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Summer is just around the corner and it’s time to start thinking about how to keep the kids busy during the holidays! Summer camps for kids in England are a great way to give children a mix of adventure and personal development, and choosing the right camp for your kids can have a lasting impact on confidence, skills and lifelong memories.
Guide Contents
What Makes Kids Summer Camps So Special?
Kids camps provide thrilling experiences, fun challenges, and the chance to meet new people and bond over shared experiences. Empower your child to discover new strengths and unlock their true potential!
An Experience Like No Other
Summer camps are a unique opportunity for kids to fully immerse themselves in the environment and activities, which is hard to replicate at home. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to try loads of engaging and exciting activities, discover new passions and create extraordinary memories. The camp atmosphere allows kids to be kids, interacting with each other away from screens and technology and reconnecting with each other. Your child will come back brimming with stories about new friends, ancient woodlands and thrilling outdoor activities like Rock Climbing and Archery.
Personal Growth Through New Challenges
Summer camps can help equip your child with valuable life skills while they engage with the activities and each other. Supervised by qualified staff and instructors, children can safely push their comfort zones and develop resilience, independence and confidence. Through challenges presented by activities like Kayaking or Bushcraft, children overcome self-doubt and work together to achieve their goals. This promotes teamwork, problem-solving and leadership, which are invaluable skills for kids to take into the future.
Key Things to Consider When Choosing a Summer Camp
Your criteria may emphasise some things more than others, but key areas to consider include your child’s age, interests, parental peace of mind and social opportunities.
Interests and Age-Appropriateness
Look for camps with activities suitable to the child’s age and interests. There are camps for all ages, from young children to teenagers, with different themes from the arts to the outdoors. You know your child best, so look for specialised programs that match their passions and spark future interests.
This year, Mendip Activity Centre is running Kids Adventure Camps that are perfect for children aged 8 to 15!
Parental Peace of Mind
Camp providers should have qualified staff and secure facilities, with clear risk assessments and emergency protocols. The staff-to-child ratio should allow for adequate supervision, and activity providers should adhere to equipment, safety and safeguarding industry standards. It’s important to have peace of mind knowing that your child is having a great time in a nurturing, supervised setting.
Social Opportunities and Friendship
Summer camp is a wonderful place to join forces with new friends in epic adventures that bring out the best in everyone. Kids can bond over shared experiences and challenges, and support each other throughout the camp. Building new relationships boosts social skills, fosters empathy and expands their social circle beyond school.
Types of Summer Camps in England for Kids
There are as many different types of camps as there are children in this world! From day camps to residential stays, your child’s preferences will dictate the type of summer adventure they prefer, such as multi-activity camps or specialised camps that immerse participants in a single subject. Regardless of their preference, the camps give children the chance to push boundaries, conquer challenges and celebrate victories in a fun-filled environment.
Get Set for Thrills, Excitement and Personal Growth
Multi-activity adventure camps are an excellent opportunity for kids to connect with nature through activities like Rock Climbing, Caving, Nature Walks and more. Children take on thrilling challenges and emerge stronger, more confident and connected with others.
Specialised camps like football or drama camps dive into an interest so children develop their expertise and mastery of the subject, and spend time with like-minded peers.
Day Camps vs. Residential Camps
Young children may prefer day camps close to home as they retain the familiarity of home routines while experiencing the benefits of camp activities with their peers. Older children (and bold youngsters) often prefer the immersive adventure of spending a week away from home, allowing for more independence. If you are considering residential summer camps, check out the accommodation and catering to see if it would suit your child.
Kids Summer Adventure Camps at Mendip Activity Centre
Join a community that parents trust, where children grow, learn and make lasting memories! With decades of experience delivering Activity Residentials to schools and Duke of Edinburgh participants, we’re perfectly placed to deliver the ultimate Kids Adventure Camps. Rest assured, we’ve created an experience your child will love and cherish - the kind of adventure they’ll talk about for years to come!
Benefits of Summer Camp
Children benefit mentally and physically from summer camps in many ways. In a secure environment where children can explore, grow and have fun without worry, they can develop confidence and independence while connecting with each other away from screens and technology.
Build Confidence and Independence
The camp environment nurtures children’s ability to take on challenges, make decisions and manage responsibilities. Supported by professional, qualified staff, kids learn activity skills and make decisions about how to apply them, learning to manage risk safely. Children are encouraged to keep track of their belongings while away, contributing to a sense of independence and responsibility. Interpersonal relationships and dynamics are explored with other children so they can practise real-world application of their social skills, and explore their personalities independently outside of their usual friend group.
Physical Activity and Mental Health
Group activities foster skills and traits linked to positive physical and mental health outcomes, especially those activities that take place outdoors. Spending time in green spaces, surrounded by the sights, sounds, smells and sensations of the outdoors have been linked to enhanced mental health in kids, with many reporting reduced stress, alleviated anxiety and depression symptoms, and improved mood. Physical activity promotes health and strength, and learning new skills and working together as a team boosts confidence and supports positive self-esteem.
Memories and Relationships
Summer camps aren’t just about activities - they’re also about lasting memories and unforgettable experiences. Kids come back brimming with stories, new friendships and pride in their accomplishments, with a renewed sense of self and a glimpse of the wider world. Camp is a place for kids to grow emotionally and socially, gaining confidence and memories along the way that will support them into the future.
Making the Decision - How to Choose the Perfect Summer Camp in England for Kids
The sheer number of options can be overwhelming, so do some research, talk to your child about their expectations, and check out reviews and recommendations for summer camps near you.
Discover Summer Camps
Find out what providers offer summer camps in your child’s area of interest, and have a look at their reviews on Google and Tripadvisor. Look at their catering and accommodation, and ask your friends and family for any recommendations they have. Visit provider websites and contact them with any questions about their kids' camps.
Ask Your Child
Involve the children in the decision-making process, consider their interests and preferences, and talk to them about their ideal camp experiences to help ensure they meet their level of excitement, expectations and goals.
Trust Yourself!
If it feels right, it probably is! You know your children better than anyone, so whatever you decide will be great. The best camps balance safety, fun and personal growth, the perfect ingredients for an unforgettable summer.
Go For It
Summer camp is one of the best gifts you could give your child; look for a camp that provides fun, excitement and personal growth and meets your expectations of safety and service provision. Trust your decision-making process and give your child the chance to escape the screens and immerse themselves in a new environment.
The Kind of Adventure They’ll Talk About for Years to Come
Let your child reconnect with nature and explore the great outdoors in an inspiring, adventurous way at Mendip’s Kids Adventure Camps! Encourage a love for nature while they explore the ancient woodland and take on exciting challenges like Rock Climbing, Paddling, Target Sports, Bushcraft, Disc Golf and ArcheryActive. With full catering and accommodation included and expert staff guiding your youngsters through action-packed adventures, it’s an unforgettable week of excitement, laughter and new friendships.
Group Getaways and Holidays Your Way
Basecamp is our family-friendly campsite with festival vibes and fabulous facilities. With free activities on-site and bookable adventure activities just down the hill, come and see our outdoor playground filled with endless opportunities to explore, discover and have fun!
Situated at Mendip Activity Centre, the Lodge is the perfect base for groups. Sleeping 86 people across 15 bedrooms, the Lodge looks over the all-weather ski slope and allows quick access to all sorts of adventure activities.
During term time, it’s exclusively available to school groups for activity residentials, and on weekends and school holidays, it’s available for private bookings, family groups and youth groups.
Owned and operated by Mendip Activity Centre, the YHA Cheddar is now a partner hostel available for private hire to schools and groups for their activity trips. Sleeping up to 57 people, the YHA is located in beautiful Cheddar within walking distance of the Gorge and is the perfect base to explore the Mendip Hills.