Our Story.
How we started.
YOB Camp was founded in 2007 by Alison and Kevin Finniear and Phil and Suzy Portway, as they wanted a camp where children could make friends with people in their own town and continue that friendship throughout the year. In 2012, Phil and Suzy stepped down and Steve and Jo Walden joined the core team. In 2019, all four members of the core team handed over the reins to Megan, Hannah and Charlie, who used 2020 as a planning and training year and relaunched in 2021.
Despite the trials of Covid-19, Youth of Bognor has now celebrated four camps under it's new leadership and seen hundreds of children and young people across Bognor Regis hear the Gospel, some for the first time!
YoB Camp!
YoB Camp is the primary way that we express our mission to see the lives of children and young people throughout Bognor Regis changed by the love of Jesus!
YoB Camp is a week long summer camp run by a team of Christian volunteer leaders in the Isle of Wight, and it's been going strong since 2007!
"Activities every day. Sleepovers every night. Hot chocolate. Forever friends.
And the opportunity to get to know Jesus, who created it all. "
Meet our Core Four...
Megan Hamilton.
Megan is an English Teacher and she has been a part of camp since the beginning.
“YOB Camp is a very important part of my life. I’ve been a YOB, I was the first ever young leader, I’ve been an adult leader, I’ve been part of the main leadership team and now we’ve taken over! Something special happens on camp – there’s a great mix of fun activities and God moving powerfully that makes me want to return year after year, to see what else God will do with the young people of Bognor."
Niamh Pulley.
Niamh is a Learning Support Worker and the YoB Camp spirit runs through her veins! Niamh joined the Core Four in 2024 and is super excited to get stuck in with all the behind the scenes fun!
"I first came on YoB Camp in 2012 and have been coming along every year since! YoB Camp is very special to me as it's the place I first encountered God and became a Christian. My favourite part of YoB Camp is watching Bert and Lucy every night in Event in the Tent!"
Hannah Ingate.
Hannah is a Primary School Teacher and has been a part of YOB Camp from its very early years!
“For me, YOB Camp means family.
I love that people come to camp as strangers but leave being amazing friends. I love even more when the same people come back year after year, turning from YOBs into young leaders and then eventually into adult leaders. It’s the best place ever.”
Charlie Finniear.
Charlie is an electrician and has been on the main YOB Camp team since 2018, though his parents started YOB Camp so he’s been a part of it from its conception!
“YOB Camp is incredible at taking you away to a world of fun, adventure and discovery. It’s genuinely my favourite place to be.”