About us

Learning Beyond the Classroom

At Regenesis, we believe some of life’s most important lessons are learned through experience. Our education programmes combine heritage, outdoor learning, wellbeing and personal development to help young people build confidence, resilience and a stronger understanding of the world around them.

Working with schools, youth groups and community organisations, we create memorable learning experiences that bring history, culture, nature and citizenship to life through place based education. Whether exploring the Lake District, learning from stories of resilience, or developing teamwork and leadership skills outdoors, our programmes encourage young people to learn by doing.

Why Outdoor Learning Matters

The natural environment played an important role in the rehabilitation of the Windermere Children. Research continues to demonstrate the benefits of outdoor learning for physical health, mental wellbeing, confidence and engagement with education. Our programmes encourage young people to connect with nature, work together and develop practical skills while exploring important stories and heritage.

The Windermere Legacy Project

Our programme is inspired by the story of the Windermere Children, nearly 300 young refugees who arrived in the Lake District in 1945 and began rebuilding their lives after the Second World War.

Aimed at Year 6 pupils,  the programme explores the remarkable recovery journey that followed their arrival in Britain. Through outdoor learning, friendship, education and community support, these young people found hope and belonging in a new environment.

By visiting the landscapes and locations connected with this story, pupils are encouraged to explore themes including – resilience and recovery,  friendship and belonging, community and kindness, rights and responsibilities, wellbeing and the outdoors, hope in challenging times.

The programme has been developed in partnership with schools and aligns with a range of curriculum areas including History, Geography, PSHE, Citizenship and English.

Camping Experiences

Part of the Duke of Edinburgh Approved Activity Provider programme, Regenesis offers camping experiences in the Lake District that combine outdoor adventure, heritage, wellbeing and personal development.

We use the outdoors as a powerful learning environment where young people and adults can build confidence, resilience and stronger connections with the world around them.

Our camping programmes are delivered close to Windermere and the places associated with the Windermere Children, one of Britain’s most remarkable stories of recovery and resilience. Programmes can be tailored for schools, youth groups, community organisations and family groups.

A typical programme may include – guided walks and challenge activities, camping and outdoor living skills, heritage and landscape interpretation, campfire discussions and reflection, team building and leadership activities, wellbeing and resilience workshops, navigation and journey planning and personal challenge experiences.

Participants explore how outdoor activity, friendship, education and community support helped young refugees rebuild their lives in the Lake District following the Second World War. Experiencing these landscapes first hand brings history to life in a way that classroom learning alone cannot achieve. The hills, lakes and open spaces become part of the learning experience, encouraging participants to reflect on themes of resilience, belonging, wellbeing and hope.

Whether visiting Orrest Head, walking the lakeshore near Calgarth, gathering around a campfire or undertaking a personal challenge, participants are encouraged to learn from the landscape, connect with others and develop confidence for the future.

Adult Endurance Walks

Walk the Story. Understand the Journey.

Our adult endurance walks are built around storytelling. Participants do not simply walk a route; they follow a journey that explores places, people and experiences that shaped history.

Our flagship endurance programmes follow the journey of the Windermere Children from occupation and persecution to recovery and renewal.

The Windermere Journey

Terezín → Prague

This walk explores the early stages of the Windermere Children’s story, tracing the route between Terezín and Prague. Participants learn about the experiences of young people who endured displacement, uncertainty and separation, while exploring the heritage and history of the region through guided storytelling and reflection.

The Recovery Journey

Carlisle → Windermere → Calgarth

This walk follows the final stage of the journey to Britain. Participants walk from Carlisle to Windermere before completing the final miles to Calgarth, where the Windermere Children began rebuilding their lives through friendship, education, outdoor activity and community support.

The experience concludes at locations connected with the children’s recovery, including The Lakes School, home to the Tree of Life, a sapling grown from an acorn discovered at Auschwitz. Today it stands as a symbol of remembrance, resilience and renewal.

Complete the Full Story

The two walks can be undertaken independently or combined as a single heritage programme, allowing participants to explore both the journey to freedom and the remarkable story of recovery that followed.

Throughout the programme, participants are encouraged to reflect on themes including resilience and recovery, hope and renewal, community and belonging, leadership and responsibility, personal challenge and growth, kindness and human connection.

More Than a Walk

The landscapes, towns and historic locations encountered along the way become part of the learning experience. Through guided storytelling, discussion and reflection, participants gain a deeper understanding of the people behind the history and the choices that helped shape their futures.

Every walk is designed to encourage conversation, reflection and personal growth. By combining heritage, storytelling and endurance challenge, Regenesis creates experiences that stay with participants long after the walk has ended.

Whether you are interested in the Terezín to Prague walk, the Carlisle to Windermere route, or the complete From Terezín to Windermere programme, we would be delighted to discuss your requirements.

Programmes can be tailored for community groups, charities, schools, corporate teams, faith organisations and private groups seeking a meaningful heritage and endurance challenge.

To discuss availability, group bookings or bespoke programmes, please contact:

info@regenesis.org.uk

Join us to walk the landscape, hear the story and reflect on the journey.

Donate

As a not for profit CIC, resources are limited, and we want to offer value for money for participants despite certain costs being higher. However we encourage young trekkers to participate, and  may be unaffordable and uses holiday allowances. We also need to raise funds for a medical kit to be bought and left in Prague.