Summer camps, what's left?

Those endless school summer holidays are looming and you've got to entertain your children - or get someone else to. Kids' camps, an idea nicked from our American cousins in the 1950s, are now integral to summer over here. What's more, some of the best still have availability.

Camp Beaumont (01603 284 280) offers everything from body-boarding to fencing for ages six upwards and has availability at three of its five UK residential sites - among them the Staffordshire centre, £258 per week (20 July or 3 August) and in North Norfolk (10 and 17 August).

Motocross, abseiling, canoeing, trekking, archery ... market leader PGL (01989 767 767) has multi-activity breaks for six to 18 year olds at 20 locations in the UK and France. In the UK, Marchants Hill in Surrey has seven nights from 20 July £329. Themed camps include motocross (Boreatton Park in Shropshire). In France kids can try white-water rafting and watersports near Briançon in the French Alps, seven nights from 11 August £449 (tents, meals and coach transport).

Until 17 August, you can sign the kids up for a summer footie camp at Reed's School in Cobham, Surrey. Chelsea FC coaches will teach nine to 16-year-olds basic skills to advanced tactics, with a visit to Stamford Bridge. Five hours teaching a day for £170 with lunch or £360 residential (meals, accommodation and evening programme). Call EAC Activity Camps (0845 113 0022).

Manor Adventure (01584 861333) has family activity holidays, featuring climbing, canoeing and circus skills, at a manor house near Ludlow in Shropshire: seven nights from 27 July £359 per adult, £319 eight to 12s and £279 five to sevens (meals and accommodation). Alternatively, make them practise French at an 18th century ch?teau near Le Touquet, seven nights £539 per adult, £350 eight to 17s and £289 three to sevens (food, accommodation and ferry crossing).

Experience UK (XUK) has a handful of places over the summer hols at its residential camp in Riddlesworth Hall near Diss, East Anglia. Activities include go-karting, drama and football for kids age six to 16. £299 per week for accommodation and meals (excluding transport). Call 020 8922 9739.