EACH summer, Camp Wildfire transforms Kent’s Heritage Pine Forest into a wild weekend of costumes, cocktails and camping.
The adults-only festival pulls in crowds of campers from across UK, with many returning year after year for a dose of adventure and escapism.
Traditional American summer camps are built to give kids the summer of a lifetime.
They’re packed full of team games, outdoor activities and singing songs by the campfire.
Camp Wildfire does much of the same here in the UK – but it’s designed purely for adults.
The three-night festival kicks off with an epic opening ceremony and ends with a grand finale, with plenty adventure packed in-between – like a wild mix of Glastonbury Festival and a Famous Five adventure.
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When I first arrived at the festival, I was surprised by just how enthusiastic campers were.
Adults young and old were dressed head-to-toe in animal costumes, chanting and cheering for their patrol.
Patrols are teams, similar to school houses. Campers compete to win “patrol points” by completing activities.
Festival-goers can choose between foxes, hawks, badgers and squirrels – each with its own distinct identity.
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After choosing to join the cunning foxes, I gathered with my patrol to watch the opening ceremony.
An air display blazed above the treetops, kicking off a weekend of wild celebrations for Camp Wildfire’s 10th anniversary.
We then marched our way into the camp arena – and that’s when a weekend of chaotic celebrations truly began.
The opening ceremony unveiled a giant scoreboard which kept track of patrol points over the weekend, as well as introduced the patrol games.
Patrol games are a set of wacky challenges taking place each evening, ranging from animal impersonations to competitive limbo.
Activities on offer
Outside of the patrol games, festival-goers can enjoy a whole host of activities.
Campers design their own itinerary by building a schedule of free drop-in activities as well as others that cost credits.
There’s truly something for everyone – adrenaline junkies can choose to race dune buggies, ride quad bikes or try the flying trapeze.
Whilst more creative types can try their hand at Kintsugi pottery or metal jewellery making.
I chose to balance my weekend with a mix of action-packed thrills and chilled-out activities.
I started my Saturday with a 90-minute sound bath – a blissful mix of gong vibrations and real birdsong to ease into the day.
The relaxed vibes continued as I headed to the on-site spa for a relaxing wood-fired hot tub and sauna session.
There’s no chance of getting bored here, as I packed my afternoon with an arts and crafts session and even a pole class.
But the real highlight of my Saturday was a game of Traitors.
The activity was a murder-mystery style game, just like the hit TV show.
It was both hilarious and a brilliant way to break the ice and meet new people.
Sunday on the other hand started with quad biking through the countryside fields.
It was an exhilarating start to the day which came with some pretty spectacular views.
Still buzzing with energy, I tried my hand at axe-throwing, aerial hoop and cocktail mixology.
As a beginner, aerial hoop looked intimidating.
But with a group of enthusiastic newbies and a brilliant instructor, I ended up having a blast.
I found myself a new hobby, and even bagged a patrol point for the foxes!
Once I’d handed in my patrol point token, I headed to the cocktail mixology class to kick off the night.
After creating and enjoying a B-52 shot, a Pornstar Martini and Hugo Spritz – I can confirm that the cocktail-making class was well worth the 40 credits spent.
Standard tickets come with 120 credits, though you can drop to 60 for a cheaper option. Or you can go all out with unlimited activities on the ‘Dynamo’ ticket.
Popular activities like dune buggies and quad biking cost 45 credits each, while games like Traitors or dodgeball cost just 5.
Spa activities come at an additional cost when booking.
I’d recommend picking a few high-credit activities you really want to do, then filling the rest of your time with free or low-credit options.
Just make sure you book your sessions in as soon as the activities bookings open, as they fill up fast.
And if you run low on credits, there are plenty of great free drop-ins such as the climbing wall and air rifle shooting.
Evenings at Camp Wildfire are bursting with choice.
Whilst the Woodshed offers quizzes and open mic nights, the auditorium puts on fascinating astronomy talks and outrageously funny comedy shows.
I particularly enjoyed a night of “Cockney Bingo” at the Woodshed, an evening of unhinged entertainment that had the crowd chanting “oi oi saveloy” instead of “bingo!”
Meanwhile the Discotheque and Clubhouse music tents offer everything from alternative Indie anthems to DnB raves – running well into the early hours.
Alternatively, chilling by the campfire and making American-style s’mores is also a great way to meet people.
I found that everybody I met at the festival was friendly, open and keen to meet others.
There are even solo-camper events, making it super easy to make friends if you’re coming on your own.
Camping and food options
Whether you prefer a simple pop-up tent, bringing your van, or splashing out with glamping – Camp Wildfire has it all.
General camping is included in your ticket, complete with tent pitching spots, toilets, showers and a cooking area.
There are also options to upgrade to pre-pitched camping or electric live-in vehicle pitches.
I opted for Boutique Camping, which came with an impressive yurt, a glam tent, and its own snazzy toilets.
The luxurious yurts also come with duvets, pillows and fluffy towels, ensuring you’re all set for the weekend.
I camped in the Suite Bell Tent, which comes with electrical sockets, its own mini fridge and even a bottle of Prosecco.
Both boutique and general camping have their own campfire area to warm up before bed, as well as nearby vendors to buy food and drinks.
Food was reasonably priced and varied, offering everything from pizza and burgers, to katsu curries and loaded macaroni cheese.
There was even a brownie and bubble waffle tent open late for those with a sweet tooth.
Live-in vehicle pitches start at £95, pre pitched camping from £145 and boutique from £695.
Why campers keep coming back
The closing ceremony saw a tight race between the Hawks and the Foxes – but in the end, the Hawks lifted the trophy.
The cheers for each patrol and the buzzing atmosphere showed me just how strong the camp community spirit is.
During the festival, I met plenty of people who return year after year – some since the very beginning.
Campers stay loyal to their patrols, with some even handmaking costumes or bringing gifts to show their team spirit.
“I went last year on my own, and came back this year to reconnect with my new friends” said Donna, 54, who travelled from Bristol.
“You get to spend the days learning new skills and the evenings partying ’til the small hours. Suspend reality and embrace adventure for the weekend.”
Squirrel patrol leader Baz is an accountant in daily life, but each year he returns to Camp Wildfire to embrace the camp spirit.
“Being a squirrel patrol leader this summer has been one of the most joy-filled and amazing experiences I have had” said Baz.
“Watching people throw themselves wholeheartedly into the silliness, the challenges and the activities reminded me of how powerful it is when we allow ourselves to be present and playful”.
Camp Wildfire 2026 will take place from 28 – 31 August for Weekend 1, and on 4 – 7 September for Weekend 2.
Standard tickets to Camp Wildfire cost £349, which include general camping for three nights and 120 activity credits.
The cheapest ‘Elementary Ticket’ option costs £299, offering 60 activity credits.
Alternatively, the Dynamo ticket with unlimited activity credits costs £649. You can also split up the payments with a monthly plan.
A brand new Winter Wildfire has also been added for December 2026, taking place in Euston, London. A one day ticket costs £95 and two costs £180.
You can register now for the final release of 2026 tickets at www.campwildfire.co.uk.