I’ve never been away from home on my own before. So I was a little nervous about going away for a whole week, though my friend Matthew and I were really excited about going on a camp holiday. We were really looking forward to all the fun things we could do that we had read about in the brochure.

Wickedly Wonderful is near Chichester on the south coast. When we arrived we saw a large house (which we later found out was home to the dining room) surrounded by lots of grounds where we were to camp for the next four nights.

The staff met us and helped with our bags. They were in their late teens and early twenties and were really friendly. We met the other children and we were put into different groups before going off to do our first activity – a scavenger hunt. Matthew and I were in an all-boys group of 12 aged between 7 and 11. There were two other groups doing the multi-activity camp and they were all girls. There were also children on a riding camp and a sailing camp.

The scavenger hunt was just one of the activities we did over the next few days. My favourite was boogie boarding. A minibus took us to the beach, where we played in the sand dunes and took part in organised games such as egg throwing. Then, after instructions and a safety chat, we had a great time in the water riding the waves on our mini-surf boards. Everyone was really good at this. Matthew liked boogie boarding best too.

Other things we did included swimming, tennis, crabbing (we caught lots), kayaking, bike riding, sailing, pottery, cookery, horse-riding and lots, lots more. We did three to five activities a day depending on what they were. I enjoyed all of them. It didn’t matter if you had not done something such as sailing before, as there were instructors to show you what to do and to help you.

We did exciting things at night, too. We had a campfire and roasted marshmallows. One of the funniest things we did was the night wire. We were blindfolded and we had to follow a bit of string through the wood to our camping place. The staff pretended to be a group of people who were trying to take over Wickedly Wonderful. We had to get to the camp before they could get there. As we were walking along they snapped twigs and pretended they had broken their legs and arms. That made us laugh.

We slept in tents that we had put up ourselves on the first day. Matthew and I shared a two-man tent. We were allowed to choose what size we wanted and how many people we wanted to share with. It didn’t take too long to put up, but we did need help. The tents were all in the same area and there was a staff tent there, too, so there was always an adult near by. One night I had a problem with my eye after everyone was asleep so I asked a member of staff for some help. They got it sorted out.

We had mats in the tent so we were comfy, and it was easy to sleep as we were so tired. But we woke up quite early as it was light. It was great fun camping out and we got to clean our teeth using a mug of water. The toilets and showers near the tents were portable ones, which wasn’t great, but there was also a loo near the dining room, which we used during the day.

On our last night there we all took part in a talent contest. There were some great acts: singing, mini-plays, jokes and imitations. If you couldn’t think of what to do the staff were helpful and gave you some good ideas. I did a sketch about a man going through the desert looking for water; they thought it was funny so I was pleased. Matthew talked like Donald Duck and imitated John McEnroe, which everyone liked as well.

The food at Wickedly Wonderful was yummy. Breakfasts were cereals and toast and on one day we had pancakes – Matthew thought he was in Heaven. Lunches were sandwiches, with lots of different fillings, and crisps and fresh fruit. But the best meals were the suppers: we had lasagne, pasta and cheese sauce, spaghetti bolognese, and a barbecue.

We ate all our meals in the dining room of the house (except the barbecue) and were never hungry between meals. In fact, we took some cakes and sweets with us and then ended up bringing them back because the food there was so good.

Matthew and I loved our holiday – we had a brilliant week. We were both a little bit homesick, but because we were busy and had each other there, it was never too bad.

The last thing we did was have a massive jelly and water fight, which was fun. We went after all the helpers and I got some water full in the face and jelly in my hair. Would we go next year? – you bet.

— Wickedly Wonderful (07941 231168, www.wickedlywonderful.com) still has availability for this summer. Week-long camps cost £425 full board for children aged 6-13. The last summer camp starts the week of August 27.

Activity breaks

— The House! is Camp Beaumont’s country-house alternative to the summer camp for 15 to 17 year olds in Overstrand, North Norfolk. Activities range from urban art to quad biking. A week costs £449 on Aug 11, £459 on Aug 18. Details: Camp Beaumont (0870 499 8787, www.campbeaumont.co.uk).

— Pony-mad teens can look after horses and improve their riding at Kimmerston Riding Centre in the Cheviot Hills. A week’s full board costs £500. Three places are available on Aug 19. Details: Kimmerston Riding Centre (01668 216283, www.kimmerston.com).

— Budding Daniel Radcliffes can hone their skills on a residential drama week for children aged 9 to 16 at Kilmore House in Glenariff in Northern Ireland. Places are available on Aug 12 and 19. It costs £375. Details: Centre Stage (02890 778099, www.summerdrama.co.uk).

— With more than 40 activities – from canoeing and crazy Olympics to high ropes, crafts, concerts and discos – Mill On The Brue’s summer adventure camp in Somerset will keep children busy. There are places left on Aug 12 and 19 for ages 8-15 and a week’s full board costs £450. Details: Mill on the Brue (01749 812307, www.millonthebrue.co.uk).

— Learn to drive, accept a secret spy mission or go on a white-knuckle adventure at PGL’s biggest holiday centre, Boreatton Park in Shropshire. There are still places for ages 7 to 16 in August, with discounted prices starting at £299 for an Indiana Jones week for ages 7 to 10. Details: PGL (08700 507507, www.pgl.co.uk).

— Julia Brookes

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