Outings to country parks

Camp Mohawk
We returned to Camp Mohawk for one of our outings this summer. Camp Mohawk is a day centre for children and young people with special needs, set within five acres of countryside near Wargrave. It offers a safe, welcoming and inclusive space where children can play, socialise, learn and explore at their own pace.

For many families, the visit meant far more than simply getting out of the house. One family told Reading Family Aid that we were the only organisation able to meet their child’s specific needs and make the day possible. Another parent explained that noisy environments usually have a major impact on their child. At Camp Mohawk, the calm surroundings meant they could enjoy the day without needing ear defenders.

Families appreciated the freedom for children to move between activities. The secure layout meant they could choose where to go without parents or carers feeling pulled in different directions, making the day more relaxed and enjoyable for everyone.

Children explored sensory rooms filled with light, colour and texture, enjoyed soft play and climbing equipment, spent time outdoors and met the animals — each space offering a new way to engage.
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Some of the most meaningful moments were small but significant. One child felt confident enough to feed the animals for the first time because the area wasn’t crowded. Another managed to climb independently. These milestones show how an inclusive environment gives children room to try something new and experience the joy of succeeding.

“This was the first time our child had been able to take part in a trip like this. Reading Family Aid was the only organisation that could support their needs.”
​Feedback from a participating family

Thank you to Camp Mohawk for providing such a welcoming setting, to the family workers who supported families throughout the day, and to our generous supporters whose donations make outings like this possible.
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Beale Wildlife Park outing
On a perfectly warm day in August, thankfully outside the heatwave, we took families supported by three partner charities to Beale Park. Families spent time with the animals, paddled in the pool and enjoyed train rides around the park. 

Photo: Brian Robert Marshall / Miniature train, Beale Park, Lower Basildon