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Adventure Programmes Ages 10-14

Camp Headington, Oxford

LEARNING INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

Where STEM meets Adventure. Camp Headington is an action-packed summer experience, combining hands-on STEM with outdoor adventure. Students investigate big questions, build and test their ideas, take on team challenges and head outdoors for experiences that turn science and engineering into something they can see, make and do.

Enquire & check availability Enrol Now
  • English Language Development
  • Greater Independence
  • Practical Hands-on Learning

At a glance

Fees from
£4,295 2-wk residential · Day Programme £2,995
Ages
10-14 Adventure Programmes tier
Start dates
28th June & 12th July Two-week sessions, 2027
Class size
15 Max Students per class
English level
A2+ Minimum English level to enrol
Academic hours
15 hrs Lessons per week
Location
Oxford Headington Prep

What’s included: tuition, accommodation (residential option), meals, excursions, social programme, student report, certificate and student insurance. Transfer service available for an additional fee.

Sample Timetable

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Courses

Outdoor Adventurer

Excursions

London Science Museum

Oxford Outdoor Adventure Day

Raftbuilding Challenge

Activities

Arts & Crafts

Badminton

Basketball

Camp Quest

Combat Archery

Cricket

Dance

Den Building

Disco

Dodgeball

Drama

Film Night

Football

House Night

Karaoke

Lego

Music

Rounders

Tag

Tennis

Treasure Hunt

Zorbing

What's included

20 Hours Tuition Per Week

Accommodation

All learning materials

Camp Finale

Certificate

Comprehensive Travel Insurance

Evening Activities

Excursions and Adventure Activities

Meals

Progress Report

Social Programme & Excursions

Discover Our Oxford Summer Camp

Camp Headington is a welcoming international community where students are encouraged to be curious, try new things and take on challenges together. From their first day, students join an expedition team, make new friends and become part of camp life. Across two action-packed weeks, they build confidence and independence through shared adventures, team challenges and memorable experiences in and beyond Oxford.

Learning at Camp Headington is hands-on, active and built around discovery. Each day starts with a big question before students investigate, experiment, build and test their ideas through practical STEM challenges. They might launch rockets, investigate extreme weather, explore forensic science, design racing machines or discover how nature can inspire new inventions. English is used naturally throughout these experiences as students solve problems, share ideas and work together.

Accommodation

Headington School

Facilities

Art Studio

Dining Hall

Laundry Service

Learning Spaces

Playing Fields

Shared Bathrooms

Sports Hall

Student Common Room

Theatre

Twin Rooms

Wifi

Is this programme for you?

Does this sound like you?

Students arrive with different interests and ambitions, but many recognise themselves in at least one of these.

  • You are curious about how the world works

    You like asking questions and finding answers for yourself, through practical challenges, teamwork and investigation.

  • You are ready for more independence

    You want to try new things and do more on your own, with friendly staff nearby to help when you need them.

  • You want an active summer

    You want science, adventure and new friendships from around the world this summer, rather than a quiet few weeks at home.

Sound familiar? This programme was built for you

Kateryna

A warm and welcoming environment for young learners

The staff are not only highly skilled but also incredibly kind and nurturing, creating a warm and welcoming environment for young learners.

Kateryna

Parent · Ukraine

How you'll learn

A day structured around Explore, Examine, Experiment and Summit

Every day is carefully structured to spark curiosity, build confidence and create lasting memories, opening with ‘Basecamp’ where the whole camp comes together to prepare for the adventure ahead.

  • Stage 1

    Explore

    Every morning begins with a big question linked to the day’s theme. Students investigate topics such as the environment, engineering, or meteorology through engaging lessons, discussion and practical activities that encourage curiosity from the very start.

  • Stage 2

    Examine

    Students dig deeper through enquiry and investigation. Working in groups, they analyse evidence, solve problems and develop ideas together, using English naturally as they discuss, question and collaborate.

  • Stage 3

    Experiment

    Learning moves beyond the classroom as students apply their knowledge through practical challenges, outdoor investigations and fieldwork. Whether collecting data, designing solutions or exploring Oxford, students experience science in action.

  • Stage 4

    Summit

    Every day ends by bringing learning together. Teams share discoveries, take part in challenges, demonstrate solutions and reflect on what they’ve achieved, celebrating the learning they’ve done that day.

Programme Overview

Sample Two-week Timetable

Discover what a typical two-week course looks like for our students, from morning sessions through to evening activities — plus a full overview of the programme. Please note our sample timetable is given as an example and can be subject to change.

  • How the academic programme is structured
  • Sample two-week timetable
  • Trips, activities and evening life
Download Sample Timetable

Immersive Learning Experience

Learning at Camp Headington starts with a challenge. Each themed day introduces a big question before students investigate ideas, experiment and put what they discover into action. From extreme weather and renewable energy to rockets, forensic science and engineering, hands-on STEM activities encourage students to be curious, solve problems and learn by doing.

English is used naturally throughout the experience as students investigate, build, test, discuss and work together. Rather than studying English as a separate subject, students develop their communication through practical challenges and shared adventures with an international group of students.

More than just fun

Beyond the Classroom

Learning continues long after lessons finish. From sport and creative activities to outdoor adventures and evening events, every activity gives students new opportunities to work as a team, try something different and build lasting friendships. It’s all part of the Outdoor Adventurer experience.

  • A New Challenge Every Day!

    No two days at Camp Headington are the same. Students might investigate a zombie outbreak, discover how nature inspires inventions, launch rockets, solve a forensic mystery or build and race their own machine. Each theme combines investigation, experimentation and practical challenges to make STEM active, creative and fun.

  • Students_Adventure_Sports_English-Plus-at-Headington-Summer-School

    Adventure Beyond the Classroom

    Camp Headington takes learning outdoors. Students take on experiences including raft building, bushcraft, climbing and high ropes, alongside excursions in Oxford and London. From working together on the water to exploring science beyond campus, adventure is part of the programme rather than an optional extra.

Camp Headington Excursions

 

Every Outdoor Adventurer day begins with a question — and the excursions are where students go looking for the answers. What they investigate in the classroom, they test in the real world: in London’s great museums, and out at an outdoor activity centre near Oxford where the challenge is physical as well as scientific. Ages 10–14, in supervised groups, with staff alongside them throughout.

 

 

  • London Science Museum

    A day inside one of London's most famous museums. Students explore space, engineering and medicine through hands-on galleries and real objects, connecting what they learn at SBC to the discoveries that shaped the modern world.

  • SBC-at-Oxford-College-summer-school

    Oxford Outdoor Adventure Day

    A day outdoors taking on high ropes and climbing. Students go at their own pace, supported by their group – designed to develop confidence that only comes from doing something new.

  • Bright happy girl enjoying summer water sports during a summer boarding course on a boat, wearing a helmet and life jacket.

    Raftbuilding Challenge

    Students work in teams to design and build a raft from the materials they're given. Planning, problem-solving and plenty of laughing — with a real result at the end.

Optional Extras

Level up your summer with our optional extras, available at an additional cost with limited spaces, so add them to your package when you book.

  • Outdoor Laser Adventure

    Step into a real-life outdoor game. Set in a large woodland site filled with vehicles, buildings and movie-style props, students work in teams to take on missions and outdoor laser gaming challenges. They’ll need to move quickly, plan with their team and adapt as each game unfolds. With no paint and no previous experience needed, it’s an action-packed half-day that brings the excitement of gaming into the outdoors.

    New Course
    • Ages:10-14
    • Price:£175

Accommodation

At Camp Headington, students live in purpose-built accommodation with single, twin and dorm rooms and shared bathroom facilities. Everyone has their own space to store their belongings.

Staff are available in the accommodation throughout the day and night to provide pastoral support. Each house hosts a communal area where students can play and relax together.

Headington Prep School

Camp Headington takes place at Headington Prep School in Headington, Oxford. The campus provides a welcoming base for camp life, with teaching spaces, sports and activity facilities and outdoor areas for students to learn, play and spend time together. Its Oxford location also gives students opportunities to explore the city and take part in experiences beyond the campus.

Dates and Fees

Two Options. One transformative fortnight.

Whether your child boards with us or returns home each evening, your fee covers everything in their programme. See what’s included with each option below.

Residential

From £4,295

  • per 2-week course · Boarding — full days plus evenings and weekends
  • Full board — all meals & accommodation included
  • Multi-activity programme
  • Evening activities & excursions
  • 24/7 pastoral care
Book now

Day Programme

From £2,995

per 2-week course · 09:00–20:30 daily · varies by campus

  • Same academic programme as residential
  • Lunch & evening meals included
  • Full activity programme and excursions
  • Return home in the evening
Enquire

2027 dates

Flexible lengths 2 or 4-week options available
Programme start dates 28th June and 12th July

Places are limited and allocated on a first-come basis. Check availability before you plan.

Check availability

Places can start to fill from spring — book early

Camp Headington FAQs

Students are supported by our pastoral team throughout their stay. Houseparents provide day-to-day care and are a familiar point of contact for students, supported by the wider Camp Headington management team. Staff receive safeguarding training appropriate to their roles, and trained first aiders are available on site. Families also have a dedicated point of contact before and during the programme if they have any questions or concerns.

We understand that families will want to stay in touch during the programme. Before the summer, we will share information about the best times and ways to contact your child, together with contact details for the Camp Headington team if you need further support.

Yes. Our transfer service varies across our different campus locations. Information on our transfer service can be found here.

Camp Headington is based at Headington Rye Prep School in Headington, Oxford. The campus provides a welcoming base for students, with learning, activity and outdoor spaces for camp life. Its location also gives students opportunities to explore Oxford and take part in experiences beyond the campus.

We know that sometimes parents/guardians will want to visit their child while they are at Camp Headington, so we ask that you arrange this via your dedicated Admissions Manager with at least 24 hours’ notice. Where possible we want to make sure that students don’t miss too much of their exciting Summer School day so your Admissions Manager will be able to advise you on the best time to visit.

Still can't find what you're looking for?

Browse our most popular courses and ignite a spark at the UK’s number one multi-campus summer school (ranked by EL Gazette 2018-2026).

We offer courses at a range of other campuses, including Headington, Eton and Earlscliffe, so book today for a location that suits you. We also offer a range of summer day programmes for you to choose from.

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Arrange a Free Consultation with Our Student Experience Team

We’re here to help you choose the ideal summer experience. Schedule a no-obligation call with a member of our friendly team to explore your options, ask questions, and receive expert guidance tailored to your child’s interests and goals.