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Transforming Young Lives: Snow Camp’s Impact in 2023/2024

At Snow Camp, our mission is to turn young lives around through the transformative power of snowsports. By combining snowsports training, life skills workshops, and mental wellbeing support, we provide young people with experiences they may never have imagined possible. This year, our efforts reached hundreds of young people from some of the UK’s most underserved communities.

The 2023/24 Impact Report captures the extraordinary stories, achievements, and transformations we’ve witnessed. Below, we’re sharing some of the highlights – but for the full picture, be sure to download the full Snow Camp 2023/34 Impact Report here.

Key Achievements: A Year of Growth and Inspiration

This year has been defined by incredible milestones and life-changing outcomes:

  • 860 young people participated in Snow Camp programmes.
  • 990 qualifications were achieved, equipping participants with life skills and professional credentials.
  • 100% of attendees reported feeling happier after joining Snow Camp.

The Snow Camp journey is built around a structured three-stage programme:

  1. First Tracks: A two-day introduction to snowsports, attended by 780 young people, sparking confidence and joy in new environments. Learn more about First Tracks.
  2. Graduate Programme: A five-day programme where 177 young people built on their skills through snowsports and life-skills workshops focused on resilience, mental well-being, and goal-setting. Explore the Graduate Programme.
  3. Excel Programme: The final step for 78 young people, which included earning BASI Foundation Instructor Certificates, First Aid, and Mental Health qualifications. For many, this also included their first trip to the mountains in Andorra. Read about the Excel Programme.

To discover the full details of our programmes and the impact they create, visit our programmes overview page.

Reaching Communities in Need

Snow Camp focuses on providing opportunities to those who face the greatest challenges:

  • 64% of participants came from the UK’s 30% most deprived areas, with 21% from the most deprived category.
  • 18% of attendees had disabilities, showing our commitment to inclusivity.
  • 1 in 5 young participants were carers, balancing heavy responsibilities at home.
  • 53% were female, a historic milestone where young women outnumbered young men in participation.

Understanding that many participants live in food-insecure households (55% qualify for free school meals), we ensured that lunches were provided across all programme days. This holistic approach ensures that barriers to participation are removed wherever possible.

Supporting Mental Wellbeing and Resilience

At Snow Camp, we understand that mental health is just as important as physical health, especially for the young people we support. Many of our participants face significant challenges, including caring responsibilities, economic hardship, or personal trauma. Incorporating mental health support into our programmes ensures that these young people not only learn new skills but also develop the emotional resilience they need to thrive. By addressing mental well-being alongside snowsports training, we create a holistic approach that builds confidence and lasting strength.

Snow Camp is not just about skiing or snowboarding – it’s about building mental strength and emotional resilience:

  • 841 young people accessed mental health support through 1:1 counselling, group mindfulness sessions, and workshops.
  • 95% of participants reported gaining new coping strategies to help with daily challenges.

Our Wellbeing Managers have been at the heart of these initiatives, ensuring that every young person feels supported. For some, this support has been life-changing.

Take Robyn, a young carer who found refuge and growth through our programmes. Robyn faced significant personal loss but found the courage to move forward, supported by the Snow Camp community. She credits her journey with helping her find confidence, resilience, and joy.

The Snow Camp Impact Report contains Robyn’s full story, which demonstrates how vital mental health support is to our mission.

Empowering Futures: Qualifications and Opportunities

Snow Camp provides pathways to qualifications and career opportunities. This year alone:

  • 177 young people earned ASDAN Certificates in Sport and Fitness.
  • 78 participants achieved First Aid and Safeguarding Certificates.
  • 51 young people received BASI Foundation Instructor Certificates.

Additionally, apprentices earned professional credentials, including NVQs in Sports Coaching and BASI Level 1 qualifications. These achievements open doors to new careers and experiences.

Learn more about the Snow Camp and BASI partnership and how the BASI qualifications inspire young people to build brighter futures.

Industry Work Placements: Bridging the Gap to Careers

At Snow Camp, we’re passionate about not only teaching snow sports but also creating pathways to meaningful careers. A vital part of this mission is connecting young people with real-world opportunities in the snow sports industry. This year, 25 industry work placements took place, allowing participants to gain hands-on experience and valuable insights into the professional world.

These placements, made possible through our incredible network of industry partners, provide young people with more than just skills. They build confidence, expand networks, and often open the door to future employment. Whether it’s working in ski resorts, snow domes, or ski shops, clothing companies and more, these experiences are transformative for young people who may never have had such opportunities otherwise.

One of the highlights of this programme is seeing participants flourish as they step into professional environments, applying the life skills and qualifications they’ve gained through our programmes. For many, it’s the first time they’ve envisioned themselves thriving in a professional setting – and these placements make it possible.

We couldn’t do this without the support of our valued partners. Their commitment to nurturing young talent helps us turn dreams into achievable realities. Learn more about our industry partners here.

Join Us in Making a Difference

Are you part of the snow sports industry or another sector that could offer placements to our young people? By providing opportunities for hands-on experience, you can help create life-changing moments for those who need them most.

Get in touch with us to explore how your business can make an impact. Together, we can continue building pathways to success and showing young people that the sky – or the slopes – is the limit. Contact us to learn more about partnerships.

Inspirational Stories That Drive Change

At Snow Camp, our work is defined by the incredible stories of our participants.

Take Leggy. Leggy’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of Snow Camp. Initially shy and hesitant, he joined Snow Camp Midlands in 2022, stepping outside his comfort zone for the first time. Through determination and hard work, Leggy progressed to become a BASI Level 1 and Adaptive Instructor, specialising in working with snowboarders with disabilities. 

Today, he is employed at SnowDome Tamworth, where he inspires the next generation of snowboarders. His story exemplifies how perseverance, support, and community can create lasting change.

Expanding to New Horizons

Looking ahead, Snow Camp is thrilled to announce the launch of Snow Camp North East at SnoZone Castleford, Europe’s largest indoor snow centre. This expansion will serve areas like Leeds, Bradford, and Sheffield, where deprivation levels are high, and opportunities for young people are limited.

Our vision is to reach hundreds more young people by 2025, creating new stories of hope and transformation. 

How You Can Help Snow Camp Change Lives

Snow Camp’s mission to transform young lives through snow sports is only possible with your support. Together, we can create brighter futures, empower young people, and open the door to life-changing opportunities. Here’s how you can make a difference:

Download the 2023/24 Impact Report

Dive deeper into the incredible achievements and stories from this past year. Our Impact Report is filled with data, success stories, and insights that showcase the power of snow sports to change lives. Download it here and see the impact you’ve helped us create.

Donate to Support Our Work

Every donation helps us reach more young people, providing them with access to our unique programmes, mental health support, and career pathways. Your generosity ensures we can continue breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for those who need it most. Donate today and help us inspire the next generation.

Partner with Snow Camp

Are you a business or organisation looking to make a lasting impact? By partnering with Snow Camp, you can help provide life-changing opportunities for young people while aligning with a cause that resonates with communities nationwide. Email Dan Keeley, our events and partnership manager, today to learn more about becoming a partner and join us in making a difference. 

Thank you for your continued support. Together, we’re creating a future where every young person has the opportunity to thrive through the transformative power of snow sports.