Tucked a way on a farm in South Oxfordshire, next to a secluded private lake, The Oxford Boat Adventure run land based and watersport adventure holiday camps with a difference. A complete escape from technology, they have tailored activities for Little Explorers ( ages 4-7 years), The Adventurers (7-13 years) and Expeditions (11 – 14 years).
Usually, these are available for children only, but I had the amazing opportunity to go along with my boys for a one off family day that they ran at October half term which gave me the perfect chance to see why these days are such a hit. Our day was packed with two adventures on the water and two exiting activities on land. Each one alone was a brilliant with skilled instructors who really connected with the kids. Put them all together and you have an amazing experience that goes way beyond any regular holiday camp.
First up we got stuck into fire lighting. We learnt to start our own fire three different ways and you should have seen my boys faces when they got that first spark and flame!
The bushcraft skills went beyond just getting that little flame and once we’d got the knack it was time to build our own family fire.
Wood chopped and a great little fire created, then out came the frying pans, sausages and eggs for some campfire cooking. My 11 year old declared they were the best sausages he’d ever had. There’s something about cooking and eating outdoors which makes it taste amazing and even more so when you’ve build your own fire from scratch and light it.
While it may initially seem counterintuitive, allowing children to take controlled risks, such as lighting fires outdoors under supervision, has lots of developmental benefits from problem solving to building confidence and connecting with nature. My older two boys now have phones and they seem to be drawn to them all the time so I just loved that apart from me snapping a few photos, we were all totally unplugged.
Next up it was time to get out on the lake for the first of our watersports activities. There was a selection to choose from with most of us choosing the paddleboards and my eldest desperate try out a rowing boat for the first time.
I’ve been paddleboarding before but never had a lesson before and it was great to get some tips. There was plenty of time and space to be able to just mess around as you please, pick up some guidance and all go for an trip around the island. It was great to see my son get to grips with rowing and try something new.
My boys were a little worried that be made to go in the water (it was October after all) but actually the idea is that you stay on the boats and paddleboards. However if you want to leap in then you can do that too and before long my 7 year old was hanging over the side of our paddleboard and a few kids went all out for a full on swim. It’s very much a collaborative, supportive session and most of all about having fun.
We had a quick change in the bell tents they have set up for privacy and then caught the island ferry. Loved this little trip across the lake being pulled on a platform across the water.
Nested into the centre of the lake, the island feels like a magical world far away from computer games and TV. Pizza making was all set up on a table and we did it all right from making our own pizza dough from scratch, stretching it out and adding our toppings. There was gluten and dairy free catered for too.
If you’re wondering how on earth you cook pizza on an island, the answer is a pizza oven of course. Built into the side of a natural slope, it was lit, roaring and ready to go for all our pizzas.
You couldn’t pick a more picturesque spot than eating your own homemade, wood fired pizza on a an island surrounded by nature.
To finish off the day we headed back out on the water for some family canoeing. They have those wonderful big Canadian canoes so we could all fit in together. After a bit of a paddle around, our instructor got everyone together for a selection of games which tested us on our skills on and teamwork. So much fun.
We finished with grins on our faces, glowing cheeks and both exhilarated and exhausted at the same time. I can absolutely say that this was one of my 2023 highlights. Four fabulous experiences all in one day and a shared experience that we all loved.
The Oxford Boat Adventures was set up by Amelia Wright who is a whirlwind of passionate enthusiasm, energy and dedication to make these experiences the absolute best. Amelia believes that children should have the opportunity to experience a sense of freedom and adventure, and the time and space to enjoy their childhood in a safe environment and she’s got it bang on the mark!
Along with her husband Andrew and an experienced team of instructors and coaches they have 30 years combined professional experience of helping young people to realise their potential.
