We believe that every child can thrive if they are empowered to believe in themselves and uncover their own potential.

Young people leave the Basecamp Programme with greater self-awareness, self-belief, emotional resilience and aspiration, allowing them to thrive emotionally, socially and at school.

Since 2021, we have delivered 822 contact days to young people in Leeds.

At the end of our Pilot Programme:

  • “I could not be more grateful to the Basecamp Team for giving Jayden the opportunity to be a part of something that turned out to be truly amazing! It came at a time when things were not going well for us as family due to multiple family bereavements, followed by the loss of his teacher which is something no young adult should have to go through. The school was amazing helping with grief counselling and being understanding and then Jayden was offered a place on the Basecamp programme, BEST THING EVER!!!

    Jayden was totally out of his comfort zone but with the support of the Basecamp team he pushed all his fears and discomforts to one side and had a truly amazing experience doing all the tasks, they helped bring him back to his happy self and gave him a new found sense of confidence, and had him doing things I never thought I would see him do! He looked forward to each trip and would be packed and ready to go days before, in fact it’s the only time he ever got out of bed on time so not to be late.

    I am truly grateful to the effort put in by all the Basecamp team. Honestly it’s an amazing programme and I don’t know what would have happened to Jayden if he hadn’t attended it, thankfully I don’t have to worry as he did and like I said he truly loved every minute of it, Jay’s comfort zone is sat in front of a computer so you actually worked a miracle getting him to do all he did. I really hope all the other schools support this programme as it just might be the difference needed in some kids lives to determine their future paths!”

  • “Basecamp gave me new qualities, one of which was confidence, at the start of Basecamp when I was surrounded by mainly people I didn't know, it was very awkward however after the course had finished I found myself with a lot more confidence, to the point that I was confident enough to go on another similar course, except with people not only that I didn't know but also from across the world. Secondly, Basecamp introduced me to my love of nature, being out on the expeditions on Basecamp was always something to look forward to and constantly being out in the Peak and Lake Districts really brought out my love for nature and I'm sure that with other groups you could go out but the carefully planned expeditions along with the amazing leaders and instructors with Basecamp truly sets it far above the rest.

    Third of all were the friendships I made and the people I met. Basecamp is truly one of it's own in the fact that the organization puts a lot of thought into who is grouped with who and who shares dorms which allows for friendships to strengthen through the expeditions ahead and new ones to form. Finally, the staff. The staff on Basecamp are people who I will never forget for the rest of my life. There was never a moment on any expeditions was there a staff member not up for a joke and the instructors on Basecamp were extreordinary, they were very helpful to the team and the children and they always had the best activities in store for us.”

  • “Navigating the unfamiliar corridors of school towards the end of Year 7, our daughter, Zaina, faced the challenge of being a newcomer in a sea of strangers. Little did we anticipate the storm that awaited us at the beginning of Year 8 when Z's younger sister was diagnosed with cancer. Zaina found herself emotionally adrift, grappling with the complexities of being a supportive sister while having limited access to parental guidance. The rhythm of our family life shifted as hospital appointments and extended admissions became the new norm.

    Then came Basecamp—a beacon of hope every 6-8 weeks. It was a lifeline for Zaina, offering a reprieve from the storm where she could simply be a carefree kid, surrounded by understanding peers. Initially hesitant to trust others, Zaina discovered her own resilience and courage through the unwavering support of Basecamp. More than a recreational escape, Basecamp became a transformative space for Zaina. It nudged her out of her comfort zone, revealing a strength and capability she wasn't aware she possessed. Amidst laughter and shared experiences, Zaina forged friendships that became pillars of support, helping her navigate the challenges she faced.

    As a parent, witnessing Zaina confront her own medical conditions and the hurdles that others found easy was a profound journey. Basecamp, however, became the backdrop for Zaina's self-realisation, where she embraced her strength and overcame obstacles with a newfound sense of courage. Basecamp wasn't just a respite; it became the stage for Zaina's growth, where she cultivated independence and discovered layers of herself we hadn't seen before. Our daughter emerged not just as a survivor but as a resilient individual, armed with newfound strength and a circle of friends who embraced her for who she was.

    In the narrative of Zaina's life, Basecamp played a pivotal role—a place of solace, growth, and friendship. As parents, we are immensely grateful for the transformative impact it had on our daughter's journey.”

stories