Adventure camps

Adventure camps: book an experience shaped to what you want. Checked providers in the finest parts of the country.

Difficulty

Easy – Moderate

Duration

1 day – 2 weeks

Location

Mountain country, woods, outdoor centres and dedicated camps

Season

Spring, summer, autumn and sometimes winter

What are adventure camps for children?

Adventure camps are teaching programmes built on outdoor activity, exploring and challenges pitched at the age group.

Children learn by doing, and come away braver, more self-reliant and better at working with others.

The activities are run and watched over by trained instructors or coordinators.

The emphasis is on discovery, movement and building personal skills.

Outdoor experiences

Adventure camps: experiences available

Book activities run by specialist organisers.

Camps can be built around different themes, depending on the activities and the aims.

Adventure camps: the kinds on offer

Mountain adventure camp

Walking, route-finding and getting to know the mountains.

Survival camp

Route-finding, building a shelter and living out of doors.

Sporting adventure camp

Physical activity, routes and fast-moving games.

Nature exploration camp

Finding out about the plants, the animals and the country around.

Team building camp

Working together and getting better at talking to each other.

Full-on adventure camp

Things like climbing, zip lines or obstacle courses.

The programme mixes set activities, exploring and supervised free time.

Adventure camps: how they work

01

Arriving and settling in

Children get to know the place, the staff and the rest of the group.

02

The first briefing

The rules and the basic technique for the activities are gone over.

03

The adventure activities

Participants take on routes, games and outdoor challenges.

04

Team challenges

Children work together to get through a shared task.

05

Looking back on it

Participants talk through what happened and what they learnt.

They suit children and teenagers who want to get out into the country, take part in something lively and build their confidence.

Adventure camps: who are they for?

Children

Children

Activities pitched at the age group, so they learn through play and exploring.

Teenagers

Teenagers

Fuller programmes that build responsibility and independence.

Beginners

Beginners

No previous outdoor experience is needed.

Active children

Active children

Right for those who like moving and being out of doors.

Nature lovers

Nature lovers

It gives them a chance to find the natural world hands-on.

Children who like working in a team

Children who like working in a team

It builds communication and working together.

The level of an adventure camp is set by the age of the participants and by how demanding the activities are.

Level of the experience

Adventure: finding your feet

Discovery

Easy activities — outdoor games, simple route-finding and exploring.

Fun Company

Adventure: active

Exploration

Walking, routes, team games and a fair amount of physical work.

Team Confidence

Adventure: a real challenge

Courage

Harder things — climbing, obstacle courses or living out of doors.

Independence Pushing your limits
What matters before you sign up for an adventure camp.

At a glance

How old the children are

The activities have to be picked for the age group.

Supervision

The programme is run by instructors and educators.

Where it happens

Wild country provides the setting for most of it.

Weather

The programme can be adjusted to the weather.

How long the camp runs

It can be a single day or a much longer stay.

State of health

It matters that any medical restrictions are made known.

What you need depends on what the camp actually does.

Gear

Outdoor clothes

Hard-wearing clothing for time spent out of doors.

Suitable footwear

Trainers or boots for mixed ground.

Rucksack

You need one for the outings and the day's activities.

Water bottle

Worth having for physical activity out of doors.

Rain cover

A cape or a waterproof jacket for changeable weather.

Personal things

Toiletries and whatever else the stay calls for.

Safety

Adventure activities for children need clear rules and someone watching at all times.

Someone watching at all times
A word before each activity
Kit that has been checked
Activities pitched right
Watching the weather
An emergency plan
Answers to the questions parents ask most about outdoor camps for children.

Adventure camps: frequently asked questions

Do you need outdoor experience?
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No. The activities are pitched at the people taking part.

What age are they for?
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It depends on the organiser, but there are programmes for children and for teenagers.

What activities can they include?
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Walking, route-finding, team games, climbing or exploring.

Do I have to buy special kit?
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It depends on the activities; some kit is provided by the organisers.

Are they safe for children?
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Yes, when they are properly run and watched over by trained staff.

What do children get out of it?
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They build independence, confidence and the ability to work with others.

What is the point of them?
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Learning by doing, exploring and being out of doors.