We offer non-residential and residential camps for young people who are experiencing difficulties in their young lives or who are experiencing problems with their mental health and wellbeing. These range from 2 to 4 days in duration, with some including overnight camping.
Our programmes are nature-based and use a range of activities and skills to enable our young clients to understand themselves better, learn to manage their emotions and behaviour in a way that is more helpful to them and learn how to manage relationships better. They also have an opportunity to understand their choices and the consequences that come from these.
Our outcomes from existing work show significant changes in self-esteem and confidence, behaviour, self-respect, relationships and a love of nature and the outdoors.
Our skills lie in working with a range of referral information and include anxiety and depression, self- harm, family breakdown, anger and conflict patterns, attention deficit and associated conditions, and trauma.
We work in small groups of no more than eight at a time and the facilitation team is always with a qualified counsellor and outdoor instructor and other support workers, as required.
We aim to maintain a calm, safe and positive space with a strong safeguarding interest.
Our methods include bushcraft and camp skills, long distance walks and picnics, nature volunteering, exploring our wild space, hammock time, group time and individual time one-to-one.
We aim to keep a calm and supportive presence at all times, with an emphasis on inclusion, respect, honesty and nurture.
All potential participants will need to have a referral form and an interview prior to attendance.
This could be carried out by Skype for those living further afield.
Dates for 2018
27th February to 1st March 2018 – a three day/two night residential camp for 16-21 year olds (Closed)
This programme will be delivered at our site in Chatham Green, Essex and operate on a residential basis with overnight camping on site. For participants aged 16-21 years. Price is £375 per person. Minimum 5 participants required to run.
5th and 6th April 2018 – a two day non-residential Therapeutic Camp for 13-15 year olds (Closed)
This programme will be delivered at our site in Chatham Green, Essex and operate on a day camp basis (participants go home at the end of the day). For young people aged 13-15 years. Price is £180 per person. Minimum 5 participants required to run.
9th and 10th April 2018 – a two day non-residential Therapeutic Camp for 10-13 year olds
This programme will be delivered at our site in Chatham Green, Essex and operate on a day camp basis (participants go home at the end of the day). For young people aged 10-13 years. Price is £180 per person. Minimum 5 participants required to run.
16th to 18th July 2018 – A three day two night residential camp for 16-21 year olds
This programme will be delivered at our site in Chatham Green, Essex and operate on a residential basis with overnight camping on site. For participants aged 16-21 years. Price is £375 per person. Minimum 5 participants required to run.
For more information or to be sent a referral form, please contact us:
Please can you advise any camps available for 2023. My son is 14 years old.
Hi Sharon
We have programmes running throughout 2023 that are funded and support young people aged 13-15. If you would like to download and complete the referral form and email to info@wildernessfoundation.org.uk we can then review the support needed and find the best option for your son.
Kind Regards
Wilderness Foundation Team
Do you have any dates for 2023 for a 16 almost 17 year old?
Thank you for your enquiry.
We have a teens therapy camp 14-18th August. Please visit http://wildernessfoundation.org.uk/wilderness-therapy-retreats-camps/ for additional information. This is available for ages 14-17 and the cost is £900 per person.
Do you have any dates in 2023 for my daughter 18 nearly 19 years old?
Hi Rachel, Unfortunately there are no more places available in our therapy camps this year. If you are within Essex we have funded group and 1-2-1 therapy programmes that your daughter may be interested in. Please email info@wildernessfoundation.org.uk with more information about your daughter’s needs and we can see if there is an option available for her.
Hello,have you got any programms for 9 yrs old kids?
Hi Dana, thanks for getting in touch. We have education and therapy programmes that cover that age. If you are interested in our therapy programmes please download the referral form from our website and email the completed form to info@wildernessfoundation.org.uk. For any education queries including school visits, environmental education workshops and holiday camps please email education@wildernessfoundation.org.uk. We have several programmes and different funding options so please contact us for more details.
Hi, do you have any residential camps coming up voer enxt few months or Feb 2024, my daughter is nearly 15yrs.
Hi Dee, I’m afraid we don’t have any camps in the next few months as they tend to take place in the warmer summer months. Our day groups based in Essex continue throughout the year as does our 1-2-1 therapy and if you live in Essex there are funded places available. Please contact our referral team on info@wildernessfoundation.org.uk if you would like to make a referral for your daughter and we can see what is possible. Most of our programmes are based in Essex and participants need to provide their own transport. Kind Regards The Wilderness Team