A passion for sports and adventure often lasts a lifetime. For some of us we know straight away that it’s our passion in life. Others need to be introduced to it. A great way to introduce your children to a variety of extreme sports in a supportive and open environment is to send them to an adventure camp, but what exactly will they be doing at an adventure camp?

Here is an introduction to some of the sports that the kids at adventure camps will be able to try out this summer:

1. Archery
   This is a personal favourite of mine, which is why I’ve introduced it first. I discovered this great sport in my late teens, but it’s a great sport for people of all ages. Archery is a very sociable activity and combines dedication with precision and strength. You gain the strength as you go along by learning how to hold the bow correctly and how to pull back and release without the bow moving at the wrong moment and thereby changing the course of the arrow’s flight. The general principle of this sport can be picked up quickly, but mastering it takes time. After a go or two people are often hooked, I know I was, so the opportunity to give it a go is always great.
   
2. Weaselling
   The advantage of weaselling is that it can be done by kids and adults of all ages, no matter their previous experience. Weaselling is the activity of finding your path through a mountainous hillside by climbing, scrambling, sliding and squeezing your way through natural rocky obstacles and caves. It is best explained as a cross between caving and gorge scrambling. Experienced supervisors take groups through a day of weaselling, which is often done in the peak district as it has some of the best areas for weaselling and a very rewarding view at the end. Weaselling doesn’t need any ropes, and can be done by people with fear of heights, too, as there is no exposure to the actual height, so no looking down to set anyone off. Waterproof clothing is a must though as there’s plenty of mud about, another reason why it’s a popular kids activity.
3. High Ropes Course
   This activity is great fun, but not suitable if you don’t like heights. Again a lot of climbing is involved, and high ropes is a stepping stone for many to more extreme climbing. In high ropes there is a set course to climb often following roped paths and bridges which lead you from tree to tree in the course’s area. It’s all about keeping balance and there are many different styles of courses to keep everyone occupied. Conquering a wobbly tire bridge, reaching the top of a steep climbing wall or swinging through the air like Tarzan, it’s a day out none of the kids will soon forget.
   

These are just some examples of the activities available at an adventure camp, and all are chosen to inspire the true adventurer.

This article was written by Sarah Oxley on behalf of Doit4real, who are a charitable organisation providing great summer and adventure camps across the UK for children aged 10-19 years old. Sarah is an archer, hiker and keen photographer.

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