🏕 Family, Fire, and Flapjacks – Our First Ever 25th Allerton Family Camp!

🏕 Family, Fire, and Flapjacks – Our First Ever 25th Allerton Family Camp!

What a weekend!
We’ve just returned from our very first Family Camp at Queen Charlotte's Wood Camp in Frodsham, and wow — what an adventure it was! With over 100 people of all ages, we packed in fun, laughter, and loads of muddy memories in true 25th Allerton style.

It all started with excitement, trolleys of gear, long shopping lists and the reassuring fact that we were only 30 minutes from home if we forgot anything (which, let’s face it, was always likely 😄).

From the minute we arrived, the campsite came to life with smiling faces, flying marshmallows, and walkie-talkies that may or may not have been used just for fun. We had sunshine (mostly), amazing activities, delicious food, and a whole lot of teamwork.

🛶 Activities and Highlights Included

• Soft archery and soft axe throwing

• A mega slip 'n slide

• S'mores and roaring campfires

• Hiking through the countryside

• Pizza making, cake sharing and… vacuuming? (More on that below!)

🎉 Huge Thank Yous Go To
This weekend couldn’t have happened without an army of volunteers, and we are truly grateful. Get comfy… here come the shoutouts:

• Chip Richard Ramsaran – planning master and camp champion

• Chris Hughes – for fantastic equipment donations

• Matt Coles – hike planning, walkie-talkie wizardry and soft archery

• Dave Gregory (Bald Eagle) – arrived in beige trousers, left as head chef

• Jen (Squish) – 18,000+ steps keeping us fed and watered

• Bumblebee Alicia Pullen – BBQ boss

• Ruth – vacuuming and pizza toppings galore

• Woody (Brian Metcalfe) – slip 'n slide fun-maker

• Robin (Becky Chambers) – kitchen help and fabulous cake baker

• Hawkeye (Joe) – pizza station legend

• Fox & Blaze (Rhodri Llywelyn Smith & Peter Brown) – soft axe throwing and s'mores masters

• Lucy Leadbetter – brownies that should win awards

• Sky (Hayley Beer) & Lucy Lowe – hiking help and kitchen queens

• Badge Fairy Ian & Tom Leadbetter – gear gurus and site support

• Dave the Log Man – firewood hero and Cub Henry’s dad (who earned him a Firestarter blanket badge – brilliant!)

• Dylan Rhys Jones (Grasshopper) – s’mores superstar

• Baloo & Honey (Joel & Zarah Ross) – leading campfire songs and activities

• Brian & Mark Eaton – pioneering pros and gear wranglers

• Chris Lydon & Heather Holding – always ready to lend a hand (and no Chris, there’s still no badge for building a washing line… but we love the energy!)

• Sandra McCann (Brown Owl) – encourager, guide and all-round legend

🌟 And of course… YOU!
To every family who came along with a sense of humour, a bag full of marshmallows and a big heart – thank you. Your enthusiasm, kindness and community spirit made the whole camp something we’ll never forget.

So… shall we do it again?