What is WhitCamp?
WhitCamp started in the late 1930’s and has grown and changed with the
times. It is now an outdoor camp (sleeping in tents) for boys that runs
for five days over the Spring Bank Holiday of each year attracting
youngsters of eleven years to sixteen years of age, many of whom return
year after year. The site in use is on the banks of the River Wye and
provides a safe location for many field activities, games, and trips,
as well as canoeing and swimming, (not mandatory activities), and which
are supervised by qualified canoeists and life savers. The adult
leadership is drawn from various church denominations and is overseen
by a senior group of adult leaders. The adult to child ratio is in the
region of 1:3.
As a Christian organisation...
...We aim to provide an excellent short holiday for boys which is in a
Christian atmosphere and which they will thoroughly enjoy. WE are also
part of CRUSADERS, the Christian youth organisation (renamed Urban
Saints in January 2007 to mark the organisations centenary in 2006 ).
WhitCamp Christian Policy
As well as aiming to provide an enjoyable time for young people,
WhitCamp aims to encourage them to understand that the teaching as
found in the Bible is important to them, and that it is a challenge to
repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. An evening ‘club’ is held each
day which includes worship and a short (about 10 minutes) talk based on
the Bible. There is also a ten minute morning Bible study period and
sometimes a ‘morning comment’ at breakfast time. Emphasis is placed not
only on spiritual belief but also on living the Christian 'lifestyle'.
The Christian teaching is overseen by the Senior Group of leaders and
is maintained at a simple level. No pressure is exerted on any young
person to 'believe', but rather they are encouraged to believe it and
to read the Bible themselves and to involve themselves in a Christian
young persons' group at home and / or a church of their own or their
parents’ choosing.
The Leadership of WhitCamp is drawn from churches of different
denominations and no one church denomination is emphasised. In practice
the subject of church denominations rarely arises.
Why is WhitCamp only for boys?
In an age in which most schools and most activities are designed for
both boys and girls we have given considerable thought to this question
and have taken advice from those involved in the running of mixed
holidays and camps. The outcome and the advice has been that there is a
need and a demand for a 'boys only' activity where boys can 'be
themselves' and where they are unaffected by the presence of girls.
Many of those who lead WhitCamp have been, or are currently, involved
in mixed youth groups and mixed youth group activities as well as being
involved in Whitcamp.
What Health and Safety measures are in place at WhitCamp?
We are very concerned that everything that happens at WhitCamp is
carried out in a safe manner. Safety procedures are in place for the
activities, such as Canoeing (which is led by British Canoe Union
trained Senior Instructors), River Swimming (should it be warm enough),
Archery, and Air Rifle Shooting. Common sense prevails in other
activities such as football, volleyball, halo. swingball, and other
games.
Hygiene is also high on the agenda. Boys are not usually known for
using soap and while we encourage them to do so we also ensure that
hands are washed and rinsed with a disinfectant hand wash, dried, and
an anti bacterial gel applied every time toilets are used, and before
each meal. T towels brought by campers are taken at least once during
camp and are laundered and dried. Careful attention is taken regarding
the sun and covering up, and using sunblock for protection.
WhitCamp aims to have one person concentrating on any first aid needed
and any sickness which might occur, and the dispensing of any medicines
brought by boys. All parents are asked to complete a medical form on
behalf of their son so that we have some knowledge of his health and
any medicines he may be taking.
Are any surnames published on this website?
No. We are adamant that no surnames or addresses, whether of a child or
an adult, will be published. Neither will there be any ‘Forum’ or 'Chat
Room' whereby ‘conversations' between users can take place. However
contact may be made with the 'Webmaster' who manages this site and who
is one of the Senior Group of leaders.
The website is intended only for those boys who have been to WhitCamp,
and for their parents, or boys who are interested in coming to
WhitCamp. The Website is not ‘searching’ for contacts from
unsolicitored sources but is intended as a resource for those who have
already attended one of the camps, or who have some contact with
someone who has attended.
Some of the sites which are advertised on the Links Page do, however,
have forums and parents might like to view or monitor these.
