Testimonials

Camp Leader

“Pathfinders is somewhere incredibly special, and you will find kindness in abundance. We are all there for one common goal, to make the best of the week and have a fantastic time. You will meet people you may not normally have met in your daily life and they will become life-long friends.”
Sam – Camp Leader

DofE

“I came with a group of Rangers, all doing our Gold DofE Residential. Although the week was hard work, I made so many new friends, that by Wednesday I had caught the “Woodlarks Bug” and knew I would be back the next year. That was over 30 years ago and I still go every year. Now I am in Crew as Camp Cook.”

Hazel, Crew

“I saw images of Pathfinders Camp online and thought it would be a fun way to complete my Duke of Edinburgh residential. I had missed the deadline to apply as did not come across it until August so waited a year to join in the fun!

I was nervous as I first arrived but was made to feel very welcome by all. I had an amazing week and made many new friends. I knew I would be back to the magical place and since joining in 2014 I have only missed one year.”

Emily, Helper

“I was forwarded an email by my Dofe Leader from Sam ! Advertising the camp and all explaining what all went on at the Camp for 1 week in the summer! I decided to come along as it was something I’d never done before and it also sparked my interest in working with people with disabilities! I Loved the week, had so much fun and this summer will be my 4th Camp!”

Daniel, Helper

Last Camp

When asked for their favourite memory of Camp 2022 folk replied:

“Swimming, making new friends and camp cooking x” Grace
“You get to see the stars at night. It was so beautiful” Bryony
“Everyone is helpful and friendly. I love making potato scones and cauliflower cheese. I enjoyed everything!” Zoe
“Definitely being involved in supporting Katie on the zipline! Katie said the last time she went on it she was walking around ” Nicole
- “Thanks for your help to get me on the zip line” Katie
“It’s like nothing else I’ve ever experienced. There is magic in that place. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll make new friends and you’ll never want to leave x” Cat
“It’s my happy place – my safe place. My ‘I don’t need to feel like a burden because of things I can’t control’ place. It’s very empowering. I can be strong and capable and appreciated for ME and what I *can* do.” Bonnie
“I used to think Disney was the most magical place on earth… I was wrong – it’s definitely woodlarks ” Laura

“I often struggle to put into words what camp actually means to me and what it’s done for me over the years that when I speak to people about it I’ll often repeat “yeah it’s just awesome” about 3 separate times in the conversation with a big cheesy grin on my face trying to verbalise the feeling before directing them to the website.

I’ve also always felt accepted comfortable and loved at camp it’s my little corner of the world where I can just “be me” for the week I’m just “Georgia” I’m not “Georgia with cerebral palsy or Georgia in the wheelchair” and it still astounds me that I live less than 15 mins away from such a joyous happy place with so many “only at woodlarks” moments attached.

I also love that there are so many stories, jokes and memories that will only ever make sense or be understandable by people at camp.

Lastly for now just wanted to talk about the “helper camper” relationship this becomes so much more than what it says on the tin by the end of the week it’s personal, it’s friendship and very tricky to describe for so many awesome reasons.”
Georgia

Campers

“She loves it so much……she talks about it all year. Thank you to everyone who makes it possible.”

Heather, Maria’s mum

“Pathfinders opens my life to new things and I completely feel free on camp.”

Zo Zo, Camper

“I been coming to pathfinders camp for 27 years, it’s like we all big family plus all the helpers are great. Thanks”

Angela, Camper

“I love coming to Pathfinders Camp. My friends Tracey and Carla introduced me. I have never looked back.”

Katie, Camper

“As a well-seasoned Pathfinder, it has changed slightly over the years and by that I mean each leader has brought with them their own stamp on how camp should be. Despite that, the actual dynamics of the camp have never changed. There are sorrows and absolute laughter until your side splits. I always say to any new camper/helper that it is a very tiring week, especially for the helpers. I never kid them that it will be easy but through the tough times, the magic moments stick and that is the hold/bond with Pathfinders. Each and every person whilst at Pathfinders goes home with a different perspective of themselves. All in all, Pathfinders is ‘home’ for many of us and can be for others too if they would like to join us.”

Carla, Camper/Crew

Helpers

“Pathfinders camp is one great big family, where you make lifelong friends. Everyone helps everyone – helpers help campers, campers help helpers, campers help campers, helpers help helpers. It is the most wonderful place in the world – full of love and laughter. Try out a new experience or a familiar one in a completely different way. I wouldn’t be who I am without Pathfinders.”

Hazel, Crew

“Pathfinders is my favourite place, where I’ve made some of my happiest memories and closest friends. There is nothing like it. Come prepared to have fun, get stuck in, think creative, try something new, be a friend, and laugh until everything hurts. You’ll go home tired, mucky, happy, with a bag of memories and new friends and with no regrets.”

Nori, Crew

“It’s going to be tough at times, fun most of the time, and rewarding all of the time. I learnt more about myself at camp than in 18 years of work and made the very best kind of friends. I’m sure the campers helped me, more than I helped them.” – (read in full here)

Claire, Helper

“For me, camp is the most incredible place, where together we make the impossible, possible!”

Kim, Helper

“It is a magical place to be a big happy camping family. I have been helping at camp for 15 years.”

Katy, Helper

“Woodlarks is different. it is a magical place where people work together, play together, have fun and have a really good holiday away from everyday life.”

Carolyn, Helper