What does a Rootd adventure include?

We provide all activities, equipment, instruction, meals (except packed lunch on day 1) and accommodation in either our bell tents or woodland pod. Children will need to bring a sleeping bag and pillow for their bunk beds and, particularly if camping, please try to ensure children have a warm 3-season sleeping bag, as even in the summer it does feel cold at night.

What will the children be doing when they’re not taking part in activities?

Between activities and before mealtimes, children will have the chance to enjoy some free time together, supervised by teachers. We have chill-out areas on camp where they can play games in outdoor and sheltered areas, and they will also have the chance to relax and unwind in our cosy accommodation.

Who can I contact if I have any questions while my child’s away?

If you have any questions during the trip, please contact your school or your group leader. They should have all the information you need to be able to answer your queries, or they can contact us for anything else.

Can I contact my child while they’re on the trip?

We find that children settle better when they don’t have outside contact, as this can encourage homesickness. Instead, we recommend that all communication goes via your school, who will be able to answer any questions and contact you in case of emergency.

Can my child bring any electronic devices with them?

We request that children don’t bring any electronic devices with them, including mobile phones, tablets or electronic games. This is a great opportunity for them to fully unplug from their screens and immerse themselves in the activities on camp, without distractions. We are also unable to store them safely on camp.

Should my child bring any money on the trip?

No, there won’t be an opportunity for them to spend any money on their trip, so there’s no need for them to bring any with them.

Are there shower facilities on site?

Yes, we have a dedicated Rootd shower block on site with children’s showers and adult-only showers. Our teacher woodland pods come with their own ensuite bathroom with shower facilities.

How do you cater for fussy eaters?

We often find that children are much more open to trying new foods when they’re away from home. We’ll always make sure they have enough to eat, and no child will ever go hungry. If you have any specific concerns, please speak to your school and we’ll work with them to put a plan in place.

Do you provide meals on camp?

Yes, we provide tasty, nutritious meals that keep children feeling well fed and energised. All meals are freshly prepared on site and include a balance of meat, vegetables, fruit and carbohydrates. A typical meal is a pasta bar with a choice of sauces and garlic bread, followed by a chocolate brownie and ice cream.

Do you cater for special dietary requirements and allergies?

Yes, we cater for all dietary requirements, including allergy friendly diets, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and halal. We ask schools and groups to request this information from parents at least 8 weeks prior to the trip and share this with us, so we can ensure we’re fully prepared for your visit.

Parent Information

Getting ready for your child's residential

Welcome to our parent information page

Whether they’re bursting with excitement or feeling nervous, we know that sending your child on a residential trip can feel like a big step.

Here you’ll find everything you need to know about Rootd and what your child can expect from their residential, so you can feel confident that they’re in safe hands.

We’ve also included some useful resources to help you and your child prepare and ensure they’re all set to make the most of their time away.

A character-building adventure

On a Rootd school trip, children have the chance to switch off from the distractions of daily life, learn new skills, make some amazing memories, and have a truly immersive adventure with their friends. Your child can expect fun-filled days in the outdoors, followed by cosy evenings around the campfire.

Every child will be encouraged to try new activities, challenge themselves and discover just how much they can achieve away from the classroom.

And this will bring a wide range of benefits:

They’ll build confidence and independence

They develop resilience and determination

They’ll strengthen friendships and mutual understanding

They’ll experience a new way of learning

They’ll discover how the outdoors can help them relax and recharge

They’ll return home full of pride at what they’ve achieved

And most importantly, they’ll create lifelong memories with their classmates and return home full of pride at what they’ve achieved!

Read more about the benefits of school residentials.

Download our resources

Why Rootd?

Schools often choose us as an alternative to bigger trip providers, whose residentials can feel impersonal, rushed and crowded.

At Rootd, we do things differently, with:

Unique accommodation that gives children an exciting outdoor experience in a safe and manageable setting
Highly trained, experienced instructors who excel in bringing adventure to life and inspiring children to push themselves out of their comfort zone
Creatively designed, age-appropriate programmes that give every child the chance to shine

Safe and inspiring accommodation

Whether they’re staying in our pod or tent accommodation, children love the experience of sleeping close to nature.

And we make sure we make it as safe and comfortable as we can for them, with:

Night toilets and motion sensor lighting, so no one needs to leave the camp during the night
Teacher accommodation next to or opposite the children’s accommodation – so help is always nearby
A designated Rootd staff member on site overnight to support teachers
A teacher tipi with 360-degree views of the camp, where teachers can relax in the evening as the children go to sleep

Your school have exclusive use of your pod or tent village. The centre is not open to members of the public and is a fully enclosed site. Entrances are barrier controlled and all key areas and access routes are covered by CCTV. Read more about our safety measures.

Take a tour of our bell tents

Take a tour of our woodland pods

A team you can count on

Our highly trained instructors are fantastic at getting children involved in every activity. They’ll be with your child’s group throughout the trip, so they’ll get to know every child and make sure everyone feels happy, supported and included.

Our staff all hold an enhanced DBS check and are up to date on the latest guidance and legislation.

And most importantly, they’re brilliant at bringing our Rootd values to life on camp to ensure every child has a positive experience:

Welcoming

We’re warm and friendly in our approach and make sure every child feels welcome and included, so they can make the most of their time away.

Knowledgeable

We share our knowledge and expertise generously and patiently with children, taking the time to help them develop their understanding of nature and outdoor activity.

Authentic

We’re open and honest, and we share ideas constructively for the benefit of the team. And most importantly, we let our true personality shine through in everything we do.

Present

We give our full attention to whatever we’re doing in the moment, without being distracted by what’s just happened or what’s coming next.

Remarkable

We strive for excellence in everything we do. We don’t settle for what’s ‘good enough’, we always look for ways to go above and beyond.

Child feeling a bit nervous?

If your child is feeling a bit anxious about their trip, that’s completely normal, and not a reason they need to miss out. Often the children who are the most unsure at the start are the ones who leave us feeling the most excited and proud at what they’ve achieved.

As a parent or carer, there’s a lot you can do to help them prepare.

Read our parent blog

Frequently Asked Questions

On the trip

Food and dietary requirements

Health & safety

All Rootd staff hold an enhanced DBS check, Level 3 Award in Outdoor First Aid, NGB (National Governing Body) qualifications or has received in-house training, Level 2 Safeguarding Children, and Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene. A designated Level 3 Safeguarding Lead is also always on site.

In addition, they regularly undergo Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to ensure they’re up to date on the latest guidance and legislation.

All members of staff are first aid trained, safeguarding trained and food safety trained. Staff are highly vigilant and always put the safety of children first.

To keep the camp secure at night, there’s a main gate and barrier, which are both closed from 8.30pm in the evening until morning. The site is contained by a perimeter fence and there is CCTV at the barrier and at other points throughout the centre, which is monitored by main reception and the duty staff manager when reception is closed. The centre manager lives on site and our Rootd staff stay overnight in case of an emergency.

To meet the needs of SEN children, we offer teachers the opportunity to visit us before the trip, so you can plan ahead and talk to the children about what to expect before they arrive on camp. We also offer children the chance to visit us beforehand, so they can familiarise themselves with the grounds and facilities.

During the trip, our friendly and patient staff will do all they can to support their needs and make sure they get the most out of their trip.

You can see more FAQS here.

Parent Information

Getting ready for your child's residential

Welcome to our parent information page

A character-building adventure

Download our resources