By James Lorenzo, age 15
My trip to Camp Beaumont’s The Island last summer was one of my favourite holidays to date. Had you asked me before the trip to the Isle of Wight whether I thought it would compare with previous visits to Italy, Spain, even Australia, I would have laughed. Had you asked me two weeks afterwards, I would have realised that it was perhaps even better.
I hadn’t expected much from the modest setting of a former boarding school, despite having a great view over the ocean and being just 5 minutes’ walk to the beach. However, it was what happened in and around The Island that made my experience so memorable.
The term ‘boarding school’ could not be further from what The Island actually turned out to be – a holiday camp. ‘Boarding school’ might conjure up images of strict teachers in grey suits holding canes whereas ‘holiday camp’ conjures up images of friendly instructors, sunsets on the beach, fun and games – Camp Beaumont was exactly that.
Alex, the friend I had asked to accompany me, was not keen on the idea when I suggested it to him, but was gently encouraged by his parents to come along. It was difficult for us as we arrived a day late, so everyone knew each other before we were on the scene. Nonetheless, we got involved in a game as soon as we arrived and started to make friends.
Our first meal there wasn’t the best food in the world – but we were used to school dinners, so we got by.
Next up was go-karting; my competitive nature meant I couldn’t stop myself from having a go at the lap record. I didn’t manage to beat it, but I’d say that crashing my way around the track was enough to make an impression, and that was how both Alex and I made friends – go-karting was certainly the game-changing moment of the week.
The sheer range of activities on offer is amazing, fun and so varied that there is something for everyone, from team-building to rock-climbing, laser quest to go-karting.
The instructors felt like our friends – more often than not they were no more than a decade older than us and they seemed to be on our wavelength. This meant that every activity, while being aimed at boys and girls as well as your particular age group, was never forced upon you. A ‘challenge-by-choice’ mantra was the order of the day – if you didn’t want to do something for whatever reason, even if you simply couldn’t be bothered, then no one made you do it.
Our fellow campers were also really friendly. There were lots of different nationalities staying at The Island while we were there, making The Isle of Wight feel like Italy, Spain and Australia all at once – as long as the British summer behaves, which, luckily for me, it did. The rare difference in language was no barrier to making new friends – in fact, it could have even aided the process.
If you are thinking of sending your kids there, or indeed of going yourself, do not miss the opportunity. From my own experience, I believe that you, like me, and all the other campers who have been to Camp Beaumont, will regard it as one of the best holidays you have ever had.
Find out more about Camp Beaumont’s The Island.
* James Lorenzo is founder of First Thought, an online magazine for young, aspiring journalists to showcase their work.
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Tags: Camp Beaumont