Canal Camps - Your Questions Answered

All kinds of people go on Canal Camps. Students can use a Canal Camp to gain experience for job interviews or their Duke of Edinburgh Award. Retired people can do something constructive and rewarding with their time. Others just want to take time out from their office job for something with a bit more activity. Young or old, a Canal Camp offers you a chance to improve the environment and broaden your horizons in great surroundings. If you have enjoyed a waterway through cruising, fishing or walking then Canal Camps are a great way of “giving something back”. All we ask is that you should be reasonably fit, willing to work and keen to join in the social life of the Camp - and a good sense of humour is a distinct advantage!

You must be over 18 and under 70 at the start of the Camp for insurance reasons. Bookings are not normally accepted from more than three volunteers coming together as experience shows that this can have an adverse effect on the social life of the camp. Volunteers from overseas are welcome. However for site safety reasons, if English is not your first language you must be over 21 and have a working knowledge of English. Dogs may only be brought on a camp with the agreement of the camp leader.

Most accommodation is in village halls, sports clubs or similar. Although it doesn't usually include beds, you can expect electricity, flush toilets, and dry draught-free sleeping areas. All Canal Camps accommodation is provided with showers; in the very few cases where they are not actually part of the accommodation, WRG organises access to shower facilities nearby.

None. Everyone is treated the same, irrespective of age or previous experience. No-one is asked to work beyond their capabilities. You may have never wielded a shovel before but, as all our volunteers discover, everyone has a contribution to make. Characteristics such as teamwork, determination, problem solving or just the ability to create a good social atmosphere are just as important as practical experience. Of course if you do know how to lay bricks or drive a dumper, so much the better. But if you don’t, and you’d like to learn, then we’ll do our best to train you on the Camp.

Our camps, like any professional work site, have to comply with current safety regulations. Any safety equipment you need will be provided. We strongly recommend that you are protected by a current anti-tetanus injection.

Before work begins, all aspects of site safety will be fully explained to you. You will see a WRG safety video, be given an introductory talk by the camp leaders and receive a copy of WRG’s Health and Safety booklet.

Canal Camps have an excellent safety record and we intend to keep it that way. You must be ready to follow the directions of the WRG leader at all times when on site. Any volunteer who deliberately ignores site safety rules will be sent home.

How much time will I spend working?

The normal working day is from about 9.00am to 5.00pm, but can vary depending on local circumstances. Evenings are free, and social activities (e.g. swimming, visits to local attractions, cinema) are organised for those who want to take part. Volunteers are expected to help with catering and domestic chores on a rota basis. A leader and assistant are responsible for running the camp and work is directed by local experts.

Volunteers usually pay £42 towards food and accommodation, for a week's camp - i.e. £6 per night. Certain camps run for an extra two or three days, to take advantage of the Easter and August bank holiday weekends. These camps are more expensive. The cost of a specific camp is given on the page for each. Remember to bring enough money to cover free time and optional activities.

Yes, Waterway Recovery Group is an official D of E access organisation and volunteers are welcome to use a camp to qualify towards their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award or their Millennium Volunteer Award. They must however attend for the entire camp and their assessment will be partly based on commitment to work on the canal.

Details of the camp will be sent to you a few weeks before it starts. Travel directions will be sent to you, and are also available online for most camps. If you are arriving by public transport, we will be happy to pick you up from a nearby coach or train station.

A full kit list will be supplied with your joining instructions, but basically you need a sleeping bag, air bed or similar, tough work clothes and Wellingtons or work boots - and we strongly recommend that these should be steel toe-capped safety boots as this will ensure that the full range of jobs will be available to you. All equipment and tools will be provided. You are held responsible for your own possessions and are advised not to bring valuables.