Family camps: An opportunity for everyone

Captain Wendy Watkins (Hadleigh Farm Estate) talks to Major Lynne Shaw about the impact family camps can have.

How did Hadleigh Farm’s family camp come about?

It was a seed idea. We previously ran a youth camp in Hadleigh, so we knew it was possible. In 2019, we got about 40 people together. It was the windiest weekend possible, but it was amazing. We planned to try again the next year, but the Covid-19 pandemic happened! In 2021, we tried again and had 80 people in a field with us. The next year it grew again, and we did two camps back-to-back with 160 people from local corps.

What does family camp look like?

When we say family camp, we mean family in the broadest sense: single people, older people, babies, single parents, refugees, everyone – the intergenerational family of God. We hold on to the name ‘family camp’ on purpose, because it’s definitely not about the nuclear family, it’s about the family of God – from the edge to the middle, you’re included!

The principle was that we would create a space where corps could come for four days to build deep relationships. We’ve seen people come to church and even get married on the back of coming to camp. It’s also a gift for leaders, as they don’t have to think about what everyone is going to eat or what they’re going to do, because that’s all organised for you.

What’s it like at a family camp?

Everything is optional, so you don’t have to do any of it if you don’t want to. But we have a programme of activities that people can get involved in, from kayaking to mountain biking on the London 2012 Olympic Legacy site to exploring the farm and tearoom. You can play games at the castle or join in a silent disco or a ceilidh. If you’ve got toddlers, we have story time and singing sessions.

We turn one of the tents into a discovery den, where people can find out more about Jesus. People tell stories to each other, including people who’ve never shared a Jesus story, and we facilitate discovery by making a beautiful space.

When William Booth bought this land, his vision was to use it for ‘Whitechapel-by-the-Sea’ so people could holiday here. We’ve adapted that vision, and this is what it looks like today

We have amazing conversations around the fire, and we have lots of activities. But we also have times for nothing; people can enjoy the space, enjoy sitting together, enjoy talking about life and faith. And it really works! It’s a celebration!

How has Hadleigh’s campsite developed?

We made a big investment this year: we now have our own unisex toilet and shower cubicles, all facing the camp, including an accessible shower and toilet and a long path! It’s made the field into a proper campsite. We’ve also got a yurt going up to create a spiritual space for encounter.

What’s your vision for family camps?

We hope that other people will see the benefits and be inspired to hold their own family camps. We’ve tried it, we’ve tested it, and we have something we think others could run with.

How can other divisions start their own family camps?

I’ve been working with the East of England DHQ and the Family Ministries team to invite other divisions to try a pilot camp. This could be at the Hadleigh Farm campsite or using our resources in their own locations.