The fourth HDCHF South West camp took place at Barton Camp, North Somerset between Saturday, 17th August and Saturday, 24th August.
After another busy planning cycle, the South West Committee was excited to kick of the week with some great new additions to the team new and many familiar faces to make a fabulous team.
This year’s theme was The Paralympics, which ran throughout the camp’s activities. The theme was launched with a grand parade through the camp, where the children and volunteers carried Olympic torches they had crafted earlier in the day with the help of Adele from Launchpad. It set an exciting tone for the week, with Olympic-themed events sprinkled throughout the program.
Key roles this year were:
Toby Maddocks | Camp Leader | Grant Wray | Deputy Leader |
Claire Sibley | Director of Fun | Vinny Keating Nic Baird | Safeguarding Leads |
Gabby Marsh Amy Farrell | Medicines | Charlie Goodwin | Fire Warden & Risk Assessments |
George Bemrose Charlie Goodwin Saskia Jackson George Riley | Team Leaders | Saskia Jackson | Programme Co-ordinator |
Isobel Gordon | New Volunteer Mentor | Livi Sibley | Junior Team Leader |
This year, our training session was held on Saturday, allowing all volunteers to participate before the children arrived. This adjustment ensured everyone was well- prepared and familiarised with the camp environment before the busy week began. The volunteers organized themselves in their dorms and spent the afternoon completing orientation briefings, first aid updates, and safeguarding protocols.
A new cook, Di, joined us this year. She was well-liked by both volunteers and children, providing delicious meals throughout the week. The day concluded with a team curry, which continued team building and set the tone for the week ahead.
Day 1
Our Campers arrived after meeting Toby, Grant and the Medicines team. The helpers quickly set to work showing campers around and helping settling into dormitories. The morning featured "getting to know you" activities, and campers were reintroduced to Barton Camp and the team of volunteers and other children.
In the afternoon, the children made flags to represent their teams for the Olympics themed week. This included contracting, setting out shared expectations for the camp and encouraging everyone to participate and support each other.
The day’s highlight was the Olympic parade, where the children and volunteers carried handmade Olympic torches (created with Adele from Launchpad) through the camp in a fun and colourful procession. The parade helped to build excitement for the rest of the week’s activities.
The evening wrapped up with an energetic African drumming workshop. The children and helpers got involved in rhythm-based activities, learning new drumming techniques. Ear defenders were available for those sensitive to noise, ensuring everyone could enjoy the experience. Ray Bonanza arrived fresh from his most recent marathon racing session in Burnham on Sea to declare the Games open after a great introduction from Claire, our Entertainments Director.
Day 2
Monday focused on inclusive, fun activities right at Barton Camp. In the morning, the children had a fantastic time playing wheelchair basketball, which was a hit with everyone, regardless of ability. The game was followed by boccia, a precision ball sport that kept all campers engaged, whether they were competing or cheering for their teammates.
The afternoon was spent swimming and splashing around in the camp’s heated pool, where the children enjoyed a refreshing swim, making full use of the great facilities on-site.
The evening ended with an inspiring session of Makaton signing led by our trained Makaton instructors. The children learned basic signs through fun and interactive activities, helping to improve communication for everyone at camp. The session culminated in a joyous moment where the whole group sang, signed, and danced together to "Celebrate Good Times" by Kool & The Gang. It was a beautiful way to bring the day to a close and celebrate inclusion in all its forms.
Day 3
Tuesday was packed with adventure, starting with a trip to Longleat Safari Park. The day began with an exciting safari tour where the children saw lions, tigers, giraffes, and mischievous monkeys up close. The safari was a huge hit, especially when the monkeys decided to inspect the minibuses, bringing lots of laughter from the children. Following the safari, the group explored Longleat's visitor attractions, including the impressive Longleat House, the adventure castle, and the maze. The boat ride around Gorilla Island and the chance to interact with some smaller animals were highlights of the trip.
Day 4
Wednesday brought a heartwarming visit from Pets for Therapy, featuring three friendly therapy dogs that brightened everyone’s day. The children enjoyed interacting with the dogs, which provided a lovely opportunity for comfort and connection.
Following this, the “Acting Out” drama group engaged the children with fun and interactive drama activities. The participants got to express themselves through various
games and role-play, fostering creativity and teamwork. The afternoon was filled with fun as the campers took a dip in the camp’s heated swimming pool, enjoying some time to relax and play.
In the evening, the campers participated in a fun balloon modelling session, which was a great return visit. The children loved making their own balloon creations, bringing laughter and creativity to the night.
Day 5
Thursday started with a morning outing to Weston-super-Mare, where the children enjoyed a bowling session with a small group attending the cinema.
Once completed, the campers boarded the coaches for an exciting sailing adventure in Bristol. With experienced instructors at the helm, the children had a fantastic time on the water, building confidence and having fun.
Back at camp in the evening, the fun continued with Bingo with Ray Bonanza, which had the children engaged and eager to win small prizes. Ray's energetic hosting made the evening a favourite for both campers and volunteers! This year Ray was joined by special guest appearances from Boy Bonanza and Johnny Sparkle, fresh from his recent residency at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
Day 6
Friday started with a visit from the Bristol City Football Accessibility Team, who engaged the children in fun, inclusive football activities. In the afternoon, we were glad to host Rob Beckett, the High Sheriff of Somerset, and our local MP, Tessa Munt, who took time to meet the campers and volunteers, bringing a sense of pride to everyone involved. Rob and Tessa were full of praise and enthusiasm for the team and were keen to offer ideas to support the charity. The afternoon ended on a high note with an awards ceremony, where medals and trophies, in line with the Olympics theme, were handed out to both campers and volunteers. The positive energy throughout the ceremony reflected the incredible success of the camp.
In the evening everyone donned their best outfits and danced the night away to music, with plenty of prizes, games, and laughter throughout the night. DJ Luke provided the tunes and the 2024 camp was almost ready to pack-up after a fun-filled week.
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