When my then FWBs, now Facebook Official BF, invited me to Camp Wildfire last year, I was skeptical. The ticket price seemed steep (£350pp), and I had pretty low expectations, assuming the activities might be shoddy and the overall vibe a bit makeshift. But I will go to the opening of an envelope if I'm invited, so I said yes—and boy, was I in for a surprise!
From the moment I arrived, the excitement among festival goers was palpable, many already wearing their 'patrol' costumes or colours.
The car park was a well-oiled machine, and the campgrounds looked downright magical. The whimsical setup was both appealing and promising, immediately lifting my spirits.
Before you can claim your camp spot, you must be sorted into one of the ‘Patrols’—Foxes, Badgers, Hawks, or Squirrels. While you're here, your patrol becomes like your family. Your triumphs earn you points, and any rule-breaking costs you points*. At the end of the camp, the patrol with the most points is awarded the Patrol Cup.
*Only the losing of points is made up; the rest is true—it really is just like Hogwarts, but for Muggles who like to camp - the effort that some people go to with the Patrol Costumes is awesome.
The weekend was packed with a mix of activities ranging from blacksmithing and drone flying to macramé and Hapa Zome. Each activity was a blast, but macramé stood out as a personal favourite. There was something incredibly satisfying about crafting intricate knots and patterns while soaking in the vibrant atmosphere and nursing a hangover.
During the day, the camp buzzed with a fun, friendly vibe that felt like the most welcoming and inclusive place I’ve ever visited. The crowd was a fantastic mix of ages, sexes, and backgrounds. With plenty of LGBTQ+ individuals and allies, and a strong contingent of neurodiverse attendees, the sense of camaraderie was palpable. Eve, my new ADHD buddy, and I bonded about our unique brains while hunting dopamine from bar to bar.
Being part of a team working towards collecting “patrol points” might seem a bit naff, but it was also a lot of fun and added a layer of excitement—by 6pm on that Sunday night, it was the most important game of my life! Be warned - you will have to chant your Patrol's song!
🎵🎵"We built this city, we built this city on Fox Patrol..."🎵🎵
The evenings were a highlight in their own right. The music was top-notch, with great DJs keeping the dance floors alive each night. The entertainment exceeded my expectations, featuring not just fantastic music but also surprisingly inspiring talks. The costumes were outstanding, and disco dancing and partying were the perfect ways to end each day.
One of the best aspects of Camp Wildfire was the queer-friendly atmosphere. My boyfriend and I strolled hand-in-hand all weekend, and the positive vibes from fellow festivalgoers made us feel completely at ease. We were more than fully accepted—we were celebrated.
The food was another pleasant surprise—delicious and reasonably priced. However, the drinks were a different story. Paying nearly £25 for two vodka cokes was extortionate and certainly took the edge off an otherwise fantastic experience. But if you’ve been to any festival, you know there are ways and means to keep the bar tab down...
Unfortunately, not everything was perfect. While the facilities started off impressively—with proper flushing toilets and clean showers—things took a turn for the worse when the water supply ran out. On two separate occasions (and the weekend before, according to rumours!), the toilets became backed-up messes, and only one shower was functioning for the entire campsite. The organisers did their best to address the issue, but it was a definite low point.
Despite these hiccups, Camp Wildfire proved to be a solid five-star weekend. It was joyous, fun, and a perfect blend of silly and engaging. So much so that we booked our tickets to return next year on the same day we got home. It didn't hurt that my Patrol - The Foxes won the Patrol Cup this weekend!
If you're looking for a festival that combines adventure, community, and a bit of queer magic, Camp Wildfire is definitely worth a visit. All you need to do is decide which Patrol to join - we have a Fox and a Hawk in our house...
Camp Wildfire dates for 2025
Weekend 1 - 22nd Aug - 25th Aug
Weekend 2 - 29th Aug - 1st Sep
Wildfire offer 10 month interest free payment plans, a great way to spread the cost - and as 2025 is the 10th anniversary event it's bound to sell out - so book now!
Camp Kindling is the family friendly version of the festival and held on 15th Aug - 18th Aug