A Whirlwind Summer at Cameron’s Cottage

21 September 2026

I’m Laura, I work for the RSPB and I run Cameron’s Cottage. I started working here in 2024 and in the Autumn decided to write a seasonal update of all my goings-on. Here we are almost two years on with edition 8, Summer!

Autumn is definitely in the air as I write this, in the first jumper I’ve worn in a long while. Whilst I welcome a quieter pace as the Cameron’s Cottage activities season winds down with a few last bookings in September and October, I am missing that Summer sunshine already!

Let’s rewind and remember when Summer felt never-ending in warmth and sunshine…

June saw me preparing for my sabbatical towards the end of the month. I had a great couple of weeks visiting other centres creating outdoor experiences for young people, the Wildlife Trust Care Farms in Wiltshire and Shallowford Farm in Devon. I learnt about how the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust team help encourage young people not in formal education to build skills and confidence in the surroundings of WWT nature reserves. And at Shallowford Farm I saw the ins and outs of a very similar but slightly larger and longer running residential centre, much like Cameron’s Cottage. Both teams of people were so kind to me and were patient whilst I asked question upon question about their work and processes. Seeing Summer come alive from Dorset, Wiltshire and Devon was a wonderful experience (even if the red weather warning threatened to stall my fun at times!) Seeing birds of prey soaring across the Dartmoor skies and dragonflies whizz across the water at Lakeside Care Farm are just a couple of so many wildlife highlights I have from those times.

July brought be a bit of respite after a learning-packed sabbatical, as I had two weeks off, before the Summer Holidays brought a second wave of busyness.

The end of August saw me complete the last of my sabbatical plans, a week with Free to Be Kids – a youth organisation who visit us every year in October for a residential stay.

We hosted back to back groups at Cameron’s Cottage throughout the 6 weeks of Summer Holidays, both returning groups like the Nature Writing group and new ones like the two groups from Young Merton who will certainly be back after their nature-filled adventures at the Cottage. We also had a great team of volunteers who helped with these activities and also worked with the membership team at the New Forest Show, highlighting Cameron’s Cottage to all those passing by the RSPB stand.

The end of August saw me complete the last of my sabbatical plans, a week with Free to Be Kids – a youth organisation who visit us every year in October for a residential stay. I spent a week camping with them in Sussex, a great experience where I got to discover what goes on in the life of a youth group on residential during the times I’m not usually around whilst in my Cameron’s Cottage role. I prepared meals for the group and joined them on activities they did off-site – ranging from paddleboarding to scrambling to hanging out at the beach. The same young people I met there, will be the ones to visit Cameron’s Cottage this October, which will be another aspect of youth work I don’t often get to see… how the young people over time develop in skills and confidence as a result of the hard work put in by their leaders during residentials and midweek groups.

I said last time that I felt like I was in the calm before the storm… I certainly have had a whirlwind Summer, but after a week rest in early September, I’m feeling refreshed and ready to continue encouraging young people to have incredible and lasting experiences in nature.

Until next time,

Laura

I spent a week camping with 'Free to Be Kids' in Sussex

A Young Writer Reflects

21 September 2026

After every project we sponsor, we measure the impact and the reach of the event. How has it helped connect young people with nature? This thoughtful and beautifully written piece by Lucy Kerr, a participant of the Young Writers Retreat in August, shows that being immersed in nature is crucial to our understanding and appreciation of our natural world. 

My Very Own Mycorrhiza Network

Reflections from the Young People’s Nature Writing Retreat

By Lucy Kerr 

From what little I know about the magical workings of the non-human world, I do know a little about the mycorrhizal network of trees. In healthy forests, networks of mycelium wrap themselves around the roots of trees. Through this mycelium, trees communicate to each other. They offer nutrients to those who need them most; older trees look after the small saplings, and the healthy nurture the sick. This connectivity, hidden under the soil from the human eye, reminds me that even when we feel so far away from nature, we are always entangled.

This is a picture I took of the New Forest on the first day of Emily’s and Andrew’s Young People’s Nature Writing Retreat. This annual retreat, enabled by the Cameron Bespolka Trust, is a moment in time and space where you can truly pause. Inside its bubble of belonging, the retreat encourages moments of deep reflection and connection with nature, within which, don’t forget, you are a part. Surrounded by nature experts, captivating storytellers, and enchanting folk singers, it is hard not to leave the retreat feeling hopeful about whose hands the future of our Earth resides. Swapping Coventry’s ring road for Cameron’s Cottage, embedded and embraced by the surrounding New Forest, was the best decision I have ever made.

The retreat began with the first of many talented speakers. Jeni Bell, nature writer and poet, graciously volunteered to ease us into the retreat with a workshop on confidence. We discussed that feeling confident in one’s writing is a particularly hard skill to master. Jeni reminded us that writing is not a talent that some have, and some simply do not. Writing demands you to put the work in. Good writing requires you to be vulnerable and ask your fellow writers for honest feedback. Reflecting on what confidence means in relation to writing brought me to just one conclusion: confidence is an unwavering belief in oneself. It is knowing that you might fail, but alas, you might succeed. Feeling empowered by the vulnerability of myself and those around me, I was ready to embrace what the retreat had in store.

As someone who has only recently begun exploring their connection with nature, this retreat really threw me in at the deep end. Whenever I have connected with nature, it has always been through literature, so the writing part of this retreat was familiar territory. I knew where I stood, and I felt pretty confident putting pen to paper. What did catch me off guard, however, was discovering a microcosm of nature fanatics existing right under my nose. I was surrounded by an inspiring group of young nature activists, each with specific expertise, and all with a roaring passion to protect the natural world.

This discovery, hands down, was my favourite part of the retreat. Surrounded by a small group of immeasurably intelligent individuals, all moving through the world with a deeply grounded connection to nature, I had no choice but to absorb as much of their knowledge as humanly possible. “What plant is that?” - almost certainly it would just be another fern. “What bird is that?” – fortunately, I did not ask this question when we were purposefully out looking for nightjars. And, perhaps most frequently, “How do you know all this stuff?!”. I found myself in a permanent state of astonishment whenever I spoke to my new friends.

Whenever I have connected with nature, it has always been through literature, so the writing part of this retreat was familiar territory... what did catch me off guard was discovering a microcosm of nature fanatics existing right under my nose

Whilst at first I was intimidated to be surrounded by young people with more knowledge of moth species, bird migration habits, and invasive plant species than I could ever hope to possess about Shakespeare after a four-year literature degree, I was quickly put at ease by their willingness to share their knowledge. They did not find my questions annoying, nor my ignorance frustrating; they all simply wanted to share their passion for the natural world. For are we not part of that too?

When I asked my new friends to reflect on the weekend, they too spoke fondly of the connections we had formed with one another, as well as with the natural world around us. Amy Squire is one of the youngest who attended the retreat. For what she lacks in age is made up, and then some, by her remarkable intelligence. She is an absolute powerhouse of knowledge. Her reflection of the weekend speaks to a profound sense of belonging, something that was fostered throughout the retreat. She captures a journey shared by all of us: arriving as strangers and leaving connected to “people who I now know not to be strangers but people more like me than I expected. The camp brought together its own biodiversity of people” (Amy Squire). Indeed, Cameron’s Cottage is a biodiverse base where young naturalists pour their hearts and minds into cultivating hope for the future of our planet.

I had spent the entire first day of the retreat thinking I was the only person there from an urban area in the West Midlands. I wasn’t particularly downhearted about it, but don’t we all enjoy a little regional pride? So, you can imagine my elation when, shamelessly eavesdropping on a conversation beside me, I heard someone mention that they had come from Walsall. Walsall! Naturally, I immediately interrupted to find out more. This individual is Ramandeep Nijjar. Raman is involved in absolutely everything. Her name and voice are well known across the nature and youth voice spheres, a testament to her tireless activism and unwavering passion in elevating young voices. Selfless by nature, Raman is constantly sharing opportunities for young people on her platforms to encourage their involvement in creating change. She truly never stops. Despite being extremely knowledgeable and a force to be reckoned with, Raman mentioned during the retreat that she lacked confidence in her nature writing. In many ways, the retreat directly challenged that insecurity. Reflecting on her experience, she describes how it “left me with so much inspiration, new thoughts, and more confidence in my voice” (Ramandeep Nijjar). I think this sentiment was shared by everyone involved; we all left the retreat with a renewed sense of inspiration and confidence in our own voices. Enveloped in towering oaks and singing blackbirds, it was the perfect environment to begin exploring what nature writing looked like for each of us.

One evening, whilst sitting around the camp (no) fire one evening, fires being prohibited due to the increased risk of wildfires, I shared the origin of my butterfly phobia. Following a traumatic trip to the Butterfly Farm at around seven years old, I have regarded the butterfly as a master manipulator ever since. Where others see the beauty of its colourful wings, I see the thick, hairy abdomen lurking beneath, and those fly-like, predatory eyes. Absolutely firm in my sixteen-year belief that butterflies are evil and deceitful, I did not anticipate that a young entomologist would dismantle it in the space of about two hours.

Riley Woodhouse is a biology student and insect expert. His ability to distinguish between even the subtlest differences in insect species is remarkable. Accompanying him on the retreat’s bioblitz was, firstly, incredibly educational, and secondly, an unexpected form of extreme exposure therapy. I got up close and personal with ants, beetles, and spiders, and watched the fluttering movements of dragonflies and yes, butterflies. I was encouraged by Riley, whether he is aware of this or not, to perceive these tiny creatures as fascinating and beautiful in their very own way. From this moment, my butterfly hatred began a metamorphosis of its very own.

For Riley, the retreat was defined by new friendships, growing self-confidence, and a wonderfully eclectic mix of activities. Riley summarised the experience as:

“a perfect mix of an educational masterclass, and the most heartwarming holiday I never planned. From playing bird bingo with people you felt like you’d known your whole life, to brushing your teeth alongside your new best friend, the retreat brought together the best people and brought out the best in myself. Whether we were bat-detecting, bioblitzing, or writing about the magic of the forest, I always had a smile on my face” (Riley Woodhouse).

I arrived at Cameron’s Cottage feeling somewhat disconnected from the natural world, and left feeling deeply entangled within it.

Riley’s appreciation for the combination of education and connection is exactly what is so unique about this retreat. Connections forged through fireside readings, folk music, and morning breakfast were only enabled through our shared love for learning. Emily and Andrew mapped out activities dedicated to enhancing our knowledge of the natural world and, in turn, our friendships naturally formed. We were given the rare opportunity to speak to and get advice from authors of award-winning nature literature, young filmmakers, storytellers, and creatives, all of whom volunteered their time out of pure belief in young people creating change. I don’t think anyone left the retreat without having formed a new neuron or two.

I arrived at Cameron’s Cottage feeling somewhat disconnected from the natural world, and left feeling deeply entangled within it. This entanglement, which I first understood through the hidden mycorrhizal networks beneath our feet, became something I experienced for myself. In the connections forged with my peers, I began to recognise my own place within the natural world: not as an observer looking in, but as one small part of a much larger network. Through them, I uncovered a new fascination with the plants I had previously brushed past on walks; I discovered that hearing folk music at dusk could make my soul feel as though it had been waiting a very long time to hear those stories again; and, most unexpectedly, I discovered that my sixteen-year hatred of butterflies was not quite as immovable as I had thought.

Romsey Young Carers at the Cottage

17 August 2026

It was a pleasure to see 3 groups from Romsey Young Carers of various ages spend time at Cameron’s Cottage this year. Romsey Young Carers offer significant emotional support to these young people.

Young carers are children and young people whose lives are affected by caring for a family member who has long term illness or disability, mental health problems or issues with drugs or alcohol. 

This summer, we sponsored one Family Fun Day where the parents came with their children and they all spent the day together, enjoying nature based activities.  The parents had a great time being together with their children, tucked away in the peaceful woods. 

And our 2nd group of young carers stayed for the first time for 2 nights at the Cottage. It’s often the first time that a young carer has actually been able to leave their families. 

“It was our first time staying two nights and it went so well. Laura -(RSPB) is superb..her knowledge and calm nature have a magical effect on the group. Everything was so well planned and thought through. I saw many new additions and touches and I'm just so impressed by her."

"The house and environment bonded our group which consisted of kids age 11-15, and with not everyone knowing each other they were well bonded at the end.Corrine thanks so much for supporting us.  It means so much for us to come to the cottage every year.”

Keren, School and Clubs Co-ordinator, Romsey Young Carers 

And finally another groups of younger children, spent the day walking in the woods, den building and painting outside. 

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Young People’s Nature Writing retreat

12 August 2026

It was another fabulous Young People’s Nature Writing retreat at Cameron’s Cottage in the New Forest.  

For the 3rd year in a row, this camp continues to reach young people looking to improve their nature writing skills and to create a space where young people can find a sense of belonging in nature through shared interest.  

Organised by young writers Emily Hunt and Andrew Millham and supported by amazing talks by wildlife authors Stephen Moss, Jeni Bell, Mya Bambrick, Amy King, Roger Morgan-Grenville, Alicia Hayden and Freddie Emms. Thank you so much for supporting us and donating your time. 

This 3 day event included an excellent talks on building confidence and believing in your own words, sharing a film made by young conservationists “Conservation:The Next Generation” , reading out your favourite pieces of literature around the camp fire*, top tips about how to write about nature, an interview with one of UK’s leading environment novelist, folksongs by the camp fire*, a bio blitz and expressing enjoyment about ecological fairytales.  

A really exciting opportunity for passionate young nature lovers looking for ways to share and communicate their knowledge.

"Having come from a background of being so removed from nature, this retreat was initially very daunting. I thought I would feel out of place and unwelcome in a sphere I have previously thought was not suited for someone like me. Boy was I wrong. Although I do not know species of plants, birds, moths, and everything in between, I was not made to feel inadequate or less than. In fact, I was overwhelmed by how generous these incredibly intelligent people were with their knowledge. I say this with as much gumption as it implies, this retreat has changed my life. I feel I have finally found my people, my calling, and my place. With a heart I didn't realise could be so full, I want to say thank you. Thank you."  Lucy

Thank to everyone who made this such a fabulous weekend. Thank you also to our two brilliant volunteers Riley Woodhouse and Ramandeep Nijjar. We are very much looking forward to next year’s event. Look out of dates at the beginning of 2027.

 * no real fire was lit due to extreme dry weather. 

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Writing activities

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Listening to stories around the camp fire, although never lit

Here, there and everywhere

08 June 2026

I’m Laura, I work for the RSPB and I run Cameron’s Cottage. I started working here in 2024 and in the Autumn decided to write a seasonal update of all my goings-on. Here we are more than a year on with edition 7, Spring!

Spring has flashed by and Summer loudly introduced itself in the last couple weeks of May. I’m writing this in early June, on the eve of what is gearing up to be a busy Summer – both for me personally and for Cameron’s Cottage!

But back to the Spring…

After what felt like a long time coming, it was a blessing to see Spring appearing in the sights and sounds around Cameron’s Cottage. Fresh buds and bird sing reminded me that the endless dark evenings were almost behind us.

As a team, we spent a lot of March and early April off site, because our office was getting a much-needed re-vamp. Therefore, I missed a lot of the usual Spring sightings around Franchises Lodge Reserve – notably Goshawk displaying and swallows arriving. I didn’t miss everything though, periodic group visits to Cameron’s Cottage kept me connected with the reserve and a particular highlight for me was once again seeing the mass of toad spawn and, in time, toad tadpoles down at the lake on various visits with young people.

A new activity for this year was introduced in April, during a residential visit by Billingham Scouts. We would love to see young people advocating for nature beyond their stay at Cameron’s Cottage and this new Social Action Workshop does just that. The scout group spent a couple of thoughtful hours brainstorming how they could help nature back home in their local community. Many ideas were created, including a social media campaign to encourage hedgehog highways in local gardens and a vision to see the local park ‘wilded’ for nature.

The scout group spent a couple of thoughtful hours brainstorming how they could help nature back home in their local community

Moving into May, we started to see more residentials visiting as we marched into better weather. The end of May brought incredible sunshine and temperatures upwards of 30 degrees – but that didn’t stop Romsey Young Carers and Leaside Trust enjoying visits to Cameron’s Cottage and making the most of the cooling woodlands surrounding the cottage.

Behind the scenes, I have been working on the finer details of my sabbatical – which I take the first part of towards the end of June – not long now! I’ll be visiting Care Farms in Wiltshire which specialise in Alternative Provision and using the outdoors to build young people’s confidence and manage ongoing struggles such as anxiety. I’ll be visiting a residential outdoor facility in Devon who have 50 years experience delivering residential packages to groups of young people. And later in the Summer I’ll be joining a London based youth organisation on one of their residentials, to learn the ins and outs of youth work and pastoral care.

And that’s all on top of a busy Summer Holidays packed full of residentials and day visits – definitely enough to keep me busy! This feels a little like the calm before the storm, but what a great storm it will be!

Until next time,

Laura

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Spring is appearing in the sights and sounds around Cameron’s Cottage

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Scouts create a social media campaign

Romsey Young Carers Family Day at Cameron’s Cottage

29 May 2026

This annual day at Cameron’s Cottage has become a firm favourite with Romsey Young Carers. 

It’s hugely important for families to spend a day together and be able to enjoy the many outdoor activities on offer at Cameron’s Cottage, immersed in beauty and nature. 

"Our family had a peaceful, fun and educational day at Cameron cottage. It was a chance to unwind from our family life. Laura was informative and had a lovely calming effect on the group. My daughter and I particularly enjoyed bug hunting and identifying what we caught. We appreciated the opportunity to slow down and relax in the beautiful surroundings."

Despite it being the hottest days ever, Laura from the RSPB planned brilliant outdoor events, taking advantage of the cool woods by the side of the house. Nature art was hugely popular and loved by all, resulting in some very talented and artistic paintings.  

“We can't thank you enough”.

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Scouts at the Cottage

10 April 2026

A group of nine young Scouts from Teeside came to Cameron’s Cottage this week. They were all enthusiastic outdoor explorers and loved the space, surroundings and adventure that they discovered during their stay.  

The activities provided by the RSPB leaders Laura and James, included pond dipping, bio blitz, bat detection, dawn chorus walk, bushcraft activities and learning how to forage to make a fire. 

It was great to welcome this group who came by minibus which took over 8 hours to reach the New Forest. Probably our furthest group yet! 

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Come Rain or Shine at Cameron’s Cottage

01 April 2026

I’m Laura, I work for the RSPB and I run Cameron’s Cottage. I started working here in 2024 and in the Autumn decided to write a seasonal update of all of my goings-on. Here we are more than a year on with edition 6, Winter!

Winter has given us plenty of rain, rain and more rain, but there have been days of soul-refreshing sunshine dotted about in between. On these days, I was reminded of the beauty of winter; the crimson red of holly berries, the raindrops hanging off dew-drenched leaves and the feeling of crisp cold air on my face and in my lungs. It all reminds me that life still exists even when we don’t see if around us. I’m writing this in mid March, and Spring is bursting into life all around me – it won’t be long before Cameron’s Cottage is once again busy with the laughter and chaos that only young people can bring.

Spring is in the air

Before the seemingly endless rain and flooding in the New Year, the weather decided to be favourable and shine upon us over the Christmas period. For me, this was a great blessing, and I took many a walk around the New Forest with my family. Having struggled to get into work for all the floods, it’s a relief for both us and for nature that the worst of the storms and rains seem to have come and gone – at least until later this year!

Thought outside of our usual delivery season, Cameron’s Cottage hosted a handful of hardy young people this Winter. Winchester Youth Counselling came for an evening of fun fire lighting around the firepit – learning traditional methods of fire lighting to create a hot chocolate and toast marshmallows. It got dark very quickly, but this only added to the ambience – using the fires warmth to keep cosy and its flamelight to see just well enough to pop another marshmallow on a stick.

The National Park Authority brought a group of Young Carers to Cameron’s Cottage – who undertook a jam-packed conservation weekend, spending much of their time cutting back rhododendron and surveying the lake and streams around the cottage. We also squeezed one final rhododendron management session in with the Kings Trust before the end of February – which the young people really got into and helped to create a roaring fire – plenty warm enough to keep us all toasty in the chilly February air.

I have been spent the Winter networking with people from similar outdoor organisations and completed a 6 week qualification in Young People’s Mental Health

Despite the grey days, my time has been anything but boring. I have been spending the Winter learning and networking with likeminded outdoor centres and organisations. I spent a full-on 6 weeks completing a qualification in Young People’s Mental Health – something that I’m really keen to weave into the activities we deliver at Cameron’s Cottage. Being out in nature is a great way to boost young people’s moods, almost without them realising it! But I want to also help them realise they can regulate their own mental health and build resilience by seeking out nature and green spaces in their own local patch – which will surely help them manage the ups and downs that life will inevitably bring.

I have also been working towards undertaking a sabbatical this year – using connections I’m growing to visit a few other outdoor centres and knowledge share with them. I’m picking organisations which excel in different areas – working with young people who have additional needs, residential packages, pastoral care etc.

With Spring in the air as I write this, and the rays of the sunshine on my back are noticeably warmer than in the months gone by; I have enjoyed reflecting on how Winter has treated us, and look forward to what joy and adventures the Spring and Summer months have to offer.

Until next time,

Laura

Book a stay: https://bit.ly/cameronscottage

Volunteering with us: https://bit.ly/cameronscottagevolunteering

Wild ponies in the New Forest

Winchester Youth Council

28 January 2026

A wonderful night time excursion...

It was such a pleasure to have Winchester Youth Council bring a group of young people to participate in nocturnal activities last week.  The RSPB led them on a night time walk in the woods and reserve to experience the silence of the woods.  The sound of their footsteps in the leaves and the odd  rustle or distant hoot or chirp was all they could hear plus the smell of damp trees and woodlands. 

They returned with a few objects they found in the woods to Cameron’s Cottage to do some bushcrafting as well as light a fire and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate

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Enjoying a cup of hot chocolate round the camp fire

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They returned with a few objects found in the woods

Autumn wonder at Cameron’s Cottage

02 December 2025

I’m Laura, I work for the RSPB and I run Cameron’s Cottage. I started working here last year and in Autumn 2024 decided to write a seasonal update of all of my goings-on. Here we are a year on with edition 5, Autumn!

As Summer quickly moved into Autumn, the woods surrounding Cameron’s Cottage came alive with colour – from leaves, to fungi, berries and everything in between, nature’s masterpiece was putting on an impressive display. Even while cleaning your teeth, young people could admire this beauty – see the view from our bathroom window!

And just like nature’s last bold act before the quiet of Winter, Cameron’s Cottage was too coming alive with a new wave of intrepid Autumnal explorers. September and October were busy with multiple residential trips and the beginning of November saw the last few day visits of the year. I’m writing this on the first day of December and Autumn is slipping away right in front of my eyes. For me, it’s now time to look ahead to Christmas, the wonders of Winter and planning for 2026 – I must remember to wear my thermals tomorrow!

But back to the slightly more balmy Autumn, where rain only disrupted plans a couple of times and where the sun’s dappled warmth was enjoyable through the golden shades of woodland oak and beech. A definite highlight for me was a sunny morning walk through the woods with a local university group, where fungi were seemingly popping up in front of our very eyes. There were so many of them and so many kinds! It made my day when I spotted my first fly agaric of the season – a firm favourite and a personal indicator that Autumn is surely here.

Behind the scenes I have been working hard to build a following on social media. Instagram has been a particular success, with 538 followers to date! Followers seems to enjoy nature themed content and practical ways to get involved in learning about and looking after the natural world. Showing a Facebook audience of home schoolers and forest schoolers how we use The Lost Words book to teach young people about nature has been a particular hit!

It's been great to have a new way to engage with young people and see their experiences at Cameron’s Cottage – both to follow along with their nature journeys and also a brilliant way for us to reflect using this valuable source of feedback. Here’s one young person who shared a video of his time at Cameron’s Cottage via his Instagram handle mustelid_man. See his post here.

I’ve also been working with the RSPB’s EDI team to raise awareness and improve how Cameron’s Cottage works with young people with Hidden Disabilities and accessibility needs. With initial discussions complete, this work will form a chunk of what I do this Winter – so more on this to come!

With the last group of the year been and gone, I am grateful for an amazing and fruitful 2025 and look forward to what 2026 is going to bring.