Enriching young lives

What we do and why we do it

The Summer Camps Trust believes that a week or so a year spent in a good residential summer camp gives children and teenagers from all backgrounds (and the young adults who work with them as leaders), not only lots of fun and laughter and a uniquely happy experience of community living, but also a whole raft of important benefits, mental, physical, educational and developmental.

We believe this having seen many thousands of young people over many years growing, thriving and learning in the relaxed holiday atmosphere of a happy summer camp, and having heard from many of them in their later lives how positive, often life-changing, their times in camp had been. Many tell us that going to summer camp was “the best part of their childhood”.

At a time when too many of our children are unhappy, over-dependent on screens, or lacking opportunities to run about and play in green fields, we believe that a national system of good summer camps could play a crucial role in helping to rediscover some “real childhood”.

The Trust aims to raise the profile of summer camps in Britain, and hopes to move towards the kind of national system found in the USA, Canada and many European countries, where summer camps are a regular highlight of most children’s lives.

Our Aims

To get tens of thousands of UK-based children, from all schools and all backgrounds, thinking it a normal part of their lives to spend a week a year at a good summer camp.

To enlist a good proportion of British students and young adults into training to become summer camp leaders and volunteering to work with children for a week or two each year.

To create a national Certificate recognised and valued by employers , attesting the holder had trained as a camp leader and done good volunteer work with children in this role.

To seek recognition that a vibrant summer camps sector would add to the work of schools and families in caring for our nation’s children and their well-being.

How we are working to meet these aims

At national level, we are constantly seeking press and media coverage for summer camps, and lobbying government and opinion formers about all that summer camps could offer our young people.

The Summer Camps Trust is also making a practical start in a small way by:  

  • Offering an annual programme of TryOut Camps (or TryOut places in summer camps), at a “special offer” price, open only to UK-based children who have never yet tried a residential summer camp.

  • Running training weeks for young adults (aged over 17) wanting to work as volunteer leaders in summer camps.

IF YOU have children aged 9 to 15 who have never been to a summer camp and could be interested in trying one in 2023, see our TryOut Camps programme HERE.

Parent 2019

My son grew beyond belief as a person. He’s come back and has new friends, skills and confidence. I can’t thank you enough.

See more reviews of our Summer Camps HERE…

Over 17?
Why not VOLUNTEER?

IF YOU are between 17 and 25 years old and are interested in working with children, and if you could spare some time in your holidays volunteering for something that is great fun and does a lot of good, see our Leader Training Courses.  

“Not only have I grown and developed such confidence from the training and working in summer camps, but I don’t think I have ever in my life seen so many happy people together in one place.” University student.

See more feedback from volunteer leaders HERE…

The Summer Camps Trust is proud to have many leading names within the UK Summer Camp and Outdoor Recreation sectors on board as subscribing members, as well as a number of highly respected national organisations who support our aims.  

See all The Trust’s members and supporters HERE