ABSTRACT
This chapter explores how disadvantaged young people are affected by their experiences of respite holiday care. The chapter evaluates critically children's holidays provided by CHICKS (Country Holidays for Inner City Kids) for children and young people and this aims to produce happy memories, new opportunities and experiences within a 'safe' rural environment. For children and young people whose everyday lives are characterized by poverty, abuse or responsibilities beyond their years, respite holidays is an opportunity to experience joy and fun away from everyday adversity, with many potential benefits. The chapter illustrates how disadvantaged young people organize their thoughts and memories about their holiday experience and how 'happy memories' are created and sustained in the face of hardship. The chapter further argues that intergenerational relationships organized in DeLanda, a flat ontology of care produce memories through multiple emotional geographies. In so doing this chapter contributes new knowledges to geographies of care, love and engagement with rural/natural places.
