Christmas is all about children, families and spending special time together creating memories.

With a global pandemic impacting on international travel, Christmas 2020 presented many guardianship organisations with new challenges as we all strived to do the very best for our students.

The goal for Pippa’s Guardians was to provide the best Christmas experience possible for the children who were unable to return home to their families. We were lucky to have the support of our wonderful local host families, but we felt that something extra special was also needed.

 

The Pippa’s Guardians Christmas Camp was the brainchild of Ben and Louise Hughes who wanted to provide the perfect British ‘family’ Christmas for International students. Their aim was to give students a memorable experience in a Covid-19 safe environment that allowed them the freedom to enjoy a blend of relaxation, study and fun activities. Providing an opportunity to make new friendships and create those special memories was always a high priority.

The beautiful setting of Westonbirt School in Gloucestershire and access to their extensive grounds and facilities, enabled Louise and her dedicated team of Pippa’s staff to deliver an incredible holiday.

Mornings of private study were followed by afternoons offering a huge variety of indoor and outdoor activities, and new experiences. Daily evening entertainment filled the air with laughter and no two days were ever the same. Christmas Day celebrations with the whole Hughes family highlighted how the team had gone above and beyond to deliver the camp to the highest standards. The sparkling fireworks party on New Year’s Eve welcomed 2021 in style.

 

 

 

Keeping the students safe during the Covid-19 pandemic was of the utmost importance. The compulsory pre-camp testing for all students and staff created a safe ‘bubble’ and the rigorous measures that were implemented by the staff for the duration of the camp meant that the children were all free to socialise and enjoy themselves.

The final goodbyes at the end of the camp were emotional. Stories of new friendships made and the glowing feedback received from students and their parents was truly heart-warming. The Hughes family had certainly created special memories for the children who had been in their care.

Our camp represented everything that Pippa’s strives to be as a family guardianship business who embraces every challenge we are faced with. We went above and beyond to keep the children safe and happy. The exceptional efforts of the Pippa’s staff reflect the high quality, personal service that we will continue to deliver in 2021 and beyond.

 

 

Activities and New Experiences

The unique camp programme was fun filled, hugely varied and exciting with something for everyone of all ages. We created the perfect balance of structured time to study for important exams or simply to enjoy a good book in beautiful surroundings.

We are immensely proud of what we were able to deliver and how the spirit of ‘having a go’ was evident throughout the camp. Everyone experienced the magic of a traditional British Christmas and a sparkling New Year with fireworks. We even had snow!

Activities included

 

  • Daily Private Study Sessions
  • Sports – Basketball, Netball, Badminton, Fitness Gym, Swimming, Tennis, Pilates, Thai Chi,
  • Rugby, Indoor Cricket
  • Crafts – Tie dye creations, Art, Jewellery making, Kite making, Christmas stocking and decorations making
  • Bubble Football
  • Laser Clay Shooting
  • Bushcraft and camp fires
  • Nature walks, Treasure hunt, Scavenger Hunt
  • Photography and competition
  • Musical Theatre, Music, Carol Singing, Tik Tok Dance
  • Board games, party games, Team challenges Table Football, Table Tennis
  • Movie nights with popcorn, Bingo nights, Quiz nights, Karaoke Disco nights
  • Making Friends!

 

 

 

Testimonials

From a student

 

Dear Louise, Thank you so much for everything this holiday, from organising the camp to helping me around the arrangements of my lessons. This camp has been the light at the end of a dark tunnel for me during Christmas! I thoroughly enjoyed this camp and I hope that it’s been a merry Christmas for you too! I hope this camp has not interfered with any of your plans with your family and you found the Christmas and New Year celebrations just as fulfilling as a traditional Christmas! I want to thank you again for everything during these past few weeks and hope to see you and your family again soon!Thank you and a late Happy New Year.

Best wishes,

A

From parents

 

Thank you so much Ben and Louise for organizing the camp. Good choice of location, good activity arrangements. More importantly the friendship that will last. A big Thank You.

Thanks Pippa, the camp is safe and full of activities. Thanks to Louise, Eden and all the other teachers for your efforts to make kids have a nice holiday.

Thank you so much for arranging the winter camp for the international students who are unable to come to home. You make them feel like home. They are really enjoying the activities, the food and the view of the school. Teachers and related staffs devote themselves and accompany students to have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Wish you all now could find some time to relax with your family as well. Thank you again

Thank you very much for organizing the winter camp, which made the children have a safe, happy and meaningful holiday

Thank you very much pipas guardianship company for taking care of the children during this special period. You have lost the opportunity to be with your family.

Kids really had good time in Christmas camp and we did enjoy to see the pictures of the both nice place and activities in every single days. It is a beautiful memory for the young students and parents in such special time. Kind hearted and Great job, thank you very much.@louise Hughes @Ben Hughes

 

Thank you to everyone who made the camp possible and a fond farewell to new friends