The Earthlings Retreat

Aim

Camp nurturing curiosity and community with mindfulness, yoga art and hands-on science projects, tailored to each child’s unique need

Being a parent is one of the most rewarding, and challenging, journeys we’ve ever been on. Between sleepless nights, worries about our children's wellbeing, and wanting the best for their future, we’ve learned how important it is to feel supported and understood.

Our vision is to create a holistic camp blending mindfulness, yoga, and project-based learning- tailored to each child’s needs - to nurture their growth, curiosity, sense of community and understanding of self care. This approach is rooted in science; research shows that mindfulness helps regulate the nervous system helping children to build better relationships with each other,  exercise boosts brain development and hands-on learning deepens understanding and engagement. 

Hi! We’re Hannah and Tamara. We met through NCT when we had our first babies almost together, and then, by chance, our second babies arrived around the same time too! 

Hannah was a local primary school teacher and now works in Cambridge as a programme manager for Together We Learn. Tamara is a Children’s Yoga teacher, specialising in supporting kids with special educational needs (SEN), and works both 1:1 and in nurseries across North London.

Over the years, our shared passion for child development and wellbeing has brought us together: rooted in a deep commitment to helping children (and ourselves) feel calm, nourished, and ready to thrive. Now, we’re excited to share these tools, experiences, and joyful memories with all children, so they can use them throughout their childhood and beyond.

A Day at the Earthlings Retreat : Mindfulness, Movement, Creative Arts and Inspiring Global Citizenship

Our days start with yoga, a soothing sound bath and simple meditation techniques to help children arrive calm and focused, ready to learn and explore. The day will be full of mindful moments that children can take away for their emotional tool box. 

We then explore a meaningful project or theme - such as discovering local wildlife - approaching it holistically by understanding endangered species and the ripple effects on our planet’s ecosystems.

Science - Step into the World of a...

Children at our camp don’t just learn about the world, they step into it.

One day, they might step into the world of a microbiologist: examining water or soil samples under a microscope, discovering tiny ecosystems teeming with life, and learning how microbes impact our planet.

The next, they could explore like a scuba diver, observing aquatic life and understanding how ocean health connects to our daily lives, all through immersive, sensory-rich experiences.

Later in the week, they might enter the world of an entomologist, studying mosquito behaviour and designing habitats or natural deterrents, blending science with real-world problem solving.

Or perhaps they’ll step into the world of a musician, exploring rhythm and sound, making their own instruments and learning how music expresses culture and emotion.

Each experience is hands-on, sensory-based, and designed to spark curiosity. Through these explorations, children develop critical thinking, creativity, and empathy, all while having fun and feeling empowered to engage with the world around them.

Using sensory materials like soil, leaves, and natural fibres, children explore how ecosystems function and brainstorm ways to engineer solutions that help protect the environment, this may even include writing a letter to the Prime Minister about our findings. 

These activities encourage both individual creativity and teamwork, inspiring a sense of responsibility and connection to the world while making learning feel exciting and relevant.

Wellbeing Through Culture, Art, and Self-Care

Throughout the day, yoga and movement practices support emotional regulation and physical wellbeing. We also explore wellbeing traditions from different cultures, such as Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing pottery with gold and understanding our imperfections and mistakes are valuable, or Hygge, the Danish approach to cozy, mindful togetherness. Hygge activities might include cooking simple, wholesome meals together, sharing stories by candlelight and creating cozy spaces for connection.

Creative arts and self-care are woven into the experience. Children paint, sculpt, and craft to express their ideas and emotions, while also enjoying nurturing activities like making bath bombs, facials, and other natural wellness treatments. These encourage mindfulness and a deeper connection with themselves and the world around them.

Our camp is a space where children grow curious, empowered, and inspired to make a positive difference in the world through science, creativity, and community.

How will this money bring The Earthlings Retreat to life? 

• Materials and supplies for mindfulness and project-based activities
• Fees for specialist trainers and guest educators
• Mindfulness tools and resources to support children’s emotional regulation
• Safe, welcoming outdoor spaces for exercise and exploration
• Staff training to ensure every child’s needs are met
• Marketing and communications

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made