residential summer camps for children (PGL etc) - feedback please!

[nearlytoolate]

Has anyone sent their children away on any kind of summer camp on their own? (PGL, camp beaumont, ATE superweeks, forest school camps etc).
I have done quite a lot of research and think I have identified what the choices are but would like some 'word of mouth' recommendations as to the quality of the experience - how well are the children cared for, are the activites well chosen/stimulating, is there space for the children to have 'down time' if they are not total extraverts etc etc. Particularly looking for a range of creative, scientific and outdoors activites, not just sport/abseiling etc etc

Thanks for any info!

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I can't rate ATE too highly www.ate.org.uk. I was a bit nervous myself about sending my 8 year old daughter away (even though I had been on Colony Holidays - the previous version of ATE- myself, and other residential holidays). The children are accompanied at all times, so there is absolutely no time for feeling left out. The monitors are (and always were in my experience)wonderful people. They are volunteers and receive really good training on their own residential course. Most of them are trainee teachers etc. The children are in small groups but there is always down time, and always the opportunity for quieter play. The kids don't have gadgets or phones (except when travelling) and they have the best fun ever. My now 10 year old daughter loved it. She can't wait to go on her third Superweek. Her 8 year old little sister is a bit more nervous and less keen on unfamiliar things, but I know that, even if there will be tears at first at the station (probably mine!), she will have a really good time going off on her own for the first time. Two of her friends also went, all of them deliberately on separate holidays so they could get the real benefits of being independent and making friends. One is extrovert, two are a bit more introvert. All had an brilliant time and can't wait to go again. I think it is particularly important that the kids are with their monitors all the time and that the holiday is really structured. The focus of a Superweek is on inventive and imaginative games rather than sports, so it sounds as though it would really suit your needs. Although there are some Superweeks with an emphasis on art or sport or detectives etc, there is still a core of imaginative (and without them realising it, educational) play. Hope that helps!

Bumping this because I'm also interested

Jenai, there was a lot more input on nearlytoolate's other thread on this.

dd2 is booked with Do It For Real this summer, they're part of the Youth Hostels Association

can't give recommnendation though as she's not been yet!

I've been sending my now teenage girls off to the yha doit4real camps which are absolutely brilliant and only cost £99 this year for 5 nights as we claim tax credits. I think this is the 4th year of going.

Thanks, prof

Respondents,

I am undertaking a dissertation research module as part of my final year studies on a BA (Hons) Physical Education and Coaching course at the University College of St Mark and St John in Plymouth, Devon.

The research seeks to gather information from mainly the campers and their parents that are waiting to attend an overnight summer camp for the first time within the UK.
The overall aim of this study is to discover the reasons why children attend summer camps especially if the camper is attending camp for the first time and look at the main benefits for the campers.
The questionnaire should take no more than fifteen minutes to complete and will remain anonymous and confidential so names or any other personal information is not required.

The results, analysis and the discussion about the research will be included within my dissertation and will be completed by Mid-May 2011. If you would like to receive a copy of my results or the whole research please contact me via e-mail: [email protected].

Here is the link for the parents to fill in - www.surveymonkey.com/s/YD79JG6

Also, if you have children that are willing to participate, there is a separate link for them (again, there is no personal information needed and will remain anonymous and confidential) - www.surveymonkey.com/s/BDZ5H5G

Thank you very much for your time.

Tim Horn
University College of St Mark and St John
Final year BA (Hons) Physical Education and Coaching

My 3 aged 13,10 and 8 go to PGL every summer. They like the outdoors activities and the chance to go away together and do something we arent involved in. The have been to Boreatton Park, new one just opened (forgot the name and it was last year!) but their fav is Osmington Bay. most of these places offer bogof deals so yours can go with a friend. Lots of the gifted and talented programmes offer weekends away doing science type things. i think there is one on Dartmoor that offers courses and this might be ideal if you don't want to do the active stuff. In terms of care PGL are second to none.