WILD Patreon Gathering 2025

Join us for a long weekend outdoors with fellow members of our Patreon community — a chance to pause, connect, walk, laugh, sit by the fire, try new activities, and enjoy a slower rhythm together surrounded by nature.

This is a non-pressured, community-first event focused on shared meal time, meaningful moments, and remembering how good it feels to be outside.

Date: Friday 19 – Sunday 21 September 2025 • Mendip Hills, Somerset

Location: Our gathering will take place at Basecamp, a peaceful, family-run site hosted by the Mendip Activity Centre in the heart of the Mendip Hills, Somerset. Just five minutes from the M5 and a short drive from Bristol, it’s nestled in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, surrounded by ancient woodland, dramatic landscapes, and wide open skies.

✨ Itinerary

Here’s a rough outline of the weekend (to be finalised nearer the time):

Friday 19 Sept:

• Arrivals time 4pm (please do not arrive before this due to limited set up time for the crew!)

• Set up camp, settle in, welcome circle, shared dinner time

• Evening campfire and introductions

Saturday 20 Sept:

• 7:30-8:00: Optional morning stretching session

• 8:00: Self-catered Breakfast

• 9:15-11:30: Climbing session, led by on-site instructor (included!)

• 11:30-13:30: Chillin’ in camp (read, write, relax, hammock, kit swap etc) / Self-catered lunch

• 13:30-15:00: Forest bathing session, led by Abbie

• 15:00-17:00: Open space to rest, journal, nap, wander, kit swap or simply be

• 17:00: Talk by Abbie

• 18:00: Self-catered dinner and evening fire

• 22:00: Quiet hours begin on site

Sunday 21 Sept:

• 8:00-8:30: Optional morning stretching session

• 8:30: Self-catered Breakfast

• 10:00: Morning frisbee golf (included)

• 12:00: Self-catered lunch

• 13:00: Leather Craft Session with James Sutton (Patreon Member)

• 15:00: Closing circle and pack-down

Monday 22nd Sept:

For those travelling further, there is the option to stay on Sunday night for an extra £18. The event will formally be over, but we are able to use the site until 10am on Monday 22nd. To book an extra night's camping, be sure to select the correct ticket.

💛 What’s Included

• 2 nights of camping

• Toilets, showers, and indoor shelter

• Climbing session (with qualified instructors)

• Frisbee golf activity

• Forest bathing session led by Abbie

• Tea, coffee, and healthy snacks

• Shared firepits and firewood

• Welcome gift

• Kit-Swap Table 

• Time in a supportive, like-hearted group

• Abbie Barnes (they/them), the Founder of Spend More Time In The WILD (as your guide, organiser and fellow human)

🌿What’s Not Included

• Meals (this is a self-catered event)

• Travel to/from the site

• Optional kit hire

• Additional accommodation night (£18 - please select that ticket)

💷 The Cost

Tickets: £200 per person

This covers:

• All the costs of running the event

• A fair payment for all activity leaders

• Booking and platform fees

Any surplus will be reinvested in the weekend or future events.

If you’ve got questions or want to pay via bank transfer instead of PayPal to avoid fees, just let us know! We would be very grateful!

Want to come but can’t afford the full ticket? Abbie is aiming to have 1 or 2 of low-income spots available. Just drop them a message as soon as you can.

🎟️ How to Book

Click the button below to book your ticket. 

Deadline to book: 26th July 2025

After booking, you’ll receive:

• A confirmation email

• What to bring list via email

• Final event location and directions via email

💬 Final Note

This gathering is for all of us who want to Spend More Time In The WILD — without pressure to perform or be anything other than ourselves. If that sounds like you, we’d love to have you with us.

This weekend is open to all Patreon members — whether you've been part of the community for years or just joined recently. You don’t need to be outdoorsy, experienced, or outgoing — just open to connection, reflection, and time outside. All activities are optional, and you’re welcome exactly as you are.

Let’s gather, let’s Stay WILD!

🏕️ Got Questions?

See FAQ’s below or send Abbie a message on Patreon or email admin@spendmoretimeinthewild.co.uk

FAQ and Extra Information:

Food & Meals: since this is our first event, we want to keep things as simple as possible. Therefore this is a self-catered event. Please bring enough food to cover the span of the weekend, and maybe even a few shareable snacks if you are able. What this means is: snacks and evening meal for Friday, breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for Saturday, breakfast, lunch, snacks for Sunday. Extra dinner is staying Sunday night. 

We will have tea and coffee provided on site.

Nearby shops: should you need to stock up on anything on your way to site.

Sandford Stores, a small local store just a 1 mile walk from site

Co-op Food - Winscombe - Woodborough Road, 6 min drive, 2.5mile walk from site

Weston-Super-Mare is the nearest town with bigger and more affordable supermarkets - Aldi, Lidl, Morrisons etc - 15min drive from site

Sainsbury in Cheddar, 15min drive from site

Accommodation: we have full reign over Camp 2 where we can camp in tents or sleep in vans. If you do not have a tent but would like to stay in one, please get in touch as they can be hired. Additionally, there are bell tents on site that can be hired at an extra cost of £90 per tent per night.

What facilities are there on site?:

We will be staying on Camp 2 where we get:

• Camping & campervan pitches (included in ticket)

• Toilets, showers, and a sheltered indoor space

• Easy access to walks and our planned outdoor activities

• Nearby parking and road links

• There is a cafe at the Activity centre if needed

How to get to the Mendip Activity Centre:

Mendip Activity Centre Sandford BS25 5PQ 

By car: Located just 15 minutes from Junction 21 of the M5 and close to the A38, the centre is easily accessible by road. For precise navigation, you can use the What3Words location: winemaker.fully.pizzas

There is ample free parking available on-site. However, please note that due to narrow roads and low bridges, the site is not suitable for caravans, trailer tents, or motorhomes over 2.7 meters high.

By public transport: 

Train: The nearest train station is Yatton, approximately a 20-minute cycle via the off-road Strawberry Line or a 10-minute taxi ride to the centre.

Bus: Several bus routes serve the area:

• Falcon Bus: Connects Bristol, Bristol Airport, Exeter, and Plymouth, stopping on the A38, about a 20-minute walk from the centre.

• Local Buses: Routes 125, 126, 51S, and 62 stop near the "Ski Centre" bus stop, which is a 5-minute walk from the Mendip Activity Centre.

• On-Demand Service: The Westlink is an on-demand minibus service available in North Somerset. Journeys can be booked via their app, website, or by phone.

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It may be possible for people to connect and car share. Please use the Patreon Chat Group to plan this.

Kit list: A full kit list will be sent nearer the time. But think: camping, walking, being outdoors, food, flexible clothes for climbing.

Climbing: Abbie has chosen climbing and abseiling as this year's main group activity with the goal of providing space for everyone to come together and try something that might be new to them. If you are unsure whether you want to climb, you will still be able to take part by being the person on the ground who holds the rope for the person climbing (called belaying). Climbing and abseiling will take place in a quarry near camp and will be led by one-site instructors who have no affiliation to Spend More Time In The WILD.

Kit swap table: Please bring any kit that you no longer use and feel someone else might be able to benefit from. There will be a table in the main marquee where items can be placed. The goal of this is to reuse old kit and to support each other with kit and gear that might otherwise be hard to source.

Dogs: We love dogs and welcome friendly, well-behaved dogs. All dogs should be booked in advance and need to be kept on a lead and under control at all times. We have zero tolerance for anyone not clearing up after their dog and you will be asked to leave immediately if this is observed. Dog waste bags are available in the Pavilion. We do not allow dogs listed under the dangerous dogs act.

Poor weather: Our camp will have a big marquee where there will be tea and coffee making facilities, a cosy corner, tables and chairs. In the event of a rainy weekend, we will have ample space to shelter and socialise out of the weather. Please note that this is not a heated space! As we all know, weather can play a major role in our enjoyment of a day outside and in some cases can present a real danger. We always review the weather forecast in detail and will send you an email if we have to change any plans. This is however only likely if we feel heading out will put us at real risk. Please check the forecast for yourself and come prepared for whatever the weather!

Media: By signing up to this event you are giving us permission to take photos and video for promotional use across our website and social media pages. If you specifically do not want media taken with you in it, please do feel able to get in touch. We encourage you to take photos and video during the event and ask you to be sensitive to other members. Please tag us wherever you share content from this event so that we can share it too!

Accidents and Incidents:

Abbie and activity leaders are all qualified first aiders and will always carry an appropriate first aid kit. Should you be involved in an accident or become injured during the event it is important that you notify Abbie or leaders as soon as possible so that appropriate action can be taken. Should you feel unwell or require first aid please let them know. Please use the booking form and the paper disclaimer you will be given on the day as an opportunity to raise anything you feel the walk leader should know about. Abbie is also a qualified and insured mountain leader.

Due to the nature of being in an outdoor area there is often a level of risk. You will need to take responsibility for your own actions, health and involvement during the event and will be expected to exercise judgement based on your fitness levels as to whether you can complete tasks. If you have any queries please get in touch. You will also be expected to abide by any safety instructions and decisions made by us and have a duty to exercise judgement regarding your own personal safety and that of other members of the group. If you choose to ignore safety instructions we cannot be held responsible for the consequences.

Cars are left at the owner's own risk.

No Drug and Alcohol Policy:

Spend More Time In The WILD has been set up in order to inspire and motivate followers to head outside for the benefit of mental and physical health. We are committed to providing a safe, healthy and secure space for anyone walking out a journey of freedom from addiction and substance abuse and as such have a strict no drug or alcohol policy on our walks and camping events.

Cancellations:

By Us: In the rare case that we have to cancel an event, you will be notified by email and offered a full refund. We may cancel up to 12 hours ahead of an event due to personal injury or safety concerns re the weather and will notify you by email.

By You: We require 30 days cancellation notice prior to your scheduled arrival, otherwise we will charge you cancellation fee as below.

- 75% of your total amount will be charged if you notify us about your cancellation or any changes by 30 days to 7 days before your scheduled arrival.

- 100% of your total amount will be charged if you do not notify us about your cancellation or any changes within 7 days.

If you have any questions regarding the walk or booking, please get in touch via admin@spendmoretimeinthewild.co.uk. You will be supplied with a contact number for emergency use on the day of the walk in your booking package.