Children from ethnic minorities are to be sent on adventure holidays with white youngsters in a scheme to break down racial and religious barriers.

Ministers want children from different backgrounds to mix at summer camps where they can enjoy extreme sports together. The Youth Hostel Association (YHA) centres also offer workshops in skills such as circus tricks and producing pop videos.

Last year 10,000 children attended the five-day camps at locations such as the Lake District and national parks in North Yorkshire.

The government says the idea represents a new approach to community relations, with an emphasis on practical ways to promote understanding between different groups.

Hazel Blears, the communities secretary, said: “There is far more benefit, in terms of breaking down barriers of race and faith, in people actually doing things together than in just sitting around talking about theology in seminars.

“If we can get young people together, whether it’s playing football, kayaking, learning circus skills or whatever, I believe that will be far more effective in tackling racism.”

Lynne Featherstone, the Liberal Democrat youth and equality spokeswoman, said: “Breaking down barriers is a good idea. [But] we need to look at the long-term effects of these schemes: they have to be more than a holiday.”

Tim Loughton, shadow children’s minister, said the scheme was “remarkably similar to the national citizen service for every 16-year-old that David Cameron announced last September”.

The plan is outlined in a government report on community cohesion. It says the activities can play a key role in aiding relationships between ethnic and faith groups. It identifies the “Doit4Real” YHA residential camps as an activity that councils could support.

The camps, for 10 to 17-year-olds, were a sell-out last year. They are subsidised by the lottery and cost £100 for children whose families earn less than £58,000. Parents who are better off are charged about £400.

Among the most popular was the “Live like a star” themed holiday at Ilam Hall, in Derbyshire. Participants learnt how to star in their own film and enjoyed workshops on body art, circus skills and stunts.

Another camp, in the Lake District, offers youngsters the chance to pretend they are soldiers on a top-secret mission. Challenges include rock-climbing and abseiling.

- Concern that Britain’s sense of cohesion is waning has been fuelled by the archbishop of Canterbury’s suggestion that the adoption of aspects of sharia (Islamic law) appeared unavoidable.

A YouGov poll for The Sunday Times has found that 67% of people – and 72% of those in the Church of England – believe Rowan Williams has been damaged by the affair.

YouGov also asked what characteristics people associated with Britishness. Top of the list, named by 67%, was accepting Britain’s way of life, followed by pride in historic achievements and the empire, at 44%.

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