Sunday the 20^th of May we finally had our Open Day at Camas, and what a day it was!

At 10 o’clock we were all ready with cakes, tea, games and kayaks but where were the visitors? Just before 11 we really started to doubt that anyone would show up and then, walking down the track, a mum and her son. Hurray! Soon after we had more and more people coming and pretty soon we had a full centre of happy kids and parents.

During the day we offered tea and cakes in the common room which were taken outside to enjoy the lovely view and of course the sunshine. We had 4 kayak sessions throughout the day and we also brought people over to the quarry for an abseil. Both of these sessions were very much appreciated by the adventurous people.

In the art room we had a slightly calmer day making dream catchers, friendship bracelets and some rock painting. Children of all ages (2-30) seemed to enjoy this as well.

The day was, according to the poster, supposed to end around 4, but due to the amount of visitors and the lovely weather, our last visitors left us just around 5. All of a sudden the whole centre seemed very quiet and empty...

We would like to thank all of you who came down to Camas on our Open Day, so nice to meet everybody and to show you more about what we do here. Thank you all and we hope to see you again very soon!

Linnea

From the perspective of a youth group

Sunday/Monday
Waking up for Breakfast, ‘UHH! it’s 8.30 am!’On the first full day at Camas we split into two groups for Abseiling and Art. During the kayak session we played games in the water such as tag. By this point I had fallen in four times. The first time was definitely the worst as the chill of the water was quite a shock!

Andy and Karle

Tuesday/Wednesday
The next day half the group braved the 40 ft descent down the granite quarry – some quaking more than others and some taking longer than others! Jon, the instructor, was very patient and reassuring. While half the group the group were abseiling, the other half took part in a treasure hunt which involved climbing through a poisonous spider’s web, killing a shiver of sharks and hauling a lobster pot from the bottom of the ocean.

Later that day we packed for wild camping on Market bay. We built a fire which lasted for 4 hours, long enough to cook our jacket potatoes and to keep us warm whilst listening to ghost stories.

Richard and Aaron 

Thursday
The raft building challenge - Our team worked well together to build an unbreakable and, as it turned out, undefeatable raft. Unlike previous years, there was no plan of sabotage but as the oppositions raft tipped over twice within minutes, we didn’t need to anyway.
Finally, we got our chance to run Camas for a day. The air was full of anticipation and rumours; the stirrings of a song started to emerge, the art room began producing great lengths of streamers and  delicious aromas started to drift over our heads from the kitchen. It made for one fabulous last evening together. 

Becky and Caroline 

(Photo taken seconds before the raft tipped over.)

The next morning we awoke to the reality of the fact that it was time to leave Camas and say our goodbyes. After our long, slow trek down the track one last time, we shared our memories of the week in a final reflection. Thank you to everyone who supported our efforts to fundraise for Camas, you will never know what a difference it has made to all our lives and we will be eternally grateful.

First week of the season

 

Top Tips

-          Porridge + Chocolate may sound like a great idea, but is infact an awful idea.

-          If  luggage is A) Heavier than you, or B) Bigger than you, you might need to re-think your packing.

-          If you pitch your tent on a slope, you will slide down it whilst asleep and awake in a heap at the bottom of your tent.

-          Freshly laid eggs make excellent hand-warmers.

April 14^th saw the arrival of a Youth Group from Wolverhampton. Buses, ferries and trains were the transport of the day. The group arrived in glorious sunshine and were treated to an entire week of uninterrupted sun. God obviously does bless Wolverhampton.

A full week of activities saw kayaking, peat digging, and abseiling. Note, if you’re a first time abseiler, humming the James Bond theme tune is a great help. As in ABBA’s greatest hits. And last but not least, Raft building; an activity that saw sheer determination. So what if your raft has tipped over, and is now upside-down? You shall carry on regardless.

 What was that, sorry? Half your team have abandoned raft and are now swimming to shore? You shall carry on regardless. The other team have finished? That will not stop you either. You will complete this race.

A night was spent wild camping on Market Bay, the most stunning beach I think I have ever seen. On route, many a shoe was pulled off by the power of the Scottish bogs. Remember folks, to always tie your shoe laces correctly. Jacket potatoes were cooked on the fire, the stars were gazed at ... A perfect evening.

In fact, a perfect week. Not an argument was had, not a voice was raised. A fond farewell and a wish to have you back again. Thank you from the staff for an amazing week.

Becky

‘Fantastic opportunity to experience a week full of fun activities and time to reflect on the days we have had. Eating together as a family and enjoying the great food that was cooked for us.’

 Matthew

‘Camas was amazing. It was great and we had so many great laughs and I would LOVE to go again.’

Storm