Residential Summer Camps - FAQs

The main difference between the three residential camps is what your child does in the morning. The afternoons and evenings are shared camp experiences, with opportunities to take part in a wide range of activities and socialise with other campers.

For a detailed comparison of XUK Activity, XUK Excel and XUK English, please visit our 'Compare Our Residential Camps' page.

The right length of stay depends on your child. When deciding how long they should attend, consider their age, whether they have been away from home before, what they want to get out of camp and whether they have friends or siblings attending with them.

If you are unsure, please contact us. We are very experienced in helping families choose the most suitable length of stay.

This depends on their age as we have a strict phone policy

Whether your child has access to their phone or not, the best time to contact them is usually between 18:30 and 19:30 UK time. If your child does not have their phone, you can call the XUK office.

You can also send your child an email or letter to our camp address, which we will pass on to them at the earliest opportunity.

Our campers come from all around the world, with children joining us from 35 to 45 different countries each summer. In 2026, campers came from 40 different countries.

Dormitories range from single occupancy to a maximum of six campers. We allocate campers to dormitories according to age and availability, and we do our best to accommodate requests for friends or siblings to share where appropriate.

Please ensure you have added all medications needed on the database before travelling to camp. Upon arrival, we will collect your child's medication. Our health team will be responsible for the safekeeping of your child's medication and ensure they visit the health centre at the correct times each day to administer their medication.

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.

XUK staff go through a thorough recruitment process before joining our residential summer camps. Applicants complete an application form and, if shortlisted, attend a structured interview.

Our interviews include individual and team tasks, as well as opportunities for applicants to demonstrate their skills at running activities. Successful applicants must also complete the required DBS checks and provide references before working at camp.

Visa requirements depend on your child's nationality and individual circumstances. If your child is travelling to the UK from overseas, please check the current UK visa requirements and arrange any necessary visa or travel permission well in advance of their stay.

XUK can provide a letter of invitation where required. Please contact us if you need one.

Optional Extras can be booked before camp and, if spaces are still available, once camp has begun. As places are limited and popular extras can fill quickly, we recommend booking as early as possible.

If you need to cancel your child's XUK residential camp booking, please contact us as soon as possible. Cancellation charges and the terms that apply are set out in our Terms & Conditions.

Travel times to XUK's residential camp at Dauntsey's School in Wiltshire vary depending on traffic and stops, but typical journey times are approximately:

Heathrow Airport: 90 minutes
Gatwick Airport: 120 minutes
Bristol Airport: 60 minutes
London St Pancras: 140 minutes

These are approximate journey times and may be longer depending on traffic and travel conditions.

How much choice your child has depends on the residential camp they choose.

The morning programme is structured around their chosen camp. At XUK Activity, XUK Excel and XUK English, the mornings have different programmes depending on the camp. In the afternoons, campers can choose from the activities available to their group.

This gives campers a balance of structured sessions and opportunities to try different activities during their stay.

Our staff encourage campers to get involved and try new activities, while recognising that some children may be nervous about joining in.

We talk to campers, encourage them to give activities a try and help them feel comfortable. If a child is worried about an activity, they can speak to a member of staff who can help them.

Changes may be possible after arrival, depending on availability. Lessons, activity groups and electives have maximum group sizes, so we can only move a camper if there is a suitable space available.

Please speak to a member of the XUK team if your child would like to change.

Children have many opportunities to use English throughout their stay at XUK. English is used by staff during activities, games, sports, trips and everyday camp life, giving international campers regular opportunities to listen to and communicate in English.

XUK English also provides structured English lessons for campers who want more focused language learning.

If your child is attending XUK English or has booked the English Conversation Optional Extra, they will complete an online English test before camp. This helps us understand their level and group them appropriately.

For other residential camp options, you do not need to provide an English level in advance.

The XUK English students are presented with a certificate and written report on the final Saturday of their stay.

Yes. Campers must be aged between 8 and 17 years. Some camp activities are tailored to specific age groups to ensure age-appropriate experiences.

We do our best to accommodate such requests if made at the time of booking, subject to age compatibility and dorm availability.

Yes. Trips and excursions form part of the XUK residential camp programme. Campers may visit destinations such as Bath and Salisbury, depending on their camp and the programme for their stay.

XUK also offers some optional trips, which can be booked separately where available.

Yes. XUK provides supervised airport transfers to and from selected airports on specific arrival and departure dates.

Transfers are available from Heathrow, Gatwick & Bristol (as well as London St Pancras), with other travel arrangements available depending on the camp dates and programme. Please check the current travel information for the dates of your child's stay

Yes. Insurance is not included in the camp fee. Parents should organise appropriate travel and health insurance before camp begins.

Homesickness is a normal part of being away from home, particularly for children attending residential camp for the first time. Our staff are experienced in helping children settle in and are there to listen and support them if they are worried or missing home.

We encourage children to talk to a member of staff if they have any problems or concerns. We also encourage parents to speak to us if they have any concerns about how their child is settling in.

The welfare and safeguarding of children is XUK's number one priority. XUK is registered with Ofsted and has procedures covering safeguarding, supervision, health, accommodation and activities.

Children are supervised throughout their stay, registered regularly during the day and supported by experienced staff. Our activities are also planned with the age and abilities of campers in mind.

XUK has health procedures in place to support children who become unwell during their stay. Relevant health needs and medication should be declared before camp, and medication is managed through our health centre.

If a child becomes unwell, our team will assess the situation and provide appropriate support. Children who vomit or have diarrhoea are isolated from camp for 48 hours following the most recent episode, in line with our residential camp rules.

If we have concerns about your child’s health, we will contact you to discuss the situation.

XUK provides three meals a day during residential camp. Breakfast includes continental and cooked options, while lunch and dinner include a main meal, a vegetarian option, a salad and pasta bar, dessert and fresh fruit.

We aim to provide healthy, varied and nutritious food, with fruit and drinks also available during the day. We also work with the school to accommodate specific dietary requirements where possible.

Yes. XUK welcomes children and teenagers from the UK and countries around the world. Overseas campers can travel to XUK using our supervised airport transfer service on the specified arrival and departure dates.

Parents should make sure their child has the correct travel documents and, where required, a UK visa or ETA before travelling. XUK can provide information and an invitation letter where appropriate to help families prepare for their child's journey.

Frequently Asked Questions