Chelsea FC Foundation Soccer Schools Airport Transfer Information & Camp Frequently Asked Questions

For those arriving from overseas or even from the UK, the camp provides a negotiated transfer service from London Heathrow (LHR) Airport or London Gatwick (LGW) Airport to Charterhouse School, Surrey Sports Park and Lancing College. All transfers need to be pre-arranged. Flight arrivals on Mondays between 09:00 AM – 16:00 PM (4:00 PM) on the first day of camp and flight departures on Sundays between 11:00 AM – 18:00 PM (6:00 PM) on the last day of camp.

Transfers outside of the hours mentioned above will be an additional fee, please Contact Us.  Please note that the camp cannot accommodate out-of-hours transfers where players arrive at the camp after 11:00pm or need to leave the camp for a flight before 7:00am. Please see the Prices Page for more information.

We recommend morning arrivals (afternoon activities planned, see schedule on Camp Details Page) and late morning / mid-day departures (no activities planned during the departure day).

Participants must arrive on the first date of the camp and leave on the last date of the camp as mentioned on your registration.

Airport transfers booked within 21 days of the start of the camp are non-refundable.

The camp has a dedicated team of staff located at selected airports on arrival and departure days. If you book an arrival airport transfer your child will be met by a member of camp staff as they walk through to the arrivals public hall. Camp staff will be holding a Nike Camps sign in a prominent position at the front of the arrivals public area and your child will be escorted from this point all the way from the airport to the camp venue. Depending on your child’s flight time, there may be a short wait at the airport for other players to arrive during which time full supervision is given.

On the departure day, camp staff will help your child to the check-in at the airport. Camp staff may also make arrangements to transfer your child to the airline’s unaccompanied minor service if you mention this during registration.


Unaccompanied Minor Service

Unaccompanied Minor (UM, check Airlines Services for UM) is a service provided by the airlines if your child is under 14 years old or is an inexperienced traveler. This service provides an airline staff member to supervise and escort your child during their flight and in the parts of the airport that are not accessible to camp staff. Most airlines offer this service and some require you to use this service for children under a certain age so please check with the airline and pay applicable fees for both your inbound and outbound journey. If you have booked this service you must notify us during registration.

Check local requirements for children travelling without their parents or legal guardian – each country has specific requirements and may require written consent and/or identity documents.

Please note that UK Border Control (Immigration) does not allow children to wait alone without supervision.

UK Border Control may stop any child travelling alone and will only release them into the care of an adult. Therefore, students cannot wait by themselves.

Approximate Journey Time:
Charterhouse SchoolLancing CollegeSurrey Sports Park
London Heathrow (LHR) Airport45 minutes75 minutes30 minutes
London Gatwick (LGW) Airport60 minutes50 minutes45 minutes

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Are there any requirements in order to be able to attend Chelsea FC Foundation Soccer Schools?

A: Yes, the Soccer Only sessions are not suitable for basic level English speakers and the Soccer Only campers need to be able to speak at least an intermediate level of English. Also, the Soccer Only sessions are not suitable for complete beginners as the Soccer Only camps are intensive soccer camps. Additionally, the Soccer and English Language Classes sessions are not suitable for players who are native level English speakers.

Development sessions and Girls sessions are for All abilities including advanced players.

Advanced and Performance Boys sessions are for Players who play regularly for school or club.

Q: What age group can attend Chelsea FC Foundation Soccer Schools?

A: Chelsea FC Foundation Soccer Schools is open to boys and girls from 9 to 17 years who meet the requirements listed above. Boys sessions and Girls Sessions are open from 9 to 15 (Boys) at Lancing College, 13 – 17 (Boys) and 13 – 17 (Girls) at Charterhouse School, and 15 – 17 (Boys) at Surrey Sports Park, Goalkeeper sessions are open from 13 to 17 years old at Charterhouse. Please note that campers must be within the relevant age restrictions to register for the camp and that campers whose age is outside of the above age limits cannot register for the camp. Camp participants need to be the relevant age throughout the duration of the course in order to register.

Q: My child is just outside the relevant age for a particular course. What can I do?

A: Unfortunately your child has to be of the relevant age throughout the duration of the course.

Q: Are English language classes available for Chelsea FC Foundation Soccer Schools?

A: Both Soccer Only sessions as well as Soccer and English as a Second Language sessions are available. Campers may register for either the Soccer Only sessions (without English language classes) or the Soccer and English Language Classes sessions which combine soccer training with English language classes.

Q: What do I need to bring with me to camp?

A: You can find a list of what we recommend children bring with them HERE (PDF).

Q: What are the check-in and check-out times at camp?

A: Residential Camp self check-in is on Monday morning, unless using the airport transfer service (in which case arrival will depend on your flight time). Residential Camp self check-out is on Sunday mornings before 12:30pm unless using the airport transfer service.

Q: How can I get a trial with the Academy?

A: Chelsea F.C. has a scouting network to identify talented youngsters. Players need to make an impression for their local club/team. You cannot apply for a trial through Chelsea FC Foundation Soccer Schools.

Q: What are the chances of meeting a player?

A: Chelsea F.C. first team players will not be attending Chelsea FC Foundation Soccer Schools but you will experience Chelsea FC’s training center.

Q: My child is attending on his own; will he be ok?

A: Yes, the majority of players attend without friends and family. Individuals will be placed in groups with players near the same age who are also on their own. The first session of every course is designed to help all individual players integrate to form a team and also make new friends.

Q: What to expect as far as camp culture based on the country of the camp?

A: Each camp provides a sports experience as well as a cultural experience. Many of the participants will experience something different from home as they will be in a foreign country with a different way of living. For most of the camps, participants will experience the local cuisine, special times for meals (early meals in northern Europe, late meals in southern Europe) as per the culture of the country, showers after training sessions, typical entertainment at the camp as per the country’s summer camp culture, early or late bedtimes based on the country’s living habits and more. If you feel that your child will have difficulties to adapt to a new way of living, then we recommend that you wait until your child is of an age where they will be ready to do so.

Q: Where are the residential camps based?

A: The residential soccer camps are based at Charterhouse School which is located about 30 miles south west from London, Surrey Sports Park which is located about 30 miles from London and Lancing College which is situated about 70 miles south from London. The schools are part of the most prestigious private schools in England and have excellent sports and accommodation facilities. More details can be found on the Camp Location page.

Q: Are meals provided?

A: Meals are provided on the residential courses. Three meals a day + a snack and catering for various dietary requirements possible if mentioned ahead of time.

Q: What does full accommodation include?

A: Accommodations includes mainly Single (a few Double) bedrooms with shared bathrooms at Charterhouse School; Single/Double bedrooms and dorms with shared bathrooms at Lancing College and mainly single bedroom with en-suite bathroom at Surrey Sports Park. Accommodation includes three meals a day, a snack, bedding, and usage of site facilities. More information can be found on the Camp Location page.

Q: How much pocket money will they need whilst on the camp?

A: We often get asked how much spending money players should bring. As everything is included in the camp, players can get by without spending money but there is the opportunity to buy additional snacks on-camp, and to buy souvenirs and extra food on trips. Players tend to bring £50 – £200 or a UK-activated credit/debit card (depending on their age). All cash will be kept in the camp bank, with the exception of small amounts for snacks on-site. This is just a guide, there is no requirement to bring spending money.

Please note the camp is unable to arrange for additional spending money to be provided to players through parents calling the camp office and paying by card. Please ensure you supply your child with sufficient funds before the start of the camp.

Q: Can I visit my child during the camp?

A: Parents can visit their child at the camp sites one day during the week to watch a soccer training session (not available for Cobham). Day/Hours to visit will be confirmed by email a few weeks before your camp starting date.

Q: Can I stay on site with my child?

A: There is no accommodation for parents on site. Following is a list of local accommodations for Charterhouse: Charterhouse List and Lancing: Lancing List (you can also find hotels in Brighton for Lancing Site). You can also look into AirBnB nearby. It may be best to choose a hotel in the London area which meets your requirements.

Q: Can girls join the programme?

A: Yes, there are girls only sessions available. Please see the Dates Page for more information.

Q: Are there specific Goalkeeping courses?

A: There are Goalkeeper Camp sessions available from 13 – 17 years old which provide goalkeeper training at Charterhouse. There will be specialist goalkeeping training sessions throughout the week as well as sessions where goalkeepers join the field players program. Please see the Dates Page for more information.

Q: Does the child need a ‘Child Tourist/Visitor Visa’ to attend the soccer camp?

A: IMPORTANT:  Please note, you are solely responsible for obtaining all needed travel documents including but not limited to a valid passport and any appropriate tourist travel visas for the person attending the soccer camp, the Participant.  You must contact the appropriate consulate office for entry requirements and visa requirements for the country where the selected camp is located.  Once you have registered your child with us, and have paid for the camp in full, upon your written request, we will be pleased to provide a letter confirming enrolment for the specific Participant. This letter may be required by certain consulates for the ‘Child Tourist/Visitor Visa’.  (NOTE: We can only issue the letter for the Participant not for any other person.)  Please be advised that consulate’s visa application processes can take many months.  The more you wait, the more chances you have to be denied the required ‘Child Tourist/Visitor Visa’ for your child and certain camps will not issue a refund.  Please check the terms for the camp.

Q: Do I need insurance?

A: Insurance is included in your camp: INSURANCE  if you want additional medical or other coverage, we recommend you purchase an additional insurance in this case (It is your responsibility to ensure that you are satisfied with the extent of cover this provides and that the Participant has adequate travel and medical insurance to cover the costs of any medical treatment that may be required). For those interested in purchasing insurance through WorldNomads.com, please see the Insurance Page for more information but you can also make your own arrangements to find insurance on your own.

Q: Will I be in the same room as my friend?

A: Should you wish to share with a friend or relative please indicate this when you make your booking online. The camp is organized according to age groups to ensure that each player has a safe and fun experience during their stay. Therefore when selecting rooms for the campers, the camp follows a two-year age rule which means that each player will be sharing with others of a similar age. You can request to share a room with another player at camp as long as both players are within two years of each other and are both the same gender but please note that the camp cannot guarantee any room share requests. You can make this request during online registration. Please visit the Camp Location page for more information.

Q: How many weeks can my child attend for?

A: We advise you to only send your child for a maximum of two consecutive weeks. This is due to the busy training schedule throughout the week and after two weeks children tend to get tired, homesick, or possibly injured.

Q: When is the closing date for applications?

A: Applications are open until there are no slots left. Slots are limited and are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Once a session is filled, then it is closed for sale.

Q: When can I phone my child?

A: Campers are not allowed to use their mobile phones during training, classes, or any activities. Your child will let you know the best time for you to contact him after his camp session has started. Contact details for the camp will be provided to you a couple of weeks before camp starts in the welcome email packet.

Q: What are the Residences’ telephone numbers and website?

A: Camp telephone numbers will be provided in your welcome email packet a couple of weeks before the start of camp for registered campers.

Q: Will I be able to phone my child on his mobile phone?

A: The camp operates a phone ‘bank’ system on every camp. Players give in their phones and valuables to the camp bank for safe-keeping. This is mandatory. Then each evening during free-time players can access their phones to call home and catch up on messages. They return their phones to the bank before they go to bed. Although the camp staff will always wake players up in the mornings, some players like to know the time when they’re in their bedrooms so we advise bringing a watch or alarm clock in this instance.

This system ensures phones don’t get lost during sports sessions, distract players during English or keep them up at night. It also makes for a great social camp atmosphere encouraging interaction and new friendships.

It’s natural that during the first few days of the camp some players get homesick. The camp staff is trained and experienced in identifying signs of homesickness and offering support and comfort. As players settle into the camp and get involved in camp activities, homesickness usually subsides. Excessive contact with home during the first couple of days at the camp can make homesickness worse so we encourage parents to help their children become more independent but will work closely with parents to ensure the best experience for every child. The camp staff are also trained to identify any emotional changes or abnormalities in a players’ behaviour and will ensure they are fully supported to overcome any issues and make the best of their time with us.

Q: Is a laundry service available?

A: Every camp has free laundry facilities available on-site (laundry done by the camp once a week) but we ask that players attending a 6-night camp bring enough clothing to last the camp.

Q: My child has to follow a specific diet for health reasons. Is it possible?

A: If your child has any special dietary requirements and you did not mention it when you registered online, please inform us as soon as possible. Catering for various dietary requirements may be possible if mentioned ahead of time.

Q: My child takes prescription medication – should I inform you about this?

A: Yes, please be sure to indicate in the online application form any medication that your child is taking or if he or she is following a treatment. We will update the medical staff at the disposal at the camp who will follow your child. It is important that we receive accurate information about any pre-existing medical conditions that your child may have. Should you not have already informed us of a medical condition when you registered online, please do so as soon as possible. Please note that Chelsea FC Foundation Soccer Schools accepts students on the assumption that they are in good health. If your child needs to bring any medication with them please give us full information about dosage, time to take the medication, and storage information. For specific medical conditions, we will send you a follow up email for additional information.

Q: Is there anybody supervising the participants during the night?

A: There is camp staff on site 24 hours per day.

Q: My child is participating for two weeks in the Summer Camp: will the staff take care of him during the transition period between one week to the other?

A: For campers staying two consecutive weeks, there will be staff staying with the children during the weekend between the two weeks.

Q: What languages do the coaches speak at camp?

A: Chelsea FC Foundation Soccer Schools sessions are taught in English only. For many years, we have had participants coming from all over the world who attended the soccer camps in England and a lot of them do not speak English but acclimate very well to the camps as there has not been any language barrier in the past.

Q: Can I watch my child during the camp?

A: Parents will be able to visit their child only during the assigned hours on visiting day for parents during a soccer training session. More information will be available to you a couple of weeks before camp starts.

Q: How will my child keep up with the class if he doesn’t speak much English?

A: All sessions are spoken in English but children will be grouped on arrival according to their age and English language ability if requested.

Q: What about the teachers and classes for campers in the Soccer and English sessions?

A: Professional and dedicated English teachers live on-site and classes are run using a combination of traditional classroom techniques, active participation, and project work.

Q: Will there be any medical or pastoral support on site?

A: The camp has senior pastoral staff at each camp who are trained in first-aid and in the administration and dispensation of medicines. Please make sure that the camp staff understands what medicines your child requires and in what dosage and frequency. They will contact you if your child is unwell and unable to participate in activities to discuss the best course of action. They will also take your child to the doctor or hospital if necessary. If your child is taking medication when they start the camp, the camp staff will assist them to do so and keep their medicine in a safe place. Make sure you mention during registration ALL medical conditions.