Cornwall BranchBig adventures for curious kids.
Summer sessions at our rescue centre near St Columb Major. Spend your summer making new friends, learning new skills, and having fun!
A summer at the centre, with people who get it.
Our Summer Sessions are creative, fun and centred on nature. Most of the day is spent outdoors in our wildlife garden and woodland walk, with time in the barn for lunch and quieter activities like indoor games or animal-themed films when the day calls for it.
Summer Sessions
A brilliant summer holiday club for younger animal and nature fans. Most of the day is spent outside, getting properly stuck into hands-on adventures with other young people who care about the natural world.
- Make new friendsMeet other young people from across Cornwall who love the outdoors.
- Lots of time outsideWildlife garden, woodland walk and mud kitchen, with the barn for lunch and quieter moments.
- Learn new skillsBuild bug hotels, hunt for natural materials, get curious about Cornish wildlife.
- Structured, supported, safeSmall groups, clear plan for the day, friendly team throughout.
From 9 until 3, here is roughly how it goes.
Every session is a bit different depending on the weather, the season, and what we are building that day, but the shape of the day stays the same.
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9:00
Arrive and settle in
Meet the team, hang up your coat, and get introduced to the other people in your session.
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9:30
Morning activity e.g. building bug hotels
We will spend the morning on our woodland walk, hunting for materials to make our bug hotels later in the day.
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11:30
Free play
Free time in our wildlife garden. Play in the mud kitchen, learn something new from our resources, or play a game. It's up to them.
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12:00
Lunchtime 45 minutes
Back to the barn for packed lunches. Please bring your own food and a refillable water bottle.
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12:45
Afternoon activity
Back to the wildlife garden to build our bug hotels with the materials we gathered in the morning.
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15:00
Collection
Parents and carers pick up from the main entrance. Please arrive promptly.
The welfare of your children is at the heart of what we do.
Our dedicated Summer Sessions team have the welfare of your children at the heart of what we do. Before the session you will be asked to complete a booking form covering emergency contacts, dietary requirements, and any medical or access needs. If anything ever concerns you, or you have any questions, you can contact the team directly and speak to a member of the Summer Sessions team.
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Safeguarding policy All sessions follow our full safeguarding policy, reviewed annually.
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Risk-assessed activities Every activity in the programme is risk-assessed in advance, with adjustments made for weather, group, and ability.
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Small group ratios Sessions run with a maximum ratio of one adult to eight children.
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Named contact on the day You will know who is leading the session before your young person arrives.
Please note
Please note that these sessions are suitable for children who are able to work within a group with an instructor and are ready to listen and follow instructions and guidance. If your young person is not yet ready for this, or requires additional 1 to 1 support, this activity may not be appropriate.
Our Young People's Project runs year-round and offers tailored sessions for young people who would benefit from a different kind of support. Please get in touch if you would like to talk through which option suits your young person best.
Please note that if a young person places themselves or others in a position of risk during a session, we will need to stop the activity and contact parents or guardians to arrange immediate collection.
What to bring on the day
- Old clothes you do not mind getting muddy.
- Sturdy closed-toe footwear. Trainers or boots. No sandals or Crocs.
- A packed lunch, snacks, and a refillable water bottle.
- A waterproof coat. This is Cornwall, and we will be outside.
- Any personal medication your young person may need.
- A positive, curious attitude. We will take care of the rest.
Getting to RSPCA Cornwall
Free on-site parking is available for drop off and collection. We are just off the A39, ten minutes from Newquay and twenty from Wadebridge.
Please arrive a few minutes before 9:00 so we can start promptly. If you are running late, please call the centre and we will let the session lead know.
Frequently asked
How much does a session cost?
Current pricing is shown in the booking calendar at the bottom of this page. As a self-funded branch, every penny supports the rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of animals at our Cornwall centre.
Do participants need any prior experience?
Not at all. A genuine interest in nature and the outdoors, plus a willingness to learn, is all we need. Our team guide everyone through every activity, and there is no expectation that you already know how to do any of it.
Will they get to handle the animals?
While we are an animal rehoming centre, these sessions are not specifically designed as hands-on animal sessions. They are centred around nature, creativity, and the outdoors.
Many of the animals at our centre are rescues with a history, and our first duty is always their welfare. While there may be an opportunity for animal interaction during some sessions, this is not something we can guarantee.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The session still runs. We are lucky enough to have both indoor and outdoor spaces here at the centre, so on rougher days we'll move some activities into the barn. We're still likely to be outside for parts of the day though, so a waterproof coat is essential. If conditions become genuinely unsafe we will contact you directly.
Can I cancel or move my booking?
Yes. Our full cancellation and transfer policy is shown at the point of booking. The key points:
- Notice period: We require a minimum of 48 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule a booking.
- Late cancellations: Cancellations made with less than 48 hours' notice may forfeit the deposit or be liable for the full session fee.
- No-shows: Failure to attend a booked session without notice will result in the full fee being charged or the forfeiture of any pre-paid credit.
If your young person is unwell on the day, please let us know as early as possible so we can offer the space to someone on the waiting list.
Is the centre accessible?
The Venton Centre is on an active rescue site with some uneven ground and outdoor animal areas. If you have specific access, mobility, or sensory requirements, please get in touch before booking and we will talk through what we can do to support your young person.
My young person is anxious about groups. Can they still come?
Yes, and we would love to have them. Let us know in advance and we will make sure the session lead is aware, so they can check in and make sure your young person feels settled before we start.
Ready to join us?
Spaces are limited to ensure everyone gets the best experience. Pick a time that suits you below.