Wild Science Summer Camp at Camp Headington, Oxford for Ages 10–14

Course Description: Wild Science Summer Camp at Camp Headington, Oxford for Ages 10–14

🎓 Course Overview

Wild Science is a two-week summer camp in Oxford for students aged 10–14 that brings together hands-on STEM and outdoor adventure. Students build their English through science, engineering and the natural world: each day they explore a big question, investigate it, take on practical challenges and share what they have discovered. The programme is designed for curious learners who like solving problems through hands-on experience.

Classes are capped at 15 students, with 15 hours of lessons per week. The minimum English level is A2 (elementary), and English is used throughout every part of the day.

📚 Academic Content

Learning is organised around accessible themes from science, engineering and the natural world, such as engineering, the environment and the weather. Every day follows four stages, with speaking, listening, reading and vocabulary practised at each one.

Explore

A big question opens the day. Students meet new vocabulary and discuss what they already know.

Examine

In small groups, students investigate the question using information, discussion and evidence.

Experiment

Students take on practical challenges, outdoor investigations and fieldwork, putting their ideas to the test.

Summit

The day closes with students sharing their discoveries and reflecting on what they have learnt.

Skills & Certificate

Alongside English confidence, the camp aims to develop curiosity, problem-solving, independence and teamwork. Every student receives a personalised Certificate of Attendance and a student report.

📍 Campus & Location

Camp Headington is based at Headington Prep School in Oxford. The campus offers an art studio, a dining hall, a sports hall, a theatre, playing fields, learning spaces, a student common room, a laundry service and Wi-Fi.

🏫 Accommodation & Meals

Residential students stay in purpose-built boarding houses, separated by gender, with single, twin and small dormitory rooms. Bathrooms are shared, and each house has a communal area. House Parents and staff are available day and night. Residential students receive all meals, and the whole camp eats dinner together.

Day students take part in the same programme and receive lunch and the evening meal; accommodation is not included.

🚌 Excursions & Activities

Excursions vary by session and include:

• London Science Museum and the capital's landmarks and cultural sites.

• Oxford Outdoor Adventure Day: high ropes and climbing, with students going at their own pace.

• Raft-building Challenge.

Standard excursions, including entry costs, are covered by the fee.

Evenings bring the "Awesome Activities" programme, with examples such as Capture the Flag, team challenges, Talent Night and Secret Cinema. The wider activity list includes arts and crafts, badminton, basketball, board games and puzzles, circuit training, creative writing, cricket, drama, music, a film festival, football, karaoke, a murder mystery, den building, treasure hunts, a photo challenge, picnics in the park, rounders, a silent disco, Taskmaster, a trashion show, volleyball and yoga.

⏰ A Day in the Life

A sample day (subject to change):

• 09:00 — Activity: Basecamp – whole camp meets for the day's theme and an energiser

• 09:30 — Activity: Explore – the day's big question

• 11:00 — Activity: Examine – small-group enquiry

• 13:30 — Activity: Experiment – challenges, outdoor investigations and fieldwork

• 15:30 — Activity: Summit – sharing discoveries

• 18:30 — Activity: Dinner – the whole camp eats together

• 19:30 — Activity: Awesome Activities – evening programme

• 21:00 — Activity: House Time – juice and biscuits with House Parents

• 21:30 — Activity: Lights out

2027 Dates & Fees 📅

• 28 June – 12 July — Length: 2 weeks — Residential: £4,295 — Day: £2,995

• 12 July – 26 July — Length: 2 weeks — Residential: £4,295 — Day: £2,995

Optional extra (limited spaces):

• Outdoor Laser Adventure – £195: a half-day woodland game for ages 10–14. No previous experience is needed.

Payment: a non-refundable deposit of £700 per student is due within 48 hours of booking, and the balance is due by 1 May 2027. Bookings made after 1 May 2027 must be paid in full within 48 hours of confirmation. Places are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Flights and airport or train transfers are not included; transfers can be arranged for an additional fee.

✔️ What's Included

Residential: tuition and course materials, accommodation, all meals, weekly laundry, sports and social activities (day and evening), standard excursions with entry costs, Wi-Fi, a UK SIM card, student insurance, a certificate and a progress report.

Day: tuition and course materials, lunch and evening meal, sports and social activities (day and evening), standard excursions with entry costs, Wi-Fi, a UK SIM card, student insurance, a certificate and a progress report.

Not included: flights and airport or train transfers (transfers are available at extra cost) and optional extras.

🛡️ Safety & Welfare

A dedicated pastoral and welfare team provides care on site 24/7, with House Parents in the boarding houses and a staff-to-student ratio of 1:6. All residential staff are DBS-checked and trained in safeguarding, there are first aiders on site, and every family has a dedicated contact. Parents may visit by arranging it with their admissions contact at least 24 hours in advance. The summer school cites a 2018 British Council inspection with 15 out of 15 areas of strength, including welfare and safeguarding.

💡 Who This Programme Is For

Wild Science suits curious 10–14-year-olds with at least elementary (A2) English who love finding out how things work, enjoy being outdoors and learn best by doing. It is a great first summer camp experience abroad for younger students: the day is carefully structured, the boarding houses are supervised by House Parents, and English improves naturally through experiments, teamwork and adventure. Families looking for a balance of learning, fresh air and fun in Oxford will find it a strong fit.

Headington Rye Oxford — Google Maps ↗

Headington School, Headington Rd, Headington, Oxford OX3 7TD, United Kingdom Google Maps ↗