Q Camp
The Q Camp was an experimental community set up in Essex, England towards the end of the Second World War. It was envisioned as a self-governing community populated by disturbed or delinquent city children who were not suitable for inclusion in the evacuation programme due to their behavioural problems.
Origins
It was originally a camp set up for adults in 1936 but it had been closed when the war started. Arthur Barron took over as camp chief and espoused the view that children could learn discipline by taking on shared responsibilities, but should not be under any compulsion to take any non-voluntary action.
Shut down
The community was shut down for health and safety reasons after some suppliers and parents raised concerns about the welfare of the children, who had continued in their anti-social behaviour, setting fires and destroying property, whilst continuing to reject any of the responsibilities required for the running and maintenance of the camp.