Yorkshire Quakers celebrate first ever community camp
The first ever Yorkshire Quaker Camp took place earlier this month and was booked up within days of being advertised! Plans are now underway for an even bigger event for next year!
More than 80 Friends, including 28 youngsters gathered at Fell Edge Farm near Ilkley for a 'joyful multigenerational weekend' sharing meals, worship, music, dancing and fun in beautiful natural surroundings.
The camp was the initiative of the Yorkshire Local Development and Youth Development Workers, with financial support from Quakers in Yorkshire, which made the event affordable for everyone.
"Over the last year a planning group of nine Friends from different meetings have been getting together to create the new camp from scratch," explained Craig Barnett, development worker for Yorkshire. "This year the event was held at a beautiful eco-friendly site which included a teepee, wood-fired sauna, composting toilets and a barn with sprung dance floor for music and dancing. Campers cooked and ate together, and there was an outdoor meeting for worship every morning and evening around the campfire which was really popular."
"All-age activities included singing, labyrinth-making, circus skills, baking, walking and nature crafts," said Jo Baynham, youth development worker for Yorkshire. "We had fantastic weather and it really was a great example of how much we all benefit from being in community with one another, looking after each other and having fun."
There was so much enthusiasm for the camp that Yorkshire Friends plan to make it an annual event, with more places for all ages next year. For more information email camp@quakersinyorkshire.org.uk.