Following on from running our Waste Watchers Holiday Club at home, my family and I made the trek west to Criccieth in North Wales for the Scripture Union Beach Mission. It was a bit of a homecoming, as the screams of delight from the passenger seat echoed, when we rounded the bend that brings Criccieth castle into view. 1988 was the first year I had visited as a 13 year old, instantly being hooked on the mix of fun, faith building and new friends. Over the following 13 years I racked up countless return trips not only for the summer mission but for planning and reunion weekends aimed at maintaining relationships built with the children. This then, was our first visit since 2001, accept for a cheeky long weekend one New Year! The Mission centres around the beach and the many church buildings around the small town of 1800 that hark back to Welsh revival days. I was working with the 7-11 year olds in ‘The Wave’, Numbers may be down but the good news of the gospel is the same and meant that we could have a higher ratio of adults to children and therefore get to know them better. Each morning we ran a holiday club style morning before all the age groups meet on the beach by the banner for a ‘Beach Special’ where we hold a 30 minute all age gospel presentation packed with fun and energy. This year we used an idea from Sesame Street of giving each day a letter. The day I led, for example, was brought to you by the letter ‘S’ which was for ‘Salvation’. The afternoons’ held more beach games and social activities for anyone to join in with or a chance to bask in the warm Welsh sunshine.