Devon-based sustainability organisation Embercome, has just released its programme of events for the year, which includes family based summer breaks which are relaxing, fun and suitable for adults and children of all ages. Set close to Dartmoor in idyllic surroundings, their 50 acres of land has two yurt villages, camping facilities, a market garden which provides most of the fresh food cooked and eaten during the stay, as well as woodlands, a lake and meadows. The emphasis is on nature, sustainability and community. Embercombe is a charity and social enterprise and all their money earned is invested back to help them fulfill their mission of inspiring action for the world. So you can have fun, be inspired yourself and have the satisfaction of having helped contribute to a worthwhile organisation.
The main breaks and events on the horizon for this summer are:
The Journey
July 19-24 – This flagship programme in the Embercombe calendar has already had participants aged from 20 to 60 years come and rediscover their full strength and passion for taking action in relaxed, natural surroundings. Embercombe founder and course director Mac Macartney designed this week-long programme for adults to ‘touch hearts, stimulate minds and inspire committed action for a truly sustainable world.” It’s a week with highs and lows, and an opportunity for deep exploration. Participants to date have all felt that The Journey helped them to recommit to bringing the very best of themselves in service to the widest good.
£480
Sustainable Parenting Weekends
May 2-4 / Aug 14-16 – Supports parents whilst providing a beautiful, fun experience living as a family. A warm and friendly facilitator provides time out for parents to reflect on their skills and receive support.
£153 adults, £47 children
Embercombe Country Fair -sponsored by the Big Lottery Fund Breathing Spaces – part of BBC’s Springwatch week.
6th June – Free Event
This free all day event includes crafts to see, do and buy; games, woodland trails and delicious homemade food.
Summer Camp
August 2-7 – Camp out in tents, yurts and tepees and have fun outdoors, with bush crafts, music and magical mayhem. For adults and children of all ages.
Camping: £150 adults £75 children, Yurts: £250 adults £120 children.
As well as our summer events Embercombe also offers a monthly chance to experience their idyllic surroundings as a volunteer, with individuals or families welcome to stay free of charge over the weekend in return for helping out with tending the gardens, woods and maintaining the place. We’ve had many excellent volunteers already this year and we are open to people who would like to share in helping keep Embercombe the beautiful, inspiring place it is.
One volunteer, Klaudia Van Gool, says of her volunteering experiences, ‘Volunteering at Embercombe gives you the opportunity to learn practical skills for a sustainable future, whilst chatting with people who are serious about creating that future. Attending an Embercombe Friends Working Weekend is nurturing for my soul whilst satisfying my thirst for practical activity.”
Embercombe is also an ‘Outdoor Classroom’ to many primary and secondary age children, who visit with their school to get taught the national curriculum in exciting outdoors surroundings. We enable them to come back each year and see how their projects are developing. One parent who came along too described their recent day with us as ‘enchanting’.
More events coming up in the autumn, for Embercombe’s full programme visit www.embercombe.co.uk
Embercombe is based at Higher Ashton, Exeter, Devon.