Hundreds of families enjoyed a fun-filled night under the stars in lockdown

Excited participants sang by a virtual campfire and toasted marshmallows as they were wowed by the NLBigCamp, organised by the council’s community learning and development (CLD) team.

Hundreds of families from across North Lanarkshire enjoyed a fun-filled night under the stars in lockdown.

Excited participants sang by a virtual campfire and toasted marshmallows as they were wowed by the NLBigCamp, organised by the council’s community learning and development (CLD) team.

During an action-packed evening of live entertainment, youth workers presented a series of fun and interactive activities through a Facebook event live page.

And it wasn’t a problem if people didn’t have a tent or garden space as some families imaginatively turned their indoors into a camping venue.

Actress, Jane McCarry, who plays Isa in the hit BBC comedy Still Game, took time to pop in and have a wee snoop at proceedings while leaving a message to welcome the happy campers.

The CLD youth work team understood that the lockdown is a difficult time for everyone and came up with the idea of a “Big Camp” as an opportunity to boost community spirit and help people feel connected.

Throughout the night, the NLBigCamp Facebook event page was populated with excellent photos and comments from families taking part.

Clare Burnett said: “Thank you so much. This has been the best quality family time that we have spent, not only through lockdown, but for the whole year – and all for the cost of some marshmallows and chocolate digestives.

“Please, please do it again.”

Campers were also discovered from further afield with Sarah Robertson joining in from Fife and adding: “You’ve done more for me and my family tonight than you will all know, so thank you!”

The evening’s schedule kicked off with a demonstration of how to put up a tent by Megan Ferguson, a youth worker from Airdrie, before her Cumbernauld counterpart Lindsay Weir taught families how to make S’mores, using just a few ingredients from their cupboards, and Eoghann Dickson taught a bit of Gaelic which everyone embraced.

The live quiz, run by Amy Reynolds with help from her daughter Lily, was packed with family-friendly questions and at half-time, youth worker Katy Donald did a shout-out to families on Facebook thanking everyone for taking part.

Kevin Gillick joined in from the Shetland youth work team to teach a selection of camping songs.

This was followed by live music performances by Rebekah Machray and Diane Monaghan from Moodiesburn Music Group.

And when it was time for lights out, Gillian McCairn sat beside a glowing campfire and read everyone the classic children’s book The Gruffalo for a good night bedtime story to send them off to sleep.

June Ford, assistant community partnership manager, said: “The Big Camp Out is just one of the ways CLD youth work is continuing to support young people and families during Covid-19.

“Youth work starts from where young people are and currently with everyone following guidance to stay at home, the team has embraced online platforms.

“The feedback from the event has been amazing and it is clear it helped people feel part of something special particularly at a time when some young people may be experiencing isolation and loneliness.

“It’s important we continue to provide opportunities to promote good mental health and wellbeing and enable our children and young people to be confident and reslient for the future.”

All of the live performances and
interactions from the night are still on Facebook; people can have a browse using the following link – https://m.facebook.com/events/s/nl-big-camp-out/1695868450553395/?ti=icl

The CLD youth work team are hoping to run similar activities in the near future.

They can be found on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook; just look for #NLCYouthWork for the most up to date information and events.