About us
The one constant throughout the history of camp has been a passion to see young people’s lives transformed through the teaching of God’s Word from the Bible so that they may go out and live for Jesus.
Our history · Leadership · Our partners
1975First camp
11–17Ages
Volunteer ledLeaders from all over the country
Lake DistrictSince 2005
Our history
Fifty years of camp.
The first camp was in 1975 organised by the pastors of two churches – Dick Eccles, (Brian Eccles’ dad!) and Chris Peggington. This camp was initially for the youth groups of the two churches involved.
1975
The first camp, organised by the pastors of two churches for their youth groups.
1976
Camp was held in the Yorkshire Dales village of Austwick. The Methodist chapel was the base for all the meals and morning meetings for the whole camp, but tent prayers in the evening was exactly the same as camp today.
1978
Camp was held at Llanymawddwy in Wales – the one exception during the Austwick years.
1996
After Austwick, camp moved to the nearby village of Clapham.
2005
Camp moved to the Lake District, firstly to Rydal.
2005–2023
Then to Coniston, where camp was held until 2023 when we moved to Windermere.
We love our current location at Windermere School, not only because of the amazing facilities there giving campers and leaders plenty of space to play games on the field, but also because of the amazing scenery right outside the tents.
TO CONFIRM: camp 2025 and 2026 are both at Grasmere, so this paragraph needs updating.
Leadership
The team behind camp.
Brian Eccles
Brian has been at camp for since 1973! “I know what you’re thinking” he says. “I don’t look that old, but have been going to camp since I was 5.” Over the years he’s done just about everything at camp …except cook, which he leaves to his wife! Wise man! He was a camper for 7 years, team leader, rock climbing instructor, activities leader and now is assistant leader for camp (with Matt) as well as treasurer. Outside of camp Brian works as an IT manager, aka “professional geek”. Besides that he likes to rock climb, mountain bike, play bass, electric and acoustic guitar, and at Peel Street Baptist Church (Accrington) Brian leads the church music group, and youth groups.
Matt Prescott
Matt has been a leader at camp since 1998. He is a member at St Martin’s Stockport and has been involved in the church revitalisation project there for the past 3 years. He is also leader for camp with Brian (above), who are the brains and organisation behind all that goes on. We also have the pleasure of Sarah (Matt’s wife) as well as Jane (Brian’s wife) as the cooks; and it has to be said that food at camp is definitely a highlight of the week. Outside of camp he loves to run and more recently competed in a marathon in Dublin and a 16.5 mile race round Lake Coniston!
Josh Smith
Camp Leader
Josh has been on camp since 2013 when his wife Eunice (who has been going since the age of 11) made him go. He loved it so much, that he couldn’t get enough and has been every year since. He is from Yorkshire, but is now living in Birmingham where he is a deacon at Harborne Baptist Church. He works for Christian Vision, working to share the gospel online and direct seekers to local churches. When not on camp, or getting excited for next year’s camp, he is a big fan of Lego and board games, and loves sport – you’ll often find him having a kick-about on camp!
Lucy Chadwell
Assistant Camp Leader
Lucy has been at camp since 2020, where she was first invited by Josh and Eunice. She lives in sunny Bournemouth (doesn’t rain at all!), she says, where she has just finished university and is now working in mental health as an occupational therapist. She serves at her church doing kids ministry and loves her church and its diverse community. Lucy grew up abroad in Nepal where her family were missionaries there for 12 years and moved back to Birmingham when she was only 16. When away from camp, Lucy enjoys swimming in the sea and going for coffee with friends. Camp is always a highlight of her year and is something to look forward to!
Ole Kristian Hunt
Teaching Coordinator
Ole is Pastor at Grace Baptist Church, Ulverston, his hometown church, and host – for as long as he’s been a member – of Compass Camps on Sunday! Having taught at camp a couple of times as a guest, he joined for the full week in 2020 – online camp! – and has been hooked ever since. He lives with his wife in Dalton-in-Furness, and loves collecting and painting toy soldiers, outdoor swimming and hiking (with the Lake District just a few miles up the road!). He especially loves the books of Genesis and Revelation, but can occasionally be persuaded to teach on something else!
Dave Smith
Activities Coordinator
Dave has been on camp, originally as a camper and now as a leader, for 6 years, and he says they just keep getting better and better! He’s an avid chicken curry pie fan (he says the best can only be found on camp!) and loves all activities in the outdoors. He works as an outdoor instructor in the Scottish Borders, and goes to Carlisle Baptist Church.
Compass Camps also has an amazing team of volunteer leaders from all over the country who help make camp happen. To find out more about joining this team and being a Compass Camps Tent Leader, see Life as a Leader.
Our partners
Who we work with.
Compass Camp is run and organised with the partnership of two churches in the North West. They are responsible for overseeing and directing the spiritual direction of Compass Camp, as well as the practical and financial concerns.
Peel Street Baptist Church, Accrington
Grace Baptist Church, Lancaster
What we believe
Our Statement of Faith.
The Bible is truly God’s Word in the fullest sense, and therefore true and reliable in all it says. It tells us all that we need to know, to believe and to do, in order to be right with God and live well for him in his world.