Family Camp (August 2011)

Five days of quality family time - learning new skills & de-stressing


See Family Camp - Summer 2011 on Vimeo for a more detailed slideshow of this camp.

This was an opportunity for inner-city families to spend quality time together with a wild range of outdoor activities on offer all in the context of Exmoor National Park. It was a chance to learn and share new skills, get creative, relax, be cooked for and enjoy. It included beach trips, bush craft, coastal walks, circus skills, music and dance, horse riding & cozy campfires. Parents said that to have playworkers’ help to amuse and teach their children and to be able to all pool in to support each other was what made this such an energizing holiday.

“When we were in Africa I remember when we were a little kid as soon as the sun comes out we go outside. We all go play. Everyone knows everyone. When you are in the city you don’t even know your neighbours. But here in camp I would know this is this family, that is that family. It’s really nice. It’s just the feel around you now, it’s really nice. I like it.”
Participant, Family Camp (Aug 2011)
“For my little ones it has been good because they have had that freedom… they have been off. That has been nice because you can’t do that in the city, you just can’t do it.”
Participant Mum, Family Camp (Aug 2011)
“This would be brilliant (for non-resident dads) who have contact issues, this would be brilliant for them to have that undisturbed time with their children. It would do wonders for the bonding and the relationship they have.”
Participant father & fathers’ support worker, SPAN, Family Camp (Aug 2011)
"We have considered to go camping more often because we didn't know anything about camping. We couldn't even pitch our tent but we learned we can now, so we are really learning for ourselves."
Participant, 17, Family Camp (Aug 2011)