What are EcoWeeks?

EcoWeeks are residential holidays for children (aged 8-15) at the Centre for Alternative Technology in mid Wales, The Foundry Centre in the Peak District and The Venture Centre on the Isle of Man. Seven days of exploring ways to save the planet while having lots of fun playing games, singing songs, going for walks, listening to stories round the fire, exploring the area, making friends ... and making some remarkable chocolate cakes.

What happens at an EcoWeek?

Every EcoWeek is different - that's part of the fun! The activities are chosen to respond to everyone in the EcoWeek community (children and adults) - their interests, skills and enthusiasm help create a unique, unrepeatable experience.

Here are some of the things we've done recently:

• Walks in the hills

• Indoor games in the CAT theatre

• Swimming in Machynlleth

• Searching for the druid's gravestone in Corris village

• Paddling in the sea at Aberystwyth (brrrrrr)

• Making and testing wind turbines

• Exploring the woods - blindfolded

• Riverside barbeque

• Cake baking

• Having a train ride on the Corris Railway

What's on in 2023?

There will be four EcoWeeks in 2024, two at the CAT EcoCabins, one at The Foundry Centre and one at the Isle of Man. Each EcoWeek lasts seven days and we accept children for one or more weeks.

EcoWeeks cost just £400 (2024 price) per child, covering board and lodging and all activities. Escorted travel is available from Birmingham to CAT, from Sheffield and Manchester to The Foundry Centre and from Liverpool to the Isle of Man

How do we manage to charge so little? Mainly because we're all volunteers - nobody working for or at EcoWeeks is paid a penny. Apart from running the holidays, our only costs are staff training (a preparatory weekend for new volunteers every spring), insurance and some publicity in Clean Slate, the CAT supporter's magazine and in Aquila magazine for children.