Ed Stafford launches survival camping trips in Oxfordshire

Survival expert Ed Stafford - who was the first person to walk the length of the Amazon river - has teamed up with outdoor adventure group Camp Wilderness to map out how the camps will work.

In attempts to get families enjoying the outdoors again, the four adventure camps will launch in July, with two of those locations within the county.

Both Blenheim Woods and Cornbury Park have been chosen, in addition to camps in Hertfordshire and Kent.

Ed Stafford. Picture: Papillon Communications

Mr Stafford said: “I’m delighted to be partnering with Camp Wilderness this year to bring new experiences to so many families.

“With no roads, buildings or technology, the camps will bring out the very best in those who want to reconnect with nature and each other again, especially after being indoors for so long.

“We’re in a world where we’re glued to our phones and screens.

“The easy parenting option is to put your children in front of the telly, but this is about getting out and having an adventure.

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“There are some families that just going in the woods and camping is quite extreme, but there’ll be other families which are more confident.

“Covid seems to have been a catalyst for doing this, I think people have had an epiphany that they want to do more of the things they love, and this is exactly that.

“It’s about having these lovely experiences with your family, and everyone wants to get out the house.

“Mental health has been a big issue that’s come to the fore with all the lockdowns we’ve had and this is the perfect antidote.”

Activities will include food foraging, animal tracking and fire lighting, while sleeping accommodation comes in the form of a tipi tent, with food provided by a personal chef.

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Max Folkes, managing director of Camp Wilderness, said: “We have designed these weekends so that they are a perfect combination of rest and relaxation with a hint of challenge.

“These fun and challenging activities will test both the mind and body at the same time.

“We know that families have faced incredible pressures during the last 12 months, and this is a way to help them reconnect with each other again after screen time may have forced them to become detached from each other, even whilst being under the same roof.

“Since we partnered with Ed last year, this was absolutely something we wanted to do.”

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There are two weekends for families to choose between, depending on a two or three-day experience.

The three-day weekends include more challenging bushcraft and survival experiences.

Prices for the weekends start from £380 per family, and it is noted that places are limited.

Bookings can be made online. For more information, please visit campwilderness.co.uk

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