Summer Camp Leader Training

Group of ten people standing outdoors in a grassy field with trees in the background. They are posing together behind a campfire, and some are smiling. One person is wearing a flower crown, and another is wearing a jacket with a floral pattern. There
Three friends sitting outdoors in a shaded grassy area, smiling at the camera. One person is taking a selfie, another has sunglasses on her head, and the third is wearing a headscarf. They appear to be enjoying a sunny day in nature.
Four people standing on a grassy trail in a green, wooded area.
Six people hike on a trail through a wooded area with trees and greenery. Some are smiling and wearing backpacks, sunglasses, and casual outdoor clothing.
Four young boys in a classroom, with one older boy in the background. The boy in the front center is holding a book titled 'Time Hunter'. The classroom has wooden tables and a window, with another person blurred in the background.
Group of people lying on grass in a circle, smiling and laughing.
A group of young girls and two women sitting and posing in a library or classroom setting with bookshelves in the background.
Several handwritten and printed letters and envelopes, some with purple stamps featuring Queen Elizabeth II, arranged on a red fabric surface. There are also a small, folded orange paper butterfly or origami figure.
Two teenagers standing outdoors, smiling, with their arms around each other, wearing matching white t-shirts with purple designs and text, and a background of green foliage.
A group of children playing outdoors on a grassy field, with two kids bending over in the foreground and others sitting and standing in the background. The children appear to be having fun, and the scene is set under a cloudy sky.

Summer Camp Leaders

Perhaps the most important single factor in the success of a summer camp is the wonderful work done by the young volunteer leaders. Being more like older brothers or sisters than teachers, they become a central part of the children’s community. They offer real care and support, as well as being great role models. The leaders’ enthusiasm and positive attitude rubs off on the children, and helps create a happy, positive and active community. Often the main memory a child takes away from their summer camp is the wonderful relationship they have forged with the camp leaders.

Young leaders themselves say that their training and experience at camp was one of the most rewarding, eye-opening and fun experiences of their lives. Many come back year after year to volunteer on summer camps, making new friends for life and learning skills that help them to lead happy and successful lives.

The Volunteer Leaders’ Training Course

The 2026 Young Leader Training Week took place in April and was very successful Thirty new young leaders enjoyed the course and are looking forward to being in a summer camp in the summer holidays.

The 2027 Training Week is likely again to be at Easter. The dates ad venue for the course will be announced in Autumn 2026  -  watch this space!

Previous Young Leader testimonials…

“I learned more about how to work successfully with children on my one-week summer camp leader training week than in a whole PGCE”

Secondary School Head

“I will always remember my training week, and meeting amazing people who gave me life-long skills I use all the time, and gave me confidence to take leading roles in life”.

CEO