Our favourite event of the year is coming... we are going camping!
We are inviting applications from families from East London who would like to get outside more often and learn to go camping.
If your children qualify for free school meals and you are worried you wont be getting a holiday away from London this year, then fill in this short form telling us why you want to come and we will be in touch.
In partnership with Pearce Coggan Foundation, we will be taking eight families for their first ever camping trip to Green Farm Kent, joined by a few families that came camping with us in 2022 or before plus some volunteers and the Ouytdoor People team.
We put up the tents and bring all the food and cosy camping gear.
You bring a sense of adventure and a willingness to get stuck in.
The dates are either
Week one: Monday 12th - Friday 16th August
Week two: Monday 19th - Friday 23rd August
Through this week you will:
- learn to put up a tent and cook on a camp stove
- meet other families from East London looking to enjoy the outdoors
- see your children having the best outdoor adventure.
You'll meet families who have been camping with us before, so everyone learns how to go camping again in the future!
This is open to all types of families - single parents, two parents, extended families (we’ve had several grandparents join us), with children aged 2 to 14.
Where are we going?
We have worked with our partners Green Farm Kent for nine years now. They are located a few miles west of Ashford, near Shadoxhurst. That’s an easy train journey from Stratford or about 90 minutes in the minibus.
Families with young children get preference for the minibus, and families on very low incomes can get their train fairs covered.
Green Farm is a working farm with cows, sheep, pigs and chickens in addition to a community garden.
Our camping spot, appropriately called Fairyland, is in an enclosed woodland providing a safe but beautiful area for the camping experience.
This family camping project is the only time the woodland is available for camping – we are so lucky!
What to expect
The wood is big enough for children to play out of sight, but always in hearing. With climbing trees, hammocks, a communal fire and plenty of mud – it’s a haven for outdoor play.
We take care of parents too.
Comfy tents, thick sleeping beds, sleeping bags and extra blankets and duvets, nearby compost toilets, hot showers and flush toilets ia short walk away and camp stoves, tables and chairs, plus wellies and waterproofs if you need them.
We also do a yoga class and meditation for those that want to try it.
We visit the pigs and chickens, learn to pitch tents and cook the rainbow of vegetables that Green Farm provide on our individual camp stoves, adventure in the woodlands, go on a night walk and, of course, our legendary pizza night!
As the camp takes place on a working organic farm, we learn about healthy eating and sustainable farming practices, and we’ll all get to see the dairy that provides our milk and yoghurt and the garden where our vegetables grew. Don’t worry though, coffee, noodles and unhealthy snacks are available too!
How to apply
If you are on a low income/benefits, face barriers to going camping, want to know how to get outdoors more and are willing to come away knowing your children will have a great time, then get in touch!
Fill in the form HERE or email bethan@outdoorpeople.org.uk
All we ask is a contribution of £40 (or an equivalent we agree with you) and that you promise to take some friends outdoors for walks or a holiday in the future.
Want to volunteer?
If you would like to apply to volunteer with us, please fill in this form. If you'd like to find out more about volunteering opportunities, email tom@outdoorpeople.org.uk.
Outdoor Family Camping is delivered in partnership with and supported by Pearce Coggan Foundation and match-funded by Outdoor People (with great thanks to our customers and clients through the shop and schools projects!).
We are lucky to be supported by some incredible outdoor gear brands that share our community values and love for the planet and nature - thank you in particular to Marmot and Vango who provided tents, sleeping bags and other camp gear.
This builds on previous projects funded by partners listed below. HUGE thanks go to the children and families that have allowed us to use their photos and the great expertise behind the camera that is Liz Seabrook.
