CAMAS OUTDOOR CENTRE: MULL
Camas – the outdoor centre with a difference.
Camas is the Iona Community’s outdoor activity centre on Mull. We have a strong focus on building community and connection; with each other and with our surroundings. Camas is home to a team of staff and volunteers who live down a 2km track welcoming guests to share a simple way of life. The centre is housed in 200-year-old cottages which nestle in a beautiful bay on the Ross of Mull. The shore, garden and woodland provide an incredible setting for personal challenge and community growth.
The Iona Community have been bringing young people to Camas since the 1940s. Originally bringing Borstal Boys from Glasgow to live alongside fishing folk, who moved into the buildings to fish the salmon through the summer. As the salmon stock dwindled, the young people took over and now the centre is for the sole use of the Camas community.
Groups come to Camas for a week at a time, Monday night to Saturday morning. These include youth groups from Scotland, the rest of the UK and further afield. We also have groups from universities, schools, churches and community projects. There are a few weeks open to individuals to come and experience Camas on either a facilitated week inspired by our surroundings, or for one of our working holiday weeks.
Each day at Camas follows a simple rhythm of communal meals, shared chores (otherwise known as GSDs – Get Stuff Done), reflections, outdoor and indoor activities, games, gardening and lots of cups of tea. After a busy day we gather in the common room by candlelight to play games, listen to music, drink hot chocolate, reflect on the day together as we wind down before bed.
Come and experience it for yourself
See our Open Week Programme or get in touch if you are interested in bringing a group or have any other questions.
You can read more about Camas in Down the Track, a Camas anthology published this year. A wonderful tribute compiled by Rachel McCann a former volunteer and Camas Co-ordinator.
“A celebration of Camas…This anthology includes inspirational poems, essays, quotes, interviews and other writing reflecting the ethos of Camas from former staff and volunteers, local people, Iona Community members and group leaders. Most significantly, woven throughout the book are comments from young people”
Down the Track
