XUK Elective Summer Camp (XUK Excel), Wiltshire

XUK Elective Summer Camp (XUK Excel) is not a traditional academic course but a structured activity programme built around a morning specialism. Campers select either Sports (two sports per morning, with matches, competitions, tactics and fitness) or Art, Craft & Design (fine art, graphic design, textiles, photography, 3D design, and hands‑on creative projects). Afternoons and evenings are filled with a free choice of activities (sports, crafts, cookery, drama, etc.) and whole‑camp events. The camp also offers optional afternoon English conversation classes for Beginners and Intermediate levels (three 90‑minute sessions per week, assessed on arrival, with a certificate and report). English improvement is further supported through mixed‑nationality groups, limits on same‑language speakers, and English‑speaking staff. Classes are not suitable for advanced/fluent speakers.

The base price includes full board accommodation, morning electives, all afternoon and evening activities, one weekly off‑site trip (to towns like Bath, Salisbury, Winchester), and 24‑hour care. Optional extras (at additional cost) are: Aqua Park, Theme Park (Paultons Park), Laser Quest, Stonehenge, a London day trip with West End show (ages 10+), the Leader in Training programme (ages 16‑17), and a Welcome Pack (rucksack, jumper etc.).

Campers live on campus in a mixture of shared dormitories and individual rooms, allocated by sex and age. The accommodation is warm, inviting, and secure, with an effort to mix nationalities while keeping friends together (friendship requests can be made at booking). A pastoral leader is assigned to every child for support. Monitored, restricted Wi‑Fi is available throughout the camp.

Full board is provided. Breakfast offers a substantial choice. Lunch and dinner always include a wholesome main meal, a vegetarian main option, a salad and pasta bar, a delicious pudding, and fresh fruit available all day. Special dietary requirements and preferences (including vegetarian) are catered for.

The programme is split into three parts: morning electives, afternoon free‑choice activities, and evening whole‑camp events. Each morning, campers focus on their chosen specialism – either Sports (developing skills, tactics, and fitness across a variety of disciplines through matches and competitions) or Art, Craft & Design (exploring fine art, graphic design, textiles, photography, and 3D projects). Afternoons offer a wide rotating selection of creative, sporting, and team‑based options, allowing campers to try new things or pursue favourite interests. Evenings bring the whole camp together for lively, fun‑filled events such as quizzes, talent shows, themed games, and camp‑wide competitions. Once a week, an off‑site trip to a local town or city is included, giving campers a chance to sightsee, shop, and experience British culture. Optional extra excursions (such as a theme park, water park, laser quest, Stonehenge, or a London day trip with a West End show) are available for an additional fee.

On‑site facilities at Dauntsey’s School: 150 acres of grounds, five independent boarding houses, a heated indoor swimming pool, a modern indoor sports hall with climbing wall, a forest school area, two all‑weather astro‑turf pitches, tennis courts, a state‑of‑the‑art pavilion, spacious common rooms, warm dormitories, and a kitchen/dining hall. Monitored, restricted Wi‑Fi is available for everyone. Off‑site, the camp uses weekly trips to local cities and optional excursions to theme parks, Stonehenge, and London.

XUK is a family‑run business established in 1996, registered with OFSTED. Safety is the number one priority, with a rigorous in‑house safety system (children registered at least 6 times daily, activity area checks, nightly lock‑ups, staff DBS checks and full training before camp, a dedicated health coordinator). The camp employs qualified English teachers for optional conversation classes and to support language learning throughout activities. A unique “Citizen of the Week” award gives one camper per week a free week at camp the following year. The atmosphere is friendly, cosy, and international (campers from many countries), with a strong focus on helping each child feel at home, try new things, and leave with greater confidence and friendships.