It’s been a little while since we’ve all been together in-person for Word Alive. Maybe you’ve never been before!
It's a fantastic week, where you can come together as a part of God's wider family, bond with with the rest of your CU and receive teaching that will grow you in the Lord.
Unsure what to expect? Want to make the most of your time there? Here’s a handy guide to make your time there one to remember…
Before
Travel
Whether you’re driving or looking for a lift, make your journey cheaper and make new friends by joining our Facebook group. Here you can offer or ask for car spaces. If you’re travelling via train you can also use the Facebook group to find travel buddies to meet at the station, or to give a lift at the other end.
Food
Flex your culinary skills, put your chef’s hat on and create a meal plan for the week. Think about the size of your group, dietary requirements, and the best way to cater for everyone (why not get one chalet or a couple of people to cook for everyone each night? Or pair chalets up each day to eat together?). There are supermarkets a short drive away – and don’t forget there are on-site food vans to give you a break from the kitchen.
Packing
As well as the obvious essentials such as your Bible, a hoody to protect you from the chilly ocean breeze, and earplugs in case of snoring roomies, here are some things you’ll want to consider packing:
- Kitchen utensils: extra chopping boards, cutlery, pots and pans
- Bedding: sleeping bag/duvet, pillow, sheet, an air bed (depending on sleeping arrangements)
- Other extras: decorations for chalet, games, pen and notebook for seminar talks
During
Chalets
You’ve arrived! You might want to do some of the following to transform your chalets into vibey living spaces. Is it a CU event without fairy lights? How about hanging up some bunting? Maybe even a houseplant if you can fit one in your luggage.
If you’re group is spread across four to six chalets, why not transform one into the ultimate hangout space and/or a designated cooking space. You could even rearrange your furniture and make the other chalets just for sleeping to avoid cutting social time short – you might want to bring air beds for this.
Plan
There are so many great seminars, main meetings and after-hours things, so make a rough plan so you don’t miss something. Grab a programme or download the Word Alive 2022 app for all the essential info, including the full timetable with times and locations.
You can also divide and conquer. Why not suggest your group go to different seminars and then you can feedback as a group at a later time.
Visit
As well as the scheduled content, there’s lots of other things to do. Why not go off-site to stroll along the beach or visit the local town? Hop on down to the Hub to see all the exhibitors, and would it be a Christian conference without visiting and spending a copious amount at the 10ofthose bookstall? I think not…
Student Night: Don’t miss the Student Night in the Hub on Tuesday 12 April. You can chat with exhibitors, enter competitions, get freebies and drinks at half-price, and meet other students!
Pace
Make sure to pace yourself well and take time out, whether that’s just to have a nap, a walk along the beach, or a coffee catch up with a friend. There is lots of amazing content to digest, but don’t leave the week feeling burned out from trying to get to everything.
After
Check luggage
Left something behind? Got home and realised your house keys are sat on the windowsill of the chalet? Contact Pontins for lost property: 0871 222 0201
Reflect
Go over notes you’ve made, listen back to talks and seminars or YouTube channel, or catch up with people you went with and chat about your reflections. Anything you’ve learned that’s particularly struck you, challenged you, encouraged you? Anything you’ve learned that will impact CU life?
This blog was written by Staff Worker Naomi Hollands.