Do your children start moaning about how bored they are a week into the school holidays? One idea for giving everyone a break is to send them on an unaccompanied holiday.

It gives children a chance to be independent, make new friends and take part in activities that may not appeal to the rest of the family. The downside, of course, is safety. What happens if they hurt themselves or there is some other kind of accident? Can you trust the adults in charge?

To help you weigh up the pros and cons, and get tips on how to vet potential camps, read our revealing summer camp diaries and share your experiences on the travel message board

Safety
It is fair to say that children going on a licensed activity holiday are safer than children travelling on school trips led by teachers. Companies that run residential activity holidays for children are regulated by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority. They must be licensed and undergo regular safety inspections. Staff should have first aid certificates, and instructors for activities such as water sports, climbing, and orienteering should have qualifications from the relevant national governing body. Before you book, check what licenses the company holds, when it was last inspected and what its safety record is.

Choosing where kids should go
The British Activity Holiday Association and Activity Scotland list providers of activity holidays for unaccompanied children. Most children opt for a multi-activity holiday. This gives them the chance to try lots of different things. There will almost certainly be something to please everybody, but be aware multi-activity weeks do not give enough time or intensive instruction for children to develop their skills. Children who know what they like may prefer a holiday where they can focus on a favourite hobby. In addition, team leaders, mentors, and instructors make a huge difference to children?s holidays, and are much more important than things like how comfortable the beds are or how tasty the food is.

What parents should expect
Activity holiday brochures can over-sell. They tend to give the impression that the children will master rock climbing, kayaking, trampolining, orienteering and caving - and that's just on day one. The reality is that a week away does not really change a child, for better or worse. Not all children take to unaccompanied holidays and some return home early, but the majority make friends, join in activities and enjoy themselves.

What to pack
Children like to pack the minimum, since they will be carrying their own luggage, but make sure they have everything necessary. Something as simple as a second pair of shoes or long-sleeved clothes can make the difference between taking part and sitting out of an activity. Valuables are best left at home. If you're unsure what to pack, call ahead.

What it costs
A week's multi-activity holiday costs in the region of £300 to £400. Prices vary according to the type of activities on offer, the type of accommodation, and the ratio of children to adults. Travel to and from the holiday location is usually extra, as is a small amount of pocket money. If you are not restricted to a particular week, there are usually good discounts of up to a third for late bookings.

Find out what 2 kids really thought about their unaccompanied activity holidays.

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How to pick a safe summer camp for kids