Down the track

A celebration of Camas, the Iona Community's outdoor activity centre on the Isle of Mull. With its emphasis on creativity, connection with nature, community and outdoor spirituality, Camas has enriched and inspired the lives of many young people and adults, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Reflecting themes of ecology, community, youth work, theology, history, outdoor education and social justice, Down the Track tells the story of every decade of the centre's history so far - from the time when George MacLeod took 'Borstal Boys' there in the 1940s, right through to its modern redevelopment and current programme.

This anthology includes inspirational poems, essays, quotes, interviews and other writing reflecting the ethos of Camas from former staff and volunteers, local people, Iona Community members and group leaders. Most significantly, woven throughout the book are comments from young people.

Rachel McCann is a former youth and social worker who has been involved in Camas on and off for over twenty years. She is a published poet and writer and her work has appeared in a number of books and magazines. She drew on the international, informal network of Camas friends whilst researching, collecting, writing and editing material over the last several years.

Give me some more of these silences.

The kind that are filled with the sounds of creation.

Like the constant ebb and flow of the sea,

or directionless noise of the wind and rain,

or the solitary cry of the oystercatcher, echoing against granite ...

From Camas Reflection by Neil Squires