Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book a holiday?

Just follow the step-by-step instructions on the SU Holidays home page.  Here are a few hints:

Once you’ve found the holiday you want, make a provisional booking to reserve your space.

We’ll send you a booking reference by email.

Once you have the booking reference, complete the online booking form and send it to us in the post.

[top]

What is INCLUDED in the cost of my holiday?

accommodation
all food
activities
deposit (non-returnable)
travel costs to and from specified locations, unless otherwise stated

NOT INCLUDED:

activities and trips shown as optional extras
personal spending money
cancellation and personal accident insurance

[top]

Where do I find the holiday code?

The holiday code is a reference that helps us to know which holiday you want to go on. You can find it with all the other details on the page about the holiday you’ve chosen. You’ll need to know the code when you make a provisional booking.

[top]

Can I come on a holiday on my own?

Yes. Loads of people come on their own and make friends quickly once they arrive. Everyone belongs to a small group with a leader, which really helps you get to know other people.

[top]

Do I have to be a Christian to come on an SU Holiday?

No. SU Holidays are open to people of any faith or none. Every holiday includes a daily session of informal, lively Christian worship. This is a very important part of the holiday, which everyone attends.

[top]

What should I pack?

We’ll send you a list of things to bring with your Confirmation of Booking Letter, but most holidays don’t require any expensive gear.

[top]

Can my parents drop me at the holiday venue and collect me from there?

Yes. This is possible at all our events. However, you will need to check the drop off and collection times -  these will be included with the Travel Instructions which will be sent to you 8 weeks before the holiday. For many holidays your parents will need to collect you by 10am on the final day.

Most holidays also have organised travel. See the travel organiser for more information about getting to events.

[top]

Can I share with my friends?

We work hard to make sure friends can share in a dorm or a tent, so you just need to remember to tell us on the Booking Form who you’d like to share with. Remember that both dorms and tents are either boys only or girls only.

[top]

Is there organised travel from where I live?

We provide travel options to SU Holidays from quite a number of different places. Check the travel organiser to see if there is travel from a place near you.

[top]

Can I change my travel options before the holiday?

We will issue Travel Instructions and remind you of your chosen travel arrangements 8 weeks before the holiday.  We will accept changes up to 4 weeks before the start of the holiday.   See Parents’ Info for more details.

[top]

What happens in an average day?

There’s no such thing as an average day on an SU Holiday. They are all different and all great. There will be a daily timetable and depending on your holiday it might look a bit like this...

out of bed ...it’s not that time already?
breakfast ...busy day coming up
tidy time ...there could be points and prizes for tidy rooms
group time ...spend time chatting and explore questions you might have about the Christian faith
activities ...what’s on offer here will depend on your holiday - from abseiling to windsurfing, there are over 50 different activities available at SU holidays
lunch ...re-stock on energy
more activities ...sailing, mountain biking or arts and crafts, horse riding or playing the trombone. Some holidays offer specialist activities, some just offer great choices!
late afternoon ...perhaps a bit of time to relax
evening meal ...unwind with your friends during the evening meal
evening meeting ...there will be time to get together for songs and Christian teaching
evening activities ...a wide game or off for that overnight camp-out!
supper ...last chance for a drink and some baking before...
bed ...recharge before doing it all again tomorrow

[top]

What’s the food like at an SU Holiday?

Great meals are a really important part of all our events and we make sure there is plenty of good healthy food to provide the energy you need to have a fabulous time.

Here's a typical holiday menu:

Breakfast
Most days breakfast will be continental - a choice of cereal and toast with a variety of spreads. But don't rule out the possibility of sausages (veggie sausages if you prefer) or a bacon butty!
Lunch
When everyone's off on a trip, there is a packed lunch with a choice of sandwich fillings, fresh fruit, crisps, chocolate biscuits and a drink. Otherwise lunch might include soup, burgers or jacket potatoes.
Evening Meal
The main meal of the day could be meat or vegetable lasagne with salad and garlic bread or sweet and sour chicken with rice and vegetables. Apple crumble, yogurt or fresh fruit could follow.
Supper
Later in the evening there will be a choice of hot and cold drinks with a freshly baked scone or toast.

All the food is freshly prepared by a dedicated team of kitchen staff. Please remember to include details on your booking form if you are a vegetarian or have other special dietary needs.

[top]

Will I have to help with the dishes?

At most holidays you’ll be asked to help with a few chores, such as setting tables and washing dishes. You’ll be helping alongside other young people and leaders – it’s all part of the fun!

[top]

What about spending money?

Almost every holiday has a tuckshop (or nearby shops) and a bookstall. Some holidays also include a shopping trip. When you arrive at your holiday you’ll be asked to put your personal spending money in the holiday bank for safekeeping.

[top]

What are Optional Extras?

Some holidays offer Optional Extras at an additional cost, usually in the range of £8 to £15. A full holiday programme is provided even if you don’t choose any of these extras. Details of how to select Optional Extras will be sent a few weeks before the holiday.

[top]

Who’s in charge?

In the brochure you will find someone’s name attached to each event. These are the Team Leaders who are either SU staff or volunteers and are carefully selected for their leadership abilities and experience. The Team Leader works with the SU Holidays staff to draw together a team of volunteers with different skills and qualifications so that we can deliver the safe, caring and high quality programme you would expect at an SU Holiday.

All events are run by experienced adult staff who are accredited by SU via a careful vetting and selection process. We obtain an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate annually for volunteer Team Leaders at SU Holidays, as well as carrying out rigorous internal selection and monitoring procedures. All volunteers are given training and work within our code of conduct.

If you have any enquiries about this process, please contact our Volunteers Unit on 0141 352 7610, email: volunteers@suscotland.org.uk.

[top]

How are holidays supervised?

We maintain a high ratio of adults to young people; some are SU employees, but most are volunteers who give their own time (and contribute to their own costs) in order to run SU Holidays. Everyone is placed in a small group under the immediate care of an adult
leader.

[top]

What about safety?

The safety and welfare of the young people come first, and we ensure high levels of adult supervision. We are licensed by AALA to provide watersports, climbing and trekking. Activities such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking and other outdoor pursuits are always supervised by qualified instructors. We have many years of experience running residential events for young people in Scotland and work continuously to improve our events and ensure that we meet or exceed current legislation. All the minibuses we use have seat belts. SU Holidays have an excellent safety record, which we strive to maintain.

[top]

What about insurance?

SU Holidays are covered by Public Liability Insurance. We strongly recommend that you take out insurance to cover belongings, personal accident or in case you need to cancel. We will send you details of a competitively priced policy with your Confirmation of Booking. Please note that to be covered for cancellation you should take out insurance as soon as possible after your booking is confirmed.

[top]

Is there any financial help available?

Yes. If you are on a low income please phone and ask about sponsorship. We have a sponsorship fund that we may be able to use to help you. We will treat all information in confidence.

[top]

Need more information?

We are always happy to answer questions. You can phone us on 0141 352 7620. A number of information evenings are planned around Scotland to give you an opportunity to find out more about SU Holidays. Details are sent out with your Confirmation of Booking.

[top]

What about young people with special needs?

Young people with special needs are welcome at SU Holidays. Please phone us for advice and we will endeavour to find a suitable holiday. This includes young people whose first language is not English.

[top]

Are there any rules?

Yes. The holidays couldn’t run safely without them, but they are kept to a minimum. For example, campers may only leave the site with the permission of the overall Team Leader and swimming or outdoor pursuits are only permitted under qualified supervision. Smoking, alcohol and illegal drugs are not permitted. Silence is
expected between lights out and rising time.

[top]

What about mobile phones?

At a number of sites there is poor or non-existent mobile phone coverage so do not expect phones to work everywhere. Because of the high risk of phones being lost, damaged or misused, it is our policy that all mobiles are deposited in a secure place and made available for use at a mutually convenient time of day. This also applies to camera phones, so it may be necessary to bring a separate camera for general use.

[top]

Any complaints?

If there is any problem during a holiday we would like to know as soon as possible so that we can do our utmost to put it right. Please ask your child to mention it to the Team Leader (named in the brochure) in the first instance. If the problem is not dealt with to your satisfaction please contact us either in writing or by phone as soon as possible.

Scripture Union Scotland has a written complaints procedure that is available on request. We are always keen to find ways to make our holidays even better. Please let us know your comments.

[top]