Tented Villages
Choose Cumulus Outdoors tented villages for your school camp in Dorset this year. Enjoy a fun-filled residential trip in an unbeatable location, with a varied programme of outdoor adventure activities.
Our private campsites occupy unbeatable locations along the Dorset Coast. Over the course of the trip students will have the opportunity to embrace the great outdoors and spend quality time with their peers.
The Cumulus Team will work with you to create a bespoke camping residential programme that includes your pick of adventure activities and excursions. We will tailor the course to fit your school and youth groups budget requirements and desired learning outcomes.
Camping school trips in Dorset
Each of our tented villages boasts a fully fitted camp kitchen, washing facilities and separate teacher/student toilets and showers. All sleeping accommodation is under canvas, with tents sleeping between 8 and 10 students depending on age. Tents are fitted with fire alarms, sleeping mats and built-in groundsheets for comfort.
Communal tipi
The large communal Nordic Tipi features is the heart of the camp. It boasts a fire pit where students can gather for central briefings, activities, meal times and story-telling in the evenings.
Teachers accommodation
Teachers also sleep under canvas – these tents are kitted out with individual sleeping pods, camp beds, blankets, chairs and a welcome pack. Teachers can also use of a dedicated communal area with a fire pit, plus phone charging facilities and most importantly, a brew station!
School camps on the Jurassic Coast
Food
All of our meals are cooked on-site with the menu varying depending on the course duration. We can cater for all dietary requirements, including allergies and religious beliefs.
Students will be given tasty snacks throughout the day. There is always access to clean drinking water both at camp and all activity locations. Students are encouraged to use their own personal water bottle throughout their stay.
In the evenings they’ll be able to enjoy hot chocolate and marshmallows around the camp fire.
More information about our catering services can be found here
Private campsite
Our camps are exclusive to you! At no time will you share your tented village area or facilities with another group. There is a surrounding fence line and lockable gate, so teachers can rest assured that their students are in a safe and enjoyable environment.
During camp introductions, students are made aware of the overnight routine and they will be reminded of this every evening just prior to bedtime. Should they wake up and want to leave their tent, they must:
- Wake up a friend and walk with them using a flashlight
- Head straight to the toilet which is lit up for ease and security
Or
- head to the main centre tipi which is lit up for ease and security where a minimum of two Cumulus Camp staff members will be available
Experienced team
We proudly maintain the following accreditations to ensure you receive the highest standards of safety and quality:
- AALS – Adventure Activities Licensing Service
- CLOtC – The Council for Learning Outside the Classroom
- AAIAC Adventure Mark – Adventure Activity Industry Advisory Committee
- BAPA – British Activity Providers Association
- OfSted Registered – Registration Number 2785472
During all Tented Village residentials, we provide round-the-clock pastoral care alongside teachers who remain loco parentis. We staff our Tented Village trips with a 1:15 staff-to-student ratio (excluding teachers) whilst on camp. This high level of support ensures that every aspect of care and excitement is thoroughly covered.
Downloads
Tented Village BrochureGet in touch
Start planning your bespoke school residential trip itinerary today!
Tented Villages FAQs
What food will we eat on camp?
Cumulus Outdoors will provide food throughout the camp. There will be a set menu prior to the camp commencement. A full breakfast, lunch (packed if off site) and a two-course meal will be served along with various snacks and fresh fruit.
All dietary and religious requirements can be catered for by our dedicated team. Where possible notification should be given prior to camp commencing.
Are you insured?
Yes. We have £10 million public liability insurance. We are accredited by: Institute of Outdoor Learning, National Coasteering Charter, Adventure Activities Licensing Service, DofE Approved Activity Provider and Learning Outside the Classroom (LotC).
What about pocket money?
There may be the opportunity to purchase some local souvenirs either on camp or in Swanage (programme dependant). We recommend a maximum of £5.00.
What happens if there is bad weather?
We rotate activities to best suit the weather. If the wind or swell is too strong for water sports, these will be switched for something land-based, such as rock climbing. We will always do our best to carry out the activities as per the programme.
What is the toilet and shower situation like?
All our tented villages come with portable toilets and showers. These are regularly cleaned and the showers are warm!
Can I contact my child?
Our emergency contact number is manned 24/7 giving you a direct link to your child day and night in case of emergency.
Will there be qualified first aiders on site?
All staff are first aid qualified, enhanced DBS checked as well as Level 2 Health and Hygiene qualified. All instructors on the activity sessions are appropriately qualified and their qualifications often exceed the minimum requirement.
What happens in an emergency?
All the Cumulus Outdoors instructors are first aid qualified. Both camp staff and instructors will be on hand to deal with any emergency. Should we need to contact you, we have your contact details.
How many staff will be working on the camp?
We typically have a 1:12 ratio, sometimes we exceed this to 1:15 depending on the age of the students.
Will there be someone ‘on call’ through the night?
Two members of staff will remain under the central structure overnight (not in a tent), with a lantern or light on during the night. Should any students have any problems during the night, it is made very easy and clear where the students need to go to find help.
What equipment will my child need?
We supply all the equipment your child will be using, they just need to bring clothes, medication and toiletries. There will be a kit list sent out prior to camp. We do stress that it is not necessary to go out and buy all new kit to come on our camps, so long as you have a sleeping bag, roll mat, torch, appropriate footwear and some warm clothes you will be fine.
What if my child doesn’t want to do the activity?
During our activities we challenge the students to participate voluntarily, to push their comfort zone and test themselves. No child will be forced to do anything they don’t want to do.
What sort of activities take place on camp?
Students will take part in variety of outdoor adventure activities during a camping school trip with Cumulus Outdoors. Depending on the programme, this can include coasteering on the Jurassic Coast at a place called Dancing Ledge as well as Climbing and Abseiling.
Kayaking is also a popular activity where students use ‘sit on top’ kayaks which are very safe and provide lots of games and laughter. Mackerel Fishing takes place in Swanage, the students hop on a fishing boat and go mackerel fishing in the middle of Swanage Bay. Anything they catch can then be taken back to camp and the staff will show them how to gut and cook on the fire – yum!
Other activities can include Bushcraft, Waterpark, High Ropes course and more.
Itinerary
Bespoke camping school trips in Dorset
All of our itineraries are bespoke and designed to meet the duration and budget requirements of your school or youth group. One of our experienced team will work with you to create a fun-filled school residential camping trip, containing your pick of activities and off-site excursions.
If you would like to incorporate educational elements, we can arrange this too. There are plenty of opportunities for learning outside the classroom on the Isle of Purbeck.
Take a look at our sample itinerary below to see the kind of things you can expect from a school residential trip at Cumulus Outdoors tented villages.
Example 5 day school residential trip itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at midday followed by lunch and a chance to settle into new surroundings. Camp staff will introduce students to all aspects of camp life, including tent etiquette, facilities and safety protocols. All of this is done in a fun and interactive way, allowing you to get to know your camp staff and environment.
A fun filled afternoon will contain various games and command tasks allowing you to grow as a group and prepare for the week ahead. A tasty two course dinner will be prepared by your dedicated field chef.
The excitement continues with moonlit walks, games of capture the flag and marshmallows round the campfire. A full evening routine prepares you for the night including teeth cleaning and points of contact.
Days 2 to 4: Wake up in the stunning surroundings of camp. The waft of a delicious breakfast will have you up and eating in no time before the first activity of the day. A short walk or coach ride will whisk you to your outdoor adventure activity – this could be coasteering, mackerel fishing, Dorset Waterpark or bushcraft depending on your bespoke programme.
Activities can be half or full days and give ample time to enjoy and engage in each activity to create memories and forge friendships that will last forever.
At the end of everyday another hearty two course meal awaits with the ensuing evening activities.
Day 5: Another filling breakfast will give you the energy to pack up your bags and prepare to say goodbye to your fabulous camp which has become home over the last 4 days. It’s not quite over yet as after loading your big bags onto a van, a beautiful scenic walk to the beach concludes with a BBQ and games on the white sand before finally boarding the coach and waving goodbye to the Cumulus Crew.
What’s included?
We offer various durations for trips, and prices are inclusive of accommodation, activities and food (full board).
Our tasty and nutritious menu is cooked on-site by our in-house chef with food options consisting of breakfast (a hot option with fruit and cereal), a packed lunch and a two-course evening meal.
Evening activities are available at no additional cost. Staff teachers are included free of charge based on a ratio of one staff member to every 10 participants.
Transport to and from activity venues is also included (please let us know if you have your own vehicle).
Location & Travel
School camps by the coast
We’re perfectly placed for a school residential camping trip on the famed Jurassic Coast. Our tented villages are located just outside of Corfe Castle in Dorset – around 3 hours drive from London and the midlands.
Students and teachers can enjoy beautiful views from our private tented villages, some overlooking Poole Harbour. From our site, there is easy access to a number of scenic locations along the Jurassic Coast.
We work with a number of trusted coach providers and will help you arrange transport to and from our village if necessary. Once you’ve arrived we will transport students to and from our offsite activities in our fleet of minibuses.
Get in touch
Start planning your bespoke school residential trip itinerary today!