“Learn & Experience create opportunities to connect young people (8-17) from different backgrounds and cultures to grow with a sense of adventure, curiosity and empathy.”
What we do?
We have a focus on the personal journey. Whether it’s attending one of our summer programmes, helping choose an international study experience or both, we care about every individual and want their experience to be the best.
We have 3 main programmes; L&E World Camp UK (8-15), L&E Teen Travel UK (14-17) and our U.K., U.S. and Canadian School Immersion (11-17).
L&E World Camp is hosted at the amazing Aysgarth School, North Yorkshire in a quintessential English countryside setting with state of the art facilities situated in 60 acres of woodland and sports fields. It is a truly international camp with over 25 nationalities all conversing in English embracing different cultures & learning new life skills. There is an Adventure, Sports and Arts programme including Horse Riding & Performing Arts. English lessons are provided for those who need it plus our Open Minds course is available for 13-15 year olds. This is a comprehensive and thought provoking academic course which includes workshops and an overnight wilderness experience.
Our Teen Travel programmes are designed to teach the skills needed for future journeys. The UK Tour includes all 3 capitals of mainland Britain and our travellers are also given freedom to influence their itinerary and make budget decisions to create a personalised and unique experience.
Our School Immersion programme uses our extensive knowledge of the UK & Canadian system to find the right path for both student and school.
Our Story
Sam Ridgway founded Learn & Experience in 2009 with the idea of creating opportunities to connect young people from different backgrounds and cultures to learn from one another. Together with his family and a great team, they has overseen the growth of L&E from just 20 children attending the first L&E Summer Camp in 2010 to having since placed and hosted hundreds of children across the various L&E programmes in the UK and Canada over the past 13 years.
During this time L&E have also helped dozens of families find the right school using their vast knowledge of the education system in the UK and Canada.
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 of creating opportunities for young people (8-17) from different backgrounds and cultures to grow with a sense of adventure, curiosity and empathy.
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
Sam PonsfordDirector of Open Minds
Sam Ponsford
Director of Open Minds
Julie MacDonaldDirector of Teen Travel
Julie MacDonald
Director of Teen Travel
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 place visited on L&E Travel? Liverpool and Amsterdam!
Favourite L&E World Camp 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 DewarDirector of Languages
Mike Dewar
Director of Languages
Mike has been involved with L&E since 2014. With a background in international education, Mike teaches ESOL in London and online to students around the world.
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 London 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!
L&E Timeline
2009
L&E founded
L&E Office opens in North Yorkshire, UK
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 Horse Riding offered as part of L&E Extras
2012
New Website designed by Speedway Media
First Spring Camp
First Elite Football School working with Leeds United
2013
UK School Immersion Service launched
First L&E Camper placed in UK Boarding School
2014
New venue in Madrid, Spain for School Groups
2015
First L&E Teen Travel programme – UK Tour
2016
New venue in Angers, France for School Groups
2017
New venue in South of England at FSM School
L&E open new office in Vancouver, Canada
2018
First L&E Teen Travel Euro Tour
First L&E Tennis Academy
2019
L&E World Camps rebrand
First Canadian Teen Travel Adventure
L&E Young Global Leader (YGL) Programme created
2020/2021🦠😜
New L&E Website launched (designed by Speedway Media)
L&E@Home launched with Online Language & Life Skill Classes
The Learn and Experience Podcast launched
2022
Partnership with Open Minds, Marlborough College Summer School
Elite Football experience at Manchester City
Canada added to L&E School Immersion Service
"She loved it! Thankyou for bringing her out of her shell and giving her the confidence to try new things. She had such a great time the first thing she said to me when we picked her up was “when can I come back!"Helen, Manchester
L&E WORLD CAMPDiscover the perfect adventure at our inspiring & nurturing camps (8-15)Find out more
L&E TEEN TRAVELLearn the art of travel for future journeys (14-17 year olds)Find out more
SCHOOL PLACEMENT Are you interested in sending your child to a British, Canadian or U.S. School?Find out more
L&E News & BlogRead the latest updates from Learn & Experience
Find out more
L&E WORLD CAMPDiscover the perfect adventure at our inspiring & nurturing camps (8-15)Find out more
L&E TEEN TRAVELLearn the art of travel for future journeys (14-17 year olds)Find out more
SCHOOL PLACEMENT Are you interested in sending your child to a British, Canadian or U.S. School?Find out more
L&E News & BlogRead the latest updates from Learn & Experience
Find out more
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