Who Are We?
EdenVentures is a small, community-rooted charity based in the Eden Valley. We create welcoming outdoor learning experiences for children and young people, giving them space to explore, play and grow in nature. Everything we do is shaped by the belief that children thrive when they feel trusted, included and free to follow their own ideas.
Our projects draw on a forest school style approach. Sessions are child led, practical and imaginative, with activities that spark curiosity and build confidence. On any given day you might find children lighting fires, carving spoons, building dens, learning circus skills, making pottery or getting creative with natural materials. Alongside the planned activities, we always make plenty of room for free play, friendships and the adventures that happen when children have time to roam.
Each summer we run our two Summer Weeks, which bring children together to build a temporary community in the woods. These weeks are the heart of our year. They give children the chance to try new things, take the lead when they feel ready and enjoy being part of a supportive group. Older participants often begin to volunteer, and many return year after year.
Children aged nine and above also have the option to join an overnight stay during Summer Weeks. It is a gentle introduction to camping, with shared meals, time around the fire and a relaxed atmosphere. Staff are with the group throughout, and children pitch their tents with support.
Making our projects accessible is central to our work. We use a tiered, means tested pricing structure that allows families to pay what they can. Referral places are available for those who need them, and details for each year can be found on the booking forms. Sibling discounts are also offered.
This past summer was our biggest yet. We ran two full weeks for the first time, launched our new minibus initiative to help more families join us and welcomed children into a wide range of activities, from wood carving and den building to circus skills, pottery and creative crafts. The woods offered space for play, friendship and discovery throughout.
EdenVentures continues to grow while keeping hold of the values that shaped the early Summer Weeks. We are still creating the kind of temporary community children love to return to, and we look forward to sharing many more summers, stories and adventures in the years ahead.
