You want to understand how things work, explore the world around you and discover possible answers for yourself.
Adventure Programmes
AGES 10–14
Outdoor Adventurer
Spend two weeks developing your English through science, adventure and the natural world. Explore big questions, take on practical challenges and work with students from around the world at Camp Headington in Oxford.
- No.1 UK multi-campus summer school
- 155 nationalities (since 2008)
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.
Is this right for your child?
Explore, investigate and develop your English
Outdoor Adventurer is a two-week English-language programme for students aged 10–14 who enjoy asking questions, solving problems and learning through experience. Students explore accessible themes from science, engineering and the natural world while developing their speaking, listening, reading and vocabulary through enquiry, teamwork and practical challenges.
Each day follows a shared learning journey: students Explore a question, Examine ideas and evidence, Experiment through activities and fieldwork, then reach the Summit by sharing what they have discovered. English is used throughout, giving students meaningful reasons to communicate while they investigate, collaborate and solve problems.
- Develop English through science, engineering and the natural world
- Learn through enquiry, outdoor exploration and practical challenges
- Build confidence, teamwork and independence in a supportive camp community
How you’ll learn
Explore. Examine. Experiment. Summit.
Every Outdoor Adventurer day follows the same learning journey. Students begin with a question, investigate ideas through English, apply their thinking through practical activities and bring the day together by sharing what they have discovered.
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Stage 01
Explore
Every day begins with a big question connected with science, engineering or the natural world. Students encounter new ideas and useful vocabulary before discussing what they already know and what they want to discover.
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Stage 02
Examine
Students investigate the day’s question more closely through information, discussion, evidence and collaborative problem-solving. They practise asking questions, comparing possibilities and explaining their thinking in English.
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Stage 03
Experiment
Students put ideas into practice through accessible challenges, outdoor investigations and fieldwork. Activities may involve making observations, collecting information, testing possibilities or developing simple solutions together.
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Stage 04
Summit
The academic day finishes by bringing the learning together. Students share discoveries, demonstrate ideas, respond to challenges and reflect on what they have achieved while practising how to communicate their thinking clearly.
The Camp Headington experience
Safe. Brave. Curious.
Each morning begins at Basecamp, where the whole camp comes together before the day’s adventure begins. The Camp Headington values — Safe, Brave and Curious — encourage students to look after themselves and others, try new experiences and keep asking questions.
Across the fortnight, students are encouraged to contribute ideas, work with new people and become more independent within a structured and supportive environment. The same spirit runs through lessons, activities, excursions and residential life.
- A shared camp identity built around Safe, Brave and Curious
- Daily opportunities to communicate, collaborate and try something new
Is this programme for you?
Does this sound like you?
Outdoor Adventurers arrive with different interests, but many recognise themselves in at least one of these.
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You love asking questions.
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You enjoy learning by doing.
You like practical challenges, outdoor activities, teamwork and solving problems rather than simply sitting and listening.
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You want to become more confident in English.
You want to use English for real purposes while sharing ideas, working with teammates and making friends from different countries.
Sound familiar? Outdoor Adventurer could be for you
Outcomes
What your child leaves with
Outdoor Adventurer combines English-language development with enquiry, adventure and collaborative learning, helping students grow in confidence while exploring science and the natural world.
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Certificate of Attendance
A personalised SBC certificate recognising participation in the two-week Camp Headington programme.
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Greater English Confidence
Regular practice speaking, listening, reading and using new vocabulary through meaningful projects, challenges and teamwork.
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Curiosity & Problem-Solving
Experience asking questions, examining information, testing ideas and working with others to find possible solutions.
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Independence & Teamwork
Opportunities to try new experiences, contribute to a group and become more independent within a supportive international community.
Independently recognised
The UK's leading multi-campus summer school — inspected, ranked and reviewed to prove it.
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No.1
Ranked the UK’s number 1 multi-campus summer school provider
EL Gazette
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15 / 15
Areas of strength, including student welfare and safeguarding (2018 Inspection)
British Council
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Excellent
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot by families
SBC STAFF
Meet some of the SBC team
SBC staff support students throughout their summer — in lessons, activities and daily life. They help students settle in, grow in confidence and make the most of their time with us, in a safe and friendly environment.
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Natalia Mavromoustaki
MA Careers Guidance, BSc Psychology
As a tutor, Natalia teaches through discussion, activities and real examples. "It's rewarding to see someone grow in confidence or find a real passion. Summer schools let students learn outside the classroom, build confidence and meet new people."
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Cas Slater
Office Coordinator
As Office Coordinator, Cas handles arrivals, departures, excursions and daily site running. "Watching students go from shy and overwhelmed to leading group presentations is inspiring. They get to know themselves, make friends for life and really come out of their shells."
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Olivia Clark
Theatre & Performance · University of Warwick
As Activity Leader, Olivia runs the daily sports, arts and evening activities. She studies Theatre and Performance at Warwick. "Knowing I played a part in watching students have fun, learn and try new things is very rewarding. You will make friends from all over the world."
Beyond the classroom
Adventure becomes part of the learning
Learning continues beyond formal lessons through outdoor activities, excursions, sport, creative challenges and camp life. These experiences give students fresh opportunities to communicate in English, work with others and explore new environments.
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Outdoor exploration
Take learning outside
Outdoor investigations and practical challenges give students opportunities to observe their surroundings, apply ideas and work collaboratively beyond the classroom.
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Oxford
Explore a new environment
Excursions and fieldwork can provide new questions, observations and experiences that students bring back into discussion and project work.
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Camp life
Learn through the whole experience
Sport, creative activities and evening events provide further opportunities to use English, work as a team and build friendships.
A day in the life
Studious mornings, unforgettable afternoons
Every day follows the same adventure: Explore, Examine, Experiment, Summit. Here’s how a typical Outdoor Adventurer day at Camp Headington runs — from the morning’s big question to House Time.
Roll over a moment in the timetable to see it — and what it’s really like.
Evening activities
- Arts & Crafts
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Board Games & Puzzles
- Circuit Training
- Creative Writing
- Cricket
- Film Festival
- Football
- Karaoke
- Murder Mystery
- Museums
- Photo Challenge
- Picnic in the Park
- Punting
- Rounders
- Silent Disco
- Taskmaster
- Trashion Show
- Volleyball
- Yoga
Excursions
A sample of what recent groups have done. Excursions vary by session.
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London
See famous landmarks, visit world-class museums and cultural attractions, take epic photos, shop some big-name stores, and soak up London's unforgettable energy.
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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.
Safeguarding & welfare
Looked after like family — around the clock
Sending your child abroad is a big decision. Welfare isn’t a policy page for us — it’s the foundation everything else sits on, and it’s why families return year after year.
- 24/7 On-site pastoral care & welfare team
- 1:6 Staff-to-student ratio on programme
- 100% DBS-checked, trained residential staff
- 15/15 British Council areas of strength met
Accommodation & campus
Live and learn at Headington Oxford
Students reside in purpose-built boarding houses divided into male and female accommodation, with comfortable single, twin and small-dorm rooms.
- Art Studio
- Dining Hall
- Laundry Service
- Learning Spaces
- Playing Fields
- Shared Bathrooms
- Sports Hall
- Student Common Room
- Theatre
- Twin Rooms
- Wifi
Why SBC
Trusted, accredited and part of Dukes Education
Dates & fees
Two Options. One transformative fortnight.
All fees are fully inclusive — tuition, accommodation, meals, activities, excursions and transfers. No hidden extras.
Residential
From £4,295
per 2-week course · Boarding — full days plus evenings and weekends
- Full board — all meals included
- Evening activities & weekend excursions
- Return airport transfers
- 24/7 pastoral care
Non residential
From £2,995
per 2-week course · 09:00–20:30 daily · varies by campus
- Same academic programme & tutors
- Lunch & daytime activities included
- Joins all daytime excursions
- Return home each evening
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.
Places can start to fill from spring – book early
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Students should have a minimum English level of A2 so they can take part in lessons, teamwork, practical challenges and everyday camp life.
Students develop their English through accessible themes from science, engineering and the natural world, using discussion, enquiry, problem-solving and outdoor activities.
No. The programme is designed for curious students who enjoy asking questions and learning through experience. No specialist science knowledge is required.
Yes. The programme includes practical activities, outdoor investigation and fieldwork alongside classroom learning. Specific activities may vary according to the programme and conditions.
Each academic day follows the Explore, Examine, Experiment and Summit journey, with lessons and practical learning during the day followed by activities, social time and evening events.
Yes. Students receive a personalised SBC Certificate of Attendance recognising their participation in Camp Headington.
Explore before you enquire
Take the detail home
No call, no pressure. Just the documents that help you decide — sent straight to your inbox.
Academic Overview
Every module, the learning outcomes and how the fortnight is assessed.
Free PDF download
Sample Timetable
A full fortnight, hour by hour — lessons, activities and excursions. Please note that timetables are given as an example and are subject to change.
Free PDF download
Dates & Fees
Full pricing, what’s included, and when the programmes take place
Ignite their spark this summer
Arrange a free consultation
Our friendly Student Success team are happy to answer any questions, big or small. We’ll help talk through whether this is the right fit, and help you plan the summer — no pressure, ever.
What happens after you enquire
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Step 1
We read it personally.
A member of our admissions team — not a bot — reviews your enquiry.
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Step 2
You’re matched with an advisor.
Someone who knows this course and can answer your specific questions.
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Step 3
We arrange a call.
Phone or video, at a time that suits you, to talk through dates, options and any concerns.
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Step 4
You decide — no pressure.
We help you find the right fit. You book when you’re ready.
One parent’s summer
Eleonore
Student · France
Returning for the third time!
Gioia
Student · SBC at Canford · Switzerland
A warm and welcoming environment for young learners
Kateryna
Parent · Ukraine
155+
Nationalities
20,000+
Alumni since 2008
№1
UK multi-campus