Reviews
Thank you so much for the beautiful photographs. The big mystery, though, is what happened to Joseph at camp! We sent you a quiet, not particularly communicative boy, and you sent back a chatty, happy, engaging young man! Who knew two weeks could make such a difference? Thank you so much. I knew he’d love it! And I will tell all my friends what an amazing experience the camp is.
Jennifer, England – Parent – Two-week Expedition Summer Camp 2024
My son attended in 2022 and 2024 on the two-week expedition summer camps – he will also be attending in 2025. It has been hugely beneficial to him. After a difficult time with Covid and secondary school he came back from each camp empowered, motivated and very positive.
He has made friends across the world whom he stays in touch with and has visited.
I would highly recommend Ridgway Adventure for any young person and can assure parents they will be providing their children with an experience that will stay with them a lifetime.
Mark, England – Parent – Two-week Expedition Summer Camp 2022 and 2024
St Leonard’s Junior School from St Andrews in Fife came to us for the first time in May 2018 with a Year 7 team.
Their then Headmaster, William Goldsmith, had been a Housemaster at Highfield School in Hampshire, a team who have been coming each July for over 15 years.
Mr Goldsmith had never joined the Highfield trip but had heard all the stories from the boarders in his charge.
Read his account of that first trip here with St Leonard’s in their school newsletter.
Dear Mark and Rebecca
Thank you for the best few weeks of my life so far and that is no exaggeration. I have returned exhausted but with friends all around the world and a will for adventure in the wild. You have given me memories that I will cherish for life and have inspired me to do things that I never thought of doing.
My favourite expedition was the kayaking one due to the sunny weather we had and the laughs. However, all the expeditions gave me a huge sense of achievement and it was very interesting to listen to the stories both you and the instructors had to tell.
The whole atmosphere at the camp was wonderful and I learnt so much that I know will help me in my life decisions. I was so thrilled by the experience that I am thinking about doing the 10 day camp next year.
Tim, England – Two-week Expedition Summer Camp 2018
I wanted to take some time to thank you for this wonderful camp. You and Mark have done such a great job, many thanks for all of the efforts you both have put in to make these past two weeks amazing. These two weeks I will never forget. I very much hope to be able to come back and visit, you live in a paradise. I wish you the best of luck for the future.
Edouard, France – Two Week Expedition Summer Camp 2019
I really wanted to thank you for the great experiences the last two weeks. Although I found it tough sometimes, I always came back at the school being proud of myself and my team. I never met someone so inspiring for me like you.
I have so much respect for all these goals that you have achieved. I’ve never met so many nice people, and I am very thankful for the fact that I have got friends for life all around the world because of this course. I’ve become more open-minded about different things in life, and I began to think more positive about all kind of things. It was amazing to take part in these two weeks, and thanks for the positive energy that you and your staff members have given to me.
Nine Rieter, The Netherlands – Two-week Expedition Summer Camp 2017
Thank you for having them! Although more tired than she’s felt for a long time, Rose was brimming with everything and everyone they’d experienced. She was in great need of a reset and think she got one. We are really looking forward to hearing more come out over the next few days. Thank you again.
Tabitha, England – One-week Adventure Summer Camp 2018
Thank you for returning Quinn safely to us. It sounds like he’s had a brilliant time – he hasn’t stopped talking about everything he’s been doing and the people he’s met. Please pass on my thanks too, to all your staff, who have made a big impression on him.
Clare, Scotland – One-week Adventure Summer Camp 2017
I have just enjoyed the drive home after collecting Anthony and Teddy from Heathrow listening to their non-stop chat about their week and all that they did. They had a great time, and I can’t thank you enough for all the accommodating you did for our group and also rescheduling things around the weather this week. Anthony’s postcard is now on the fridge next to his brother’s one! I am not expecting to see either of them very early tomorrow morning.
Ronnie, England – Bespoke One-week Summer Camp for Twyford School pupils and friends 2019
He didn’t want to go on the trip and was really worried as he left us. He has come back seemingly a foot taller, a year older, and full of praise for you and your team. He said all the instructors were “ace” but Rich in particular is “a legend” 🙂 Every photo was accompanied by a funny story and there were no complaints about any of the activities. Apparently your chef is also “awesome”. I think the experience that you have provided to our children is nothing short of miraculous. Thank you and thanks to your team.
Graham, England – Bespoke One-week Summer Camp 2019
An article written by The Scottish Field in October 2019 following a team of school friends from Belhaven Hill, Dunbar.
The team joined us on a bespoke 6-day summer camp in August 2018 which was arranged by their parents.
We arrived home and immediately wanted to return to Ridgway. You, Mark, Alfie and all the guys made it a for a truly memorable week for us. We all really loved our time as a family with you all, even with the cold weather. Grub’s stories have obviously been embellished and he has added blizzards, snowstorms and surviving on an island with no other human contact for at least three days! I may have also told a few people I swam in the loch every day?!? When you are visiting London and need a place to stay you are really all very welcome here.
Karen Price – Bespoke family holiday 2016
We all had an excellent time and wanted to thank you and the team for making it such a special holiday. The children have continued to recount the details of their time on Survival Island – clearly their favourite part of the week. We think the whole week was excellently put together, with a good balance of activities appealing to and taxing both the adults and children. The approach from the instructors combined good humour and encouragement with clear skill and experience. We felt in safe hands at all times, especially with regard to the children. We think that the children have gained a huge amount from the holiday, their ‘best ever’. We were enchanted by the beauty of the area and felt the facilities and food to be excellent. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Mason family – Bespoke family holiday
I have taken the top year of pupils from prep schools to Ridgway Adventure for more than a decade. The centre, which is very much a family run organisation with powerful and positive values and aims, offers those pupils a real taste of wilderness and independence. The team of instructors, so ably led by Mark and Rebecca, are always superb. Ridgway Adventure is without doubt the best residential centre for schools I have seen.
Jon Gray, Headmaster – York House School, Rickmansworth
I just wanted to drop you and Mark a line to thank you for the most wonderful week. I knew the Ridgway trip was special, but had absolutely no idea just how valuable an experience it really is for these young people. You and the team did an extraordinary job, and there is no doubt that St Leonards will continue with it.
William Goldsmith, Headmaster – St Leonards Junior School, Fife
My association with Ridgway Adventure goes back a number of years. Apart from the wilderness and unique beauty of the place, every person who has been there has returned a changed person. Why? Because there is a breadth of experience offered, which allows young people to learn in a few days what might normally take many years, a few days, a week, perhaps a month defines a person for life. Once you have been, you are compelled to return again and again.
Nick Haddock MBE MA, former Headmaster, St. John’s, Leatherhead
Just a big thank you to you and your team. After a shaky start Hector said he had the most amazing time and absolutely loved it – a challenge but one of the best things he has done. Apart from the sea kayaking, abseiling, hiking etc he said the most amazing thing was how the instructors were able to bring a group of strangers together to become a team and friends.
Just brilliant – thank you.
Emma, England – 10 Day Young Leaders Course 2019
I would like to thank you for the amazing 10 days I had at Ridgway. Some of the most memorable days of my life. I enjoyed it very much and think it will help me in the future.
Karel, The Netherlands – 10 Day Young Leaders Course 2019
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