UK summer camp guide [2024]

The UK has summer camps for everyone - from budding sports stars, to adventurous types, to students looking to broaden their academic exposure in a prestigious UK university.

Whether you want to study a new language, learn to kayak, perfect your tennis serve or just meet some interesting new people, there’s something in the UK for you.

This guide looks at some popular UK summer camp options - and also highlights Wise - a cheap and easy way to send, spend, hold and exchange 40+ currencies, with the mid-market rate, to make paying for a UK summer camp a breeze.

The magic of summer camp in the UK

The UK offers lots of different summer camp options, from survival skills in the great outdoors to classroom based study in well known universities, independent schools and historic colleges.

Camps are open to people from all over the world - some even deliberately cap the number of students from any given country, to make sure that the groups are very diverse. This means that UK summer camps can offer the best of the UK as well as a cultural immersion in a group of students from around the world.

How much do summer camps in the UK cost?

Summer camps in the UK are offered at a range of price points, which depend on the sort of activities and the accommodation available.

To give an idea, PGL®¹ - one of the providers we’ll look at later - offers week-long multi activity camps for teens from around 600 GBP including accommodation. This is about 750 USD at the time of writing, exclusive of flights and other costs.

A week in an American style camp in Scotland costs around 1200 GBP - close to 1500 USD - for students from 7 to 15 years old.

Academically focused courses and camps which have higher tier accommodation are typically more expensive - but there is a range of options available for any budget.

Deciding on the best summer camp experience

There are plenty of great summer camps in the US - but choosing an international summer camp can come with a whole load of extra benefits.

Students can meet a hugely diverse group of new friends from around the world, and get involved in activities which they may not be able to try at home.

Which summer camp experience is best for your child will depend a lot on their preferences and interest as well as their age.

Multi-activity camps are available which offer a whole host of different options - but there are also some camps which have a strong niche such as tennis coaching or language learning. This guide includes a few good places to start your research to find the perfect fit for your family.

What makes a summer camp stand out?

Choosing a unique UK summer camp for your child will create some amazing memories - whether that’s camping under the stars, studying with world leading tutors, or getting immersed in the history and culture of the country.

Different UK summer camps stand out for their own reasons - whether that’s the amazing location, the quality of accommodation, or their own unique program.

Understanding the value of cultural immersion

While all summer camps will allow students to learn new skills, one of the biggest benefits of an international summer camp is the opportunity to meet people from around the world and be immersed in a new culture.

Campers will be able to learn more about the UK and the location they’re staying in, whether that’s a large UK city or a national park.

Plus, UK summer camps are popular with families globally so the groups they’re in are likely to include people from many different countries - a perfect opportunity to make new friends from around the world.

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Practical information for parents

As a parent, picking a UK summer camp may be a bit daunting - but UK summer camps are safe and regulated, and offered by professional organizations. Here are a few things to think about in terms of practical planning.

Enrollment and preparation checklist

Once you’ve picked your summer camp and got signed up, there’s a bit of organization required to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Here are a few pointers:

Double check you (or your child) have all the required paperwork to get to the UK - such as a valid passport Arrange flights and any accommodation needed outside of the provisions of the camp Buy travel insurance to cover the trip - camps are likely to have some insurance in place, but you can never be too careful Decide how to access smartphone data when in the UK - a local SIM or roaming plan Open a Wise Account to manage currency conversion to GBP conveniently and make fast and easy payments for camp and other costs Connect with other campers, parents and the camp community if you have questions Think about the clothes that will be required, based on activity type - bear in mind, UK summer weather is very varied Make sure you have adequate supplies of things like prescription medication to cover the camp duration

Parental peace of mind: safety and communication

The UK has comprehensive laws which guide how educational organizations and summer camp providers operate. You’ll usually be able to find the camp’s safeguarding policy clearly set out on their website, which gives details into the camp’s approach to child welfare and safety. Read this to give you peace of mind.

It’s also worth checking how the camp operator communicates with parents, and how easily accessible they are if you have questions. You’ll be able to find online reviews from the parents of past campers which are likely to give first hand information about how the camp runs, which can also be handy.

What are the best summer camps in the UK?

Summer in the UK can be glorious - and a summer camp in the UK offers lots of opportunities to soak up the rich culture, get outdoors, study and make new friends.

The experiences on offer vary widely from camping in the wild and learning survival skills, through to academic courses at universities like Cambridge and St Andrews. There are plenty of options to suit different preferences - here are a few worth considering:

PGL

PGL has 12 UK summer camp sites, offering camps for kids aged 8 to 16, in age appropriate groups. Camps are in different locations, offering lots of outdoor activities like kayaking and abseiling, as well as skill based options such as cooking classes, and sports.

Some camps are available with specific focus areas, such as science, watersports, dance or horse riding.

ISSOS

If you’re considering a summer camp with an academic focus, ISSOS®² may be a good fit. Students aged 13 to 18 can study in prestigious universities in the UK, choosing an academic area of focus which they’ll dive into over a 3 week camp.

There’s also the option to take elective classes and to get involved in activities and excursions. Students generally follow an academic program in the mornings before electives and activities in the afternoon.

International Summer Camp UK

With 2 locations in Scotland, International Summer Camp UK®³ is billed as a US style camp set overseas. Campers can go for one week or two, and get involved in everything from art and drama, to sports, cooking, dance and journalism.

The ethos of the camp is positive growth, and supporting campers to make friendships and learn new skills.

International camp FAQs

Let’s look at a few other common questions about international summer camps in the UK.

What activities are available for children at summer camps in the UK?

UK summer camps can involve anything from outdoor adventure activities, through to visits to theme parks and historic sites, or academic programs to help students learn a new subject.

There are also sports focused camps which offer tuition and coaching from leading professionals, as well as multi-activity options which have a bit of everything.

How does summer camp in the UK help with language learning?

Summer camps in the UK will be provided in English but can also support language learning if you’re looking to study English or another language during the course. Some camps have a primary focus on language learning, while others help language acquisition through immersion.

Even if you’re an English speaker already, some UK camps can offer extras like public speaking and drama classes which give a confidence boost to students.

Are summer camps in the UK suitable for Americans?

Yes. Some UK summer camps have been set up specifically in the style of US summer camps, which can be reassuring if you’re not sure of the differences between camp options and providers.

However, even the camps which don’t explicitly follow a US model have English speaking staff, and high safety standards, making them suitable for more or less anyone.

What sets the UK's summer camps apart from others?

The UK has summer camps across a broad range of locations and focus areas. One option which makes UK summer camps stand out is the fact you can be hosted in a historic location - often a prestigious college or independent school for example - while learning new subjects or skills with leading experts.

The UK also has some great adventure style camps in places like Scotland and the Lake District, which offer stunning scenery and a range of exhilarating activities.

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Choosing a UK summer camp for yourself or your child can seem a bit overwhelming as there’s a lot of choice. But it’s sure to be a memorable summer, no matter whether your camp is in Cambridge University or the highlands of Scotland.

Use this guide to start your research, and remember to check out Wise for easy ways to pay for things in GBP when you’re in the UK.

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Sources:

1. PGL
2. ISSOS
3. International Summer Camp UK

Sources checked on 03.12.2024