This resource guide (downloaded at the end of this page) is a selection of ideas for running residentials for young people and is not a substitute for following the policies and procedures of organisations.  It is recommended that you consult the responsible Institution as to the suitability of this resource guide before using it.

 

The development of this resource guide is based upon the experiences of various Bahá'í youth residentials, particularly the Infuse – Youth Empowerment Project (UK).  The tools offered have all been used and refined in practical activity.  Acknowledgment and thanks go to everyone who contributed to this work (too many to mention). 

 

 

Contents

Part One – Guidance

1.         Introduction

2.         Getting Started        

3.         Staff Team                

4.         Location

5.         Advertising and Bookings

6.         Programme and Timetable

7.         Management Strategies

8.         Evaluation

 

Part Two – Tools

9.         Planning Tools

 

“Concern for the moral and spiritual education of young people is asserting itself forcefully on the consciousness of humanity, and no attempt at community building can afford to ignore it.”

- The Universal House of Justice, 2005

   

The ‘residential experience’ can be a very powerful experience for young people, even life-changing.  Taking young people away from their day-to-day lives, familiar faces and routines, can create new opportunities and possibilities.  Participants have often described residentials as being ‘magic’.

 

While the experience may be magical for the participants, there is actually no magic involved in the organisation of the residential.  A good, meaningful and empowering residential is simply a well planned and organised event, undertaken in the spirit of service and sacrifice on the part of the adults, with the intention of supporting young people to discover and develop their potential.

 

A residential challenges participants to be themselves and to make personal compromises due to group living arrangements.  In addition, a residential can accelerate the relationships and bonding of a group which would otherwise take many months.  The residential can also provide opportunities to do activities which would otherwise not be practical in a weekly junior youth group.

 

Residentials should form part of the activities of a junior youth group rather than exist as stand alone events, as young people can develop stronger relationships with animators.  There is often an expectation and wish from young people that these relationships continue after a residential.

 

This resource guide provides a concise map and a selection of tools to navigate organisers through the various tasks and planning to provide a spiritual and empowering experience for young people.  At times this guide may appear overly prescriptive.  However, organising a residential can be a daunting experience and many people may lack confidence to take this on.  In addition, if it all goes wrong it can put you off for life!  The detailed advice in this guide is designed to give reassurance to those who may otherwise not take on this service role, and also to try and ensure that the first experience is a positive one.  The attention to detail and time spent planning that this guide encourages is ultimately an act of love and a prayer-in-action.

 

It must be stressed that this resource guide provides organisers with planning ideas and various issues to consider, but that any activity needs to operate within the policies and procedures of the responsible Institution (e.g. Health and Safety, Safeguarding Children including Child Protection, financial arrangements, etc.).