This science lab camp is for young people aged between 16 and 18 years old who have an interest in science.
It is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a variety of laboratory skills and techniques.

It may be of particular interest to students hoping to pursue a career in biochemistry, medicine, pharmacy, marine biology or other disciplines with a focus on laboratory techniques.
You will spend your week at one of our field centre’s and experience working in an industrial standard laboratory.

You will be working in teams to complete workplace-linked science investigations exploring sampling and analytical techniques.

Lab work will be combined with adventurous outdoor activities. This will allow you to develop your problem-solving, effective communication and team working skills. These are all essential for those wishing to pursue a career in science.

This course is suitable for the residential section of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. Always check with your leader before booking.

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Please see the example timetables on this page for further details on what to expect.

Our residentials also give you the chance to develop a range of transferable skills. These types of skills help across many areas of life and are particularly good for including in job or education applications. Here are some of the transferable skills that are likely to be covered in this residential:

  • Communicating with others
  • Working as a team
  • Managing your time
  • Taking the lead
  • Resilience
  • Reliability
  • Keeping focused
  • Problem solving
  • Decision making

We want to ensure participants get to share in their experience with those of a similar age. Please consider what age the attendee will be on the course date and check they fit into the age category when booking. 

If the attendee is under 18, the booking must be made by a parent/guardian.

When attending the residential dates which welcome 16-18 year olds, all participants will be expected to follow the behaviour and conduct rules which will be in place to safeguard young people.

See our Residential FAQs page if you’d like to know the answers to our most frequently asked questions.

If these course dates do not suit you, we run similar courses at many of our other centres.

Explore our range of opportunities for young people. Whether you’re looking to complete your gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, want to explore possible careers, or simply want to expand your knowledge of nature and the natural world, our range of opportunities and experiences offers something for everyone.

  • Young people looking in to microscopes
  • Young people looking through microscopes

Example Timetable

Example Timetable

Day 1 - Arrive-12.00pm
Please bring a packed lunch for the first day.

Afternoon
Welcome to the centre introduction, tour and ice breakers.
Team building activities

Evening
Introduction to the lab, Health and safety, team roles and​ micro-pipetting workshop

Day 2

Morning
Sea level traversing

Afternoon
PCR in Medicine - breast cancer investigation.
Selecting bacterial clones and set up cultures

Evening
Gel electrophoresis of PCR product

Day 3

Morning
Isolate DNA from bacterial cultures and enzyme reactions

Afternoon
High ropes

Evening
Gel electrophoresis of enzyme reaction samples

Day 4

Morning
Forensics

Afternoon
Ghyll scrambling

Evening
Campfire

Day 5

Morning
Team presentation

Afternoon
Low ropes, fire lighting/egg challenge

Depart at 15.00

Please note: to ensure safe and quality learning experiences for participants, the timetables may alter depending on weather conditions and local factors at centres.

 

 

What's Included

  • Expert Tuition
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Full Board Accommodation
  • Hot and Cold Drinks
  • In Course Transport
  • Picnic Lunch

Before You Attend

What to bring

  • Walking boots​
  • Waterproof coat and over-trousers​
  • Plenty of comfortable warm clothes (layering is important as temperatures are changeable at this time of year)​
  • Clothes you don’t mind getting wet for the ghyll, including old trainers which will get wet​
  • Towel and personal toiletries.​
  • Hat and gloves (it can still be cold at this time of year)​
  • Rucksack (around 25 litres is great for a day sack)​
  • Lunch box​
  • Drinks bottles/flask (at least 1 litre)​
  • Sun cream, sun hat (baseball cap is ideal) and sunglasses​
  • Small first aid kit for personal use​

Please note:

This residential is only open to young people who will be aged 16 - 18 years old at the time of attending. 

We want to ensure participants get to share in their experience with those of a similar age. Please consider what age the attendee will be on the course date and check they fit into the age category when booking.

If the attendee is under 18, the booking must be made by a parent/guardian.

When attending the residential dates which welcome 16-18 year olds, all participants will be expected to follow the behaviour and conduct rules which will be in place to safeguard young people.

Opportunities to attend this course

  • Mon 17, February 2025 12:00 - Fri 21, February 2025 15:00

    At Castle Head you will explore investigations in synthesising insulin, breast cancer gene mutations and DNA barcoding. Lab work will be combined with adventurous outdoor activities such as ghyll scrambling and high ropes. This residential is only open to young people who will be aged 16 - 18 years old at the time of attending. 

    Location
    Castle Head
    Price
    £595.00
    Tutor
    Field Studies Council Staff

    Sorry this course is out of stock

  • Mon 14, April 2025 12:00 - Fri 18, April 2025 15:00

    At Castle Head you will explore investigations in synthesising insulin, breast cancer gene mutations and DNA barcoding. Lab work will be combined with adventurous outdoor activities such as ghyll scrambling and high ropes. This residential is only open to young people who will be aged 16 - 18 years old at the time of attending. 

    Location
    Castle Head
    Price
    £595.00
    Tutor
    Field Studies Council Staff
    Pay a deposit of £100.00 per item
  • Mon 27, October 2025 12:00 - Fri 31, October 2025 15:00

    At Castle Head you will explore investigations in synthesising insulin, breast cancer gene mutations and DNA barcoding. Lab work will be combined with adventurous outdoor activities such as ghyll scrambling and high ropes. This residential is only open to young people who will be aged 16 - 18 years old at the time of attending. 

    Location
    Castle Head
    Price
    £595.00
    Tutor
    Field Studies Council Staff
    Pay a deposit of £100.00 per item