Just want more information? get in touch below to find out more!
give your child the adventure of a lifetime at Camp Kernow, a pioneering off-grid summer camp in the heart of Cornwall. Unplug from digital distractions, reconnect with the natural world, make new friends and memories to last a lifetime!
remaining 2024 dates
meet the founders
book nowSunday 21st July to Friday 26th July
Sunday 28th July to Friday 2nd August
Sunday 4th August to Friday 9th August
Sunday 11th August to Friday 16th August Sunday 18th August to Friday 23rd August
increase your child's confidence, self-esteem and understanding of the natural environment
summer 2024 bookings now open
find us at
Camp Kernow
Park Farm
St Clement
Truro
Cornwall
TR1 1SX
Sleep under canvas in base camp where low impact nomadic structures including yurts, bell tents and tipis heighten campers connection with nature. Hearing the screech of a barn owl or the call of the curlew across the river is a magical moment as you fall asleep!
Delicious and healthy home cooked meals. Children are responsible for delivering the food from field to fork, harvesting fresh ingredients from camp’s thriving food garden and preparing them in the field kitchen under expert guidance. Enjoy food cooked over the campfire, see how a solar oven works and prepare your very own pizza to be wood fired in the cob oven.
What it’s like to live off-grid with closed loop systems for water, energy and waste. Discover how camp’s reed-bed can clean water, how solar thermal and solar voltaic energy works, how our waste can be composted and how we can live more in balance with nature without compromising on comfort!
An exciting six day adventure - forge a toasting fork for marshmallows with a Blacksmith, explore the river on a Canadian canoe expedition, feel the whoosh of a Peregrine Falcon swooping over your head with a Falconer, see the world from a new perspective on an aerial trapeze, have a go at green woodworking and bag a bullseye on the archery range!
A wild wood campout rounds off six days of fun building shelters, feasting on food cooked over the campfire and enjoying an evening of performance before falling asleep under the stars.
at our award-winning, innovative off-grid adventure centre, we are dedicated to reconnecting and engaging children with the natural environment and inspiring them to live more sustainably.
activities include
...plus much more!
only
£694
excluding travel to & from camp
claire
director & centre manager
I spent my childhood climbing trees, rooting around in the garden for bugs, hanging on David Attenborough's every word and looking after my myriad of pets! My awareness of environmental issues came later, first as a Landscape Architect and then, working in the charity sector, facilitating overseas development projects. Charlie and I developed Camp Kernow as a place where children can discover and explore the natural environment and engage with sustainability in a hands-on way.
I’m passionate about working with young people in the outdoors and introducing them to new experiences which bring them closer to nature. I’m an archery instructor and also deliver green woodworking here at camp. I come from a background of sculpture and design and see Camp Kernow as a place where children’s imagination can be ignited.
charlie
director & operations manager
frequently asked questions
what people say about camp
book nowbook now“They returned from camp rosy cheeked, happily exhausted, speaking at ten to the dozen, tripping over their words, desperate to tell me about every single thing that they’d done. They were fascinated by the off-grid concept, in particular describing the loos in great detail! They’d cooked on a campfire and built fantastic dens. They’d got to the top of “really high” climbing walls. They’d fired a “proper bow and arrows – not plastic ones, they were really really sharp!” at targets. They’d learnt about sustainability. ”
Ellie
"My daughter hopped off the bus at 9 pm buzzing! She didn’t stop talking until we got home and lay her head on the pillow just after 11 pm and fell fast asleep!
The activities, the food, the staff, the adventurers, the sleeping accommodation and all the friends she made.
She had such a fab time and the best summer holiday EVER!! Thanks so much for giving her the best time and experience. "
Anneli Woolls
"My ten year old has stated that his week at Camp Kernow was the best experience of his life and he can't imagine what could top it! After moving from the US only a month prior to camp, my husband and I feel so lucky to have found this adventure for our son. He was able to bond with children that live or have lived around the world and it helped him feel more at home living abroad. The off-grid experience and environmental lessons have empowered him to feel as though he can make a difference for the future. Claire and Charlie (who he speaks of daily) have created a spectacular sleep away camp experience that I would recommend to anyone. "
Kalee Cantlin Tilli
"An experience every child deserves - totally amazing - thank you Camp Kernow"
Bex Dickson
"Amazing, amazing, amazing.
What a wonderful experience offered! "
Vanessa Clark
summer camp is suitable for young people aged 8 to 15. Participants are in activity groups and share accommodation with others of a similar age. Participants of all ages come together for meal times, free time and evening activities.
get in touch!what age group is camp suitable for?
how can we travel to camp?
as part of our commitment to sustainability we encourage the use of public transport and depending on your location, it is possible to arrive at Camp Kernow by train, bus, coach, or even by boat! We can also escort your child from London Paddington Station on the morning of camp and accompany them back afterwards. We make a small charge to do so of £40 each way plus the cost of the train ticket which we will book. Children travelling by train should bring a packed lunch.
what is the accommodation like?
we have a range of timber and canvas structures- a yurt, tipi, medieval tent, traditional bell tent, geo-dome and an upturned boat hull. The accommodation is spacious with circular structures measuring 5m in diameter. Each sleeps between 4 to 6 children in single sex groups. The structures are arranged in a circle around a central space and sit on decking to ensure a dry and pleasant camping experience!
what kind of food do you serve at camp?
all meals are home-cooked from scratch and prepared with fresh ingredients, sourced from local suppliers and organic where possible. We also grow much of our own fruit and veg right here at camp in our thriving food garden and children are involved in the tending to, harvesting and preparation of produce during their stay.
do you cater for special dietary needs?
yes, we are experienced in catering for a wide range of dietary requirements and will ensure that your child's needs are fully met. Four weeks prior to the start of camp we will send you a link to our online medical and dietary form where you can let us know of any dietary requirements and requests.
have a question?
contact usdrop your child off on Sunday morning with our experienced and friendly team and we’ll deliver them back on Friday evening tired, happy and brimming with exciting stories to share!
5%
sibling discount available
our camp
Tucked away on a private woodland estate overlooking the Truro River, Camp Kernow provides a safe and nurturing sanctuary for children to explore.
The beauty and biodiversity of Cornwall is in abundance here with organic farmland, ancient woodland and streams supporting a multitude of wildlife.
small is beautiful
twenty-five children on each camp creates a family feel and ensures a rich and meaningful experience where new friendships can flourish and everyone can contribute to the camp community.
Camp Kernow was founded in 2008 by Claire and Charlie as a not-for-profit organisation on a mission to reconnect and engage children with nature and inspire environmental citizenship. They are joined by a team of experienced, qualified and passionate instructors. Children learn from talented craftspeople, performers and artists who have developed bespoke workshops enabling children to be guided by experts in their field.
the safety and wellbeing of children at camp is paramount and a team of trained and experienced staff including Claire and Charlie live at camp and care for your child throughout their time here.
with just twenty-five children at camp and ratios of one member of staff to three children we can ensure every camper gets the support and encouragement they need to thrive. our camp mentors are a friendly and fun bunch who facilitate an inclusive, caring and kind camp community.
safety first
not in cornwall? that's no problem! we can provide escorted train travel from london
