Frequently Asked Questions

How long should my child come for?

This is a tricky one. It really depends on your child. The questions you should ask yourself when thinking about this are:

  1. How old are they?
  2. Have they been away from home before?
  3. What do they want out of camp?
  4. Do they have friends or siblings coming with them?

Alternatively please call us. We are very experienced and can usually help you work through the decision so that we make the best decision for your child.

How do I contact my child during their stay?

Campers can call home using our phone in the office. You can also send them emails which will we hand out to them.

Of course, if your child brings their own mobile phone you can contact them during their free time.

How does XUK Excel improve my child's English Language fluency?

At XUK Excel we focus on 'learning through doing'. Our intention is that our overseas children are exposed to the English Language through a variety of elements. XUK Excel values promoting fluency through sports, games, activities, sightseeing and socialising.

How many English speaking kids are there?

XUK is an English speaking camp. Our staff team speak English and all our activities are run in English. The earlier the week, the fewer English kids there are but many of our children from abroad speak fluent English.

If you are coming from abroad we are sure your child will receive the whole English culture at XUK!

Which countries do children join XUK Excel from?

Our campers come from all around the world - from Spain to Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong to Nigeria and Russia to the United Kingdom.

In 2019 (our last camp pre pandemic) our campers came from 23 different countries!

How many campers sleep in a dormitory?

Our dorms range from individual rooms to rooms that sleep up to eight.

My child takes regular medication - what happens at camp?

Firstly, it is essential you have completed section 5 of the health form prior to attending XUK.

Upon arrival, we will collect your child's medication. Our Health Coordinator will be responsible for the safekeeping of medication and ensure they visit at the at the correct times each day.

Will my child be able to do laundry during their stay?

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.

How are your staff recruited?

Our staff complete a lengthy and thorough application form before being invited to one of our structured, four-hour interviews.

During the interviews, they complete a range of tasks individually and in a team. They also demonstrate their skills at running an activity. Positions are then offered based on a successful interview, clear DBS check and references.

How can I obtain a visa?

We have a visa 'invitation' that we can scan to you. For more information about what we require to create the invitation, please visit our overseas page.

Can I book my child onto English lessons once camp has begun?

Our Optional Extras fill up very fast, therefore we recommend booking them as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Once camp has begun, if we do have any spaces left then you are welcome to book your child onto them.

What is your cancellation policy?

If you wish to cancel a booking for any reason, you must do so at the earliest opportunity. Please see terms & conditions for further details and charges.

How long is the journey from the airport/station/London to XUK Excel?

Of course, the timings below are subject to traffic and necessary stops. But a guide from camp to:

Heathrow: 90 minutes

Gatwick: 120 minutes

Bristol: 90 minutes

St Pancras (central London): 140 minutes

How do the afternoon choice sessions work?

The campers will get to pick which activities they do before each activity. These do not need to be selected in advance. Some choices will be limited in capacity for safety reasons.

Campers are allocated into Coloured Teams each week. A different Coloured Team will have the chance to pick their activities first for each session.

E.g. Choice 1 (Monday) - Blue Team pick first

Choice 2 (Monday) - Red Team pick first...

Can my child change the elective they are booked onto once camp has begun?

We have to cap our electives to a maximum number, of course if there is a space for your child we will happily move them.