From classroom to campsite

While we welcome leisure guests to our campsite on weekends, these past few weeks and the weeks ahead have been dedicated to something especially close to our hearts: hosting school residential groups in the desert.

We recently welcomed the students of Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS) for their residential, and it was a truly rewarding camp, combining learning with play in one of the most powerful classrooms there is: nature itself.

Across the programme, students took part in a wide range of activities, from dune exploration and navigation to nomad cooking workshops and storytelling under the stars. One of the highlights was introducing them to the traditions and skills of desert nomads, learning not only how they lived but why their knowledge still matters today.

At the heart of these experiences is our proprietary Nomad Ways programme, founded on the knowledge, values and skills of nomadic cultures, created to ensure this heritage is not lost in the sands of time. The programme embraces ecological awareness, conservation and self-sustaining practices, rooted deeply in local culture and heritage. Through hands-on activities and stories, Nomad Ways inspires children of all ages to reconnect with nature, understand resilience and appreciate the delicate balance of desert life.

More than anything, these residentials are about planting seeds, of curiosity, respect for the environment and a lifelong love for the wilderness. Watching students discover confidence, teamwork and wonder in such a short time is always a reminder of why these programmes matter so much.

With more schools arriving over the coming weeks, we are excited to continue welcoming young explorers to the desert and sharing the stories, skills and spirit of the nomads.