WE ARE FAMILY

What happens when families from the Iona Community are let loose at Camas for a week? A lot, apparently. At the start of June, the very young, the young and the not so young, descended on Camas for a week of familial frolics. Although the families had all been to Iona before, for some, it was their first time at the Mull centre, or their first time in a long time, and the mix of ages and experience made for a fantastic week for all. 

As ever, there were heroics on the abseil wall (a highlight being the dads showing ‘no fear’ but only after their kids had already made it down the cliff) as well as kayaking and raft building antics on the water. There were also some really unique moments that made the week special, reflecting the wider range of ages we had than we are normally used to at Camas. 

For the Camas Challenge,  we were treated to a delicious 3 course feast in the Olympic themed dining room to kick off the evening, including specially made ‘Camas cocktails’. Then things got serious. The Camas Olympics saw the teams UK, Sweden, Canada and Dolphin (the latter due to that morning’s sightings of the animal!) represented in a fierce competition in such events as Ninja Mega Destruction, cup stacking and 10 cup bowling, with Canada bringing home the gold. Thankfully, it was all in good spirit, and no family relationships were destroyed during the competition!

We then all came together for a stunning reflection where we all wrote appreciation pages for each other, the community we had formed for that week and the nature that surrounds us here. This was followed by a medal giving ceremony with some slightly more spurious compliments, including titles such as ‘Best washing up singing’ and ‘Best capsizes’. We then all got ready for bed with a dramatic reading of Winnie the Pooh, which was a wonderful end to an action packed week.  A massive thanks from all of us to everyone who came, we were all one big Camas family for a week!

PhD Students @ Camas

Camas put its academic hat on this week as we were joined by not one but two groups of PHD students.  The students, who came mostly from the University of Glasgow, came to learn from each other’s research, but also experience life at Camas,  which included the usual cocktail of outdoor activities, team games and reflections.  This gave the PhD students who live extremely busy lives, time to relax, reflect and most importantly have fun. 

One walk to the local beach, Market Bay was particularly special as a thick mist hovered above the sea creating a great “time stopping” atmosphere, where the PhD students and Camas volunteers shared hot chocolate and scones.

The evenings were fun and full of games and laughter which included the Camas crew holding their own at a game of Articulate against groups of the soon to be doctors.  The Camas volunteers also learned from the PhD student’s, whether it was joining in on some of their fascinating workshops or one of our volunteers asking a germ specialist their advice on how to increase the productivity and efficiently of cleaning rubber gloves! 

Another highlight of the week was the large group all huddled round the bonfire sharing stories and laughter.  As always the Camas challenge was a fun time where the group took responsibility of the cooking and entertainment.  The entertainment was particularly fun as there was a magic show and a ceilidh!  

All in all a great week at Camas and we hope that the PHD students can return to their important work relaxed and rejuvenated and we feel that this point was articulated by one student in our evaluations, who said: 

“The space, and the people working there, as well as the way of life, greatly contributed to our experience.  I feel rested!

Sheffield and super surf

11.5 – 17.5

So...last week we had the first ‘proper’ group of the season with an almost full complement of volunteers and staff!! And what a fantastic way to start the season it was, a group coming all the way from Sheffield to enjoy everything Camas has to offer. The start of the week was hectic but everyone settled in quickly and soon found themselves busy fishing (catching a Sea Trout and a Salmon), kayaking, washing dishes, abseiling, coasteering, washing dishes, walking, gardening and much, much more.   The day at Iona's North End beach was brilliant with the windiest of waves splashing everyone that dared go close.

With all of the activities happening this week everyone in the community found themselves challenging their boundaries and discovering personal and group comfort zones. This was particularly clear when coasteering and abseiling. The group set out on a beautiful evening to explore and discover the islands. Fully kitted up in wetsuits, helmets and buoyancy aids everyone eagerly took the plunge into the sea, then just as eagerly scrambled back out after realising how freezing it really was. By the end of the session most of the group were happy to make a final jump in and swim back to have a warm shower and sit in the warmth of the fire.

                                                              Camas fave:  Hit the bell

During the week the group were often to be found showing their creative flair with some beautiful poem readings, amazing stories and hilarious song writing. One song became an instant hit and will probably be seen on the charts very soon...a song about a ghost who just wanted to make friends and have some fun Ghost, Ghost, Ghost AAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

The week finished in the usual way with everyone getting stuck in to the challenge. We had 5* chefs preparing some delicious food, quirky decorations, an impressive show featuring a ‘Queen’ tribute band, circus skills and more, as well as a beautiful reflection showing how much everyone had gained during their time in a remote bay at the bottom of a long boggy track.

Work weekers have very useful hands

13.4 – 19.4

Aprils's Spring work week gushed into action along with some heavy rain and heavy work. Wheel barrowing great amounts of pebbles from shore to the new polytunnel with its fancy drainage network. Bridges were rebuilt, along with new friendships. Walls painted, seeds planted, work benches designed and built. Floors oiled, bags sewn and lovely meals cooked with daily home made bread and scones to keep the troopers going on. Reflections led by candle light including a hike to witness the closing of the day at night. Stars and moon were gazed upon through a telescope gift. Jokes followed the rhythm and pattern of Camas fashion, often, daft and funny.

It was a time when men from Glasgow meditated and contemplated becoming vegetarian. Thank you to the very kind people who gave of themselves to support the Camas mission.  Here's the poem we made together at the end of a hard working week...

I have useful hands 

I have usefulhands...

and I made some plans,

I drilled a hole

and moved some sand.

I lit a candle

and sowed some seams.

I monkeyd around,

sowed some bags,

planted some lettuce 

baked some bread.

I made some soup

and I made a bridge.

I scrubbed a floor

then mades some scones.

I played with water,

drew a picture,

painted a bed

and in the end, 

I painted a shed.

New hut!!!

6.4 – 13.4

Next up we had our friends from near Manchester over.
They built us a gorgeous new hut (now my hut) and helped us move the old hut. Yes, move the hut. At first ropes were used, then long wooden poles. They were shoved underneath and at the count of three everyone lifted it up walked along with it. It looked very spectacular. 

In unbelievably short time (about 2-3 days), the new hut was built. It was amazing to see how fast something can be built up!

In the evening we all got our instruments and improvised a bit, got a guitar lesson or played traditional Camas songs.

Another amazing event was 5 a-side table tennis. Five people used the whole games room and the table tennis table to play it. With lots of laughter we also had to fear for our heads, being attacked by the flying ball.

At one point we were missing two wooden poles. After someone from the group spotted them at the top of the track, Rosie and I walked up with two wheelbarrows. Once we were at the top, we saw that there was no way we could transport these giant wooden poles down the track. Therefore we each had one on each shoulder. It was my funniest walk down the track so far.

Again we had a lovely Camas Challenge. For dinner we had curry with chicken for the meat eaters and without chicken for the vegetarians. For reflection we had a lovely goodbye sculpture in the chapel of the nets and a fire by the beach. While the fire got smaller and smaller, we talked and watched the stars.

Leadership and larking aboot

With a group from Oban, we had a great time rescuing Jeff the duck and playing Indiana Jones over the snake pit. We lifted people through poisonous cobwebs and were led blindfolded through a rope-jungle. 

Their leadership skills were tested by taking younger kids by hiking to the beach, climbing and playing games. It was great seeing how some overcame their fear of heights and tried again till they managed to climb in the quarry. 

One of the games we played was hide and seek. One of the girls had a wee panic, not knowing where to hide. Therefore she just lay on the ground in the weeds. Although she had a bright red jumper on, she was the last person to be found!

Back again

After a long winter break without any updates we are back in the game. During the winter there was a change in Camas. Josef left and Avril came.



28.3-1.4

For Easter we had a group from Dumfries and Galloway who visited us to learn more about different cultures. On Friday we went to Iona to see the Stations of the Cross and to learn more about the origins of Easter. Some youngsters from the group even carried the Cross for some time.
At the weekend the group went climbing, went for a walk to Market Bay and made unique dream-catchers and friendship bracelets.

On Easter Sunday we went for an Easter egg hunt. For that purpose we split up into groups of four (including staff) and ran about Camas. That evening was also the Camas Challenge. We had a lovely dinner and nice decorations. For reflection the group got the John Muir awards. The entertainment was an incredible dance off and bashing of an Easter piñata.
That evening was an amazing finish to these few days visit of our first group in Camas this year.