Please Recommend Summer Camps For 14 Year Old Boys

[peanutbutterandbanana]

A friend and I were tearing our hair out last summer when our then 13-year old DSs spent most of the summer hols indoors attached to their gadgets. We agreed that this year we would look for a one-week residential summer camp to send them to.
Can anyone recommend anything suitable? Ideally in south-east. And also ideally for their age-group so age 12-16.
Last summer my DS did Barcuddas but he was the eldest at 13 so it just wouldn't work for him this year (even though the literature says it is for up to aged 16).
Please help in order to preserve sanity of two middle-aged mums!

[Sparklingbrook]

I have a 14 year old DS. there is no way he would go to a summer camp. How are you going to get him to go? respect if you can.

[peanutbutterandbanana]

Both of us mums have suggested to each boy (when we were all together) that they go on a summer camp together this year and they didn't protest. He won't just be shipped out of the house in a padlocked box and deposited somewhere, so don't worry Sparkling.

I started this thread to see what is out there and to find out what other teenage boys have enjoyed.

[BackforGood]

WEll, mine go on Scout / Explorer camps, but I guess if that were an option for you you wouldn't be asking......

Near hear we have a water sports place that offers all sorts of week long courses over the SUmmer (not residential, but out doing stuff all day) - sailing, kayaking, windsurfing or a multi-sports week.

The YHA do them
PGL do them

[Alonglongway]

My girls went to PGL last summer and there were lots of 12 and up boys having a great time.

[peanutbutterandbanana]

#hits head with heel of hand
PGL - of course! Will go and google them straight away.

BackforGood - can you please tell me where the water sports place is? PM me if easier. Thanks

[BackforGood]

PM sent

[goinggetstough]

Plas y Brenin do specific courses for teenagers www.pyb.co.uk/courses-teenagers.php Other than as part of a family holiday age 12 is the youngest age that you can attend. This gives it the feeling that you are growing into these outdoor holidays rather than being at the top end of the age group.

It maybe worth googling:

Plas Menai

Outward Bound

[spudmasher]

Do they like music or performance?
Youth Music Theatre and Narional Youth Music Theatre do summer skills courses for ages 11- 20ish. Residential. I think you can do stage management/ technical stuff as well.

[stjo]

The YHA also do summer camps that are fantastic and aimed at the teens market. My boys (then 14/16) went a couple of years ago and had an amazing time. Not sure what's available now but they were several centres across the country.

[Sparklingbrook]

I wasn't suggesting that's what you were going to do peanut. I suppose if DS1 went with someone else he might. All boys are different.

[uggmum]

My dd went on a Camp Beaumont holiday last year. She loved it. She made some good friends and joined in everything she could.

They have different sites around the country and are fully residential. We booked last minute and got 50% off.

The activities were great. It was well supervised and the facilities were good.

Both my dc's are going in July for a week to their site in Wales.

Their website is informative.

[uggmum]

Btw. She was 14 when she went last year and is just as excited for this year.

The kids are split into age appropriate groups and activities.

Their site on the Isle of Wight is fab. I got a buy one get one free deal for this year. It is worth asking if that deal is available.

[peanutbutterandbanana]

Thank you uggmum. I see that there are some last minute deals available on PGL for half term, so it might be worth waiting to see what offers come up for the summer nearer the time.

The YHA have an interesting camp in Wales.

Going to google Camp Beaumont right now.....

[basildonbond]

I sent my then 15 year old to a PGL water sports holiday the summer before last as I was getting so fed up with him moping around the house and being hideous to his siblings

He didn't really want to go but had a fantastic time when he was there - loads of boys and girls his age (he fell in love) and was well worth it

We booked the week before and got a big discount

[Alonglongway]

My 2 went to a PGL where they had their own chosen course in the mornings and multi sports for everyone in the afternoons. DD1 did film making and made a film with a bunch of boys trying out parkour - great fun

[soontobeslendergirl]

My son spent a week doing this last year:

It's brilliant - we are in Scotland so did the Scottish version, but found that there are trips from the South too:

www.oytsouth.org/

[chocoluvva]

Scripture Union camps are very active - open to non-Christians as well as Christians.

[peanutbutterandbanana]

So many good ideas - am spoilt for choice. Have sent them all to my friend so that we can mull through dates and prices. Then will mull through with our DSs Thank you all so much

[Chocamochalatte]

I've heard here is really good uksa.org/leisure-courses/uksa-camps/easter-summer-and-autumn-cam/

[Chocamochalatte]

And just noticed someone else posted above, Camp Beaumont, my DD has been there and loved it...

[catsofa]

They are young enough for one more year to go here www.millonthebrue.co.uk/summer-camps-uk - very highly recommended!

[IfISpellItWrongIsThatOk]

Venture camps are great my dd went last year she was 14 is going again this year.

[hellsbells99]

Hello all. Sorry can I 'piggyback' onto this thread? Does anyone know of a good music camp aimed at players of grade 6/7 standard that would suit a 17 year old girl? Preferably for 5 or 6 days. Thanks!