Camp FAQs
Got a question about our camps? Check our FAQ's below
About Residential Camp
Nothing! Over The Wall Camp is completely free for every child and family.
Over The Wall Camp is a registered charity and we fundraise to cover the costs of all the camps.
Our camps are located in Perth, Scotland, and Ockbrook, Derbyshire. Our residential camps run during school holidays and weekends from April to November. Check out the Camp Calendar to find your ideal camp.
Our Therapeutic Recreation programme (also known as TR) empowers children to build confidence and resilience, and helps them to realise their abilities. TR encourages children to step out of their comfort zones, and camp provides a safe environment to do this in.
This programme is backed by the medical world which helps children affected by serious illness regain their confidence and self-esteem and which has become internationally recognised as having a profound and positive impact on their lives.
There are 4 steps in the TR model; at the centre of them all is ensuring that our campers are having fun!
Unfortunately we are unable to provide planned overnight care, such as BG checks, for any campers (see our essential requirements here). Whilst children with Diabetes are very welcome to apply for Family Camps, we are not accepting applications to Health Challenges camps. We can accept their siblings aged 8 – 17 years at our siblings camps.
There are NO tents!
Accommodation is provided in buildings with bedrooms, bathrooms, electricity and even a plug socket for your hairdryer!
Our staff and volunteers are also residents and so stay on the same corridors as the children, ready to assist if necessary. All bedding is provided, but you will need to bring your own toiletries and towels.
Accommodation varies from site to site. Please visit our venue pages for more details.
Yes, we welcome children with allergies, including those who need to carry an auto-adrenaline injector (such as an EpiPen or Jext).
Our Ockbrook Camp is a fully nut-free site.
There is always a varied menu with plenty of choices, and health-related dietary requirements can be catered for as long as we know in advance.
We are part of SeriousFun Children’s Network – a network of health challenge camps that operate throughout the world. It was set up by the late Hollywood actor, Paul Newman.
Applying for Residential Camp
You can apply for a Family Camp and one of our week-long Health Challenge or Sibling camps. However, we prioritise those who have not been to camp before.
Each year we provide more camper spaces to try and ensure we meet demand, but we are not in a position to guarantee places, as each application has to be individually assessed. We do give priority where we can to campers who have not previously attended a residential camp, but welcome applications from returning campers.
We assess every application on an individual basis to ensure they meet our criteria and that we can support campers’ individual needs to have a successful experience at camp.
Our Clinical Team assesses all applications to ensure they meet our criteria for camper safety and that the Team can work to the best of their ability. We prioritise children and families who have not been to one of our camps before.
Yes, but we do prioritise first-time applicants, so you may initially be placed on our waitlist to see where we have availability once applications have closed.
No problem! On the login page put in your email address and click underneath for help with your password, and follow the instructions.
If this does not work for you, please contact out office on 01332 977589 or email campers@otw.org.uk
Once we’ve received your application and any supporting information, the Clinical Team will assess your application. A member of the team may contact you if they have further questions regarding your child and their health condition, or any of their wellbeing support needs. Please respond to these quickly to avoid delaying your application, as we cannot progress your application until we have received all medical/supporting information.
While at camp
We consider each child’s needs on an individual basis, here are some aspects of care we have previously supported at camp:
- Give medication
- Oral chemotherapy
- PEG, NG and NJ feeds
- Central lines and portacaths
- Dressings
- Non-invasive ventilation
- Subcutaneous injections and infusions
- IV factor
- Stoma and catheter care
- Bowel washouts
At Health Challenge camps and Siblings camps, we provide a team of qualified doctors, paramedics and nurses, known as Med Crew. They provide comprehensive care throughout the camp, including administering medication, managing feeds, changing dressings, assisting with personal care, and monitoring each camper’s health. A doctor, paramedic or nurse is on call for overnight emergencies. The Med Crew is led by a member of the OTWC Clinical Team.
At Family Camp, we have a much smaller Med Crew as parents and carers are responsible for their child’s care, but our team is always present to offer support.
Our camps are led by experienced staff and supported by trained volunteers. Everyone involved undergoes appropriate background checks (DBS in England and PVG in Scotland) to ensure the highest standards of safeguarding.
Over The Wall Camp provides a variety of activities, with each activity targeted to the age, needs and abilities of our campers. Examples of activities include climbing wall, arts and crafts, archery, board games, campfires and dance parties – to name a few. Activities change depending on the venue.
We understand that parents and carers may want to know how their camper is getting on at camp. If you have a question, please call our main office and we’ll be happy to provide you with an update. If it is after office hours, please follow the prompts to be put in touch with our emergency phone.
We’re proudly a tech-free camp, so please do not send your child to camp with a mobile phone.
We’ve been offered a place at camp
Camper transport will be offered from Manchester and London to Health Challenge and Siblings Camps taking place at Ockbrook. Campers who live elsewhere who need support with travel to these camps can indicate this on their application form.
Scotland Camp Health Challenge and Sibling Camps
Camper transport will be offered from Edinburgh to our Scotland Health Challenge and Siblings Camp. Campers who live elsewhere in Scotland who need support with travel to this camp can indicate this on their application form.
Please Note
We reserve the right to cancel transport hubs if the minimum number of campers requesting it are not reached.
Family Camp
If you are getting public transport to camp we will arrange for you to be collected from local services if requested on your application form, and we will contact you to discuss this further.
You just need to let us know as soon as possible, so the place/s can be offered to someone on the waitlist. This will not stop you from re-applying again in the future.
Please ensure you pack enough clothing to last for the duration of camp. Some activities at camp can get messy, so please don’t bring your best clothes. There are a range of indoor and outdoor activities, so expect to pack for all weathers. Campers will be provided with an Over The Wall Camp lanyard, t-shirt and water bottle on arrival at camp.
The full packing list is provided in your offer email and the ‘Campers Essential Guide’.
Items to leave at home:
- Mobile phones and any other valuables (iPods, iPads, etc.). Please note, mobile phones will be collected and kept safe during camp.
- Food or drink of any kind (unless agreed in advance with our Nursing Team)
- Money
We understand how disappointing it can be not to be offered a place, and we wish we could accommodate every applicant. Places at our camps are limited, and each application is carefully assessed to ensure the safety of all campers and the capacity of our medical team. We also aim to prioritise children and families who have not previously attended camp, so that as many new participants as possible can benefit from the experience.
If you are on the waitlist, this means a place may become available at any time up until the day camp starts. We actively use the waitlist for all camps as we often get cancellations with us serving children and young people with health challenges.
Being on the waitlist means we received more applications than available places for camp. We actively manage the waitlist and will contact you by phone and email if a place opens up for your child, which can happen as late as the day before camp begins.
Please note that there are no fixed positions on the waitlist, as various factors determine which child is offered a place when one becomes available.
We actively use the waitlist for all camps as we often get cancellations with us serving children and young people with health challenges.
Partnership Camp in the Cloud
The following FAQs address aspects of our online camps
Applying for a Partnership Camp in the Cloud
A Partnership Camp in the Cloud (CitC) is a free virtual camp your family can enjoy from home, created together with one of our charity partners. Each CitC adventure is delivered live on Zoom and packed with joy, laughter, and moments your family can share together, alongside other families on similar health journeys.
Camp in the Cloud (CitC) welcomes applications from families with a child or young person aged 0–17 who is currently facing health challenges or has completed treatment within the past three years.
To take part, at least one child in the family must be aged between 6 and 17.
You can explore our upcoming CitC adventure dates to learn more about each Partnership CitC and the specific criteria for taking part.
Camp in the Cloud offers an exciting mix of tailored activities that bring the magic of camp directly to your home.
Your family can dive into creative projects, take on fun challenges, and enjoy moments that spark connection with other families taking part.
Activities include arts and crafts, creative and active challenges, problem‑solving and puzzles, plus extra games and resources to explore throughout your CitC adventure.
You’ll be joining other families taking part in Camp in the Cloud, creating a friendly and supportive space to enjoy the adventure together.
Our Over The Wall Camp Support Team will be on hand throughout the day to deliver the mischievous activities, as well as offer support whenever it’s needed. Fabulous volunteers and charity partners will also be there, joining in the fun too!
Your family’s safety is at the heart of everything we do. The Zoom link is shared only with families who have a confirmed place on that specific Camp in the Cloud, and all live calls are supported and managed by our trained Over The Wall Camp Support Team.
Everyone involved in delivering CitC, including volunteers and charity partners, has completed enhanced DBS and reference checks to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for your family.
Not much at all! Just a device with internet access, the family resource pack we’ll send to you, and a spot in your home to join the fun. We’ll bring the mischief and magic – you bring yourselves and be ready to get creative!
That’s ok! You’re welcome to join with your camera off and ease into the experience at your own pace. Whether you’re camera-confident or camera-cautious, your family is in for a seriously fun day!
Camp in the Cloud is a whole family experience. Everyone is encouraged to join in, get creative and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!
We know that life can be unpredictable. Just let us know as soon as you can so we can offer your place to another family. You can reach us at campers@otw.org.uk or 01332 977589.
That’s ok! If you have questions or want to chat things through, our team would love to support you in deciding whether Camp in the Cloud is right for your family. You can reach us at campers@otw.org.uk or 01332 977589.
Get in touch
Fill out the form or use the details below to get in touch.
campers@otw.org.uk
01332 977589