What is Wild Time?

Wild Time programmes offer girls and young women aged between 11 and 17 years an opportunity to ‘grow’ alongside experienced and qualified outdoorswomen to learn bushcraft skills, build confidence, develop a sense of self and have fun outdoors. 

We offer 2 Wild Time Camps tailored to suit the age group: a youngers’ camp for 11-13 years and this longer camp for 14-17 year olds, both in August. This separation will ensure the themes and activities are age appropriate to the group and will also encourage more meaningful connections and the development of a sense of community between the girls.  

Why is this important now?

Young people’s mental health and wellbeing has never been so important – we hear much about the crisis of mental health among teenagers and recent UK statistics (young minds UK) show just how big the problem. This is mirrored globally. The challenges and worries of Gen Z in some ways (e.g. social media, climate change, covid) may be unique but these sit alongside the typical developmental challenges which come with this stage of life.

What will we be doing?

For this camp we will bring a group of girls together to learn new skills and face challenges in the wild; to explore the land by day and night, adventure across moor, woods and rivers to learn more about who they are and what they want from their lives on the threshold of young adulthood.

The adventure includes inner and outdoor challenges, bushcraft, wilderness survival skills, group games, wild walks, environmental art and crafts, and culminates in a final quest! We will cook on open fires, sleep under the stars, share stories as well as just hang out together in the peace and beauty of the wilderness. 

How will the camp be?

This is a relatively small programme – typically for between 8-12 girls. This encourages the group to gel and helps the participants to feel supported and develop a sense of community.

Where will we be?

Our private venue is a wild riverside meadow on Dartmoor near to Newbridge. The facilities are basic; shelter and toilet tents are temporarily erected for the duration of the camp. Full details and directions will be made available after booking.

What is included?

All food and field equipment is provided.  

Wild Time offers:

• Essential outdoor survival skills and bushcraft
• Outdoor games and campcraft 
• Quality downtime immersed in nature
• Connecting with experienced mentors and other girls of around the same age
• Guided sessions to reflect on your life and look ahead

We aim to:

• Build self-confidence and resilience
• Honour the diverse story of what it means to be a young woman today
• Challenge and guide each girl on their journey into womanhood

This is not a typical outdoor programme. It has all the adventure you’d expect but with the added power of Rites of Passage.  

Developed by experienced guides and outdoorswomen over years of working with youth, this unique programme offers the right balance of play, adventure and creativity to help girls develop interpersonal skills and inner resources. To enter young adulthood with a deeper sense of self and from a more confident place.

Details will be sent ahead of time to help prepare for the rite of passage element of the programme. And similarly to conclude it, we ask parents and caregivers to be present on the last afternoon of the camp for a closing session.

Fees & concessions

The cost of this programme is £595.  

Subject to the economy of the programme (and meeting our minimum number of full fee paying places) WildWise Enterprises CiC, our not-for-profit community organisation, may be able to extend 2 x up to 50% concessionary places to families who need that support, subject to application (and with evidence of financial need).  Please email us to enquire and make an application. We also invite donations to help support this.