Camp XL is a new Christian initiative aiming to do this through a programme of residential holidays first launched in Summer 2007.

There are already dozens of summer camps on offer, so why this new initiative?

Camp XL sets out to fill a need not met by most other Christian camps, namely to provide specialist holidays for young people who are passionate about their particular hobbies and interests. We're working to roll-out a programme of highly varied, targeted and innovative holidays to rival the best of the booming secular industry, while assuring parents and church leaders that the same Bible focus and evangelical emphasis will be found at each.

Maybe learn to surf one year on a water-sports camp , and then help produce - or act in - your very own movie the next! Maybe a football-skills week is more your thing, or the drama of performing arts. Try your hand at horse-riding, or learn the art of music recording... or even learn to drive! Maybe you just fancy a week of intense chilling in the company of solid friends.

Each XL Holiday will offer a different experience, a different mood and a different style. But each will come with the same uncompromising evangelical emphasis and Bible focus to its spiritual component.

Supporting - not replacing - the work of the local church

Whilst there is little doubting the unique opportunities and benefits afforded by residential retreats, we recognise that the overriding responsibility and burden for working with young people rightly falls on local churches across the land. Long after the euphoria and adrenaline of Summer Camp has abated, it is youth group leaders working week- in-week-out, often in difficult and far from glamorous circumstances, who are best positioned to first reach - and then disciple - today's young people.

To the fullest extent possible then, we set out to support the ongoing work of local churches: working in partnership with them, recruiting young people and leaders through them, and ensuring the highest possible level of communication with them, both before and after any XL Holiday.