School holiday clubs/residentials for teens

[chatterfluff]

Hello all.
I'm really struggling to find an age appropriate, stimulating and engaging for my 13 year old, intelligent, articulate and older beyond her years DD.
As a working parent I only get five weeks a year for annual leave. School holidays are about 13 plus odd days. DD used to be in childcare until last year when she deemed herself to be too old to be childminded. To be fair to her she was the only one over the age of ten, with many younger children.

Last summer holidays she did a week at PGL, a week with dad, a week going Fun Gym and then two weeks with me. However this year she's going to be with dad for two weeks but we are stuck for something to do for the other four weeks.

The problem I have is this: summer camps/Kings Camps/lesiure centre school schemes are usually mixed age range. I know the ones which are nearby (Wiltshire) range from 4-14, but in reality most of the children are under the age of 10. The activities vary from swimming, arts and crafts, story time, videos, some general sports, but over all aren't stimulating enough for my DD. Also, most are from 9.30am until 4pm which means I wouldn't be in work until 10.30 and then having to leave at 3pm. Unfortunately my work doesn't allow for having a few hours off at the begining and end of the day and we don't have any family nearby to offer a babysitting service.

My DD is excellent at music (competently playing 3 instruments), she loves drama and has a keen interest in English and science. Ideally I was looking for a residential summer school, reasonably close, which may have focussed upon one of her interests. However I can't seem to find anything at all.

The only thing I have found is PGL and a similar camp which covers general activities.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.
CF

One friend's daughter does www.stage-fright.org.uk/ which is a Christian drama residential camp.

Another's daughter has been to Mill on the Brue (outdoor activities) several times, and only stopped this year as she is too old, but I think there are plenty of 13-15 year olds there.

I've always thought the yha DoIt4Real camps look good too, but again, they're outdoorsy things.

Also found this www.summer-schools.info/ which might help!

Have you got a music school near by they often do summer schools? Also if she's interested in dance at all a lot of dance schools do a summer school that start early and finish around 5ish. They are very popular with teens in my area as many of them offer street dance now.

You could try XUK Residential Camps. www.xkeys.co.uk. They are highly regarded by Ofsted and, although out-doorsy, they have drama workshops too.

May be a bit late for this summer, but it's worth a phone call. x

Scripture Union, who are a church organisation, do residential holidays in the summer and I think there are still some places left. There is a religious element but it is very very soft touch. Don't let this put you off because the experiences they offer are outstanding. Their holidays are age specific and very inexpensive. My daughter is going to a camping one this year for £65 that includes everything. She will sleep in a wigwam tent, go fishing, build camp fires etc, all very wholesome stuff. They have separate holidays for older children too:

www.scriptureunion.org.uk/158075.id

I cannot recommend them highly enough, my daughter went last year too and she had the most fantastic time. The adults who worked with the children were brilliant and took great care of them.

Kids Klub (now KG Adventure) do residential for 10-16 yr olds. If you have a little extra cash, they do ones in Europe for 13+. If you have more cash, try Camp Suisse or Village Camps, which are in Europe and are carefully split into age groups and also do some specialisation. All residential. For next year, if your DD is keen on musical theatre you might look up Beauville Arts, nearest airport Toulouse, but you would need to be on their mailing list as they are fully booked within 3 days or so it seems. They do a public production of a known musical, slightly cut down, age range 8-18 but centred on 13-15 by the looks of the attendees. They and KG are available at Easter, ish.
My DD has been on all of these and loves the lot. Google each one, it's really worth it. PM me if you want to know more, but we are off to Toulouse tonight! (and DD is going to Beauville Arts for two weeks, for the third year in a row.)

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this post. I'm going to look at each one. The religious element is fine as long as its a light touch approach as I've raised my children to try and adopt Christian/good values and to be non judgemental. Hopefully we will sort something out but a huge thanks to you all