The Holiday:
Canal Cruise is simply awesome – but don’t just take our word for it, join us on board and see for yourself! It’s uniquely small yet big on adventure: an action-packed week at a maximum of 4mph. Working together to care for the boats and overcome the obstacles along the way is the main activity, and a great way to get to know your crewmates. There’s loads to choose from each day – join in the crafts and games, or relax and enjoy the slower pace of canal life. Bring a friend or make new ones!
The Location :
Living aboard a fleet of narrowboats, we’ll spend our week cruising through the wide-open spaces of the English countryside, with a new view to enjoy every day. The boats are well equipped with all the essentials for a great holiday, including hot showers and almost normal toilets. Everyone squeezes round the table for meals and whole boat activities, but there’s always a quiet space to be found in the cabins. On deck you can soak up some sunshine (British summertime permitting) and enjoy the view. At night, there’s room in each cosy cabin for you and up to three friends. Starting from the village of Braunston, at the heart of the canal network, we’ll follow the Grand Union Canal west to Warwick, where we’ll spend a whole day exploring together before our return journey. There are lots of locks this year, so we’ll need everyone to get involved. We won’t stop for bad weather, so come prepared for anything - it's entirely possible to need waterproofs and sun cream on the same day!
The Activities and The Programme:
This year we’re getting sporty, as we discover what it can teach us about our faith. There’ll be something for everyone, whether you’re an athlete at heart, a keen spectator, or neither. Whilst no two days on Canal Cruise are the same, they all start and end with a familiar routine of good food, followed by time with God and each other, as we explore together what it means to know and love Him. We use words from the Bible, games, discussions, talks and music to help. Before we untie the mooring ropes for each day of cruising, we make sure the boats are shipshape. Crews compete to see who can get their boat looking the best! If steering the boat, working locks, and cooking for your crewmates isn’t enough to do, there are optional games, crafts and challenges every day. If you prefer to relax there’s plenty of opportunity to read, chat with friends old or new, or just watch the world go slowly by. Whether you prefer to be active, reflective or creative, there’s an option for you.
The Team:
The leaders on Canal Cruise are recruited from all over the country. Some are students, some work in a variety of day jobs, and some are retired. They each have different skills and talents, but one thing is the same about all of them: they love Jesus, and want to help you get to know Him better too! The ‘Admiral’ of our fleet has been leading on Canal Cruise more than 15 years, so has lots of experience of what it takes to make a great boating holiday. Every boat has a qualified captain, who will help you learn everything you need to know to enjoy your adventure. Our head chefs will guide you as you learn to cook delicious meals for your crew. There is a first aider on every boat, to make sure there’s always someone there to help if you’ve been injured or are feeling poorly. The leaders will work their very hardest to make sure you have a simply awesome time on the cruise, as you explore the canals, learn about the boats, and discover how amazing God is!