Penshurst Place to host Camp Wilderness family survival breaks with the Discovery Channel's Ed Stafford
Take the kids on a wilderness weekend in Kent this summer led by survival expert Ed Stafford.
Ed, who is the first human to walk the length of the Amazon River, and star of Marooned on the Discovery Channel, has curated the weekends with outdoor adventure company Camp Wilderness, which will be held at Penshurst Place in the county over the summer holidays.
After more than a year of lockdown, the all-new Camp Wilderness Families will give families a chance to get their heads away from screens and back into the fresh air again.
They are designed to immerse families into a world of exploration that is designed to be fun, challenging and exciting.
With activities such as food foraging, animal tracking and fire lighting, those who choose to take up either weekend are promised to leave with new skills.
And there could even be some surprises, with an emergency scenario built in for some weekends.
Ed said: “With no roads, buildings or technology, Camp Wilderness Families will bring out the very best in those who want to re-connect with nature and each other again, especially after being indoors for so long.”
"Everyone has spent ridiculous amounts of time with their families. This is really valuable because it is different time with your family."
Ed and his wife had twin girls in lockdown, so time at home has been particularly valuable for him, but he admitted: "I am going slightly stir crazy.
"These weekends are the stuff that I live and breathe. I have made a career of making it up as I go along really. Once you have got these skills it is really freeing."
He added that the challenges could help families bond while also encouraging some friendly competition.
Not everything is about survival however - families will sleep in a safari-style tipi tent and food is provided by a personal chef.
Max Folkes, Camp Wilderness MD, 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.
“This is a way to help them re-connect with each other again after screen time may have forced families to become detached from each other, even whilst under the same roof.”
There are two weekends: a two-day weekend with wholesome outdoor activities and three-day weekends, created by Ed, which also have an element aimed at testing the mind and body with more challenging bushcraft and survival experiences.
Prices start from £380 per family and places are limited. For details and to book go to campwilderness.co.uk.
