Frequently Asked Questions

How long should my child come for?

This is a tricky one. It really depends on your child. The questions you should ask yourself when thinking about this are:

  1. How old are they?
  2. Have they been away from home before?
  3. What do they want out of camp?
  4. Do they have friends or siblings coming with them?

Alternatively please call us. We are very experienced and can usually help you work through the decision so that we make the best decision for your child.

How do I contact my child during their stay?

If your child brings their own mobile phone you can contact them during their free time. Campers cannot use their phones during meal times or activities.

If they do not have a mobile phone, you can call the office and we will connect you at the earliest opportunity.

Please feel free to send them an email to our camp address. We'll hand it to them at the earliest opportunity.

How many English speaking kids are there?

XUK is an English speaking camp. Our staff team speak English and all our activities are run in English. The earlier the week, the fewer English kids there are but many of our children from abroad speak fluent English.

If you are coming from abroad we are sure your child will receive the whole English culture at XUK!

Which countries do children join XUK Activity from?

Our campers come from all around the world - from Spain to Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong to Nigeria and Russia to the United Kingdom. Pre Pandemic (2019) our campers came from 60 different countries!

What does a typical week look like?

Have a look through our page 'A day at XUK Activity'

How many campers sleep in a dormitory?

Our dorms range from one in a room to a max of 8 - a great, fun sleepover experience!

My child takes regular medication - what happens at camp?

Upon arrival, we will collect your child's medication and Medical Administration Form. Our medical team will be responsible for the safekeeping of your child's medication and ensure they visit the medical centre at the correct times each day to administer their medication.

Will my child be able to do Laundry during their stay?

There will be an opportunity for your child to wash their clothes once a week. The cost of the service is £6 per bag. Bags can be shared between dorm members. Our laundry service is not suitable for expensive or delicate clothing.

How are your staff recruited?

Our staff complete a lengthy and thorough application form before being invited to one of our structured, four-hour interviews.

During the interviews, they complete a range of tasks individually and in a team. They also demonstrate their skills at running an activity. Positions are then offered based on a successful interview, clear DBS check and references.

How can I obtain a VISA?

You'll need to arrange this in your home country and we advise starting this process as early as you can.

We can help by sending you a letter of invitation.

Can we book optional extras once the camp has begun?

Our Optional Extras fill up very fast, therefore we recommend booking them as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Once camp has begun, if we do have any spaces left then you are welcome to book your child onto them.

What is your cancellation policy?

If you wish to cancel a booking for any reason, you must do so at the earliest opportunity. Please see terms & conditions for further details and charges.

How long is the journey from the airport / station / London?

Of course, the timings below are subject to traffic and necessary stops. But a guide from camp to:

Heathrow: 90 minutes

Gatwick: 120 minutes

Bristol: 90 minutes

St Pancras (central London): 140 minutes

Can my child pick which activities they do?

As we have so many great activities at XUK Activity, we want every camper to have the opportunity to try as many different activities as possible. All of the campers will be assigned to an Activity Group at the beginning of each week and will follow a timetable set for their group for the morning sessions.

Each afternoon they will be able to choose which activities they would like to take part in.

What is the difference between XUK Activity and your other camps?

Have a look at our 'Compare Our Residential Camps' page...

What if my child doesn't want to take part in an activity?

Our staff run fun and exciting activities and will encourage all campers to take part. It's great to try something new or do an activity which is out of your comfort zone... you never know, it might become your new hobby!

Childrens' risk of accidental injury is robustly minimized as a result of thorough and secure risk assessments. The staff group pay close attention to every aspect of children's safety and well-being

OFSTED