The name derives from a rest house created in Belgium in 1916 for battered soldiers. Some of these soldiers recreated the camp for poor boys in England in 1924 and it has operated every year since then except for 1940-1948 when the Home Guard commandeered (and ruined) all the tents(!), and in 2020 (Covid) when DTHCC instead delivered care packages to the children via Social Services. DTHCC runs the free camp annually under canvas, girls being allowed since 1989. DTHCC today gives 130-160 disadvantaged children (9-14 year olds) a free 10-day holiday which they would otherwise almost certainly never have. There are no paid staff, the camp being run entirely by trustees and about 50 volunteers, including some who were attendees as children. A wide range of activities is made available for the children including canoeing, cycling, swimming, raft-building, climbing, archery, as well as a huge variety of sports and crafts, and cooking. There is also a visit to Alton Towers, outdoor movie nights, treasure hunts, 'talent' nights, and camp fire pastimes. The children come from Derby and surrounding areas and are nominated by local schools and Social Care as those most in need. Their backgrounds include abuse, domestic violence, disabled parents, unemployed parents, and single parent homes. A number are also the main carer for a parent and/or younger siblings. It is often the child's first experience away from home and some arrive without toothbrushes, coats or footwear (other than Wellingtons) and sometimes without a change of clothes. Many show genuine amazement at the enjoyable life in the camp. Although the camp staff are all volunteers they are not amateurs – they are all well trained in behaviour management, counselling, child protection, anti-bullying techniques, and first aid. The staff plan and organise as many different types of activity as possible to keep the children fully entertained and challenged throughout each day and well into each evening. Their main object is to provide the children with 10 days of fun and memories to last a lifetime. Many children stay in regular touch afterwards and DTHCC are convinced this helps them to break their cycle of poverty. The BWCF has been very pleased to support DTHCC since 2006 with various multi-year grants.