2026 Carp Camp Retreats | Underdog Crew

Underdog Crew Studios, the grassroots creative charity transforming the lives of neurodivergent and marginalised young people, has just been honoured with the ‘BBC Make A Difference Awards’ in the Community Champion category (footage here) – alongside being selected as a Colchester Mayor’s official charity for 2025/26. With national recognition and growing support, Underdog Crew is now launching its most ambitious and meaningful initiative yet: a nature-based empowerment retreat that combines wellbeing, social reconnection, and fishing therapy — all offline.

#UCScarpcamp - Life Unplugged

Nature, Mentorship, and Mental Health Empowerment for SEN Teens

Between this autumn and next spring, selected groups of sixteen SEN (Special Educational Needs) teenagers will be given the chance to reset, reconnect and rebuild confidence during the #UCScarpcamp - a fully-catered, two-night residential escape at the stunning... VENUE TBC.

This isn’t just a weekend away. It’s a carefully curated experience combining:

Nature immersion – Supporting emotional regulation and grounding through green space and fresh air

Digital detox – Replacing screens with real-life conversations, quiet time, and sensory calm

Empowerment workshops – Motivational speakers with lived experience lead confidence-building talks and group reflections

Certified angling tutors – Friendly, DBS-checked professionals guide participants of all experience levels

Special guests – With the excitement of celebrity angler appearances at each event

Team-building & creativity – Including group challenges, journaling, fireside storytelling

Fishing competition – All participants can enter; the biggest carp wins the title

“We’ve seen teens who couldn’t make eye contact on Friday leave on Sunday with new friends, laughter, and memories that change the course of their lives,” says Dom Morgan - Underdog Crew spokesperson.

UNDER 14'S MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY PARENT/CARER.

£50 PER ADULT, NON ANGLER, TO COVER CATERING.

£150 PER CHILD

Why The Underdog Crew?

UCS founders Dom and Laura are lifelong anglers, having fished most UK venues and both catching their elusive UK 30lb’er. They have been running successful carp fishing camps for several years: currently sponsored by Angling Trust, Angling Times and Angling Direct. They work with Dr Mark Wheeler of iCARP and several other prominent teen mental health figures to ensure their mentorship and emotional support reaches the highest level.

Dom and Laura will soon be lobbying parliament to ensure that secondary schools recognise and facilitate at risk and marginalised pupils to take a weekly classroom break to spend on the bank of a lake – a bold initiative that several Colchester secondary schools have subscribe to this year and, most importantly, seen the positive results for themselves.

Why This Matters!

"SEN Teens Are Being Left Behind."

Recent national data highlights the mental health crisis facing neurodivergent young people:

83% of SEN teens report chronic anxiety in social settings
Over 50% spend more than 8 hours per day on screens
Isolation, exclusion and bullying remain widespread for teens with additional needs

This retreat flips the script. Participants experience a reset: removed from daily pressures and placed in a peaceful, accepting, and structured environment designed to help them thrive.

Support a Young Life:

16 Sponsorship Opportunities Available

To ensure no teen is excluded due to cost, organisers are seeking 16 local businesses, community groups, or individuals per quarterly camp to sponsor one young participant each.

A (minimum) £150 sponsorship provides ONE YOUNG ADULT: