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The Garden Classroom Countryside Residential Camps for Urban Children
PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Each year, we provide residential camping trips in the High Weald, Kent for over 200 socially and economically deprived primary school children, many of whom have never left the city before. Transformative camping and nature connection experiences foster a deeper connection to nature, enhancing mental and physical wellbeing and building stewardship for our planet. Our team is trained in trauma-informed practice and we work closely with teachers to meet the needs of every child.

Beneficiaries

  • Children / Young People

    Camps benefit under-represented children facing multiple socio-economic barriers to accessing nature. TGC prioritises working with schools with high rates of deprivation and host schools with up to 72% eligibility for free school meals.

  • Number of beneficiaries - 220

    Each child comes on camp for either two or three nights.

Geographic reach

  • England: Kent
  • England: London
BENEFICIARIES REACHED ANNUALLY

220

The number of visits annually is around 2,000

SIZE OF PROJECT PER ANNUM

£125,000.00

TIMELINE

Sep 2025 - Aug 2026

Project Outcome Targets

The overall wellbeing of children taking part in camps increases as a result of taking part.

Through our inclusive, trauma-informed practices, ALL children participate in and thrive on camps.

We support the local economy through sourcing food for camps from local farms and orchards.

Project Activities

  • Recruitment of 220 children for 2026 camps

  • Provide Q&A session for all parents to alleviate worries surrounding food, SEND and religion

  • Deliver camps May - July 2026

  • Recruit volunteers from the local community to support camps

  • Gather feedback from teachers and children and record numbers of beneficiaries

Resources Needed For The Project

Resource Description Quantity needed When needed How this donation supports the project (Enabling Actions or KPIs)
MONEY We need to raise over £25,000 this academic year to run our camps benefitting over 200 nature deprived children. We can tailor packages which can include school or borough-specific support tailored to social value requirements. Flexible Any contribution will support planning, facilitator fees, resources (camping equipment & food) & volunteer expenses.
PRODUCTS We need to replace worn camping equipment such as tents, kitchen utensils, sleeping bags etc. We will replace items as needed - we provide all equipment for 200 children so no one misses out. Flexible You can help the children we work with who live in poverty and cannot afford to buy camping equipment.
Project Impact and Partners
IMPACT REPORTING

Bi-annually

March 2021

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
UN SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being UN SDG 4: Quality Education UN SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production UN SDG 10: Reduced Inequality
How we monitor the quality and results of our work

We ask for feedback from teachers and children to formalise our impact reporting

WHO IS ALREADY FUNDING THE PROJECT?

Goldman Sachs Gives

We are supported through an annual grant for camps
OTHER PARTNERS

High Weald National Landscape

Our camps take place in the beautiful High Weald landscape