NEW! 2008 CAMP DATES ANNOUNCED

Starting in 1981 – Britain’s ‘Year of the Disabled’ – the Mersea Island Festival has been an annual event each August at Mersea Outdoors (East Mersea Youth Camp). Made up of two camping holidays running back to back, the Festival aims to bring together young people with or without a physical or learning disability. The camps are ideal for Inclusive clubs, Phab and Gateway clubs, Youth Groups and families with disabled young people. They provide an opportunity to try out new activities, make new friends and have loads of fun!!! Over 300 people come from all over the UK and sometimes abroad. Participants come to the 5 day camp, 3 day camp, or both!

Where is it?
Mersea Outdoors is an established outdoor centre on Mersea Island, 10 miles from Colchester on the Essex coast. The centre provides a residential experience with a wide range of inclusive activities in 65 acres of open countryside with access to the beach.

What’s on offer?
Both camps include a wide variety of activities that are fun and exciting but also challenge and stimulate, helping to build the confidence and feelings of self worth in participants. Each year the Festival has a different theme and the programme will be planned around this.

Some of the activities from previous years are shown on the ‘Activities’ page. We can’t promise them all and what goes in the programme depends on availability.

Accommodation and food
Accommodation is mostly under canvas but we do have some beds in cabins for those who find it impossible to sleep in a tent. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the dining hall and we aim to meet individual dietary requirements. Other snacks and drinks are also available and a bar is open during the entertainment each evening.

Accessibility and support
The whole site is on one level and the halls, bar, toilet and shower blocks are wheelchair accessible. First Aid cover is provided day and night and qualified instructors run all the adventurous activities. The Festival also provides the perfect opportunity for young volunteers with and without disabilities to work together to develop their own personal skills. Our team of volunteer staff are unable to provide one to one personal care but are on hand working hard to make sure that everyone can have a fun and great experience in a safe and caring environment, whatever their ability.

Who can come?
The camps are open to everyone, with or without a disability and they are ideal for Inclusive clubs, Phab and Gateway clubs, Youth Groups and families with disabled young people. Individuals will have a great time and soon make new friends but if they need any assistance we do ask that they come along with a friend, buddy or support worker.

Choose to come for the whole week or why not try a weekend!

Not sure if it's right for you? - Give us a call and we will talk it through with you. Contact us.