Background

Bods is a Christian-based outdoor charity.

1987 – Bods was born in Bermondsey, South London, by its founder, Snowy Davoll. Originally called Bermondsey Open Door, Bods operated an adhoc community centre in the grounds of an old vicarage. Family camping trips and barbeques were held in the back garden, adventure playgrounds were built for young people, and a solid cross-generational community grew.

1998 – The running of Bods was taken over by Snowy’s son, David, who developed the adventure and camping side of the work into outward-bound trips for disadvantaged young people. Through this work, an opportunity came to camp in woodlands in South Herefordshire.

2001 – Following life changing trips to the Herefordshire woods by young people from south London, Bods set up a youth centre in Hereford city, to operate as a local base and to offer the same opportunities to local young people.

2003 – Bods’ now-established base in the woods was developed to include adventure activities and residential facilities, approved by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority. An Iron Age roundhouse was built for group accommodation, and heritage crafts were added to the programme, including Green Wood Turning, Blacksmithing and Wild Cooking.

2005 – The completion of two 30ft yurts, running water, showering facilities, composting toilet and wild kitchen complete the camping facilities in the woods.

2006 – Bods established a care farm, providing experience of animal care, horticulture and a whole series of land-based skills that a woods and a farm can provide.