RIVERSCHOOL | Canoe Adventures

RIVERSCHOOL

RIVERSCHOOL

Suitable for:Holiday Clubs. School Groups. Youth Camps. 7-14 years

Its crazy how much kids love Riverschool!   Each day we paddle by giant canoe to our woodland basecamp for activities, free-play, fun, friendship and adventure, or we journey out to explore the Dart estuary. 

We normally gather at The Quay, Stoke Gabriel, but sometimes it is Tuckenhay or Totnes depending on the tides (so check your booking details carefully).

Riverschool bookings on are made via an external booking system provided by Devon County Council.

We offer three different ticket types:

  • Paid Child session - For a single child booked on a single day.   £45     11% discount applied if you book more than one day at the same time. 
  • Sibling session - For anyone booking Paid Child tickets for siblings at the same time.   £40
  • Free HAF Child  - HAF eligibility - families registered for Free School Meals within Devon Authority (not Torbay).   This is only available on specific holiday dates (never on half-terms).  Bookings are approved by Devon Country Council before we are able to confirm bookings.  

Summer Holidays:

29th - 31st July, Tues to Thurs. 1000-1600.   Pay-for sessions only.  
4-8th August, Mon-Fri. 1030-1530. HAF and Pay-for sessions.
11-15 August, Mon-Fri.  1030-1530. HAF and Pay-for sessions.
18-22 August, Mon-Fri.  1030-1530.  HAF and Pay-for sessions.
26-28 August, Tues, Wed, Thurs. 1000-1600. Pay-for sessions only.  

October Half-term:  27-29 October. Mon to Wed. 1000-1600.  Pay-for sessions only.

Booking in advance helps us massively, and avoids disappointment.

Seven year olds:  We promote Riverschool as ages 8-14.   We can take some seven year olds at our discretion, especially children we know and siblings.  But we can’t take too many or we don’t have  enough muscle power to paddle the canoes, they take more supervision and staff and we are keen to have a good mix of ages. I am sure you understand!   Please contacts us directly, if in doubt. 

Timings vary!  Please note! 

'Pay-for Only' Weeks. Sessions are 1000-1600.  We will do some cooking on the fire but it is not intended as a substantial meal, so your children need to bring a packed lunch. 

HAF Weeks. Hours are 1030-1530, and they include a hot meal that we all take part in cooking together on the open fire.    Some Pay-for places are available on these days.

  • Free HAF Child tickets  are for young people from within Devon County Council and with a valid Free School Meals eligibility code.   Please note Torbay is separate authority and is not eligible, sorry.  Please check this if you are on the boundary, eg Stoke Gabriel and Galmpton Primary schools, to avoid disappointment on booking. 
  • You won't be able to book without a Free School Meals or Extended Criteria eligibility code.  
  • For more infomation about this funded programme and the eligibility criteria:   https://www.devon.gov.uk/educationandfam...

Inclusivity.  Our aim is to be fully inclusive and open to everyone.  However, given the nature of our activities, please note we may need to limit numbers of very small children so that we have enough paddlers to operate our canoes safely, and also some SEND children if we can't satisfy the staffing levels that maybe needed to ensure a safe environment.  It is important you declare any SENDs, ADHD etc on booking. 

RIVERSCHOOL is an Ofsted registered childcare provider (Registration / Reference number 27317450)

For School trips, Youth groups, overnight camps and private birthday parties, please contact: hello@canoeadventures.co.uk or 07706 343744; schools/youth groups click here.

  • Canoes, kayaks & paddleboards
  • Bushcraft
  • Raft building
  • Fishing
  • Nature art and craft
  • Archery
  • Swimming
  • Storytelling
  • Wood-fired pottery
  • Wildlife and river care
  • Campfire cooking
  • Expeditions and overnight camps
There are currently no scheduled trips, check back again soon.
school expedition mouth of river dart with Canoe AdventuresTotnes weir hydro project River Dart estuary with Canoe Adventures

Life Skills, Fun and Adventure on the River Dart Estuary

Its like mixing the best of forest school, bushcraft and river skills, with the magic of the River Dart estuary and the Canoe Adventures spirit of fun and adventure. 

Child-led learning and exploration happens freely and naturally, with distinct learning outcomes.
We support learning, discovery and play on and off the water, developing resilience for today’s rapidly changing world.

Each session will have a different theme with activities including campfire building and cooking, knife skills, wild swimming, free play and exploration and time to just hang out by the river. 

An exciting opportunity to explore the River Dart by canoe, learn bushcraft skills and gain river knowledge.

A fun and safe experience for all children.

Led by Canoe Adventures Director, qualified forest school leader, bushcraft instructor and youth mentor, Hugh Clifford.

For details about our health & safety practice, insurance and license please click here.