50 years of creating holiday memories for deserving kids

In the latest edition of Marketing Derby’s Innovate Magazine, we meet the people behind Derby Kids’ Camp, which this year is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Since it began, the charity has helped an estimated 15,000 children across the city and county enjoy a much-needed holiday in the countryside.

Derby Kids’ Camp began very informally back in 1973, when a local Scout group made use of spare equipment to provide a holiday for 15 local children.

The group gradually grew and formalised into Derby Children’s Friendship Group, later becoming Derby Kids’ Camp, which now caters for around 300 children each year, supported by a team of 180 volunteers.

The charity works with around 50 primary and junior schools across Derby city and Derbyshire, who are given holiday spaces to nominate the children most in need of a break.

Children are nominated due to challenges in their day-to-day lives, whether that’s living in poverty, suffering from a close bereavement or finding social interaction difficult after the past couple of years.

During their week-long holidays, the children participate in a host of activities, including crafts, sports, exploring caves and paddling in the river – alongside off-site trips and sessions run by visitors to camp.

Chris Edwards, chairman of Derby Kids Camp, told Innovate: “Derby Kids’ Camp is run entirely by volunteers and, before children visit camp, the volunteers take part in home visits to meet each of the children, and their families or carers.

“After my first two home visits, I knew immediately that I wanted to help, to make a difference.

“I grew up having a fairly blinkered experience of the local community; some of the families we were visiting for camp had some very difficult challenges in their lives which I personally hadn’t previously considered.

“I realised that the families we support live just around the corner from us all, too. I knew that I had get involved in providing these families with a break and the children with a holiday that they will never forget.”

The charity relies entirely on donations – raising cash to make sure as many children as possible can have a place, and welcoming donations of equipment.

But key to making Derby Kids’ Camp happen is people volunteering their time.

Chris, who has been chairman of Derby Kids’ Camp for 16 years, said: “Our holidays help to build children’s confidence and their independence but, more importantly, the children leave with lifelong memories of an amazing and much-needed holiday.

“It’s the best feeling in the world, knowing that you have made a difference.”

To read the full feature visit Innovate .

To find out more about supporting the charity or becoming a Derby Kids’ Camp volunteer, visit Home .