About L&E

Sam R

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 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 enjoy all that British Columbia has to offer.  However, he is still fully involved

1. 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!
2. 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.
3. 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!
4. 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…
5. Fun fact about yourself! I’m a qualified ski instructor and I have a collection of Cricket Almanacs that date back to the 1880s 🤓

Cam S

UK Manager

Amandine J

Operations Manager Canada Originally from France, Amandine brings a global perspective to her role as Operations Manager Canada at L&E. With a strong background in marketing, Amandine leverages her skills to ensure a smooth operation while her true passion lies in creating impactful experiences for children. She’s thrilled to be a part of a program that fosters growth and inspires young minds.

1. What did you want to be when you grew up? An underwater archaeologist, until I found out I would need to be a diver first
2. Favourite campfire song? Take Me Home Country Road by John Denver
3. Favourite place to travel? Vietnam was an absolute blast!
4. Favourite Disney Character? I couldn’t get enough of Pocahontas
5. Who is your role model? Stephen Hawking
6. Fun fact about yourself! My trivia skills are no joke!

Sam P

Director of Open Minds

Mike D

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.

1. 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
2. Favourite L&E activity? Water fights
3. Favourite L&E memory? Taking kids around Madrid who’d never left London before!
4. Best thing about L&E? Watching kids discover things about themselves, what they’re capable of doing & fun they have along the way.
5. 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!

Paul Mac

Senior Leader

1. 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
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Fun fact about yourself! I am unofficially recognised as Lancaster University’s most committed, yet least talented, performer of karaoke.

Julie Mac

Director of Teen Travel

1. 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.
2. Favourite place visited on L&E Travel? Liverpool and Amsterdam!
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Fun fact about yourself!  I love a good fad and my most recent is Olympic Weightlifting….watch this space!