Camp Bosdet

In 2020, due to the impact Covid-19 was having on the mental and physical wellbeing of children, and following discussions with the children’s commissioner plus education and healthcare professionals, it was agreed that The Bosdet Foundation would utilise the facilities at Les Ormes to provide a summer activity camp for those considered to be most vulnerable. 

Camp Bosdet is free to attend. Children are referred to the programme through schools or social services because they have a specific need or have been disadvantaged in some way.

It's been a wet start to the 2023 summer holidays but that hasn't stopped excited youngsters from having fun. 

The talent show in week one saw a lot of talent and a lot of laughs! Children learnt kayaking skills with Kayak Nomad, built rafts - which they then tested out on the water with hilarious results. And if you're going to get wet in the rain you may as well get in the water with snorkelling at Bouley Bay. 

The Bosdet Foundation is also delighted to be working again with the Philip Gower Foundation to offer weekend residential activities for children 11 to 13 years old. 

With the weather being totally unpredictable, it was great to have an evening gathered round the camp fire, toasting s'mores and telling stories. 

The art room in the grounds of the Camp is a great place to escape the rain and be creative, and campers were also treated to an afternoon at Aquasplash and trip to Jump Jersey at Les Ormes 

Camp Bosdet offers youngsters an opportunity to learn many new skills such as surfing, SUP, snorkelling - plus just having fun on the doughnuts! 

As it started to feel like summer and the temperature rose, raft building on the beach and water play in the garden were a great way to keep cool. 

The 2022 summer holidays have seen excited youngsters enjoying the fantastic new base camp at Brig-y-Don House in St Clement. The house has extensive grounds, prepared for the summer camp by volunteers, and has direct access to the beach.

The Bosdet Foundation is also delighted to be working again with the Philip Gower Charitable Foundation to offer weekend residential activities for key stage three children 11 to 13 years old who have been nominated by schools and other organisations. Over the weekends, young people went kayaking, surfing, snorkelling, beach Olympics, fire making, decorating rocks, making shell mobiles and wind chimes, swimming, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, plus decorating ceramic tiles which will be put upon the walls of the garden as a record of their achievements and attendance.

Along with onsite fun - including raft and tent building, games and evening camp fires - youngsters also enjoy offsite activities with Jump Jersey, snorkelling at Bouley Bay, surfing, rib rides with dolphin spotting plus kayaking with Kayak Nomad. 

During the beautiful warm evenings, youngsters have enjoyed songs and games around the campfire and making S'mores: marshmallows are roasted over the campfire until they're gooey. Then biscuits and chocolate are used to sandwich the gooey roasted marshmallow.

At the end of each week, it's reflection time: youngsters talk with team leaders about their 'Rose' (favourite part of the week); 'Thorn' (something they found tricky); 'Bud' (something they learnt or made them grow as a person). 

Early morning swims were followed by hot chocolate and marshmallows prepared by the youngsters using a storm kettle. It works by lighting a small fire at the base which warms up the outer chamber to boil the water.  

Snorkelling at Bouley Bay is certainly a favourite weekly activity. 

Summer 2021 saw not only the continuation of the successful Camp Bosdet for primary school children but also the introduction of a camp for older children. Senior camp was based at the Scout Centre in St Ouen with many children opting to sleep over. Activities included field games, surfing, coasteering, nature walks, rock climbing. kayaking with www.kayak-nomad.com, body boarding, abseiling and of course evenings around the camp fire. 

Easter 2021: Camp Bosdet welcomed children to an Easter break filled with fun and educational activities. The new woodland area proved to be a massive hit with mini adventurers. Woodland activities included nature craft (making shelters for insects and birds), building shelters, making camp fires. 

It may have been chilly over the Easter break but the sun was shining and great fun was had rock pooling and paddling. 

Other Easter activities included arts and crafts, geocaching, ball games and fun at Jump Jersey.

How is the camp funded?

Les Ormes gives use of its facilities, including Jump Jersey, free of charge.  The Bosdet Foundation covers costs of employing and training young people for the duration of the camp. The Foundation also provides trips, lunches, snacks and drinks to all children.