We’re so excited to share that our HAF summer camps are off to a brilliant start! Even with a few weather challenges, the young people have already shown great enthusiasm, creativity, and resilience, setting the tone for what’s shaping up to be a summer full of fun, learning, and connection.
A Rainy Day at Storyybrook, but Spirits Stayed High!
Our first week began at Storyybrook, where we had planned a hands-on gardening activity to get the children involved in nature and learning how to care for plants. Unfortunately, the classic British summer weather had other ideas! Heavy rain meant we had to pause our gardening plans but that didn’t stop the fun.
Instead, young people got stuck into arts and crafts, creating colourful drawings and imaginative designs. The indoor space quickly turned into a creative hub, with paint, pencils, and laughter flowing freely. It was wonderful to see how easily the children adapted and found joy in expressing themselves through art.
As the rain continued outside, the energy inside only grew. Young people soon challenged our mentors to a fast-paced, energetic game of bench football and let’s just say, the mentors had to bring their A-game! There were cheers, teamwork, and a fair bit of friendly competition, making it a brilliant bonding moment for everyone involved.
Conquering Nerves at The Climbing Hangar
Over in Reading, we kicked off our first HAF session at the fantastic Climbing Hangar, and it was a day to remember. For many of the young people, this was their first time experiencing indoor climbing, and naturally, there were a few nerves to begin with.
But with gentle encouragement and support from our mentors who didn’t hesitate to get involved themselves the young people began to find their confidence. Slowly but surely, those initial worries faded as they cheered each other on, tried new challenges, and pushed themselves beyond their comfort zones.
By the end of the session, every single young person had given climbing a go, some even scaling higher than they thought possible. It was a powerful reminder of what these camps are all about: building confidence, trying new things, and creating memories that last long after the summer ends.
Looking Ahead
We’re incredibly proud of how our HAF camps have started. The young people have already shown such creativity, courage, and kindness and it’s only just the beginning! With more sessions lined up in different locations, we can’t wait to see what else they’ll discover, create, and achieve over the coming weeks.
Stay tuned for more updates, stories, and photos from across our summer HAF adventures!
