What if the best summer camp isn’t the one where your child feels happy straight away, but the one that feels a bit scary at first? Those shaky first days, the tiny acts of courage, and the quiet changes you only see when they come home—that’s where the real growth happens.
Uncomfortable: Why the First Few Days Feel Hard
The first days of a residential summer camp are often filled with uncertainty — new faces, unfamiliar surroundings, and routines that challenge comfort zones. This discomfort isn’t a sign that something is wrong; in fact, it’s a meaningful indicator that real growth is about to begin. Most students feel emotionally stretched at first, even those who appear confident on the outside.
Homesickness, hesitation, and social anxiety are common — but they are also manageable. Camps designed with emotional wellbeing in mind gently support students through these early feelings, offering structured social activities, mentors, and pastoral care. Learning to handle these emotions is part of the educational experience, not a disruption to it.
Discomfort teaches an important lesson: independence is not gained through comfort, but through navigating challenges in supportive environments. When children begin to manage their emotions, advocate for themselves, and make small, brave choices, they’re not just attending camp — they’re practicing resilience.
What students say: it was a very academic program yet fun. It’s well-organized, the mentors are lovely and willing to help if somebody is in need. I loved this experience! (Immerse Education)
Being Brave – small acts of bravery
Bravery at summer camp doesn’t always look bold. Sometimes it’s the quiet courage of introducing yourself, speaking up in class, joining a group activity that feels intimidating, or choosing to stay even when you miss home. These are small yet powerful acts of bravery that help students build social and emotional strength.
Over time, young people begin to recognise their own emerging confidence. They may not articulate it, but they feel it: I can do hard things. I can handle being unsure. I can try even when I don’t feel ready.
What students say: Because of the Summer Springboard program, I was able to experience new things that were out of my comfort zone. It also helped me understand myself and the path I want to take in the future. (Summer Springboard)
Bravery becomes a habit. Each time a student takes a risk — trying a new language, performing, sharing an idea, or simply showing up — they reinforce their belief in their own abilities. That’s not just confidence; it’s the beginning of self-leadership.
Transformative: What Real Transformation Looks Like
Transformation at summer camp isn’t about dramatic change — it’s about subtle shifts that parents often notice only when their child returns home. More independence. A stronger voice. Increased empathy. A willingness to participate, collaborate, or simply be more open to new people and new ideas.
What students say: It was so much fun, I learned so much. I discovered so much and did so much. I loved everything, all the sports, and all the people. The staff were really nice. (ISSFT International Summer School for Teens)
Students often leave with something far more valuable than just academic progress — a deeper understanding of themselves. They discover which environments help them thrive, how they learn best, and what kind of peer relationships support their growth. Many leave with not just more knowledge, but a clearer sense of who they are becoming.
Instead of being at home on devices, they’re off building rafts to cross rivers with classmates, competing in sports, going on amazing trips and learning in ways that really stick.” (Academic Summer UK)
The most powerful transformations don’t only happen in classrooms — they happen in conversations, group challenges, late-night discussions, moments of reflection, and shared experiences.
What Students Say: The staff were great, they were funny, creative and positive. I appreciated that we were like a family, we ate together, laughed together and had fun together. (Bucksmore Education)
What Parents Can Look For in a Truly Growth-Focused Summer School
Not every summer school is designed to help young people grow emotionally, socially, and personally. Many offer impressive locations, rigorous academics, or exciting excursions — but the real question is: Does this environment help my child mature, gain confidence, and understand themselves better? Think, for example, of multi-campus providers such as Summer Boarding Courses in Prestigious Schools (SBC), which combine academics with a residential community.
A truly growth-focused summer school doesn’t just teach — it nurtures, supports, challenges, and empowers. Here’s how parents can spot the difference.
1. Look for More Than Academics
Strong academic content is valuable — but growth comes when learning is lived, not just delivered. Programmes that blend subject study with real-world application, discussion, and projects help students connect what they learn to who they are becoming. A good example is Academic Foundation Courses at Eton (SBC), which balance subject depth with skills and confidence-building in a high-expectation environment.
Look for:
• Real-life challenges, workshops, or projects
• Courses taught by mentors, not just lecturers
• Agency-building experiences: debating, designing, leading, collaborating
Growth-focused programmes integrate learning with reflection, creativity, experimentation, and social engagement — like the Career Insights Programmes in London (Immerse Education).
2. Ask About Pastoral Care — Not Just Supervision
Supervision keeps young people safe. Pastoral care helps them grow. A growth-focused summer school sees each student as a whole person, not just a participant to be managed. This is especially important in residential settings such as the International Academic Summer Camp for Juniors at Taunton School (Taunton School).
Strong pastoral support includes:
• Support with homesickness, anxiety, or friendship dynamics
• Regular check-ins and opportunities to talk
• Clear support systems for first-time-away students
• Culture of kindness, empathy, and inclusion
When pastoral care is strong, students are supported — especially when things feel hard. Programmes like English Language Learning at Stonyhurst College (Stonyhurst College) emphasise this combination of care, structure, and stretch.
3. Look for Structured Social Connection
Growth happens when young people connect — not just coexist. The most effective summer schools intentionally help students build relationships. This is especially visible in international environments like English Language Learning International Summer Camp (Chester College).
Look for:
• Buddy systems and mentoring
• Ice-breakers and confidence-building activities
• Collaborative challenges, projects, and cultural exchanges
• Social mixing designed, not accidental
Camps like Multi Activity and English Summer Camps with XUK (XUK) exemplify this — where community is intentionally created, not accidental.
4. Prioritise Environments That Allow Mistakes
Growth requires trying, failing, and trying again — without fear. The right summer school creates room for experimentation, reflection, and recovery. Programmes like ICMP London Music Summer School (ICMP London) encourage students to perform, create, and iterate — not aim for perfection.
Ask the provider:
“How are students encouraged to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them?”
Growth-focused environments offer:
• Shared projects where all can participate
• Reflection-led feedback
• Mentors who help students turn challenges into insight
Summer Springboard’s Business and Law US Programme (Summer Springboard) is an example — encouraging experimentation, testing ideas, and reflective discussion.
5. Read Reviews That Mention Change — Not Just Food, Facilities, or Scenery
The most meaningful reviews describe growth: confidence, independence, friendships, or life direction. This kind of feedback often appears around Academic Insights in Oxford and Cambridge (Immerse Education) and St Andrews Summer School For Ages 13–18 (ISSOS).
Look for reviews mentioning:
• Confidence, independence, maturity
• Handling homesickness or social challenges
• New friendships from different countries
• Changed attitudes, motivation, or purpose
If most reviews focus only on location or activities, the experience may be fun — but not necessarily transformational.
6. Look for Programmes That Build Self-Knowledge
The strongest sign of a growth-focused environment is when students leave knowing more — not just academically, but personally. Programmes like Gaia Changemakers Program (Gaia) explicitly help students explore identity, purpose, and future direction.
Growth-focused environments help students discover:
• What motivates them
• How they work with others
• What kind of environments they thrive in
• How they respond to challenge, uncertainty, and independence
Programmes like English for a Sustainable Future Summer for Ages 13–17 (Brighton-based provider) are designed to foster reflection, empathy, and purpose — alongside subject learning.
| Standard Summer School | Growth-Focused Summer School |
|---|---|
| Delivers lessons | Develops people |
| Focuses on academics only | Focuses on confidence, character, and curiosity |
| Supervises students | Supports, mentors, and guides them |
| Offers fun activities | Designs growth-centered experiences |
| “It was great!” reviews | “It changed me” reviews |
When parents look beyond glossy brochures and ask deeper questions, they start to notice a pattern: the best summer schools aren’t just the ones with the best facilities or excursions — they’re the ones where a young person is stretched just enough to grow, supported just enough to be brave, and welcomed just enough to feel they belong. That might be through designing an experiment to send to space at Mission Discovery Summer School – London (ISSET), composing in historic chapels at Cambridge Choral Academy or exploring media, justice, or leadership at the International Youth Media Summit (IYMS) — but the common thread is the same: uncomfortable, brave, transformative.