“The best camp ever…”
That’s how Aspire leaders summed up this year’s Camp Aspire at the end of the summer.
Camp is always a significant moment in our year. For both leaders and young people, it’s a chance to build relationships in ways that just don’t happen in the classroom. In school, leaders are often the ones pushing young people to get work done. At camp, those same leaders are helping build rafts, cheering them on at activities and sharing laughs around a fire.
This year felt extra special. We had the biggest number of young people ever attend, an amazing staff team, a full programme of activities and sunshine the whole week!
The Programme
For many young people on the Aspire Programme, summer holidays are out of reach. Trips, sports camps and summer schemes are often too expensive once you add up fees, clothing and equipment. The NI Executive’s Children and Young People’s Strategy says that “social disadvantage has the greatest single impact on educational attainment.” That’s exactly why events like Camp Aspire matter. When young people are given opportunities to learn, explore and build new friendships, it has a lasting effect on their confidence and success back in school.
This year’s programme included archery, climbing, axe throwing and team challenges during the day. Evenings were packed with activities designed to build social skills, open minds to other communities and encourage young people to accept one another. Educational sessions followed the theme of “So High School.” Just like the characters in classic teen movies who learn to unite despite their differences, our young people discovered that they aren’t defined by labels and that real friendships cross those divides.
Stories of Change
One boy who joined Aspire at Easter came to camp struggling with social anxiety. At first he was quiet and unsure, but by the end of the week he was out of his shell, making friends, joining in activities and most importantly, having fun. The change in his confidence was clear for everyone to see.
Cross-community connections were another highlight. At the start of the week, some arrived saying, “I don’t like them,” simply because the others were from a different community. By the end of camp, those same young people were laughing together, hanging out and building friendships that will last well beyond the summer.
Sarah, one of our leaders, put it perfectly:
“Camp Aspire had so many lasting memories but the last night really stood out to me. I loved seeing everyone around the campfire singing and chatting about their favourite memories of the week with their new friendships. That moment really captured what camp was all about.”
Keeping Connections Alive
Later this year we’ll host our annual Camp Aspire Reunion. It’s a chance for everyone to reconnect with friends they may not see often, reflect on their favourite memories, and strengthen the relationships built over the summer.
Partners
Camp Aspire wouldn’t be possible without our partners. We are especially thankful to Gateley for their continued support and sponsorship of this years camp. As Alison said before camp: “We are honoured to again be supporting Camp Aspire and the fantastic experiences they offer to the teenagers within their academy. We share a passionate belief that background should not be a barrier to young people in what they can achieve academically and the mix of educational and physical activity that Camp Aspire offers will go a long way in supporting these teenagers in their most formative years.”
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