Feeling Right at Home

The Camps International staff are the kindest, most welcoming people you will ever meet, and each camp is so unique and instantly becomes your safe, happy place.

I have also made amazing friendships, as well as a long-distance best friend.

Upon arrival at each camp, you have camp orientation and briefing. You will have many briefings on your adventure; team briefings, safety briefings, project briefings, etc.

Daily Life on Expedition

Rough timings of the day* are:

• Breakfast at 7/7.30am
• Project 9am to 12pm.
• Lunch at 12.30pm.
• Project 2pm to 4/4.30pm.
• Snack at 4pm/4.30pm.
• Dinner at 7/7.30pm.
• Lights out at 10pm.

*Some daily timings may vary per group

Group Activities

Team Sungura had a routine every evening where we did sticker nominations, hat nominations, and our team journal.  This was one of my favourite parts of each day. Stickers were nominated by peers for random acts of kindness. Hat nominations for the Silly Simba hat were awarded to those who had done something stupid and made a fool of themselves. It was very entertaining! The group journal was written each day by a different member of the team. So, each night, the next person would be selected to write the next day’s journal entry.

First Stop: Camp Muhaka

Our first camp in Kenya was Camp Muhaka and this ended up being my favourite camp! The accommodation was bunk style rooms which had electricity and fans. The toilets were normal, the showers were cold, monkeys ran around camp and there was a campfire.

Our project on this camp was to build Mama’s house. The structure of the building had been put together by a previous team. Our task was to build the walls of the building by the end of our stay. We completed this and managed to start the flooring within the 3.5 days we had. To build the walls, we dug red soil up from the ground, collected water and mixed them together to create a muddy mixture! With this mixture, we formed balls which we carefully placed on the structure. Stones were placed between layers to provide support. After these walls dried, we created a looser consistency of the muddy mixture which we splatted to the walls to cover the stick structure. Other activities we did at this camp were climbing a coconut tree, trying coconut and coconut milk, making coconut rice and chapattis, visiting markets and visiting a tailor’s and playing football with the local community.

Sun, Sea and Scuba

Our second camp in Kenya was Diani Beach Camp. The accommodation was bunk style rooms, which had electricity, fans and Wi-Fi. The toilets were normal, the showers were hot, monkeys ran around camp, and there was a pool. Our projects on this camp involved a beach clean-up, a turtle talk, a microplastic survey and a flip flop craft activity. This weekend was less intense than other camps as we had to rest ready for scuba diving the following week. We had a rest day at the beach where we played team games in the Indian Ocean, saw camels walking on the beach, went to the markets and even out for lunch!

Scuba diving on my Kenya Scuba Expedition was next, at Camp Firefly. For some people, this was a highlight while for others it was a challenge and took a lot of perseverance. We slept in tents, but they were big enough for us to stand in! Once again, monkeys roamed freely around the camp. The PADI team were patient, kind and reassuring. Personally, I really struggled with training in a group so after conversations with my team teachers, leader and the PADI team, adjustments were made so I could work in a smaller group. I loved relaxing around the firepit and on the sofas with my team.

Exploring Tsavo

The fourth camp was Camp Ndoto, next door to Camp Tsavo. We stayed here for a week. The accommodation was bunk style rooms which had electricity. The toilets were long drop, the showers were cold, there was a firepit and the dining area was inside. Our projects on this camp involved working on a primary school, livestock deworming, elephant deterrent fences, visiting Rukinga Wildlife Conservation, going to Tsavo East National Safari Park and going on a trek up the Mangaru Hills.

At the local school we worked on flooring, building/laying bricks and painting. School had finished for the summer, so there weren’t many kids there (which was a little disappointing) but the children who were there were very friendly and keen to get involved. Goat deworming was my favourite project, everybody was working collaboratively, and we managed to deworm 94 goats but 6 ran away from us! We also danced with the local children and camp staff.

Elephant deterrent fencing was interesting and required the use of multiple skills. At Rukinga Wildlife Conservation we did two safaris, one which included a survey and talk from the staff. We also saw a beautiful sunset. It was exciting and interesting to learn about wildlife and the laws in place to protect them. The safari at Tsavo East National Park was amazing! We saw towers of giraffes, dazzles of zebras, elephants, impalas, giraffe gazelles, different species of birds, lions and a hippo! We then visited the Maasai Tribe afterwards, which highlighted the differences in our cultures. I found the trek (Eco Trek Marungu Hills) fun, despite the mini workout it was, and loved the views. We saw giraffes from the top of the hill! It still remains one of my favourite memories.

Final Stop: The Wildlife Foundation

Our final camp was at The Wildlife Foundation. We stayed here for 4 nights. The accommodation was bunk style rooms and there was a firepit, volleyball pitch, outdoor seating and an indoor dining area. Monkeys and baboons could be spotted on camp! There was only student access to electricity between 7 and 9pm, and there was no signal. Projects on this camp included a nature walk and camera trap installation, tree planting, gabion making, culture talk, making lion bomas, camera trap retrieval and a market visit.

The nature walks and camera trap installation and retrieval were so interesting. We learnt so many facts about the local area and Nairobi National Park. For example, Nairobi National Park homes 4 out of 5 of the big 5 since the elephant’s migration route got disrupted by humans. Gabion making and lion bomas required lots of skills which had yet to be used on camp. My favourite project at this camp was the culture talk since it highlighted the huge differences between our lives and the local people’s lives. It made me feel privileged for the luxuries I have. The final night at camp we had a campfire and sang songs and danced with the local staff. It was the best ending to the most amazing expedition.

Thinking of Going on a Camps International Expedition?

My advice to anyone who is considering signing up or has signed up is to ‘take on the world’ and ‘say yes to every opportunity’! You will only get this opportunity once, and I promise it is worth every second of it. I would do anything to go back.

Melody’s Fundraising Efforts

Inspired and determined, Melody took a creative, business-minded approach to fundraising. She joined the Camps International Fundraising Advice Group on Facebook to brainstorm and from there, she launched a variety of initiatives to reach her goal.

Here’s a closer look at her inventive fundraising strategies:

T-shirt Sponsorship for Businesses:

Melody raised £1750 by selling ad space on her T-shirt, where she promoted local business logos. Through email and social media promotion, she secured support from companies in her area.

Take a look at Sam’s Fundraising Story for guidance on what to charge for your business sponsorships.

Online Sponsorship:

Setting up a Just Giving page generated £1705.73. This simple yet effective initiative allowed family, friends and her wider network to contribute directly to her cause.

Theatre Tuck Shop:

By running a tuck shop during her Saturday theatre classes, Melody expected to make £456.72 over the year. She sourced stock from wholesalers to increase her profit margin.

Selling Pre-loved Items:

By gathering unwanted clothes from family and friends, Melody raised £289.30 through Vinted and eBay sales.

Themed Notebooks:

Inspired by her friend, Melody designed and published themed notebooks on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), bringing in £83.68 so far.

Overcoming Challenges

Fundraising isn’t easy and Melody’s journey had its share of setbacks. But each challenge became an opportunity to learn and improve:

Daunting Target:

The goal of £5000 seemed overwhelming, but Melody broke it into smaller, achievable projects to stay motivated.

Balancing Costs and Profits:

Finding a sustainable profit margin was challenging. Registering with a wholesaler improved Melody’s return on the tuck shop, but she learned it took patience and persistence.

Event Planning Lessons:

Not every fundraiser went as planned. A car boot sale, for example, drew fewer buyers than expected. Melody quickly realised the importance of researching her audience to align her efforts more effectively.

Highlights and Achievements

Beyond the funds raised, Melody’s fundraising journey has given her lasting memories and valuable skills.

Community Support:

Melody’s friends, family and local businesses have been incredibly supportive, encouraging her throughout the process and making the journey meaningful.

Learning Skills for Life:

From financial management to event planning, Melody has gained valuable skills that she knows will serve her well during her Borneo expedition and beyond.

Building Confidence:

With each successful fundraiser, Melody is not just inching closer to her financial goal but also feeling a growing sense of accomplishment and excitement for the adventure ahead.

Advice for Future Fundraisers

Drawing from her experience, Melody has some advice for those embarking on their own fundraising journeys:

Stay Focused and Flexible:

Raising a large sum can be overwhelming, but perseverance is key. If one idea doesn’t work, try another.

Think Like a Business:

Treat fundraising like running a small business—track profits, keep detailed financial records and use social media to promote your cause.

Have Fun:

Not every initiative will be a big money-maker, but it’s important to enjoy the process and see each experience as a learning opportunity.

Melody is excited for the adventure ahead and proud of her fundraising journey. She looks forward to the skills and experiences awaiting her in Borneo.

In 2017, I began my journey to fundraise my expedition, which started with some simple bag packing. A weekend of this raised me nearly £200, a great first step to prove to myself and everybody else that I was ready to take on this challenge. Through multiple events and ideas, including a sponsored head shave, bake sales, collection pots, business and local charity sponsorship, newspaper articles, GoFundMe pages, easyfundraising links spread far and wide, I funded my entire expedition in around 10 months.

I was in charge of my donations, keeping track of how much I’d earnt, from what event and where to safely deposit the money. The financial skills and independence I gained has been an invaluable and helped me as I became financially independent. Taking charge in creating events and talking to businesses greatly boosted my confidence, going from not being able to order something in a café, to having lengthy conversations with business managers. I was determined to go on this adventure!

The Expedition itself, was entirely life changing.

It was the first time I’d left the UK without my parents and I was very nervous. But the second we got on the coach I felt at ease. I had great teachers with me and a fantastic Expedition Leader, who had the solid belief that everyone on the Team was going to excel…and we did!

I am so privileged to have seen the wildlife and eco systems that we encountered, through Scuba Diving and a Safari. Turning through the gates of the Serengeti to see an elephant right in front of us is something I’ll never forget.

Former student traveller, Ben, travelled to Tanzania in 2019 and continues to be part of the Camps Family now as a Regional Expeditions Coordinator.

In mid July, we embarked on our much anticipated Camps International expedition to Cambodia, which had involved two years of fundraising. After clambering on and off of the minibuses which took us to Heathrow airport, we met up with the other schools, to form our whole group: Team Keng Kang. Eagerly, we boarded the plane to Phnom Penh. The journey was split with a layover in Singapore. As soon as I stepped off the plane, I was met with intense heat and humidity.

We travelled to the hotel in Phnom Penh and visited some night markets. At the markets, we met locals, bought gifts, danced and listened to live music. The following day, we visited the notorious S21 Prison and one of many Killing Fields. I found these very moving and could hardly believe the atrocities which had happened there.

We arrived at our first camp: Beng Pae. Once oriented, we dug wells, made concrete rings, learnt some Khmer, did a litter pick and were also nearly caught in a tropical thunderstorm. The showers and toilets were a bit of a shock, as there were no flushes or hot water but we did have fun in the hammocks. We visited a temple on the first day, where some of us were blessed by Buddhist monks, which involved being drenched in very cold water.

Then we set off for Koh Rong Samloem (the dive island and Sunset Beach). We spent five days participating in diving training and emergency first aid courses. I was lucky enough to achieve my PADI open water diving qualification. We spent the evenings on Sunset Beach watching the sunset, playing pool and watching films.

We returned to Beng Pae, where we were given the opportunity to teach English in a local school and to begin work on a football pitch. We completed building the two wells we had started on our initial stay.

Keng Kang were fortunate enough to visit one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World: Angkor Wat and the temple from Tomb Raider, in Siem Reap.

We arrived at our final Camp: Beng Mea Lea. We met Han, who is known as the ‘smiliest man in Cambodia’. We built concrete pots for locals to store water in during the dry season; we also built a chicken coop in two days.

Finally, we travelled back to Phnom Penh and made our way home.

My greatest take away from this experience was how fortunate I was to help others and just how lucky I am.

We would like to thank Ava for sharing her experience on the Cambodia Scuba Expedition where along with the entire Keng Kang team, they contributed to a number of sustainable projects .  The projects aim to address the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2. Zero Hunger, 3. Good Health and Wellbeing, 4. Quality Education, 9. Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, 13. Climate Action, 15. Life on Land.

Reposted from Mayville High School

Millie’s Top Tips:

• Recipes containing egg will reduce the shelf life of dog biscuits.
• Dogs seem to love peanut butter but make sure it does not contain Xylitol. Make sure you find a good version that excludes this ingredient.
• Millie shopped at ALDI to help ensure she was sourcing her ingredients for the best possible price!

Millie has been using a variety of channels to sell her dog treats and has embraced various special events such as Christmas and the Coronation to maximise sales. Here are some highlights:

• Millie’s first social media post got over 50 orders!
• A local café sells around 30 bags per week on Millie’s behalf.
• For Christmas, Millie created advent calendars and made customised Christmas baubles filled with dog treats.
• Millie kept the cost of her dog treats to £1 per bag – making them affordable to buy and try.

Millie has so far made £476 from this fundraising activity and has also diversified on her dog themed fundraising making bandanas and bows for the Coronation raising an additional £275.

Community Social Events

From Quiz Nights, Steak Nights to Zumba fun, Millie and other members of her expedition team used the power of bringing friends, family, and the local community together to help raise funds for their expedition.

The Quiz Night
Posters were put up around the village to advertise the evening and Facebook was used to spread the word. 10 questions for each 6 question rounds were created and Millie’s dad was recruited to be the quizmaster.  A cake sale and raffle (from prizes donated by local businesses) helped maximise the takings on the night.  A collective total of £388 was raised.

Steak Night
Millie and her friends joining on the expedition team held a steak night at the local Men’s Working Club. Tickets were sold for £15, and the venue took £5 for the cost of the food. The event made £600 between them.

Zumbathon
Millie and her friends danced away to raise another £120 towards their expedition to Borneo.

Millie’s Top Tip: Start advertising early to get more people to join in.

Millie provided us with a full list of events and activities that she has been doing. We hope this gives you more inspiration!

1. Regular car-washing for family and friends – £330
2. Car boot sales – £260
3. Quiz night including raffle – £388 (between the 6 girls on the expedition team)
4. Cake sales at football matches – £171
5. Gained sponsorship – £575
6. Made and sold dog biscuits – £476
7. Made dog bandanas and bows – £275 (made a lot for Coronation bows and bandanas)
8. Sold items at Christmas fayres – £44
9. Odd jobs for grandparents etc – £116
10. Tutoring younger children in Maths – £40

Challenges

We all know that organising events can present challenges and it’s how we address these that counts.  Millie found the hardest month to raise funds was in January.  Her top piece of advice is to make the most of Christmas sales and use January to do activities such as car washing and car boot sales.

Millie is looking forward to…

Millie is looking forward to opening her eyes to different lifestyles and stepping into a different culture. She is also very excited about learning to scuba diving!

From everyone at Camps, a huge shout out to Millie for her wonderful fundraising efforts so far and here’s to your countdown as you edge towards Borneo 2024; a trip that will be incredibly well deserved!