School Residential Trips in Devon & Cornwall: A Woodland Guide

A school residential should be more than a night away. South West Survival is based in Plymouth, Devon, and we organise woodland residential experiences for schools across Devon and Cornwall. Our aim is to make practical outdoor learning enjoyable and memorable for pupils and staff.

What does a South West Survival school residential include?

Our residential experiences include bell-tent accommodation for children and teachers, and meals cooked over a campfire. Children can help with appropriate food preparation tasks. In the evenings, groups can enjoy hot chocolate, toasted marshmallows and songs around the campfire.

A residential is also an opportunity to step away from screens and the classroom, spend time exploring a woodland setting and try practical activities together. We discuss the programme with the school to understand its needs before confirming activities or arrangements.

What activities can pupils try?

Potential activities include shelter building, fire lighting, archery, air rifle shooting, campfire cooking, nature hikes, natural navigation, whittling, making cordage from stinging nettles, and woodland crafts. This is a selection of possible activities, not a promise that all activities will be suitable for every group.

The final selection must reflect pupils' ages, abilities, the venue, trained supervision and the school's requirements. Activities involving tools, flames, archery or air rifles require appropriate safety planning and suitability decisions.

Where can we organise a woodland school residential?

South West Survival is a Plymouth-based outdoor education, bushcraft and survival business offering school residential experiences in Devon and Cornwall. Contact us to discuss your preferred location and the right setting for your school. You can see everything we offer schools on our outdoor learning for schools page.

How should teachers plan a residential?

Start by deciding what the school wants pupils to experience. Tell us the age group, likely number of pupils, possible dates, learning objectives, any additional support or accessibility needs and preferred location. We can then discuss the most appropriate residential experience.

Before a visit is agreed, schools should also establish the specific venue's sleeping and washing arrangements, food and allergy provisions, staffing responsibilities, activity suitability, emergency arrangements and relevant safeguarding and risk documentation. These details must be confirmed for each booking rather than assumed from a general description.

Forest School sessions and residentials are different services

If an overnight visit is not right for your school, ask South West Survival about our separate Forest School and outdoor education sessions. These can offer practical experiences without an overnight stay. If you are weighing up the options, read our guide to choosing a Forest School programme.

Ask us about your school's residential

I'm Steven Kelly, founder of South West Survival, a former soldier from 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery with 23 years of military service and experience in survival and outdoor education. I'd welcome the chance to talk about an outdoor residential that works for your school.

Tell us your preferred dates, group size and the activities you are interested in through our contact page, by email at southwestsurvival@outlook.com or by phone on 07830 497130. You can also see the full programme on our school residentials page.

For general guidance on planning school visits, see the Department for Education's health and safety on educational visits guidance and the HSE's advice on school trips.