What is it?
Pre-Camp is a camping weekend for volunteers and participants who are booked into Camp 100 with the aim of getting to know each other and the site, and doing some final planning together. The weekend is a great time to learn more about many different elements of the camp, to meet new people and to have lots of fun!
When is it?
16th – 18th May 2025. You may arrive on site from 5pm on the 16th and dinner will be provided at around 7pm or whenever you arrive if you can’t get there until later. The programme will run from 9am-6pm on the 17th, and from 9am-12pm on the 18th, and we will provide all meals on the 17th and breakfast and a packed lunch on the 18th.
Where is it?
Pre-Camp is at the same site as camp itself, Kelmarsh Gardens, Northamptonshire, England, NN6 9LY.
What will we do over the weekend?
Friday 16 May – Most people will arrive at pre-camp in the early evening. There will be no official programme but we will provide dinner and there will be a campfire.
Saturday 17 May – Sessions will run after breakfast from around 9am – 6pm, there will be a lunch break and some shorter tea breaks throughout the day. In the evening, after dinner, there will be time for socialising, campfires and activities (details TBC).
Sunday 18 May – Sessions will run from around 9am-12pm. Departure from the site will most likely be between 1-2pm.
A more detailed agenda for the weekend will be shared in March 2025, but expect a site tour, a session on the code of conduct, meet your village, an option to meet the food, production and programme teams to ask questions and more. We will also provide more information about evening activities and whether delegates should prepare anything in advance. Young people will have dedicated programme sessions for the majority of the agenda and some sessions (such as the site tour) will be for everyone.
Who can come?
Pre-camp is an event which will hold discussions, workshops and a few taster programme sessions. We want to be able to welcome people of all ages to pre-camp to get a feel of what Camp 100 will be like. The majority of the sessions will be suitable for Venturers, DFs and adults but there will be activities and example workshops for those under 13. The tour of the site will be suitable for all. Please be aware that young people under 18 on site will be the responsibility of the adult who booked them on outside of structured workshop/activity times, so be mindful of supervision arrangements. We expect around 60-100 people will attend.
Please speak to Millie or Lauren on on info@camp100.org.uk if you have any questions.
Why is it important?
Pre-Camp is a good time to meet the organisers and ask questions, and to also meet others in your village in person and do some planning. We will have made most if not all the decisions regarding who is in what village by then. The weekend can be a great opportunity to see the site, including the part of the site you will be camping at this time.
Even if you came to Common Ground you will probably be in a different area this time so it can be helpful to know the shape/size of your village and where the nearest water/toilets etc will be in order to plan the equipment you bring.
We recommend that districts send at least one representative where possible for this reason. However we will also run the most important sessions online to ensure that those who cannot make it (especially international groups) don’t miss out too much.
Why will it be fun?
It will be a mini Camp 100 in some ways! You’ll get to meet people from groups all over the country, on the site where Camp 100 will take place, and there will be some programme taster sessions for young people and some evening activities for all.
How do I get there?
By road:
FROM THE A14 (FOR THE M1 AND M6): Take the exit at Junction 2, and head north towards Market Harborough. Kelmarsh is 500m north from the A14, taking the left turn from the crossroads. Follow bespoke signage for Common Ground, as the event site has a separate entrance to the hall and gardens. FROM THE A508: The entrance is located on the main A508 road, 5 miles south of Market Harborough and 11 miles north of Northampton.
There is parking available on site.
By public transport:
You can also arrive by train to Market Harborough station (trains from London St Pancras and Nottingham) or Northampton station (trains to London Euston and Birmingham New Street) and take the X7 bus. The stop by the entrance to site is called ‘Kelmarsh’ and you can consult the timetable here.
Please make clear on the booking form how you intend to travel to pre-camp so we can try to arrange lift shares where possible.
Do I have to pay to attend?
Other than your own travel, there is no cost to attend the event. However, from those who are able we are asking for a donation of £20 to contribute to the food and infrastructure. We ask that you make your donation through the Just Giving page. Districts are also welcome to make a contribution on behalf of their delegate, this should be done via BACs (get in touch with Millie or Lauren on info@camp100.org.uk for more information).
What should I bring?
Everyone will need to bring:
- a tent to sleep in
- a sleeping bag
- a sleeping mat
- eating utensils (plate, bowl, cutlery, tea towel)
- Personal belongings
- clothing for both warm and cold weather (camping in May it can be warm in the day time but it is normally still cold at night!)
- sensible footwear for uneven terrain
- a waterproof coat
- a torch
- a water bottle
We may be able to organise a few spares if necessary, so let us know ASAP if you want to come but won’t be able to bring all of the above equipment.
There will be enough room for everyone to sit on benches, but if you would prefer a chair please bring your own. Let us know if this is needed for accessibility reasons but you won’t be able to bring it and we will do our best to organise something.
How do I book?
Please fill in this online booking form to book in for pre-camp.
The deadline to book is 30th April to ensure we have your info in time to plan food and accessibility.
How do I get support?
If you would like to discuss access needs at pre-camp or you have any questions, concerns or suggestions please get in touch to info@camp100.org.uk and the team will be happy to help you and answer any questions.