MINIMUM AGE | COCM EM

WHY WE RAISED THE MINIMUM AGE

After much prayer and careful consideration, we have decided to raise the minimum age to those finishing Year 8.

We recognise that this may be a disappointing or unexpected change for some families, and it was not a decision we made lightly. However, we believe this adjustment will allow us to better care for the young people entrusted to us and to sustainably accommodate more youths each year.

We want to share a few reasons behind our decision to raise the minimum age for PHAT Camp. This wasn’t a quick decision, but something we’ve thought through carefully as the camp has grown.

We are grateful for your understanding and continued support as we seek to steward this ministry well.

1. Making Sure Everyone Has Enough Space

Over the past few years, we’ve reached the maximum capacity of our main meeting room. When the space is full, it can become very crowded and uncomfortable—especially in warm weather. It also makes it harder for people to move around safely.

We are also limited in the number of rooms available for small groups. At the moment, some groups have to share spaces, which makes it harder for good discussion to happen. By reducing numbers, we can create a more comfortable and safe environment where young people can focus and participate more fully.

2. Keeping Small Groups Effective

Small groups are a very important part of PHAT Camp. This is where young people study the Bible, ask questions, and talk about their faith and life.

Because of our space and number of leaders, we can only run a certain number of small groups. Adding more youths would mean making groups bigger. However, larger groups are harder to lead well. It becomes more difficult for leaders to care for each young person, notice when someone is struggling, and build meaningful relationships. Smaller groups allow for better conversations, deeper sharing, and more personal support.

3. Focusing on the Right Age Group

There is a big difference between the needs of a 12-year-old and a 17-year-old. While we try our best to serve everyone through talks, small groups, and activities, it can be challenging to do this well across such a wide age range.

By raising the minimum age, we can better tailor the teaching, discussions, and activities to suit older youths. This allows us to go deeper in conversations, address topics that are more relevant to their stage of life, and encourage more thoughtful engagement with their faith. In turn, this helps them grow in understanding, ask more meaningful questions, and apply what they learn more personally.

4. Prioritising Those Nearing the End of Youth Camp

Older youths only have a limited number of years to attend PHAT Camp. Instead of limiting numbers in other ways, we chose to prioritise them so they can make the most of the time they have left.

These years are often a key time for personal and spiritual growth, as many are preparing for major life transitions such as exams, university, or work. By giving them priority, we hope to support them during this important stage, helping them build a stronger foundation in their faith before they move on from PHAT Camp.