School holiday activities for 12+ (SW London/Richmond/Twickenham)

[onehourleft]

All the holiday clubs and activities my kids have done over the years only go up to age 12 and now I have one in Year 7 I'm wondering how to keep him occupied over the summer. I'm used to being bombarded with adverts in freebie magazines for younger children, but if there's a good source of information for 12+ activities I haven't found it yet.

He loves sport, but always ready to try something new. Not arty or musical though.

Don't know about info source but if he's interested in water sports try Thames Young Mariners in Ham. They have a variety different courses. The Albany in Kingston do too. Also try Royal Canoe Club. Teddington. Richmond canoe club. Walbrook Rowing and Twickenham Rowing club.
The chill out zone also goes up to 16
If you are happy for travel there is a really good climbing wall at West way. I think they do holiday courses.

Sailing at Datchet reservoir?
www.datchetwatersports.co.uk/youth-watersports/junior-sailing-courses/

Forgot to add, you don't have to be a member to do the water sports courses at the Lens bury in Teddington.

Alec Hodges scullers course at Tideway Scullers School (in Chiswick) is another one. Quite hardcore, but challenging for the independent type of child that doesn't mind getting stuck in with children (probably no younger than your son) and young adults...

I think by this age you have to tap into their hobbies rather than "holiday clubs" as such

• so a learn to row course
• watersports (eg lensbury as mentioned or Thames Mariners etc..)
• tennis/football/sports camps (eg at NPL)
• drama intensive weeks

etc...

Harlequins rugby camps?

I think Barracudas go up to 16. My friend's son is 14 and attends - he helps out with the younger age groups and (under supervision) helps to lead activities. He got some sort of reference and certificate last time I think which he added to his Record of Achievement.

www.barracudas.co.uk/

The BX+ at Barrcudas looks like a right rip off! Pay the same amount to do kiddies activities for 13-16 year olds and actually be cheap child labour helping out the staff who are getting paid at the same time! Is that legal?

I'm sure it is legal but it's certainly immoral and would only attract a mug punter who would actually pay for the exploitation of their child!

I don't think that's how my friend's son experienced it SADH. He said there were plenty of things to do outside of helping with the younger ones, but he's keen to be a sports coach when he is older and sees it as a good stepping stone.
I've not seen it for myself though, so can only go by his feedback.

Activ Camps run in SW London and go up to age 14.

Team Keane rowing in Strand on the Green/Chiswick is great

If he's got any interest in science, the Royal Institution (just off Piccadilly) are doing summer school sessions for children, age-banded. They aren't cheap, but they are very good. They do have a process to apply for a bursary, too, if the (steep) price is too steep.

www.rigb.org/families/summer-schools

RI say they're strict about age limits for the 16-18 sessions. Do you know if that's really the case Archery ? And if it is, is it because of the unsupervised lunchtimes, or because it's aimed at post-GCSE?

If the former, DC will have to wait, but if the latter I might see if an exception can be made (based on academic Cv)

I don't know, Squirm - you could always ring and see if there's any wriggle room. The 13-15 age band looks like there isn't much to do because most of the sessions are sold out, but if you scroll to the top of the page and click "full programme", you can see all the other 13-15 classes that at the moment are full. The class in that band my DS wanted was sold out, but we went onto the waiting list and got a place fairly quickly.