Children at the Festivals

Please Read Carefully

Children (under 16) are welcome to attend the Festivals but special conditions apply.  Please ask for the separate Booking Form and the conditions of stay for children. Once a young person is 16 years of age they are classed as an adult for Festival attendance purposes. Because of the nature and scale of the event we ask for the following conditions to be observed to ensure the safety and welfare of young attendees.

Child safety and welfare: Please be aware that this is a large scale event and that the care and safety of children is always the responsibility of their carers. For the safety of all children who attend the Festivals two adult carers must be named and children must be supervised at all times by one of these carers. The safety of children is paramount and for this reason we regret that unsupervised children cannot be allowed to remain at the Festival.

Accommodation: Children occupying a bed in Twin or Double rooms are required to pay full price. Children cannot be accommodated in Shared Rooms or Dormitories for their safety and welfare. Children aged 3–15 years who are Camping or Non-Resident are charged half price, and there is no charge for those under 3 years.

Passes: To ensure that children are protected and easily reunited with their carers in case of difficulties arising, children’s passes will display photographs and names of both carers. To make a valid booking for a child you must send two passport sized photographs of each carer for each child.

The child’s booking will not be confirmed until we have received the necessary photographs. You are welcome to email digital photographs or send passport size photographs in the post. Children’s passes will be prepared by Festival Registration prior to your arrival. It is essential that we receive the photographs so that we can confirm your child’s booking. If your booking is not confirmed you may not be able to register your child for the Festival on arrival.

Teachings: We regret that children under 3 are not allowed in the Temple during teachings, including reviews and meditation sessions. Any children who do attend teachings are not permitted to play electronic games.  Children of all ages are welcome to attend puja.

During teachings,  reviews and meditation sessions, we provide a video link in a comfortable quiet area reserved for carers with children. Stewarding will be provided in this area. If you are a parent with young children and would like to volunteer to help with Stewarding this area please contact the Children’s Coordinator at the email address below.


Child care: Due to the large number of children attending the Festivals and the constraints of insurance on this large and open site we regret that NKT-IKBU is unable to provide childcare during the Festivals.

Parents and other carers of children attending the Summer Festival organize childcare on a shared basis as volunteers (Dharma Parents Group). Please contact the Children’s Co-ordinator (see below) for details.

Children’s Play Area: For Summer Festival only we provide a covered dedicated area for children’s activities in a marquee which is supervised by the Dharma Parents group. This marquee is located in a Play Area adjacent to the Family Camping Area. There is space alongside for supervised ball games and active play.

For any queries you may have, please see the contact details below:

For enquiries regarding bookings, please contact the Festival Bookings Office at ukfestivals@kadampa.org or Tel: +44 (0)1229 584029.

For enquiries about the Dharma Parents Group and children’s activities the Children’s Activity Coordinator is: Kelsang Drima. Please contact her at kelsangdrima@googlemail.com with all during the Festivals.

Please note that the Dharma Parents Group is not organized by NKT-IKBU.

For enquiries during the Festivals, the Welfare Supervisor acts as Children’s Liaison Supervisor to help to ensure the safety and well-being of children and their carers. If you have any concerns about children’s welfare during the Festival, please contact this person through the Festival Stewards or Information Desk.

NKT Festivals,
Conishead Priory,
Ulverston,
Cumbria,
LA12 9QQ
England.

Telephone: +44–(0) 1229–584029
Email: ukfestivals@kadampa.org