Country Life has picked some of the most brilliant summer courses, covering everything from acting to surfing, to pique your children’s interest in the forthcoming holidays
Shooting summer courses
BASC Young Shots sessions run during July and August in Cornwall, Wiltshire, East Sussex and Perthshire for 10-18 year olds. Whether your child is a complete novice or an experienced enthusiast, they’re guaranteed a safe and enjoyable day out. From £20, including clays and cartridges (http://basc.org.uk/events)
Tennis summer courses
What better way to spend a week of your summer than racket in hand and meeting other young players from around the world? Jonathan Markson Tennis runs camps in London’s Barnes, Oxford and Yorkshire’s Giggleswick from £295 per week (www.marksontennis.com; 020-7603 2422)
Surfing summer courses
Cornwall’s Lusty Glaze is offering courses this summer for every age and stage of budding beach boy (and girl). Courses include Minnows for the little ones to learn about rock pools and tide lines (£20), Junior Bodyboarding (£20) for those keen to get into the surf and Junior Surfing for 8-13 year olds (£27) (01637 872444; www.lustyglaze.co.uk)
Rowing, riding and cricket summer courses
Bryanston School, Dorset, is well known for its celebrated sporting facilities, so why not take advantage of them this year? The summer cricket week for 9-13 year olds runs from July 21 to 25, from £185. Summer rowing for 11-15 year olds runs from August 4 to 8 and costs £205, and summer riding for 8-13s from August 18 to 22 costs £205 (01258 452411; www.bryanston.co.uk)
Acting summer courses
Hurtwood House in Surrey is where all budding Benedict Cumberbatches and Emma Watsons want to spend their summers. The acting course for 14-19 year olds, which runs from July 13 to 19 and costs £1,250, covers audition techniques, stage combat and acting for film and TV. It culminates in a public performance and participants will have a chance to impress a panel from a wellknown drama school (01483 279000; www.hurtwoodhouse.com)
Fly-fishing summer courses
You never forget the first fish you catch. At Tightloops in Southampton, Hampshire, instructor Darren Lewis offers tailored fly-fishing tuition based on Hampshire’s famous fly-fisheries. Family days out can be organised, too (www.flyfishinglessons.co.uk; 07762 701920)
Sailing summer courses
At Argyll’s Tighnabruaich Sailing School, children will breeze through the RYA Youth Sailing Scheme on the peaceful Kyles of Bute. After rounders and bonfires on the beach, they’ll bed down in a Swallows and Amazons style bunkhouse. Five-day residential courses run throughout July and August, costing £390 (01700 811717; www.tssargyll.co.uk)
Art summer courses
The New Brewery Arts in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, has courses all summer for aspiring young artists. Kids Create, for 6-10 year olds, is in three parts-August 4-8, August 11-15 and August 18-22, from 10am to 3pm each day-and costs £90 per week. Book a single section or all three (01285 657181; www. newbreweryarts.org.uk)
Cookery summer courses
The staff at Splat Cooking in Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire, are passionate about encouraging youngsters to experiment in the kitchen.
The Summer Holiday Club for 8-15 year olds (£65 per day, with a discount if you book two or more days) covers everything from pasta to French pâtisserie, curry and British favourites (0870 766 8290; www.splatcooking.net
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