Riverschool Holiday Club | Canoe Adventures

Riverschool Holiday Club

Riverschool Holiday Club

Suitable for:Parents and Carers booking for 7-14 year old children

(Looking to book a group for a school or youth group? Please click here.)  

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.  

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.  
  • 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 please visit the Devon County Council website here.   

Easter Holidays 

13-15 April - HAF-funded and Pay-for places available. 1030-1530 each day

Summer Half-term

26-28 May - Pay-for places only. 1000-1600 each day.

Summer Holidays

27-29 July Summer Week 1. Mon-Wed. - Pay-for places only. 1000-1600 each day.

03-07 August Summer Week 2. Mon-Fri. - HAF-funded and Pay-for places available. 1030-1530 each day.

10-14 August Summer Week 3. Mon-Fri. - HAF-funded and Pay-for places available. 1030-1530 each day.

17-20 August Summer Week 4. Mon-Wed. - HAF-funded and Pay-for places available. 1030-1530 each day.

24-27 August Summer Week 5. Mon-Wed. - HAF-funded and Pay-for places available. 1030-1530 each day.

October Half-term

27-29 October - Tues-Thurs. Pay-for places only. 1000-1600 each day. Tuckenhay, not Stoke Gabriel.

Looking to book a group for a school or youth group? Please click here. 

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

We create memories together that will last a lifetime. 

Riverschool mixes up 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. 

We are inspired and informed by, among others, Forest School, Montessori and NOLS.  

Child-led learning and exploration happens freely and naturally, with distinct learning outcomes.

We aim to never interrupt an engaged child (notwithstanding the dynamic environment in which we operate).
We support learning, discovery and play on and off the water, developing resilience for today’s rapidly changing world.

A fun and safe experience for all children.

For details about our health & safety practice, insurance and licences please see mid way down this page.