Sustainability can be defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the future. This includes
Economic sustainability
Which is why we have a budget and a cost for camp, and why we will try to spend this money fairly and wisely.
Social sustainability
Which is why our camp will be accessible for all, and have wellbeing and support systems available for all campers.
Environmental sustainability
Which is why we will reduce the carbon impact of the camp as much as possible, and protect the site while we’re on it.
We need to be sustainable now to ensure that the Woodcraft Folk can continue to thrive over the next 100 years, so Camp 100 will try to be as low carbon as possible.
The health and safety of our campers will always take priority over carbon reduction. This means that food hygiene, transport access, safe and reliable electricity supply, and other essential requirements will be maintained as first priority.
Across the camp, we have taken a number of actions to reduce our carbon footprint and camp in a more sustainable way.
Electricity
At Camp 100, 100% of the electricity we buy in will come from renewable sources. We will reduce our electricity consumption by restricting the use of high power items (for example, Hair Straighteners). We will only use diesel generators in exceptional circumstances, where it is necessary for food refrigeration. We will aim to position our fridges in shaded areas to avoid overheating.
Gas & Cooking
The food team will plan menus to minimise gas required for cooking, where food hygiene and allergy protection allow. We will aim to trial the use of induction hobs to replace gas burners in a central kitchen. We will encourage the use of vacuum flasks to reduce the time water is kept boiling for hot drinks & hand washing. We will encourage the use of solar water heating to air provision of warm water for washing.
Food
While planning the menu and deciding on suppliers, the food team will avoid foods which come with lots unnecessary plastic packaging, while acknowledging that plastic is often necessary for food hygiene and allergy protection. No beef will be included in the menu due to its high carbon impact.
We will support all participants to have a comfortable and enjoyable camp by providing the diets that they need for personal, medical, cultural, religious, or any other reasons, even if this would be a higher carbon diet.
Food will be purchased from local suppliers where practical, to support the local economy; however food will be purchased from further afield if it will reduce the overall food miles or provide other significant environmental benefits. Food deliveries will be arranged to reduce the number of fossil fuel vehicles travelling to site. We will make low carbon and vegan diets available to all who want them, providing an opportunity for people to try a lower carbon option.
Transport
Information will be provided to all participants on low carbon travel options. The Travel Logistics Team will provide support to participants to help them arrive without the use of private vehicles, wherever possible. Car parking spaces will be provided for those who require cars. Throughout camp – we will use low and zero carbon transport wherever possible.
Waste & Reuse
During camp, we will work to minimise waste produced. We will avoid buying items that cannot be retained, repaired, reused or recycled. The Camp Team will arrange recycling collections for difficult to recycle items, such as crisp packets. We will arrange suitable disposal for waste and leftover food by firstly approaching food banks. Incineration and Landfill will be used only as a last resort.
Programme
We will provide a varied program with sessions that are accessible to every participant across our diversity of ages, languages, abilities, and needs. We will provide programme covering topics around sustainability to help to educate and share ideas so that we can build a sustainable future after camp and to prepare us for the next 100 years.
Campfires
People have gathered around campfires for as long as there have been people. They are a source of heat and light, both literally and figuratively. However, in times of climate chaos, we cannot condone burning wood unnecessarily. Burning wood undoes the good work of the tree in capturing carbon from the atmosphere. It fills our air with toxic smoke, stings our eyes, and damages our lungs, which is particularly difficult for participants with existing respiratory conditions like asthma.
We will not ban campfires at Camp 100.
The Camp 100 team encourages fires to be held in designated shared spaces, not individual village circles. This will keep village spaces free for safe play, and encouraging wider sharing of fireside traditions. The team encourages full use of the fire for community, ceremony, stories, songs, cooking, beginning friendships and making connections to last the next 100 years. Fires are to be extinguished once ended, saving remaining wood from being burned unnecessarily. Fires should not be made larger than necessary. Everyone at camp should respect the fire, and the trees that grew for it.