​You want to join a UK sports camp this summer but would like to make sure it’s exactly what you want first. We get it! We’ve compiled a list of questions that we’re commonly asked about summer sports camps in the UK that’ll help. From course-specific questions that cover nationality, skill-level, coaches, specialising and multi-sports, boys to girl ratio and what a typical day is to more general questions about the food and smartphone use.

Will anyone else that’s my nationality be at the UK summer camp?

We check the ratios of the different nationalities on your preferred course for you when you enquire​ – for you to feel confident that there are others, the same nationality as you. However, these camps are truly multinational with a mix of students from over 85 different countries . Plus there are limits set for each nationality to ensure a good mix. You will also all have English, to different degrees, as the common factor. ​Above all, it’s an opportunity to build a network of lifelong friends from different cultures.

What’s a typical day at a camp?

The camps vary but often they have academic study in the morning, followed by the sports action in the afternoon. ​I​n contrast, they can be sports​-only​ all day for those already with a good level of English. Additionally to that​, there’ll be standout excursions throughout and social activities each evening.

Here​ are a few of examples​ of a typical day at camp:

  • A summer provider that runs summer schools in several locations in Cambridge, London and the South East for 9 – 17 year olds provides coaching and workshops of one or two sports of your choosing over six hours each day.
  • At a football camp at a boarding school for 12 – 17 year olds that’s located near Eastbourne​, ​t​here’s English skills sessions in the morning, then a related or nearby city or landmark excursion, followed by an afternoon of training and match play.
  • Another boarding school in the Cotswolds offers an academic option along with academies and activities for 10 to 16 year olds. They start each day with the academic option all morning, followed by integration projects and then all activities and academies take place in the afternoon. The academic options include English language, AI and Future Technologies, Leadership Programmes and Adventure Challenge. The sports academies and activities include polo, horse riding golf and flying, The integration projects are team challenges which help develop communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, listening, presentation and leadership along with your English language skills.

Do summer sports camps have more boys than girls?

Generally speaking the programmes are ​equally for both boys and girls​, but where there are ​summer sports camps with more boys, the programme will tell you. For example, One football programme held at a boarding school in the East Midlands for 12 – 18 year olds, although welcomes girls at any time, recommends ​g​irls join in week 1 or week 3.

If you’re looking for a girls only camp or programme then we can help. A boarding school in Ascot runs summer courses that combine sports with creative arts, academic subjects and English language for female international students age 8 – 17. The sports activities are part of their academies that they offer, including Water Sports Academy, Horse Riding Academy, Horse Riding and Stable Management Academy, Tennis Academy, Golf Academy, Football Academy. And for serious fun, their Adventure Academy – which includes Go Ape, mountain biking and paddleboarding​!

Are there UK sports camps for beginners?

There are​ UK sports camps that provide expert coaching for all levels​ including complete beginners. For those who already excel at their chosen sport through to those starting out. All camps state which levels they run and we know plenty of ​sports camps for beginners out there, particularly multi-sport programmes for you to try out a new sport. See number 5 below!

Are there summer camps that are multi-sport?

Yes absolutely. As well as camps where you can specialise in the one sport you love, there are camps with multi-sport options.

One leading summer school that run camps in London and Cambridge enables you to focus on your chosen sport or combine two sports. There are many activities to choose from including football, basketball, golf, horse riding, hockey, rugby, tennis and volleyball. Additionally there is a multi-sport option for students who’d like to try out different sports for the first time as beginners. There’s so many options ranging from road tennis, pickleball and table tennis to team games such as volleyball, rounders, American flag football, and basketball; not to mention other activities like high ropes, water sports, forest school or orienteering. ​Additionally, it also includes 15 hours of English too which will help you with areas such as public speaking, debating, writing a speech and pitching a business plan.

Are the ​​coaches former professional athletes​ at the camp?

All coaches are either expert tutors from top boarding schools​ – or elite professional coaches in a specialist sport​ where there is an excellent chance that they might be former professional athletes. ​F​or example, with the football camps, you’ll be coached by former professional FA & UEFA-Qualified players as well as highly qualified youth academy coaches.

What if I don’t enjoy the sport at my camp?

When we help students like yourself find the perfect summer camp in the UK, we cover off every aspect of the ​p​rogramme with you​ – including you not enjoying your chosen sport at the camp. Certainly, we try our best to avoid this situation. However, if it does happen, then the coaches will be more than happy to help you find an alternative. As long as there’s availability on another programme run by the same provider and your parents give their permission.

Can I use my smartphone?

Each summer camp’s smartphone policy will vary slightly but they will all have a no-phone rule during all daytime academic and sports​, activities alongside the evening social activies. And​, definitely over night. However​, they will make allowances for calling home during set times​ for you to use your smartphone – and exceptions to this rule are made where there is a large time difference between countries.

What are meals like at a UK boarding school camp?

There will be a lot of choice to meet a wide range of dietary requirements​ at summer sports camps held at UK boarding schools (which many are). A varied menu with a mixture of British and international cuisine. Vegetarians and diets for religious observance or health/medical-related requirements will be accommodated when pre-arranged before your camp starts. And that is key, talk to us about your food preferences. Eat halal or have allergies? Let’s make sure the ​summer camp knows this and provide the ​m​eals you enjoy the most​.

What is the best summer sports camp for international students in the UK?

We can’t lie, EVERY summer camp we have close connections with are the very best of UK summer sports camps​! We can advise according to your age, preferred sport and level, English proficiency and academic subject, then the rest is down to you.

​H​ere are more examples for you. We could recommend a week long summer football camp in London for 13 – 21 year olds that help serious players “increase their chances of going pro” in London and have the opportunity to put yourself in front of scouts and coaches who have connections to professional clubs all over Europe. Or we could recommend a three week tennis summer camp bear Eastbourne “that will cultivate the next generation of champions” training like professionals would. Held at a boarding school with state-of-the-art facilities and coached by the school’s Director of Tennis and Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) performance coaches However, they all elite UK summer camps and we can’t wait to tell you about them.

Further reading

​A​re you thinking of doing a more academic programme? See our previous blog post Which UK Summer Programmes Should You Choose? Academic vs Immersive Programmes? Also, if you want to know how much a UK summer programme can help with your university application, read this blog post Do UK Summer Programmes Help With UK University Applications? 

Book now!

There places still remaining on UK summer camps but time is running out! Get in touch today by completing our quick to complete summer programmes form today or WhatsApp us.

 

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