This granddaddy of European camps (now in its 47th year) has sites in Austria, Portugal, Switzerland and elsewhere, but few can boast a location as spectacular as the Summer River Camp Experience on the banks of the Ardèche. It’s a slick, well-run operation with rock climbing, abseiling and canoe training culminating in a two-day 30km canoe descent of the Gorge with an overnight bivouvack. Accommodation is ‘comfortable roughing it’ in large, all-weather tents with sprung beds. If your offspring is a linguist, you can combine the outdoor fun with a French language course.
Suitable 11-17 years; £2000 (two weeks), starting July 1 or 15; villagecamps.com
