With the long (too long?) summer holidays looming, many parents will be looking forward to July and August with a mixture of delight and dread.

Of course, it’s lovely to have the children home, but usually around the middle of the second week the novelty begins to wear off, and the piteous cry of ‘I’m bored!’ is repeated ad nauseum up and down the county.

Unless you have the patience of Job, the resourcefulness of Robinson Crusoe and the bank balance of a Premiership footballer, relationships may eventually become a little strained. However, you can save your sanity and win some major Brownie points by treating your offspring to a residential summer camp experience.

Summer camps provide organised activities in a supervised environment for unaccompanied children and teenagers, usually in a secure venue such as a boarding school or custombuilt centre. Participants are cared for by trained staff, and specialist instructors lead courses in specific skills and interests, and multi-activity events. Children usually have some form of quieter entertainment in the evening to allow them to wind down.

Most summer camps offer accommodation for periods of seven or 14 days, and can represent excellent value for money. “Before selecting a camp for your child, do ensure that the price quoted includes everything – meals, excursions, activities and insurance,” said Harry Ogden, who runs Harrow School’s Multi-Activity enterprise near London (www.harrowschoolenterprises.com).

“We estimate that our all-in cost for lots of exciting experiences, good food, 24 hour care, supervision and accommodation works out just £4.38 per hour - way below the rates of most childminders.”

So if you think a little absence might make the heart grow fonder during those interminable six weeks, consider this option. Day courses are also available at many centres, so if you want to try a taster this may be the way to go.

Shropshire Woman has compiled a list of some of the nearer summer camps which may still have vacancies.

Superweeks
www.ate.org.uk  have centres at: Moor Park, near Ludlow; Bockleton Hall, Tenbury Wells; Bedstone, near Knighton, Welsh Borders; Bredenbury Court, Bromyard. Contact The Active Training and Education Trust: Call 0845 456 1205.

PGL
www.pgl.co.uk  have centres at: Boreatton Park, Shrewsbury; Hillcrest, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire; Tregoyd, Black Mountains, Herefordshire. Contact: Head Office: 08700 551551.

Kids Klub
www.kidsklub.co.uk  have centres at: Worksop College, Worksop, Nottinghamshire; Princethorpe, Rugby, Warwickshire; Moreton Morrell, Warwickshire (groups only). Cntact Head Office: 01449 742700.

Old Vicarage ctivity Centre
www.ovac.co.uk
Stottesdon. Contact: 01746 718436.