In a world obsessed with technology Camp Wildfire provides a wonderful antidote, where people dare to communicate, learn new skills, have fun, get physical, oh yes and there's music too.

You would have to be living in a pretty isolated and cut off environment to of missed the 90's grunge throw back fling we've all been flirting with lately. From crop tops and platform creepers to chokers, middle partings and chunky silver jewellery. In more than one way we seem to revert back to the styles of our past, the 60’s 70’s 80’s or 90’s so what is it that actually keeps us going back? And what’s your first initial reaction? Would you roll your eyes and sigh? cross your arms mutter under your breath "come on we've been here before. Can’t we think of a new trend?"

But seriously eye rolling and scoffing aside, underneath all that... do you get just a teeny little flutter of guilty pleasure? Experiencing all that nostalgia? Do you get that warm feeling of happy memories long ago? Think of how you felt when you wore your favourite jeans, black Tee Shirt and beanie hat with possibly a slither of tartan? When you used to swear your life by Kirk and the rest of Nirvana, did anyone else paint their nails with tip ex? It’s about that connected feeling, experiencing how you felt in your heyday when everything was for the first time. Remember that freedom? The lack of adult responsibility? Without a care in the world.

When all you had to do in your free time was act a fool with your mates, slob about at sleepovers, Dominos or Chinese take away whilst smashing out the scream trilogy....Again!

Maybe a spot of sleeping bag slip and slide down the stairs if you were lucky. I mean who doesn’t want to feel like that again? Of course you do! This is the stuff that dreams are made of!

Camp Wildfire is here to say YES you can! You can do all these things and more! And it’s going to be even better this time round, no parents, no bed time, no rules, because this festival is all about adult care free fun (no children allowed) that's right, put yourself first and have a damn good time whilst doing it.

Maybe you used to watch some MTV favourites, like Camp Nowhere? Or Adam family values? Picture that, with a huge range of x80 activities, campfires, intimate live folk bands and funky DJs to dance about to of a night, and a big bunch of happy smiley people you’ve never met before but feel right at home.

Here’s what went down this year at Camp Wildfire 2016.

As we edged closer to Sevenoaks the heavens opened! As they say, when it rains...it pours and so it did, on the plus side, it was easier to put the pegs in.

On arriving at the gate we were greeted by two geeky scout leaders who welcomed us and asked us to pick a patrol for the weekend.

'Badgers', 'Squirrels', 'Hawks' or 'Foxes'. We decided that 'Foxes' was the patrol for us!

Throughout the weekend activities would be scheduled to run all day with Team Leaders rewarding whoever they felt was best at that particular activity with extra badges, the aim being to fight it out against other teams. The winner would get a special cup and lots of goodies.

We were encouraged to wear our badges with pride which we did, there was also a cupid pin badge… but I will come onto that later.

Not letting the downpour of rain deter us we quickly set up camp, a short walk from the woodland area and into the activity area. Here we got familiar with our surroundings; it was almost unimaginable that we were in fact one hour out of London with the picturesque forest landscape that surrounded us.

There were a few food stalls, a marquee tent where the main acts and DJs performed, plus lots of picnic tables to eat off which was handy. The set up was pretty simple but free from all offensive burger and chip vans you usually see crowding a festival site and garish branding from sponsors.

Through the clearing and around a few large bushes sat an open stage with logs to perch on and a campfire, a firm favourite when dusk was upon us later on. Camp Wildfire also sold reusable camp mugs instead of encouraging plastic waste which not only fitted with the summer camp vibe, but left you feeling a good human. Another great thing is that there was a digital ban on all mobile phones whilst at the festival encouraging festival goers to interact and engage with one another. We made a host of friends in and outside of activities.

So what was on the activity agenda? Well I’ve named a few below:

Firelighting, Swing Dancing, Yoga, Archery, Knife Throwing , Swords Play, Whip cracking, Circus Aerial, Axe Throwing, Air Rifles , Bushcraft , Survival, Bow, Primitive Firelighting | Face Painting , Radio Workshops , Rambling , Screen Printing, Self Defence, Ancient Swordsmanship Wood Carving, Acrylic Jewellery Smithing, First Aid Scenario SOS, Hula Hooping, Tightrope Walking, Primitive Hide Tanning , Extreme Water Slide, Guided Woodland Walks, Wild Choir, Rocket Building, Life Drawing, Pioneering, Catapult War, Photography , Weaving Astronomy , Bee Keeping , Drum Circle , Air Pistols , Raftbuilding , Assault Course, Hot Tubs Capture the Flag , Puzzles, Paddling BoardingFirelighting | Swing Dancing | Yoga | Archery | Escape Room | Knife Throwing | Swords Play | Whip cracking | Circus Aerial | Axe Throwing | Air Rifles | Bushcraft | Survival | Anthropology | Bow Making | Wild Game Preparation | Foraging | Primitive Firelighting | Face Painting | Radio Workshops | Rambling | Screen Printing* | Self Defence | Ancient Swordsmanship | Solar Astronomy | Tree ID | Sing-&-Play-along | Yoga | Meditation | Escape & Evasion | Watercolour Painting | Wild Popcorn & Marshmallows | Primitive Jewellery | Cooperative Crochet & Wood Whittling | Dinosaur Making | Natural Shelter Building | Patrol Competitions | Acrylic Painting | Nipple Tassel Making | Treasure Hunt | Naked Knitting | Naked Story Telling | Speed Dating | Wood Carving | Acrylic Jewellery Smithing* | First Aid Scenario SOS | Go Go Dancing | Headdress Making | Hula Hooping | Psychic Tea Party | Mask Craft | Juggling | Slack Lining | Tightrope Walking | Primitive Hide Tanning | Extreme Water Slide | Guided Woodland Walks | Naked Board Games & Bingo | Amazon Adventure Talk | Wild Choir | Rocket Building | Life Drawing | Pioneering | Catapult War | Photography | Massage | Weaving | Mindfulness | Sound Healing | Astronomy | Bee Keeping | Drum Circle | Air Pistols | Cross Bows | Raftbuilding | Assault Course | Hot Tubs** | High Wire Rope Course | Leap of Faith | Leather Craft* | Capture the Flag | Puzzles | Stand Up Paddling Boarding

Camp leaders were incredibly helpful and positive when making enquiries. Some staff members were absent for unknown reasons which meant certain activities had a shift about which was frustrating but not the end of the world. Camp Wildfire is just in its second year and there were a few ‘teething’ issues, overall the good most defiantly outweighed the bad and it can only be expected that the general standard will rise over the years as part of its organic development and growth.

There was a nice lengthy gap in between the last activity and party time which was well needed to have a rest before the raving began.

When the sun went down the glitter came out! Montrell from South London got us going on Friday night with their carefree happy go lucky vocals, something reminiscent of Simon and Garfunkel with some cheery added layers of drum beats and bass, real fee good stuff. The perfect backing to get lost to in our secluded setting of trees and wilderness.

Miamigo brought the tent alive with their infectious 80's inspired slick dark pop, you just couldn’t keep your feet still. The sounds are so engaging with vocals divine, had the audience clapping together and moving freely.

Then it was on with the DJs and raving till 1pm, but it was different to the usual. The Wildfire crowd were a special and uniquely open lot something that can only really come from an intimate and smaller crowd. There was an amazing positive vibe that carried out through the rest of the weekend. You felt at ease in a tent full of strangers, everyone was there for one reason and one reason only. To have an incredible experience, not just get smashed up stagger on back to tents after a headliner, but to vibe off each other, celebrate new found optimism from the day of activities with new friends from an action packed day all having a bloody good time.

Food stalls were open to the early hours and if you fancied a sit down. We were free to wander about the wilderness, we headed over to the outdoor stage area, here it seemed typical that a live band would be playing or some gentlemen showcasing short films of traveller’s on their journeys or Foxy Bingo where we guessed the animal of the song or artist, I won and collected my prize from the foxy leader complete with bushy tail, a water gun!

If all else fails and you’re looking for something a bit more there’s always the hot tub. Which also brings me onto the cupids badge. Something worth knowing if you’re looking for love this weekend or a shake about in your 2 man tent is that you can purchase a cupids badge for £1.00 Leaders set up various dating activities such as speed dating, or silent speed dating, which I was told involved ticking with feathers, and for the confident singletons naked board games is also available. Just be prepared to whip that badge off is an unsavoury character comes creeping your way!

Saturday we ripped off our sleeping bags eager to get stuck into as many activities as possible!

“GOOD MORNING CAMPERS” Radio Wildfire our 1920s moustache tweaking Disk Jockey roared.

And off we went for another adventure packed day!

The Lost Cavalry played their hauntingly romantic acoustic sounds as the sun went down which seemed to have the audience in a trance, with current national and global political affairs on the edge of everyones mind we must be united, not put down by anger and fear. TLC's set was both moving and empowering. The crowd was captivated. Right in that moment we all shared the equal shift inside of us, listening to their sad yet beautiful sounds. It truly was a moment in time. These moments are exactly what festivals are made of. Unity. Just the right vibe for campers exhausted form their weekend of adventures, a moment to reflect.

To celebrate our new found skills from the day and shake it up we boogied on down to more DJS and Electric Swing Circus throwing ourselves around to the this fresh genre of swing in our very best angel wings and war paint.

I learned three important facts this weekend.

I’m actually good at Hula Hooping.

Whip cracking is AWESOME (when you get the right angle otherwise it just hurts) and

I’m not the greatest fan of swing dance; I think I leave that to the professionals

Most importantly I remembered just how empowering it is to learn new things, speak to people I’ve never met before, dance like no one’s watching and leave my phone behind.

Camp Wildfire is just what we need in a world obsessed with internet, status, selfies and how others perceive you. I was way too busy trying not to injure myself whip cracking to have the time to stop and wonder if my hair was out of place or if anyone thought I looked stupid. Who gives a damn!

Thank you camp leaders for reviving my inner explorer and reminding me what a real adventure actually feels like. Camp Wildfire... I salute you. COME ON FOXES!!!

Review & Snaps by Catherine Ryan