Summer camps anyone?

[theultimatepushyparent]

What summer camps would you recommend for two inexhaustible boys, aged 12 and 8?

I am looking for something that is rip roaring fun for them rather than educational - at least not overtly!... I am looking for a week-long residential camp. I'm not too fussed by budget.

I'm after somewhere they can have a blast and make new friends, but safe and nurturing. It needs to have a variety of activities. My older one is an alpha male who will love the competition and sport, but my younger one is not a team player, despite being adventurous, sociable and boisterous.

I think their idea of fun would be a cross between Swallows & Amazons and Bear Grylls, but with bloody good food, and small groups. I am happy with lots of international kids (in fact would see it as a bonus) as long as it it isn't an English language camp in disguise!!

Any views also on whether the 8 year old too young for camp? Some camps take them from 6 but most 7 or 8. (I have a challenge in that he REALLY wants to go). The Venture Centre looks good but takes from 9 years old. Likewise Borrowdale takes from 11+.

Mill on the Brue seems hot on team sports, good food and sustainable living; Wickedly Wonderful seems good on water sports and crafts (but Portaloos aren't very appealing); ATE seems to have highly qualified staff and to be good for slightly quirky kids who aren't alpha types.

PGL seems a bit too mass-packaged and I'm looking for smaller groups. Beaumont likewise doesn't appeal for the same reason (and I think it's a day camp anyway) unless you go for the older House! one for teenagers.

Any personal experience of any/ feedback from your kids welcome please, especially those able to compare one to another. Googling and TripAdvisor only go so far.

My daughter, aged 11 and just having finished primary school, went to Camp Wilderness with a friend the same age which they enjoyed. They have a few around the country, around 4 I think, and they went to the Cholmondley Castle one in the Cheshire area. They may be worth a look

Just had a quick look and CW are from 8 years old, to 14 I think. My daughter mentioned there were a few younger than her there. It looks like they're maybe only down south now, she went summer 2017, and I'm not sure whereabouts you are. They did bushtucker type activities and I think the food/facilities were decent

My daughter has been going to Mill on the Brue for the last 3 years and LOVES it, I'd highly recommend. They have great food, lots of activities, and she always comes home shattered

Thanks WhatTime - I have just checked the website. The short time (3 or 5 days) might work better given the age of the little one. And I dread to think what their fingernails will look like after 5 days of being feral!!! Ha ha!

Ooh DietCoke Mill on the Brue sounds great. How old is your daughter and do you have any thoughts on whether it's appropriate to dump an 8 year old there too? Are the staff good with little ones, and are there many 8 year olds there? I could keep him at home another year, even though he'd protest like crazy.

Good luck! My daughter went for 5 days and was only just 11 (summer birthday). I was a bit wary tbh, it had been suggested and arranged by her friend's parents and I wasn't sure how she'd be with lots of people she didn't know, but she did really enjoy it and seemed to get a lot out of it too, as did her friend

WhatTimeIsItCuckoo Thanks v much. My son has had a few "unplugged" school trips and has travelled abroad for a few days on his own with other children his age, but this is different. A lot of the success seems to depend on the social dynamnic, and stuff like whether they enforce strict bedtimes (my son gets tired and emotional with less sleep than NHS guidelines!) and whether they have decent food.