In late August, Community Engagement Ranger Kats Koster-Shadbolt facilitated the annual ‘Nights Under the Stars’ camp out for Dartmoor Youth Rangers and Devon Young Carers. This is a hugely popular opportunity for young people to get out in nature and experience what is, for many, their first night camping on Dartmoor. The first group to camp were the Devon Young Carers, followed by the Dartmoor Youth Rangers, with both groups benefitting from staying on land owned by Shallowford Farm.
The first day included time spent teaching the young people how to put up their tents, conservation activities, opportunities to feed the farm animals, a night walk and late night fun and snacks around the campfire. Day two brought more interaction with the Shallowford Farm animals, including pigs and piglets, plus a chance to check the overnight moth traps, a shared breakfast and time for art. This was followed by a group effort of packing down all the tents and equipment. Kats was was supported by Stephen Nunes and Andy Bailey, who assisted in cooking, delivering activities and supervising outdoor games.
Shallowford Farm is a hill farm, meaning it is located high above sea level, in ‘upland’ where sheep or cattle are the main form of agriculture as the soil is too thin and acidic to grow crops. The Farm was initially bought in 1976 by Elizabeth Braund and Rosemary Bird who recognised the need for young people to develop a sense of community and self-worth. Miss Braund had started working in Battersea, London with young people after the war, establishing Providence House in Battersea in 1963. By offering regular trips from inner-city London to Dartmoor, young people could be immersed in new experiences and wild places within the stability and safety of a homely working farm environment.
Today, the vision of Shallowford Farm is that ‘everyone, no matter where they are from, has an opportunity to engage with rural life and the environment, to challenge assumptions and catalyse positive and responsible futures for themselves, their community and the environment.’ This sits comfortably alongside the aims of ‘Nights Under the Stars‘ which seeks to educate and empower young people, supporting them in getting to know themselves better, building a relationship with Dartmoor and honing social skills which will help them in their wider lives.
The response from young people who took part was really positive. One participant explained what made the experience special, writing: ‘just being outside and getting to experience life without internet for a short time. I think it shows/teaches us personally how much we don’t understand about the world.’ In feedback, various young people shared that their favourite experiences were the night walk, spending time with the farm animals and staying up late on Dartmoor.