Summer Leader in Training Programme for 16 & 17 Year Olds

This summer we began something new at XUK Activity and what a success it was! We introduced a ‘Leader in Training’ programme to our oldest teenagers, inspired by ‘Counsellor in Training’ programmes.

We understand that our oldest campers, the sixteen and seventeen year olds are maturing into young adults and we felt that we could give them an opportunity to run activities at camp and give them a flavour of what it is like to work at our residential summer camps.

From the word go, we were blown away by the enthusiasm and passion that our Leaders in Training brought to our activities. Every day the teenagers worked alongside our wonderful staff team to deliver activities to the Juniors and Inters, our younger age groups. They shared their expertise in a range of sports including Football and Basketball to more specific activities such as Tie Dying and Rocket Making.

The Leader in Training programme continued on into the evening once a week too. We saw some outstanding Evening Activities planned by our teenagers, including the ‘Crystal Maze’. We couldn't be prouder of the amount of effort and organisation they put into this, ensuring our youngest campers had the most brilliant activities. They certainly gave our staff a run for their money!

We also gave our Leaders in Training the chance to lead a group of Juniors or Inters on our Wednesday trips with a member of our staff team. This was completely optional as we know some of our teenagers would prefer to use this time to chill out with their new friends and do a bit of shopping, whereas others wanted to participate in the programme outside of camp.

During the summer, the Leaders in Training gave us ideas to improve the programme and to make XUK Activity even better for our campers. They came up with the wonderful idea of greeting our new arrivals along with our staff, introducing them to the campers who would quickly become their new friends for life. What a lovely way to be welcomed into a new camp!

Being a Leader in Training not only gives you an extra responsibility during your stay with us, but something you can refer back to in the future. It will look great on your college and university applications as well as your CV. We would be delighted to write a reference for you in the future too!

Don’t forget, all of our teenagers can benefit from other privileges to give them the freedom and choice they need as young adults. Our ‘Opt Outs’ give teenagers the flexibility to spend time relaxing with their friends in our common rooms or read a book instead of joining in with activities. ‘Choice Sessions’ allow our teenagers to pick from a wide range of activities during the week. Our Choice Session activities include Fitness, Acapella Workshops, Cheerleading, Fencing, Gruesome Science and a Rugby Tackling Workshop. There’s something for everyone!

A further privilege on offer to our sixteen and seventeen year olds is the opportunity to be unaccompanied on our Wednesday trips and Theme Park excursions with parental consent. This gives them the chance to explore with their friends and feel that little bit older. In the past groups have spent the afternoon in the cinema, enjoyed a Pizza Hut buffet together and have explored Cambridge’s famous university colleges.

The summer is quickly approaching – we will be contacting all of our sixteen and seventeen year old campers, attending XUK Activity before camp begins, giving you the chance to apply for to this brilliant opportunity!

Bring on #xuk2017