of living in the slums. Some will have challenging behaviours. We need people who feel called to serve these children, who show respect and honour towards our Ugandan hosts, and aren’t just after the “Africa experience.”

Outside of camp, the visits to the slum communities and homes can also be emotionally challenging.

Due to the nature of this work, we require stable, emotionally mature team members who are willing to give up the comforts and standards of UK life in order to meet with God and serve our brothers and sisters in Uganda. Watch the video of the testimonies below. There is a personal cost, but the reward is much bigger.

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The Details

When and how much

2024 Dates

The dates for the Camp have been set at Monday 26th August – Friday 30th August. No further details have been confirmed yet, particularly regarding dates that the UK team will travel out and return. Although the discussion has been mindful of the dates for the new school year in the UK.

Please register your interest with Wendy to stay updated.

Schedule

This will likely be a 9 or 10 day trip. The Summer Camp is 4 full-on days. We also like to have 2-3 days on either side of camp. The first few days are to find our feet, meet the team, and prepare for camp. The last days are to debrief, relax, and have some fun in Uganda before we head home.

Application process

For most applicants, we will require you to name a reference. Normally this will be someone in leadership at your church. References are given confidentially.

For health and safety reasons, once accepted, we will need you to submit a medical form providing your GP practice, relevant medical details, and emergency contacts.

Team training

In the lead up to the trip, there will be at least two meetings to prepare, get to know each other, pray, and receive training. Depending on where the team are based, some of the team may be able to attend in-person and the rest can join the meetings online.

Deadline

We haven’t set a deadline to apply by yet.

Approximate Cost

Getting there is the biggest expense. Flights to Entebbe in August typically cost anywhere between £700 and £900.

A budget of £1,100 for everything is likely a sensible target to aim for. This would cover…

flights
vaccinations
accommodation
food
transport
something to cover a fun experience while you’re there.

The exact amount will become much more defined as flights are booked.

Mock Timetable

These are NOT the actual dates, just an example of what the trip might look like based on previous years.

	
			Wed 17 – Thu 18 August
              UK team Fly from Heathrow at 9:40pm (via Doha) landing in Entebbe at 4pm, Thursday 18th.
			
			Fri 19 August
			Welcome Meeting with the Karis Family Link Ministry team and Ugandan teaching teams
Joint team training
Visiting Karis families

			Sat 20 August
              Visiting Karis families / Camp preparation
			
			Sun 21 August
              Individuals worship at linked churches.
			
			Mon 22 - Fri 26 August: Summer Camp!
			Children and youth gather at churches Monday morning and are transported to Seroma High School.
Camp officially opened by Bishop Hannington Mutebi.
Daily early morning prayer and exercise class before breakfast.
After breakfast praise and worship, then Bible teaching as a whole group followed by smaller group discussions.
After lunch, more praise and worship followed by:
				Day 1: Arts & Craft
Day 2: Life skills
Day3: Fun night preparations

Sport and games outside after fruit and a drink
Dinner is followed by evening worship and testimony, a film, and, on the last night, performances and a camp fire.

			Fri 26 August: Last day of camp
			The children and youth write letters to link families and leave for home after lunch.

			Sat 22 August
              Visit to Ugandan Wildlife Education Centre, Entebbe, plus a craft market.
			
          	Sun 28th August
			Morning debrief and packup. The UK team leaves mid-morning to travel back to Entebbe for 17:30 flight to Heathrow via Doha.
		
          	Mon 29th August
              UK team arrive back in UK.