Best for: traditional US camp style
Having spent 10 years running a summer camp in Massachusetts, the owners of Camp Cooper have transported all the traditional US elements to Scotland: singing in the dining hall, campfires with songs, colour war competitions, lots of dressing up and a big focus on building friendships and life skills. Most kids stay for two weeks (although there is a one week option at the start of the summer) and they are divided into 'cabin groups' of 8-10 same age, same gender friendship groups. "Building strong lasting friendships is at the heart of what we do," says owner Hiran Silva.
Accommodation is in boarding school dorms and there are 14 elective activities such as football, mountain biking, tennis, drama as well as lots of group games (dressing up in black for a late night Mission Impossible treasure hunt sounds exceedingly good fun). English language lessons are available too – international students make up 70 per cent of the 110 places in the early weeks of summer, falling to 50 per cent when British schools break up.
Suitable for 7-17 years; 14 day (£1494) or 7 day camps (£750); scholarships available; max 110 per week; from July 2 – August 18; internationalsummercampuk.com
