'I went to Camp Wildfire in Kent and embraced my inner kid'

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It's not often as an adult that you spend a weekend climbing trees, battling it out on an archery field and singing badger chants.

But, as schools went back this year I embraced my inner kid and did just that - escaping boring adult life at Kent's Camp Wildfire.

Nestled in a forest near Sevenoaks, the summer camp exclusively for adults is a joyous mix of an eclectic music festival and that one PGL trip you will never forget.

Across two jam-packed weekends, campers can try more than 100 daytime activities and choose from 50 performances to enjoy in the evenings.

READ MORE: Thousands rally behind council to save Sevenoaks' Stag Theatre and Cinema

Camp WildfireThe patrol rallies (Image: NQ)

This meant that I was both busy and completely switched off from the modern world when I joined the second weekend this year, between September 4 and 7.

One of the most unique elements of Camp Wildfire is its patrol system, where campers can join one of four teams - the Foxes, Badgers, Hawks and Squirrels - and compete in silly and outrageous games each night to win patrol points.

I signed myself and my friends up to Badgers, the most low-key of the patrols, but was not entirely convinced I would get involved in that side of the event.

Camp WildfireArchery battles (Image: NQ)

Opening night proved me wrong, with "patrol rallies" offering the chance to meet my teammates and patrol leaders while learning some surprisingly catchy chants.

Straight away, it was clear how much people loved this place - many of my fellow Badgers had come to camp several years on the trot and had journeyed from across the country to this little slice of paradise in Kent.

I was already enchanted.

The whimsical fun was then turned up a notch higher as we paraded as a group through the forest, serenaded on the way by musicians, to the opening ceremony at basecamp.

Camp WildfirePost-shelter building (Image: NQ)

American-style bleachers packed out with campers, cheering on performances by dancers and the South London Samba band.

Music sets by a Balkan folk music group - which my friend described as a "borderline spiritual experience" - and a Paramore-esque four-piece closed off the evening, and I had to remind myself that this was only night one.

On Saturday, I spent the day like Katniss Everdeen - climbing trees, building shelters and wielding a bow and arrow in archery battles - and on Sunday, I tried unusual new hobbies like terrazzo art and aerial silks.

My screen time was probably the lowest it has ever been, and I felt so much better for it.

Camp WildfireTree climbing (Image: NQ)

Each evening, we went back to our bell tents in the boutique camping area utterly knackered but with big grins.

The weekend was topped off by the Badgers winning the Wildfire Cup, something I cheered way too loudly about, and a performance by Boney M.

Camp Wildfire was a truly magical experience that I will never forget - and I can now understand why people visit year after year.

Camp WildfireGo Badgers! (Image: NQ)

Super-earlybird tickets for Camp Wildfire 2027, ranging from £269 to £619, will be released to the public on October 2 at 10am. For more information visit here.

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