The Ridgway Family founded Learn & Experience in their home county of Yorkshire in 2009. They have overseen the growth of L&E; from just 20 children attending their first Summer Camp to having since hosted over 1000 children across the various L&E programmes.
Though the L&E Head Office is still located in the UK, Sam (an ex-teacher) & Randa (a paediatric anaesthetist) now live in Vancouver, Canada with their daughters Maddie, 11 and Dottie, 8. (Maddie was just a one year old at the first World Camp at Aysgarth in 2010!!)
Adventure – Life skills – Language
Learn & Experience have a very clear vision. Creating experiences to bring together young people from different backgrounds and cultures (whether online or in-person) through Adventure, Life Skills and Language.
Our experienced team have all been chosen for their ability to communicate with children and their commitment to ensuring each child has a fantastic adventure with us. They are a very special team and all bring something different which make up the unique nature of L&E…
Senior Team
Sam RidgwayL&E Founder & Director
Sam Ridgway
L&E Founder & Director
Sam Ridgway has worked in education for the past two decades. Having grown up in Yorkshire he started his teaching career at Marlborough College (Wiltshire, UK) before moving to Forres Sandle Manor Preparatory School (The New Forest, UK) as a History, Sports and House Master for 6 years. In 2009 he founded Learn & Experience with the idea to connect children from different backgrounds and cultures through Adventure, Life Skills and Language. Click for more info
He moved to Vancouver in 2017 with his wife (Randa) and two children (Maddie and Dottie) to establish programmes in Canada and to enjoy all that British Columbia has to offer.
What did you want to be when you grew up? A pro-footballer for Manchester United but soon realised that being Man United’s physio was more realistic or the kit man! Then it was a teacher!
Favourite L&E activity? I love campfire nights at our camps. It’s where you really see everyone in a different light. It’s where the real friendships are formed and there’s always at least one campfire performance that really wows you.
Favourite L&E memory? There are so many! And every year a hundred more are formed. We did a Harry Potter Theme Night in 2012 and as a finale we released dozens of sky lanterns which was so magical. Also, I loved driving Lenny the L&E Landrover around Ampleforth’s grounds looking for dinosaurs in our Jurassic Park Theme Night!
Best thing about L&E? Meeting young people from so many different backgrounds and cultures and seeing them interact and ultimately forming lifelong friendships is such a privilege to see in action. There isn’t an hour that goes by during one of our programmes when I don’t see something remarkable. Whether it’s an amazing talent, something joyously happy/funny or just an act of kindness…
Fun fact about yourself! I’m a qualified ski instructor and I have a collection of Cricket Almanacs that date back to the 1880s
Julie MOperations Manager
Julie M
Operations Manager
What did you want to be when you grew up? I loved photography and dancing so a breakdancing photographer! I always knew I wanted to work with people and as time went on and I started to volunteer and work with children I knew if I could find a job that entailed working with both adults and children then that would be perfect.
Favourite L&E activity? The evening activities are the best part of the day for me. The children and the staff all together having a ball! Theme nights are always special, the staff put so much work into planning them and the children make it all worthwhile by completely immersing themselves in the chosen theme.
Favourite L&E memory? There was one epic water fight back in 2014 which was my first year working at L&E. It started off as an afternoon activity and everyone was having so much fun it carried on way past the end of the session…I think we almost missed dinner. That is what camp is all about – just losing yourself in the fun.
Best thing about L&E? Memories. So many of my favourite memories happened at L&E, there are just too many to name. Seeing the children come back year after year and greeting you with a massive smile is just priceless. The bonds that you make are so strong, the children leave with so many new friends, as do the staff.
Fun fact about yourself! I love a good fad and my most recent is Olympic Weightlifting….watch this space!
Mike DDirector of Languages
Mike D
Director of Languages
What did you want to be when you grew up? One of those dudes at the airport with glow in the dark sticks to guide the aeroplanes to their resting place
Favourite L&E activity? Water fights
Favourite L&E memory? Taking kids around Madrid who’d never left Hammersmith before!
Best thing about L&E? Watching kids discover things about themselves, what they’re capable of doing & fun they have along the way.
Fun fact about yourself! I learned how to bake a cake aged 40. Proof that it’s never too late to discover new joys in life!
Sarah CCamp Director
Sarah C
Camp Director
What did you want to be when you grew up? An astronaut
Favourite L&E activity? Absolutely, without a doubt it has to be icebreakers!
Favourite L&E memory? So many memories! My fondest memories are of our rising stars. Every camp are full of these wonderful children who overcome challenges to become L&E legends!
Best thing about L&E? Family, no matter the size of the camp. By the time Friday comes we are family.
Fun fact about yourself! I secretly want to be a contestant on bake off (not so secret after all!)
Team Members
Hayley MSenior Tutor & Head of Creative
Hayley M
Senior Tutor & Head of Creative
What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be either a dance teacher or someone who sells chairs (antique furniture shop). One of those dreams came true.
Favourite L&E activity? Scuba-diving. Each Tuesday we try to encourage every child to have a go at Scuba-diving. Some of the children are very apprehensive at first and the staff spend time reassuring them. It’s awesome to see them being brave and giving it a go – what a sense of achievement they get!
Favourite L&E memory? I was lucky enough to be a Travel Mentor for Teen Travel Euro in 2019. Our first city was Amsterdam and the teens were still getting to know one another. The teens decided to rent a canal boat and everyone had a shot of steering it, it was a lovely bonding experience and a good way to jump right in to taking ownership of their trip. What an amazing way to see the city…picnic with a view!
Best thing about L&E? With the range of activities and staff members it caters for all different types of children and that individuality is celebrated.
Fun fact about yourself! I perform in a cabaret dance troupe called Hustle and we have performed many times at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Sam BSenior Tutor & L&E Legend
Sam B
Senior Tutor & L&E Legend
What did you want to be when you grew up? I’ve wanted to do different things at different times growing up, but for most my life I wanted to be a sportsman.
Favourite L&E activity? L&E Dodgeball
Favourite L&E memory? Making the camp videos for theme night was always a treat; particularly being able to witness the tutors incredibly and versatile acting skills.
Best thing about L&E? Seeing the camp transform over the week from a group of shy and nervous kids into one big family.
Fun fact about yourself! I once owned around 100 hats.
Kate TSenior Tutor & L&E Legend
Kate T
Senior Tutor & L&E Legend
What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a Doctor when I grew up so I could be like my dad
Favourite L&E activity? Water fight/ slippy slide – so many fun memories from the sumo suit.
Favourite L&E memory? So many to mention – Harry Potter theme night releasing the lanterns hiding up trees for theme nights and seeing children conquer their fears.
Best thing about L&E? Meeting and getting to work with amazing children from around the world and fantastic tutors
Fun fact about yourself! I worked on the first ever L&E camp
Ashleigh SSenior Tutor
Ashleigh S
Senior Tutor
What did you want to be when you grew up? I always wanted to be a teacher ever since I was at middle school and I had a wonderful role model as my PE teacher. I always thought it would be PE teaching as a career but after a few years in the PE department I decided I wanted to move to the classroom and become a primary teacher!
Favourite L&E activity? My favourite L&E activity is sumo suit rounder or crash mat rounders! They are both hilarious and involve some very impressive moving dives onto the crash mats!
Favourite L&E memory? My favourite L&E memory is definitely in Aysgarth when we had a Harry Potter theme night. We created the most amazing dining hall experience and even had everyone sorted with the sorting hat! We had potion mixing and a final game of quidditch with a real life moving Golden Snitch! It’s was absolutely awesome! This potterhead was definitely thrilled!
Best thing about L&E? The best thing about L&E is 100% the people you are surrounded by! There are so many children from all areas of the world coming together to have fun and experience new things! It’s also a fantastic opportunity for the staff to meet new people from all over the world and learn new languages and cultures! It is definitely the best 2 weeks you will ever have! I can guarantee that you will never want to leave!!
Fun fact about yourself! I reckon I can answer every question is Harry Potter trivial pursuit correctly! Want to challenge me?!
Paul MSenior Tutor & English
Paul M
Senior Tutor & English
What did you want to be when you grew up? When I grew up I wanted to be a footballer, in particular I wanted to play striker for Leeds United and England
Favourite L&E activity? My favourite L&E activity is hard to choose, but probably movie making in English class. The kids come up with some of the most outrageous stories and plotlines and watching them in the Oscars at the end of the week is always hilarious.
Favourite L&E memory? My favourite L&E memory would probably be when Luis won star camper in 2018. He’d been coming to camp for years and had never won it before, but after he won the award he asked Sam if he could say a few words, and delivered a genuine and unexpected speech about how camp, and particularly us tutors, had taught him so much and allowed him to grow. It was a really special moment to see a camper put into words how he felt about coming to L&E every year, and I know it was a highlight for many of the tutors.
Best thing about L&E? I’d probably split my favourite thing about L&E between two things. Firstly, witnessing so many of the campers grow into themselves, not only during a stay at camp but also seeing the differences each year they return, witnessing the children grow up yet returning to their friendships is amazing to see and be a part of. Secondly it’s the ability to be silly. There’s a big kid in all of us members of staff, and being in an environment where we’re not consumed by technology but instead outdoors playing games and coming up with outrageous activities is something I love doing. Throughout the rest of the year I’ll be looking at my degree and thinking how much I’d swap that for an icebreakers evening of chubby bunnies and egg drop – I know for sure the staff have as good a time as the kids.
Fun fact about yourself! I am unofficially recognised as Lancaster University’s most committed, yet least talented, performer of karaoke.
Cindy ZTeam Member & Social Media Guru
Cindy Z
Team Member & Social Media Guru
What did you want to be when you grew up? What did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was younger I wanted to be a ballerina, a lawyer, a princess or an author. I’d like to think I can still achieve this goal somehow haha
Favourite L&E activity? Definitely the Oscars! It’s such a wonderful way for the campers to celebrate their achievements throughout the week and for everyone to dance and have fun together.
Favourite L&E memory? The Avengers theme night in my second year at L&E. All the staff and campers got involved and made it such a fun evening.
Best thing about L&E? Watching the campers make new friends and become more confident as the weeks go on. It’s amazing seeing them grow and enjoy themselves throughout their time at camp.
Fun fact about yourself! I can play 3 instruments and speak 3 languages.
Emma MTeam Member & YGL Leader
Emma M
Team Member & YGL Leader
What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a secret agent
Favourite L&E activity? My favourite L&E activity was Theme night where we dressed up and created fun stations. We’d create the most fun, creative activities
Favourite L&E memory? My favourite L&E memory is sliding down the water slide and sunbathing in the sun
Best thing about L&E? The best thing about L&E is how homely it feels. The workers and children get on really well and even though there can be lots of people we seem to get to know one another well by the end.
Fun fact about yourself! Although I’ve been to 18 countries I cannot do a single foreign accent… As hard as I try
Jack PTeam Member
Jack P
Team Member
What did you want to be when you grew up? My uncle is a farmer and I always loved being on the farm, just enjoyed being outside. To be honest, I still want to be a farmer!
Favourite L&E activity? Campfire, without a doubt. Watching the children get up and perform for their marshmallow is so much fun. Hearing lots of different national anthems and seeing some of the talent that comes to camp is always the highlight of the week!
Favourite L&E memory? Its so hard to pick a favourite! Theme nights are always amazing and so much fun but in 2019 the campers took on the enormous challenge of swimming the length of the English Channel (21 miles) which they completed in just over 5 hours. It was awesome to see them all support each other, especially at the end when everyone jumped fully clothed into the pool!
Best thing about L&E? Easily the best thing about L&E is watching the more shy children(and staff members) really come out of their shell over their time being there. Seeing the transformation in them not wanting to stay on the first day to crying because they don’t want to go home on the last. I think it’s a testament to the real sense of community and family at the camp.
Fun fact about yourself! When not at L&E my day job (if you can really call it that) is to sing operas for a living.
Sophie RTeam Member
Sophie R
Team Member
What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a famous ballerina
Favourite L&E activity? Theme night! Each one is so unique and fun for both kids and tutors.
Favourite L&E memory? My favourite L&E memory was the talent show theme night. Was amazing seeing so many people conquer their nerves to put on amazing performances.
Best thing about L&E? Best thing is that all the kids (and tutors) become such amazing friends by the end of the two weeks. They are so supportive and friendly to each other
Fun fact about yourself! I am the oldest of 6 siblings, with 4 brothers and 1 sister!
Nikki MMatron
Nikki M
Matron
What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a Police Officer when I grew up. I liked the idea of being out and helping the community.
Favourite L&E activity? It has to be the campfire nights. I’m still singing songs throughout the whole year. It’s a great way to bond and get to know each other.
Favourite L&E memory? I think my favourite memory of L&E was seeing the 2 youngest campers standing up at the campfire and singing a song they knew from school. They were very nervous but they wanted to show their talents.
Best thing about L&E? I think the best thing about L&E are the young people that attend. Everyone has a different story to share and it’s great. I’m always learning from them. Some children taught me the basics of Chess last year. This year I’m hoping to walk away a Master!
Fun fact about yourself! I like to play… LASER TAG!
Harry GTeam Member
Harry G
Team Member
What did you want to be when you grew up? I always saw myself as the successor to the King of Swing: Jimmy Anderson. Sadly, it wasn’t to be and the England Cricket team have missed out on me! Their loss…
Favourite L&E activity? Gotta be Icebreakers, there’s nothing else that brings out everyone’s ingenuity, creativity, and (above all) competitiveness.
Favourite L&E memory? Can’t narrow it down to a specific week, but I always treasure each Oscars night. It’s a joyous time celebrating how well all the kids have done over the course of the week.
Best thing about L&E? The confidence it brings out in people! From the youngest to the oldest kids, as well as the staff.
Fun fact about yourself! I’m fluent in both French and Spanish, and as a result have had the good fortune of living in Colombia and France!
Harriet T-BLanguage Tutor
Harriet T-B
Language Tutor
What did you want to be when you grew up? When I was little I dreamed of being a vet – I’ve always loved animals!
Favourite L&E activity? It has to be Monday evening icebreakers. It does what it says on the tin, gets everyone being silly together and is where new friendships begin to form.
Favourite L&E memory? This is a tough one, there are so many! One that stands out for me is when one of our lovely campers, Greta, got up the courage to sing and play piano in front of the whole camp – there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Moments like that are magical and are proof that children can and do blossom at L&E.
Best thing about L&E? I love how it feels like one big family. We wake up together, eat together, do all kinds of activities together and as a result by the end of the week it feels like we’ve known each other for years.
Fun fact about yourself! I converted my minivan into a camper called Otis and we often go adventuring together.
Connor HTeam Member & English
Connor H
Team Member & English
What did you want to be when you grew up? WWE Wrestler
Favourite L&E activity? Ice breakers
Favourite L&E memory? Meeting all the new campers on the first day
Best thing about L&E? Beating the campers at dodgeball ?
Fun fact about yourself! When I eat a kiwi, I eat the skin aswell
Iona HTeam Member
Iona H
Team Member
What did you want to be when you grew up? Happy!
Favourite L&E activity? Sport
Favourite L&E memory? Chatting about silly stuff with kids
Best thing about L&E? Seeing the kids make friends and be happy together (away from phones)
Fun fact about yourself! I often choose to eat cereal for dinner ?
KrissiSenior Tutor
Krissi
Senior Tutor
What did you want to be when you grew up? A midwife ?
Favourite L&E activity? Definitely any of the adventure activities. Camp fire cooking is excellent!
Favourite L&E memory? There are lots of great memories to choose from but one that sticks out is when we had an impromptu day trip to the river which the whole camp went to and it was awesome!
Best thing about L&E? How quickly all the children and staff bond.
Fun fact about yourself! I come from a tiny island in the middle of the North Sea where there are more sheep than people!
L&E Timeline
It’s been a wonderful decade that we look back on with so much pride and joy. However, we still have so many plans that we can’t wait for the next 10 years!
2009
L&E founded
L&E Office opens in North Yorkshire, England
New addition to Ridgway family – Welcome Maddie!
2010
First 2 Week Summer Camp at Aysgarth School near York offering Adventure, Sport & Creative Activities
L&E English School opens
2011
4 Week Camp including a new venue at Malsis School, N. Yorkshire.
L&E Homestays launched
L&E Stable Club opens as part of L&E Extras
2012
New Website designed by George O
First Spring Camp
First Elite Football School working with Leeds United
New addition to Ridgway Family – Welcome Dottie!
2013
First L&E Camper placed in UK Boarding School
First Lenny the L&E Landrover purchased
2014
New venue in Madrid, Spain for School Groups
New Camp Director – Mike D
Malsis School closes
2015
First L&E Teen Travel programme – UK Tour
Third UK venue open at Ampleforth College, N. Yorkshire
New Camp Director – Julie D
2016
New venue in Angers, France for School Groups
New Camp Director – Sarah C
2017
First scheduled venue in South of England at FSM School
New L&E Office opens in Edinburgh, Scotland
Ridgway family move to Vancouver, Canada
2018
L&E Teen Travel Euro Tour launched
L&E Tennis Academy opens
L&E open new office in Vancouver, Canada
2019
L&E World Camps rebrand
World Camp UK offers minimum 2 week stay
L&E Young Global Leader (YGL) Programme launched
2020
New L&E Website launched (designed by Speedway Media)
L&E World Camps & Teen Travel coming to Canada
L&E@Home launched with Online Language & Life Skill Classes
"When you’re out on your own in the real world you have to figure out how to get to a place or figure out how to get what you want with a certain amount of money and sometimes it might require you to work with people with different opinions. I think the most important thing about Teen Travel is that it teaches you how to solve real life problems."Sierra, Kentucky USA
WORLD CAMPSLearn & Experience adventure, life-skills and language at our World Camps in UK & CanadaFind out more
TEEN TRAVELLearn the art of travel and make friends from around the world. Find out more
L&E @ HOMEOnline Language and Life-Skills CoursesFind out more
WHO ARE WE?Learn about the L&E Story and meet our teamFind out more
WORLD CAMPSLearn & Experience adventure, life-skills and language at our World Camps in UK & CanadaFind out more
TEEN TRAVELLearn the art of travel and make friends from around the world. Find out more
L&E @ HOMEOnline Language and Life-Skills CoursesFind out more
WHO ARE WE?Learn about the L&E Story and meet our teamFind out more
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