Summer Courses Guide
School holidays can be exciting for children, but they can also leave parents wondering how to keep them active, engaged and socially connected. Summer camps can be a valuable option, offering children the chance to try new activities, make friends and build confidence outside the usual school environment.
The benefits can look very different depending on a child’s age. A good camp for a six-year-old will not necessarily meet the needs of a fourteen-year-old.
Here is what parents can look for at each stage, together with some particular points to consider when arranging holiday activities in 2027.
Children Under 8: Building Confidence Through Play
For younger children, holiday camps can provide a gentle introduction to spending time away from parents and familiar school routines. At this age, the biggest benefits often come through play, movement and social interaction rather than structured achievement.
Well-run camps give younger children opportunities to:-
- practise sharing
- taking turns
- listening to instructions
- joining group activities
Arts and crafts, simple sports, imaginative games, nature activities and music can all help children develop coordination, communication and creativity.
Summer camps can also support independence. Small experiences such as looking after their belongings, choosing an activity or asking a member of staff for help can make children feel increasingly capable.
What you need to check
Parents of younger children should pay particular attention to the type of childcare being offered and whether the provider is required to be registered with Ofsted or another appropriate regulatory authority. Not every holiday activity operates under exactly the same regulatory arrangements, because registration requirements depend partly on the type of provision being offered.
What to look out for
Look for appropriate supervision, clear safeguarding arrangements, plenty of breaks and activities specifically designed for younger age groups. A warm and reassuring environment is particularly important for children attending a camp for the first time.
Ages 8 to 12: Friendship, Skills and Independence
Children between eight and twelve are often ready for a wider variety of activities and a little more independence.
At this age, summer camps can be especially valuable for developing social confidence. Children meet people outside their normal friendship groups and learn how to work with different personalities. Team games, challenges and group projects can encourage cooperation, leadership and problem-solving.
This is also a good age for discovering new interests. A child might try:-
- football
- coding
- drama
- climbing
- cooking
- dance
- science activities
and discover an enthusiasm they would never have encountered at school.
Camps can give children the freedom to make choices while still being supported by adults. This balance can help prepare them for the greater independence of secondary school.
What to look out for
For parents, variety is important. Look for programmes that combine structured activities with opportunities for children to relax, socialise and choose what interests them.
Ages 13 to 15: Identity, Confidence and Belonging
The early teenage years can be a period of significant emotional and social change. Teenagers may become more conscious of friendships, identity and fitting in, while also wanting greater independence from adults.
Summer camps can offer teenagers a positive social environment away from school pressures. Meeting people who share similar interests can be particularly valuable for young people who are still searching for their friendship group at school.
Older children’s camps often include activities requiring greater responsibility, such as:-
- adventure sports
- performance projects
- creative workshops
- team challenges
These experiences can help teenagers recognise their strengths and become more confident about trying unfamiliar things.
Camps can also offer a healthy change from spending large amounts of leisure time online. Outdoor activities, sport and face-to-face interaction give teenagers opportunities to communicate, cooperate and build friendships in person.
What parents should do
Parents should involve teenagers in choosing their camp. At this age, young people are much more likely to enjoy an experience when they feel that it reflects their interests rather than something chosen entirely for them.
Ages 16 to 18: Leadership, Responsibility and Future Skills
For older teenagers, summer camps can become even more about personal development.
Many programmes for this age group offer opportunities to develop leadership, teamwork and practical skills. Young people may take part in:-
- expeditions
- volunteering
- sports coaching
- creative projects
- programmes connected with careers and further education.
Summer programmes can also help young people build confidence before moving into university, apprenticeships or employment. Spending time in an unfamiliar environment, meeting new people and managing a daily routine more independently are useful preparation for adult life.
For parents, the best programmes for this age group are often those that give young people meaningful responsibility while still maintaining appropriate safeguarding and supervision.
What Is Particularly Worth Knowing About Holiday Camps in 2027?
There are a few points that parents planning for 2027 should be particularly aware of.
1. Safeguarding questions are becoming increasingly important
In the UK, Department for Education guidance for parents using holiday clubs and other out-of-school activities was updated in February 2026. The update included clearer information about DBS checks, including Enhanced with Barred Lists checks and who may be eligible for them.
This makes 2027 a good time for parents to be more confident about asking providers direct safeguarding questions. For example:
- Who is the designated safeguarding lead?
- What checks are carried out on staff and volunteers?
- What happens if a child reports a concern?
- Are staff trained in safeguarding and first aid?
It is also worth knowing that not every summer camp is routinely inspected or overseen by a regulator. UK Government guidance specifically points out that some out-of-school settings are not normally inspected or assessed by a regulatory organisation.
That does not mean such a camp is unsafe, but it does mean parents should not assume that every provider operates under the same regulatory framework.
For parents choosing a camp in 2027, providers that are open about their safeguarding policies, staff recruitment, complaints procedure and supervision arrangements should inspire more confidence than those that provide very little information.
2. Book by suitability, not simply by age
One increasingly important principle for 2027 is to look beyond the age printed on the programme.
An adventurous eight-year-old and a cautious eight-year-old may need very different experiences. Likewise, a sixteen-year-old who wants employment experience may benefit far more from a leadership programme than from a traditional activity camp.
When comparing programmes, parents should consider:-
- social confidence,
- additional needs,
- interests,
- physical ability,
- previous experience
- how much independence their child is comfortable with.
3.What Should Parents Look for in a Summer Camp?
Whatever your child’s age, safety should come first. Check the organisation’s safeguarding procedures, staff suitability and supervision arrangements, emergency procedures and policies for medical needs.
Parents may want to ask:
- Who supervises the children and what training do they receive?
- What DBS or other suitability checks are appropriate for the roles involved?
- How are children signed in and out?
- How does the camp deal with bullying or safeguarding concerns?
- What happens if a child becomes ill or needs medication?
- How are additional needs accommodated?
- Are activities divided appropriately by age and ability?
- What is the policy on phones, photography and social media?
- Who can parents contact during the day if there is a problem?
Government guidance for out-of-school settings says providers should have appropriate arrangements covering areas including health and safety, safeguarding and child protection, staff suitability and governance.
It is also worth considering your child’s personality. Some children enjoy busy multi-activity camps, while others thrive in smaller groups or specialist programmes focused on one interest.
A good summer camp should provide an appropriate balance of challenge and support. Children should be encouraged to try new things without feeling pressured or overwhelmed.
Finally, involve your child in the decision wherever possible. Looking at the programme together and discussing what they are excited or nervous about can make the transition into camp much easier.
The Bigger Benefit
For parents planning for 2027, the message is simple: look beyond the activity list. Consider the quality of supervision, safeguarding arrangements, suitability for your child’s stage of development and the opportunities the camp provides for genuine independence and growth.
At every age, the best summer camps give children something increasingly valuable: the opportunity to grow in confidence, independence and curiosity while having fun.