They're an antidote to boredom during the long summer break, and can be a godsend for working parents, but here, Olivia Fletcher focuses on the learning benefits of going to summer camp

There are many different kinds of summer camps in the UK and abroad for children up to the age of 16. Some work on a daily basis whereby children are dropped off each morning and picked up in the evening - a bit like school. Others are residential where children can be away from home for the entire summer or for just a weekend.

Once you've found the right camp, the rest is easy. You can trust the team of dedicated staff to keep your child's mind and body active over their stay; and to make sure he or she enjoys the experience while learning life changing skills.

So what will my child learn?
Team leaders and summer camp staff are key to creating the atmosphere within which children will thrive. They are often outgoing, energetic, and dynamic young people themselves and able to have a less formal relationship with children than school teachers.

Being in this environment alone can be an inspiration for your child, says Lawrence Bernstein from Cross Keys & Mini Minors camps.

'Children will only enjoy camp if it is fun, safe, and fulfilling,' he told us. 'Parents need to do some proper research to ensure that they send their child to a camp that ticks all these boxes.'

The best camps are often much more than fun and games - although this is the basis of many of the activities. But children will also be able to develop new skills and interests - often without even knowing.

One of the most obvious and most enjoyable experiences of a summer camp is that your child will make new friends. As a place where children 'get together' for the summer, children often meet from different parts of the world and from different backgrounds - giving them a wider awareness of the world than their usual environment.

'It's a chance for a child to live away from home but within a safe and interesting environment,' says Lawrence. 'A great camp will tend to bring out the best in any child.'

First timers
Some parents may feel apprehensive about their child going to camp for the first time, or may worry that their child will not enjoy some of the activities, or will be too shy. This is understandable as attending camp for the first time is often the first time a child will be away from his or her parents.

If this is the case parents can always arrange for two friends to attend a camp together; this way they may initially feel more confident. Many camps are also tailored to suit the needs of specific children, for instance with a spiritual, sporty, or artistic emphasis, so a camp can be chosen where your child will feel most comfortable.

Camp can undoubtedly be a wonderful confidence booster for your child. When your child returns from camp, although glad to be home, he or she may feel a great sense of achievement; this may be one of his or her first major accomplishments, and the entire glory will be theirs.

Mum-of-two Sheila Johannes agrees. She sent her daughter to summer camp in New York at the age of 13:

'My daughter had a wonderful time. At first she was a little homesick, but the main difference was that she came back very independent. She met lots of different people and did so many different activities every day. It was an inspiring experience for her, far better than being bored at home for the entire summer.'

There are many different benefits of sending your child to summer camp. And providing the right camp has been chosen to suit your child, you are pretty much guaranteed to receive back a refreshed and all round smarter boy or girl.

Where to find them
Camp Beaumont has welcomed in excess of 1 million children to their multi-activity summer day and residential camps over the past 25 years and have 'a very tried and tested settling-in formula'. Children join a specifically designed programme to suit their age group and take part in up to six activities daily from the creative, sporting and adventurous choices on offer. They learn weekly camp songs and take part in the Beaumont theme days and end of camp performances. When English is not a child's first language, programmes combine English language tuition.

Ages: Three to 17 years
Location: Various UK
Prices: Range from £35 for day passes to £114 for five-day camp
Dates: Runs over six weeks from July
Contact: Tel 01263 823000 or visit www.daycamps.co.uk

Experience UK (XUK) offers children 'wall-to-wall' activities in a cosy, cosmopolitan environment where every child spends time with children of their own age from other parts of the world. Dorm leaders help children to settle in and provide pastoral support throughout their stay. The camp, which has received OFSTED's top rating after every inspection, runs a travel service from London and various stations and airports and says it prides itself on making 'it as easy as possible for children to choose the perfect holiday and parents to organise and afford'.

Ages: Six to late teens
Location: Quidenham, East Anglia
Price: From £299 for a week
Dates: Runs over four weeks from July
Contact: Richard or Adam on 020 8922 9739 or visit www.campsforkids.co.uk

Super Camps offer parents the solution to keeping children active, alert, laughing and entertained during the school holidays. They are one of the few providers to offer parents free extended days from 8am to 6pm. They organise up to eight different activities a day; and over 300 friendly staff work to ensure an overall 1:9 ratio with children. Children take part in structured sessions and are also offered the chance to get fully involved in sporty and creative games with other children of a similar age.

Ages: Four to 13
Location: Over 44 sites from Avon to the West Midlands
Price: From around £28 a day, £129 a week
Dates: From mid July
Contact: 01235 832222 or visit www.supercamps.co.uk

Mini Minors Day Camps' activities are arranged around age and designed to be fun, friendly, fulfilling and safe. On arrival every child is given a name badge for the get-to-know-you games to help them feel at home. Each child can choose two friends with whom they'd like to share a class.

Ages: Three to four, five to seven and eight to 12
Region: North West London
Price: £110 for a week
Dates: Monday to Friday over four weeks from July
Contact: Richard or Adam on 020 8371 9686 or visit www.campsforkids.co.uk

PGL Travel has been operating children's residential activity holidays for nearly 50 years and features 18 centres to choose from in the UK, France and Austria. Staff are trained and available 24 hours a day to provide support, guidance and encouragement so children have the confidence to take part in all that's on offer. The social side is also an important part of the holiday and each centre offers different activities for different age groups.

Ages: Seven to 10, 10 to 13 and 13 to 16-year-olds (in France holidays go up to 17-year-olds)
Location: Various throughout UK, France and Austria
Price: From £399
Dates: Half-terms, Easter and the main summer break
Contact: Tel 08700 507 507 or visit www.pgl.co.uk

Barracudas has 14 years of childcare experience and something to suit whether your child is sporty or would prefer more creative activities. This summer the operator is offering children a choice of up to 40 activities from 20 different locations. Parents will find flexible booking options (anything from one day to several weeks) so they can tailor their booking to fit in with their lifestyles, knowing their children are in good hands. All Barracudas camps are inspected and registered with OFSTED, and all of their 2004 camps achieved the Aiming High Quality Assurance Award.

Age: Four to 16 years
Location: 20 locations in the South East and East Anglia
Price: From £35 for day camp to £159 for a week's stay
Dates: From July
Contact: 0845 123 5299 or visit www.barracudas.co.uk

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