Welcome to Wild Camp

The Blaenau Gwent Play Team has piloted its Wild Camps project to deliver outdoor play opportunities for children and teenagers. The Wild Camps are for those who are receiving support services and experienced significant changes to their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The team was concerned that coronavirus and lockdowns intensified children and families’ fears of being outdoors, of dirt and disease and of contact with other people. However reasonable this may be, it must be balanced against the risk to children’s physical and mental health and wellbeing from being indoors and away from their friends for prolonged periods of time. By encouraging and supporting children to play in the natural environment and working with adults to explain the benefits of play for children’s health and wellbeing, learning and resilience, we can take a balanced approach.

The team supports two groups a week. At the start of each camp, children and teenagers set up base camp, consider how to keep themselves and others safe during the session and are given opportunities to play freely. This provides chances for them to explore and discover new skills and developing a unique experience. The project aims to encourage each child to learn, grow and develop through the environment, capturing their imagination and at the same time embedding deep values about the natural world they live in.

The team’s ethos is to follow the needs and interests of the children, wherever practical and possible. Suitable activities are offered and supported, for example:

• using the natural environment for den building, bug hunts, treasure hunts, wood whittling, mud painting, and arts and crafts
• exploring the environment through free play
• cooking on the campfire.

To meet the needs of the children and teenagers attending, groups have been kept small. This:

• encourages children to build relationships with their peers
• promotes engagement with activities
• supports children to cope with feelings and emotions in a safe environment.

Since the project launched, the team has received 54 referrals/registrations through Family Support Workers or self-referral through accessing other play provision.

Following the successful pilot, Wild Camps has become part of the core service delivered by the Blaenau Gwent Play Team. There are plans for a third group to be launched in February 2023 which will deliver a 12-week programme to support more children and teenagers.

‘I have more confidence and I like being outside instead of on my computer.’ (eight-year-old boy)

‘I get bullied in school because I am shy but I have made new friends. This makes me happy.’ (eight-year-old girl)

‘I like being outdoors and climbing trees.’ (five-year-old boy)

‘I was scared of fire but now I know that I am in control.’ (nine-year-old boy)